Midlands Model Engineering Exhibition

The exhibition this year was the scene of yet another excellent assembly of models and traders, fulfilling the needs of the purist and casual model engineer alike.

The competition entries were an improvement over last year with only one class not having an entry. A fine set of models in Class 14 showcased the steady progress of the many young engineers who now attend the show. There were a number of anniversaries being celebrated, which added to the overall atmosphere of the exhibition, so the organizers had once again achieved their objective of presenting an exhibition with something for everyone.

I am covering the Competition Classes in this report. These provided some challenging dilemmas for the judges to resolve in all classes except one. I hope you all enjoyed this element of the exhibition and I look forward to seeing the standards maintained next year.

Class 1: Locomotives - up to and including Gauge 1

There were three entries here which provided an interesting little class. The winner of the First Prize was a familiar figure from Italy, Giancarlo Mastrini, whose Gauge 1 Italian Railways 2-8-2 Consolidation locomotive was an outstanding model (photo 1). With excellent detail and finish, it was a worthy winner. A Commended certificate was presented to David Viewing for his G1 L&NWR 4-2-0 locomotive. The third entry in this class, an OO gauge 0-4-0 Southern Railway Class 14 shunting engine owned by David Bolton, did not receive an acknowledgment.

Class 2: Locomotives 2½ and 3½ inch gauges

Dave Lee’s 3½ inch gauge 0-6-0 locomotive Mona to the LBSC design was Very Highly Commended. This was a good example of the design and was well made and finished.

Class 3: Locomotives - 5 and 7¼ inch gauges and above