Model Railway Exhibition

Sunday 2nd June, in conjunction with Ellesmere Model Railway Club, we held we held a model railway exhibition in Oswestry station.  The station building is an impressive location and we were very pleased with the support received for this trial venture.  There were many layouts and stands in rooms throughout the station building so our visitors could see not only the models but also visit the historic offices of the Cambrian Railways company.   Thank you to all who visited.  Guy sent some pictures of the various attractions that were on hand.

The main ticket office was the starting point, still having it's original leaning post barriers in front of the ticket windows.  Inside the station building has been restored and now serves a number of functions including the pharmacy.  Around the concourse various stalls had been positioned from local organisations.  This was the start of the Model Railway Exhibition.   

Further on the till for rides and souvenirs, manned by Roger, was doing brisk business.

Just inside the door we had the welcome support from Oswestry Model Engineering Society with their display of locomotives and a boiler from a model of The Great Bear, the only Great Western Railway pacific type loco (4-6-2 for those who know about such things).

Some of the other live steam models on display included a Manor, the type of GWR loco that were a common sight in Oswestry station.

Of the layouts there were a wide selection in various scales.  There was a lovely model with echoes of the Glyn Valley Tramway with it's characteristic locomotives and coaches, one of which can still be found operating on the Talyllyn Railway in mid Wales

Another locally themed layout was a model of the Llangollen railway which captures the essence of the stations along the line.  We start at the main Llangollen station alongside the River Dee.

Along the line we come to Berwyn halt with it's characteristic half timbered station building.

 On the corner was Glyndyfrdwy station.

Before arriving at Carrog station.

The future was also present with a model of Corewn New station which is being built on a new site east of the old station.  The signal box is yet to be finished in real life but the model captures how it will look when completed.  The layout was dedicated to the memory of a fellow railway club member,

Cambrian Green, the CHR N gauge layout was operating.

Outside we had full size trains in operation, showing the work that has been completed on the centre road and with the freight rolling stock. 

The Lowmac and fruit van have been added to the train and our passengers await the next departure towards the south.

Before setting off there is time to look at the engine and take a few pictures.

The train gets ready to depart, soon it will be possible to travel onwards beyond the gasworks bridge and on the way to Weston.

The work at the accommodation crossing will begin shortly and there will be a long working weekend at which it is hoped the drainage can be installed and connected.  Further posts will detail what is planned.

Until next time.