The first day back in work after a bank holiday can always feel like a chore and something that people just want to get out of the way.
Following an extended weekend of fun it is back to the grind and waiting for the next event to look forward to. Luckily for model railway enthusiasts they don't have to wait too long as the Association of Larger Scale Railway Modellers' (ALSRM) annual Reading show is taking place this weekend (May 10th) with a host of interesting models on display. It is a celebration of models on the S, O, 1, G and upwards scale and is a must for modellers in the region.
The Birmingham-based society will travel to Berkshire this weekend to showcase some interesting layouts while traders will be on hand to offer advice to visitors on how to get the best out of their own collection. ALSRM will also be open for anyone that would like to join up and get involved with some of the work that it carries out. Building layouts as a society can be wholly rewarding and allows people to take part in creating a much larger scene than is capable in a person's home.
Societies are a great way to also meet like-minded people who maybe able to offer a different approach on how to build a layout. They can also develop a sense of community and gives people the opportunity to travel around the country showcasing their completed layouts at various modelling shows.
The ALSRM Reading Show will be no different with not only the ALSRM being in attendance but numerous other societies also on hand to explain what they can offer members. The likes of the G Scale Society, Scale 7 Society, Broad gauge Society, Reading Model Engineers and Ffestiniog Railway will be attendance to offer their expert advice on how people can get involved and other queries that they may have.
Away from the societies there are numerous traders who will have their products available to purchase and can also provide information on how people can integrate a model railway into their own home whether inside or out. Among the confirmed traders already due to set up stall at the Reading show are: Dragon Models, APK Models, Chalk Garden Rail, Hobby Holidays, Railroad Trading and Ragstone Models.
With the Reading show catering for the larger gauge of model railways there will be some special layouts not seen at other events. There will depictions of fictitious English landscape with both countryside settings and towns recreated. ALSRM stated that the layouts already confirmed are Aber Emlyn O gauge, Grass Valley, Newchapel Junction, Praa Sands, Warton Road and Whiteleaf Tramway and Runswick Bay among others. All of the layouts are O or G gauge.
The fun kicks off at The Rivermead Centre, Reading, at 10:00 BST on Saturday, closing at 16:30 BST. ALSRM members can enter for free while for non-members admission is £9 for adults (£8 for approved societies. Accompanied children and partners go free.