Canberra Model Railway Expo - postscript

The Canberra Model Railway Expo is over for another year. The 2015 expo was a very enjoyable exhibition. The event was well organised with good parking (special thanks to the volunteers on duty all weekend), a great variety of model railroads scattered throughout the school, and just enough commercial vendors to keep me within budget (hey, my wife may read this!). Special thanks to Ian from Micro Models Hobbyland at Hornsby and Gary from Model Railroad Craftsman at Blacktown for ferrying some goodies to Canberra for me. In addition, catching up friends and fellow railway modellers was also part of the terrific weekend experience.

There were 25 layouts on display according to my count. I saw them all and this time I spent much of my time looking at the detail in the scenic displays. This included the natural vegetation, the industries and other buildings, as well as different cameo scenes. The hobby of railway modelling is indeed a very creative pursuit.

Now, before we get into the photos from a sample of layouts, let me confess that the camera I used today is a very old point-and-shoot because I have "misplaced" the other 2014 camera. I am still searching the house for that camera and hopefully I will find it before next year's Canberra model railway Expo!

And now some detail shots that I quite like from a selection of layouts:

Layout: Electric Car Sheds (NSW, HO scale)

Layout: Springfield Junction (USA, HO scale)

Layout: 12th Street Yard (USA, HO scale)

Layout: Brunswick Park (NSW, HO scale)

Layout: Tanoden (Japan, N scale)

Layout: Moose Jaw Southern (Canada, N scale)

Layout: 638 Mile (NSW, HO scale)

Layout: Western Front 1917 (France, HO scale) - displayed along with an accompanying video of the real WWI trains and railroad construction as part of the NMRA information stand.

In summary, the Canberra Model Railway Expo was a great weekend. Thank you to the club members of the Canberra Model Railway Club Inc. (CMRCI) and to all the volunteers who helped make the event such a success.

Canberra Model Railway Expo 2015

The Canberra Model Railway Expo is on again this year. There will a range of layouts and a good selection of commercial vendors. I know that Micro Models Hobbyland from Hornsby, and Model Railroad Craftsman from Blacktown will be in attendance.

The location of the exhibition is the same as in previous years: University of Canberra High School, 104 Baldwin Drive, Kaleen. Opening hours are 9am-5pm on Saturday (28 March) and 9am-4pm on Sunday (29 March).

Entrance fees are very reasonable: $10 each for adults, $5 each for children and seniors, and family admittance for $20 (two adults and two children).

The National Model Railroad Association (NMRA) will have a stand at the exhibition on both days featuring the WWI diorama/layout of Mr D. Low. The NMRA Australasian Region has good representation around the country these days and the Canberra group is no exception.

At this stage, I am planning on being at the expo on both days from mid-morning onwards. I hope to catch up with modellers then.