2022
Ian Blenkinsopp's 4mm scale HALLBANKGATE was a Cumbrian themed micro layout that was widely admired by our visitors.
Ian Blenkinsopp deservedly won The Cumberland Bowl for his model. So much incredible detail packed in to a very small space.
Victoria Viaduct scene on Bob Jones's FENCEHOUSES. It is hard to believe this is 2mm scale (Finescale modelling similar to N gauge).
The Colliery. The period modelled is 1952 to 1962 . That will be steam and diesel motive power then.
Gwyn Lishman from Seaton exhibited BRIGHAM in 4mm scale, ,his first ever exhibition layout. It was understandably very popular with local visitors and Gwyn took home the Numech Engineering Trophy for the best layout with a Cumbrian theme.
Solrail's own Eric Farragher stunned the visitors with his 2mm finescale modern image layout: ELI WOOD featuring scale length main line trains in a beautiful countryside landscape. A packed timetable of main line freight and passenger trains were supplemented by branch line trains shuttling to and fro, and amazing self propelled road vehicles running the full length of this huge layout. Eric won the scenic shield for best layout, voted by the General Public. A very worthy winner.
A very busy main exhibition hall.
Andrew Wright exhibited his layout under construction.
Once again, stalwart visitor Graham Morfoot made the perilous journey from deepest Lincolnshire to debut his 4mm layout GRACETOWN BANK at the exhibition. Lots of industrial steam and diesel locomotives along with a working incline plane and atmospheric industrial soundscpe playing in the background. Impeccable slow speed running from small locomotives equipped with DCC decoders and stay alive units.
TREDETHY WHARF was exhibited by Ian Johnston from Wigton, his first layout in over 30 years. 4mm finescale and hand built track. We would invite him to return but he'll have to learn to model a bit quicker. Winner of the scenic shield.
WEST END DRIFT was another delightful compact industrial model railway layout showcasing 4mm finescale.
Those of us of a certain age will remember Barclay 0-4-0 industrial steam locomotives toiling away in West Cumbria. The prize winning WEST END DRIFT layout by Gordon Hudson, came from Ovington, near Barnard Castle.