Calendar of Events

The following entries have been included in good faith from information provided by the organisers of the events or by the organisers of 16mm scale layouts booked to attend. As date and detail changes occasionally occur, it is suggested that people should contact the event organisers beforehand for confirmation. The Association of 16mm Narrow Gauge Modellers cannot accept any responsibility for cancellations, date or detail changes, or errors.

Our large scale trains are very appealing to members of the public, especially when they realise that the live steam locomotives are not being powered by electricity and that their speed and direction are being set either by radio control or manually. Portable 16mm scale layouts, many of them fully scenic, are based in most parts of Great Britain and our volunteer members take them to exhibitions and events throughout the year. A variety of live steam and battery powered locomotives can be operated on them. Most of the steam locomotives are gas fired and can produce atmospheric steam plumes even indoors. These locomotives are very clean to run and do not pollute the average size exhibition hall with gas, oil or smoke. They do not set off smoke alarms or heat sensors and they can even be operated successfully in school classrooms.

Details of just some of our many layouts can be seen here.

If you would like to invite a 16mm scale layout to your exhibition or event, we might be able to help you contact the manager of a suitable layout. Please e-mail Tez Pickthall  at publicity.officer@16mm.org.uk with details of your requirements.

Guildford Model Engineering Society, Stoke Park, London Road, Guildford, Surrey GU1 1TU. Situated at the eastern end of Stoke Park, near the roundabout, at the junction of A25 Parkway and A3100 London Road. Website: http://www.gmes.org.uk/

Public open days, with steam train rides on all dates:
Open afternoons, 2pm - 5pm on:
Sunday 20th April
Sunday 18th May
Sunday 15th June
Sunday 17th August
Sunday 21st September - Charity Day
16mm Garden Railway and 4mm (00 gauge) layouts in operation.
Free admission. Free parking. Refreshments available.

41st Model Steam Rally and Exhibition. 11am - 5pm each day, Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th July
Model Engineering Exhibition. Steam Train rides. Model Traction Engines. Model Boating Pools.
Model Aero Engines. Model Railways from 00 to 7¼" gauge.
Trade Stands. Refreshments. FREE Car Parking, and much much more...
Admission: Adults £6.00, Senior Citizen £5.00, Children under 16 FREE

Bantry Bay Railway (April to September), The Mid-Norfolk Railway, Station Rd. Dereham, Norfolk. The “Bantry Bay Railway” is a 32mm gauge exhibition layout that appears on the station platform, and features Irish narrow gauge rolling stock. 16mm Association members are welcome to come along and run their locos. The layout is under the platform canopy, but open at the sides. We usually operate on the third Sunday of the month from April to September inclusive. If it is wet, the layout will be operated on the 4th Sunday of the month instead but please phone Ken Elliott (see later for number) to confirm. Dates for 2008: 20th April; 18th May; 15th June; 20th July; 10th Aug – coincides with an exhibition planned at Dereham Station by the Association of Larger Scale Railway Modellers; 21st Sep. We start to assemble the layout at 9.00am and helpers will be welcomed with open arms at this time, but running usually starts at approx. 10.30am, finishing at 4.00pm. The station buffet is open during running times for light refreshments. Contact: Ken Elliott, phone no.01760-721236.

Other permanent layouts accessible by the public (please check with the venue for operating dates/times):

• Bressingham Steam Museum and Gardens, near Diss, Norfolk IP22 2AB. Indoor layout. http://www.trossachs.freeserve.co.uk/sblr.htm
• Midland Railway Centre, Butterley Station, Ripley, Derbyshire DE5 3QZ. Outdoor layout.
• The Paddock Railway, Hampton Loade Station, Severn Valley Railway. Outdoor scenic 32mm layout with 3 running lines and extensive sidings. Runs every Sunday and bank holiday with some additional days during SVR special events. Two day running planned for the SVR Steam Gala, Saturday 20th & Sunday 21st of September. This will include floodlit running well into Saturday night (subject to kind weather!) and a wonderful photo opportunity at 4pm on Saturday with a line-up of at least 40 locos on our viaduct . Visiting Association Members are most welcome to run their locos (with Paddock staff discretion). Contact Tez Pickthall (tez.pickthall@btinternet.com) for more details.
• Buckfastleigh Station, TQ11 0DZ. Outdoor layout operated by the South Devon Garden Railway Group from midday on the 3rd Sunday of the month and on the Sunday of special gala events. 16mm scale narrow gauge trains on 32mm and 45mm tracks, and Gauge 1 standard gauge trains too. Contact David on 01803 326329 or Graham on 01803 863429.
• Tywyn, mid Wales (terminus of the Talyllyn Railway). Outdoor layout. The Llechfan Garden Railway is in the garden of the Talyllyn Railway Volunteer Hostel 'Llechfan' which is the bungalow that can be seen across the tracks from the Wharf Station platform. Open Days on 25/26 May 2008, 29 May 2008, 5/6 July 2008 and 24 August 2008. Details are in the table below. The Llechfan Garden Railway may also be operating on occasional Sundays throughout the Talyllyn Railway's operating season, these days will be dependent upon weather and operator availability and so subject to change at short notice. If you are planning to visit the LGR, please email David Rowbotham maespoeth@yahoo.co.uk in advance to confirm availability.
• Vale of Aylesbury Model Engineering Society, Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, Quainton Road Station, Quainton near Aylesbury, Bucks HP22 4BY. Outdoor layout.