Burton 2026

Saturday saw the annual exhibition and AGM of the 7mm Narrow Gauge Association in Burton. Working Saturday morning meant I went along as a paying visitor in the afternoon, which made a refreshing change after many years of helping or organising the show.

Highlights for me included Luke’s Queen’s Wharf which I’d been following on RMweb and Escairgeiliog, Paul’s foray into Corris modelling.

Both were running well and I enjoyed watching them (and operating Queen’s Wharf).

Elsewhere in the hall, Bob Harper’s Megantic was running well, though I couldn’t get close enough to get any photos and I spied a Betchworth Fletcher Jennings shunting St Oswald’s Wharf.

Sadly, some of the other layouts weren’t running as well. Saw a couple which had the soldering irons out trying to work out why the trains weren’t working. The very nice Darjeeling layout was let down by the trains derailing every time I went to look at it and the modern Ffestiniog style layout in the back room was good, the ten minute wait for a train to run was less so! Which was a shame as the K1 Garratt built on what looks like a pair of Mehano rtr chassis and the WHR Pullman Observation car were most impressive.

Maybe I’m just getting grumpy in my old age?!!

Trade wise, there has been a disappointing decline in 7mm NG traders in recent years so my wallet was safe. The trader I wanted to buy from couldn’t make it so shall be ordering something online and Iconic Rail were showcasing their forthcoming ready to run England loco which may well be added to my fleet at some point.

The positives outweighed the negatives and I had a good catch up with several friends through the 7mm narrow gauge world and the models on display have helped reignite my modelling mojo. Both good for my mental well being.

Back home, I’ve got the Kerr Stuart Tattoo apart to sort out some slightly jerky running and I’ve been looking at how to improve some of the temperamental track on Wheal Ponder. Concentrating on some smaller projects is good progress rather than over thinking the grand ones!

Some more photos of Escairgeiliog and Queen’s Wharf to end on a positive.