Wednesday 6 June 2012

Midland Railex

My Layout Pen Y Bont is on the road again! This time at Midland Railex in August.


I hope some of my blog readers can make it and say hello!

Midland Railway - railex

The Midland Railex proved a great success last year and a second event is scheduled to take place at the Midland Railway - Butterley in Derbyshire on 18th and 19th August 2012

The Railex Exhibition will be open from 10:00 until 16:30 on both days. Midland Railex is not just a model railway exhibition but one where models rub shoulders with their life size counterparts. To celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the first Class 47 locomotives entering service on British Rail in 1962, a number of visiting Class 47s will be operating or on static display on the railway and over the weekend will be supported by a display of over 200 models of Class 47s many of which will be operating on layouts.
Aberdeen Kirkhill
Aberdeen Kirkhill
Class 47s working passenger trains on the Midland Railway - Butterley will be 47401 (D1500) the first member of the class built (running in BR Blue 1980s livery) and D1501 (47402). Courtesy of the East Lancs Diesel Group, the latter locomotive has been superbly restored to as-built condition and carries BR two-tone green livery. This will be the first opportunity in many years to see the two prototype locomotives in action together. In addition, MR- B based 47417, currently under restoration, will be on display, so a total of three former East Coast Main Line machines will be present at the event.

The programme for this year’s show is well advanced with more than 26 visiting layouts confirmed in addition to those already based on site. Over 38 traders are booked to attend covering the whole modeling spectrum, modelling demonstrations are also included together with displays from specialist societies such as DEMU.
A number of layouts will feature Class 47 locomotives in operation including: Aberdeen Kirkhill BR 1980s' Scottish Region depot with more than 25 Class 47s in operation and a OO gauge model of Brush Works, also featuring Class 47s and other Brush-built locomotives. Former Brush and BR employees will be in attendance over the weekend to tell the story of the design, development and history of this iconic locomotive. Other layouts attending Railex in 2012 include: Hospital Gates, Rhatia, Deesdale Road, Wellington Road (Leeds), Pen Y Bont, Red Wharf Bay, St Marnocks Engine Shed,  Park Road Station (Ashbourne), Bw Udersfelde and Rhyd-y-Clafdy . A large range of specialist demonstrations will also take place illustrating the many and varied aspects of the hobby, from scenic tips such as tree modelling and scenery, through to building rolling stock.
Melbridge Dock
Melbridge Dock
Heritage steam and diesel trains will also run to an extensive timetable during Railex. The Golden Valley Narrow Gauge Railway* will also be in operation (* please note that a separate fare is payable on the Narrow Gauge Railway) The Historical Model Railway Society archive and shop will be open to visitors. This extensive collection of historical data is a fantastic research tool to assist the railway modeller. The Matthew Kirtley Museum and the Princess Royal Class Locomotive Trust Depot (West Shed) will also be open and their extensive collection of locomotives and rolling stock will be on display to visitors.

All the above attractions are included in the Railex ticket price which has been held at 2011 prices and car parking is free. Ticket Prices are - Adult Day Ticket £10.00, Concession Day Ticket £9.00 (for over 60), Child Day Ticket £5.00 and Family Day Ticket £25.00 (two Adults and up to three Children). A show guide produced by British Railway Modelling will be issued free of charge. Admission ticket includes standard gauge train rides. New for 2012 is a free heritage bus shuttle that will take you around the extensive site at Swanwick, stopping off at all the exhibition venues.
Pen Y Bont
Pen Y Bont
The Midland Railex is in support of the Midland Railway Trust, the fund raising organisation of the Midland Railway - Butterley. The organisers hope that last year’s visitors will see and appreciate the considerable improvements made across the site since last year and the work carried out on the station building at Swanwick Junction following last year’s inaugural event. A real ale bar and hot and cold refreshments will be available during Railex.

Please note that no public road access is possible at Swanwick Junction, all visitors for the Railex must arrive at the MRB Butterley station.
The first shuttle train will leave at Butterley 09:30, the Railex will open at 10:00 and various events will take place throughout the day. The Exhibition closes at 16:30 each day, the last shuttle train of the day runs at 17:30 from Swanwick Junction. A special limited edition OO wagon produced by Bachmann will be available for sale at the Railex. Details will be shown when available on the Railex website.

For advance Railex tickets and programmes please visit
www.midlandrailex.co.uk
www.midlandrailwaycentre.co.uk, telephone 01773 747674 or call the Visitor Information Line on 01773 570140

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