The nights are starting getting lighter and people are seeing their general mood lift as they can spend more time outside.
While many enjoy the winter period, it is the most preferable of months especially when living in the UK. The nights can seem to last for a long time while the minimal sunshine people do get to enjoy is usually hampered by freezing temperatures or howling gales. There is then, of course, the rain which seemingly pounds the British Isles on a daily basis.
So what a relief it is when the clocks go forward and people are making their way from work still in daylight and sometimes even having the luxury of not having to take a jacket or big coat to the office. Spring has almost sprung so it is no better time to get out and about to enjoy some of the various events happening in the UK during this period.
The steam and model railway community is making the most of this time of year and there are a host of rallies happening all over the country. However, in a small corner of Norfolk there is an annual exhibition that is looked forward to every year – Norwich Model Railway Club Exhibition.
It returns again this year and will be held at Hellsdon High School on Middletons Lane on April 11th. The club itself has been going for over 50 years after originally being formed in 1958 and these exhibitions give members an opportunity to show off some the intricate and impressive layouts they have been working on throughout the year.
This year’s event will see a cavalcade of different layouts created by some of the members. They range across all types of gauge including OO, N, OO9, and HOm and shows off the skills honed during their time with the group.
For example, Dave Smith will be bringing his N gauge Hansell Road layout, Eric Ransbury will be showing off his OO gauge Barsham Junction and there is a guest OO gauge Thomas layout from Roydon & Diss Model Railway Society. The Norfolk Mardlers and Advent Modellers are among the confirmed guests to be giving expert demonstrations for the various visitors.
A series of traders of announced their attendance for the event including Bob Pearman Books, Bure Valley Models Shop and Squires Tools are just some of the companies set to feature at the exhibition.
Admission is £5 for adults, £4.50 for concessions with accompanied under-16s going for free.
About the group
The Norwich Miniature Railway Society was founded in 1958 and been involved in the business of building layouts and the study of evolving prototype railways ever since. Among the first models to be produced by the group was a GER Class F7 2-6-4T and GER Class J15 0-6-0. Over the years, the society has developed a host of different models and layouts.
Obviously over the years, the group has had to modernise but it has always tried to stay loyal to its roots which is evident when visiting the exhibition.