A modeller’s dream

Hundreds of people filed through the Cambridge Town Hall from Friday through Sunday for the three-day Model Railway Exhibition staged by the Cambridge-based Greater Waikato Railway Modellers (GWRM).

Four-year-old Regan Hudson-Jones chasing an impressive model, made by Cambridge’s David Lalich, as it moved through the hall. Photo: Viv Posselt

The exhibition featured model railways and related hobbies, Meccano, plastic modelling kits, radio-controlled vehicles and other paraphernalia loved by hobbyists from around the North Island.  There were also several sensory-friendly ‘Behind the Scenes’ tours for neurodiverse people of all ages.

The event was the first of its kind, with the GWRM usually exhibiting their layouts as part of events run by other organisations.

Phil Murray, secretary of the Greater Waikato Railway Modellers (GWRM), holding up one of his ‘Flying Scotsman’ kits. It was the real Flying Scotsman that sparked his interest as a child as it sped through the Scottish countryside. He was manning the biggest layout at the weekend event, one modelled on Yorkshire’s Garsdale Station and started by late GWRM member Phil Dixon then donated to the club. Photo: Viv Posselt

Hard at work on their models of military vehicles and planes are these two Waikato Scale Model Club members, Mike Aldridge of Tauranga and Hamilton’s Wayne Thomas. Photo: Viv Posselt

These three visiting exhibitors dubbed themselves ‘the Meccano fossils’. They are, from left, Brian Hickson, Clive Nicols and Mike Walmsley. Photo: Viv Posselt

Three-year-old Jace Cauilan, seen with his mum Princess, was there with his family. Photo: Viv Posselt

Rangiriri’s Anthony Fothergill – aka Fozz – was at the event with his impressive rig, which he based on the road trains he used to drive in Western Australia. Photo: Viv Posselt

Geoff Chowles, who handled purchases in the Victoria Room, came all the way from Whanganui for the event. Photo: Viv Posselt

Cambridge’s Jason, left, and Lucas Tregurtha were busy model-making across all three days of the event. Photo: Viv Posselt

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