Best exhibition?

Tom Haythornthwaite · September 19, 2019, 16:56

I live in Ukraine so I've never been to an exhibition but I'm planning to visit my aunt in Nottingham in November, February, or March. What are the best narrow gauge modelling exhibitions coming up in those months (or, go on, December or January too)?

B.Meldon · September 19, 2019, 20:07

If it is November you will just miss ExpoNG on 26th October.
That is one of the best NG exhibitions.

https://expong.org/

Brian Meldon

engerth399 · September 19, 2019, 20:09

Try the Ally Pally show in London, not just narrow gauge but lots of interest.

Peter

Crichworkshop2000 · September 19, 2019, 21:12

Sunday 23rd February the Ilkeston model railway group have a show in Heanor which isn't far from Nottingham. Avykn-A-Llyin is there. Regards, Andy

Tom Haythornthwaite · September 19, 2019, 21:21

Thanks, Andy, Peter, and Brian.

I had to Google "Ally Pally" as I haven't lived in England since I was seven, and I surely didn't know what that meant then either.

I think I can get to Expo Narrow Gauge 2019 on October 26 and hope to put faces to some famous OO9 Society names then and there!

Tom

Hobby · September 19, 2019, 21:24

I set up this thread on NGRM which may help (you will need to be a member to view it, though if you are into narrow gauge then you should be!). Expong is only one of several good shows. If you want narrow gauge only then there are several shows at the beginning of next year and one, Narrow Gauge North in Leeds (not far from Nottingham) is on the 9 March and is easily the equal of Expong.

http://ngrm-online.com/forums/index.php?/topic/24356-2020-uk-narrow-gauge-model-railway-exhibitions/

engerth399 · September 20, 2019, 07:59

Sorry Tom about the Ally Pally name, the building itself is well worth a look and the show is huge, allow lots of time, on 21-22 March.

Peter

Hobby · September 20, 2019, 08:14

Tom, a little off topic, but I just noticed where you live! Have you been to the narrow gauge lines over there and if so have you any photos? The TU2 is one of the Russian locos I'd really like to see!

Tom Haythornthwaite · September 20, 2019, 10:35

Peter - I'd love to see that show (and building) but for unrelated reasons I've had to opt for ExpoNG. Looking forward to meeting people as well as the layouts.

'Hobby' - I live only a few kilometres from the Kyiv children's railway! On my one visit I was hoping to see their steam loco they only ran a diesel, which I imagine was your TU2. I didn't give it the attention you obviously think it deserves. Also I didn't linger because it was a bit embarrassing being the only adult without an accompanying child. If I can borrow my wife's son I'll go again and try to get some photos for you.

Tom Haythornthwaite · September 20, 2019, 10:40

Peter - I'm now worried that we might be out of luck for a TU2 because this photo reminds me that the diesel may have just been a shunter. Nevertheless, I hope to have a look this weekend.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children%27s_railway#/media/File:AX_Steam_Loco_Gr336_Kiev_ChRW.jpg

Hobby · September 20, 2019, 11:41

That's no shunter! It's a TU7, a modern-ish Bo-Bo replacement (1960s onwards!) for the TU2, 350bhp or more. I think they are the most numerous narrow gauge diesel class. I was wondering whether you were near the line on the Slovak border where I know they have TU2s, but it seems you are on the other side of the country.

Thanks, Blair.

B.Meldon · September 20, 2019, 11:51

Quote from: Tom Haythornthwaite on September 20, 2019, 10:35
..... Also I didn't linger because it was a bit embarrassing being the only adult without an accompanying child......

This is a bit off topic but I can sympathise with this situation. As well as NG railways I am a big roller-coaster fan but we are increasingly finding we are the oldest people in the theme parks without grandchildren! These days I am nearly always the oldest person that is getting off and walking straight round for another ride. (Often several times and on my own!)
There is also one UK park that has a wooden rollercoaster that will only let adults in when they are with a child! So I have never been on that ride!

Brian Meldon

MickT · September 20, 2019, 12:00

Just make yourself a badge that states you are the Reverse Curve Inspector and they will probably let you ride for free (or arrest you perhaps)

Mick

Hobby · September 20, 2019, 12:02

Shame our kids are older, I hate roller coasters so he could have taken mine on them!! (Even more off topic, now, Mick!! ;) )

Tom Haythornthwaite · September 20, 2019, 12:51

Blair (sorry I got your name wrong) - thanks for this loco identification. I hope the children's railway hasn't closed down for the season yet. I think I'm going on Sunday.

Brian - I can just picture you at the fairgrounds telling the roller coaster engineers that their couplings should be at exactly the same heights, that their foundations must be solid, they should get a new power supply from New Zealand, and that their vehicles were discontinued in 1968 as you can tell from the orange stripes and the crooked seat castings!!!!!!!!!!!