Sussex Downs 009 Group members' day 2025
009 1:32 exhibition model-railways narrow-gaugeTwo in a month!
The Sussex Downs 009 Group members' day was the motivation to get my 009 inglenook layout finished. The first time this event has been held since 2019, it was great to once again take part in a small and friendly exhibition with a focus on narrow gauge modelling and a very relaxed atmosphere. The 009 Society sales stand being present is also a bonus!
In order of appearance here are the layouts - all 009 unless stated.
Much Ditheryn - the new layout by the Sussex Downs Group, still a WIP but shaping up nicely
The Old Quarry by Tim Sanderson
Hexworthy by Michael Campbell
Ferness by Ian Roberts (1:32 scale, 16.5mm gauge)
Killington Lane by Philip Pilcher
Ghum by Phil Savage
Asham Cement Works by Chris O'Donoghue
Consolidated Oil Ventures Incorporated (Dorset) by yours truly
Wickhambreux Road by David Marshall
More photos on Flickr.
Dress Rehearsal
009 model-railways narrow-gauge inglenook sceneryApproximately five years ago, my friend Tom said
I want to see what a Steve layout looks like after all these years
Well, add a few more years, and here we are:
It's not large, or complicated, or particularly clever, but I'm very satisfied to have finally made one. It pretty much fits the image I had in my head when I started, which has to count as a win. There are a bunch of things I could have done differently, if I was starting again with the benefit of hindsight, but it's enough.
I'm also very pleased that James's Quintus feels very much at home in this scene. It's such a characterful little loco, a clever cariacture, and brings a sense of place to the layout – a clay tramway engine on a supposed former clay tramway.
Both it and the NS2f perform well on the shunting puzzle - the little Ruston doesn't have the weight to reliably shift a full train but I'm sure will make a token appearance.
My mind is already on what's next, of course, but there's no need to rush...
Wealden Railway Group exhibition 2025
009 exhibition model-railways narrow-gauge OO HO On30 O gauge"Well it’s been a while since I’ve done one of these posts."
This is what I said the last time I posted an exhibition report, and here we are again eight years later. Obviously I have been to exhibitions in the intervening time (apart from that weird gap 2020 - 2021 ish) but like with the rest of the blog stopped updating about it.
Anyway this was my first time to the Wealden Railway Group show in Steyning, West Sussex, although not for want of trying as it's been on my to-do list for years – the date usually didn't work for me.
And what a gem it is – a friendly and relaxed little exhibition with much of the vibe of an 009 Society members' day, except with more diversity in the layouts. I didn't take photos of everything, but here are some highlights.
San Telmo in On30 by Giles Barnabe
Locktern Quay in 009 by Michael Campbell (Michael's photo)
Westhay in 009 by Phil Gardner
O gauge scene by Tom Lloyd
Industrial scene in 00 by John Bruce
Drover's Brook in 00 by Chris Ford
Broken Creek in HO by South Shore Group
More posts can be found in the archive.