For me the exhibition started later than usual as I would normally start the Saturday around half past eight. This year it was sit back and enjoy, and enjoy I did. No responsibilities, relaxed and ready to be entertained and what a lovely day the Saturday was. My first call was the club stand with Malcolm showing his working steam engines and Tony actively chatting with visitors. To one side was the small Thomas the Tank engine layout which being at five year old eye-level was very popular. I was amazed as to how large the contingent of young people there were making small planes ready for testing and flying. Steve who organises the plane making is 87 now but I think he gets a year younger each time we see him.
We had an extension to our stand with tables going forward into the hall where Bob was busy winding up clockwork trains to go around the track. Something unexpected for the young people used to plastic and AA batteries. Brian had laid out an excellent group of express locomotives he had made all in brass finish awaiting the final disassembly for painting. Among our exhibits were model boats but rather fewer than last year. Near the stage was the De-Haviland club with a large 'O' gauge electric railway on 3 rail track very well laid out and largely running faultlessly with no apparent control.
Jo had his usual display of metals and plastic kits being re-cycled, Jo loves our club exhibition as it is one of the few multi discipline model shows in the country. As you came in the door there was a model boat stand with what has now come to be called plastic magic models. The small model boat kits with detailed construction and all working with miniature radio control.
Leading out from the assembly hall was the Music room with the race track with cars going far faster than young fingers could cope with so baffles were in place at the corners. Mike had a low level 'OO' gauge locomotive manoeuvring area with options for visitor operation and Frank with an elaborate layout of American railroad operation, the area was sprinkled with seats for sore visitor toes.
To one side and across the corridor was the gymnasium also full of visiting clubs with more railways, our featured charity the RNLI and other model boat clubs local to us, the pictures say it all. Nice atmosphere and chatting. A stand out feature for me was the Stevenage club, excellent models but also a running hologram featuring operating models and display. I was told this was a 3D Fan, (well who would have thought of that description?), there are dozens of them on sale on eBay, surprisingly cheap as well, and run from an SD card. The spinning fan of video and 3D rotating cubes with pictures on the face, exists only in your brain!
The club had its own buffet food, cakes and beverages available and as usual the 'staff' worked very hard over the weekend but had cheerful smiles for all.
I love the Yellow Train with its very young drivers clearly supported by an adult with a kill switch and this leads down the corridor to the rooms full of visiting Meccano club exhibitors brought together by the West London Meccano Society and specifically John as their own exhibition organiser. The rooms had many visitor friendly models and a spectacular display of fairground rides, Meccano parts were available to purchase as well.
The other major corridor led down to the Tamiya Truckers but on the way, we had the North London Society of Model Engineers established in 1944. Once they were persuaded to come along last year, they were much enthused to do it again this year and there are several joint members who enjoy both societies.
The Tamiya Truckers spared no expense with the whole of the refectory area to work with and put on a magnificent display of road vehicles and cranes and diggers with a have-a-go area as well and it not so easy either. Always 2 deep with the visitors and ever popular.
Going outside the quad was well occupied with our own train rides another constant queue here and the have-a-go radio control boats always a queue as well. Centrally placed was our live steam display of a 5-inch gauge locomotive running on a rolling road, some small but also steam powered traction engines and our toy shop steam powered display.
There were food vans, an innovation last year and back again this year. North London club had a large-scale steam waggon I think quarter size and quietly running with radiant heat from the furnace inside. Going onto the Playing Field we had a display of all kinds of flying. The Hemel Hempstead club with fancy flying and always something in the air. Our own Dave with his Sea Vixen fighter powered with a jet engine taxiing around and making just the right kind of noise. Helicopters were flown and I missed the V-22 Osprey which demonstrated vertical and forward flight but was told it behaved perfectly. We also had professional drones used for land surveys etc and a hot air balloon (model) as well. This year was our best year for flying activities and well done to all who took part and brought it all together.
Our visitor numbers were up slightly on last year, with a large proportion of young people as well. The school did us proud hosting all our various activities and the parking and although busy, accommodated all our visitors.
The Sunday went well with slightly overcast skies but otherwise the visitors came and queued and had a good day. There were some small changes in the show but otherwise the clearing up for the larger exhibits started at 4 in time to restore the exhibition areas for the students the following day.
Roy Verden
30/09/2026