The 2023 exhibition was another great success with twenty layouts attending, one of which was exhibited
as a static display. There were thirteen diverse scale/gauge combinations on show including those in 0-36.75, 0, 0-16.5, 0-14,
S, P4, EM, 00, 00-9, H0, TT, British N and 2mm/ft finescale. As always, something for everyone!
Layouts traveled from as far away as Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Herefordshire, Kent, Middlesex, Norfolk,
Shropshire, South Glamorgan, Suffolk, Surrey, West Sussex and Wiltshire portraying British, Irish, French and American broad,
standard and narrow gauge prototypes.
The show, for the first time, incorporated Scalefour Southeast, a new Scalefour Society regional event,
which featured the Society's Membership Stand and the Scalefour Stores, along with associated P4 layouts and demonstration stands.
We also had the Iain Rice Extravaganza, a tribute to the well known railway modeller and author, who passed
away in 2022, featuring five 4mm/ft finescale layouts which were constructed by him or in which he was a major contributor. The layouts
were Butley Mills, Debenham Cade's Green, Hepton Wharf, Trerice and Longwood Edge. We also had on display a selection of Iain's North
Cornwall stock, built for his layout Tregarrick, and various plans and drawings from his publications.
Twenty members of the trade, including specialist manufacturers, had a presence at the show. This year, along with the Scalefour
Stores, we welcomed a couple of new members of the trade to the exhibition; Cambrian Model Rail and Model Railway Developments. Coastal DCC were
unable to be with us as their proprietors had booked to attend a music festival that clashed with our exhibition weekend. However, in their
absence, they kindly sponsored the printing of the show's Exhibition Guide.
There was a display by the model engineers from the Bentley Miniature Railway as well as popular demonstration stands
manned by guest Roger Sawyer (soldering) and Club member Paul Harding-Mabbs (small scale scenic modelling).
The show was very successful, with many comments being received as to the high quality of
the exhibits, the variety of trade goods on offer and the general friendliness of those taking part.
