expoEM Spring 2024

Leander

Active Member
A Showcase of the Best in 4mm Scale Railway Modelling
The flagship event of the EM Gauge Society will take place over the weekend of May 11th & 12th 2024 at the now well-established venue of Bracknell Leisure Centre. On display will be thirteen finescale layouts representing the best in 4mm modelling, plus our ‘Guest Layout’, this year in 2mm scale. As usual there will be plenty of opportunity to stock up on modelling supplies with a good range of specialist traders in attendance. In addition, there will be a variety of ‘Show you how’ demonstrations and other special interest society stands. There will also be the EM and P4 test track (now with both analog and DCC control), the EMGS trade stand - selling amongst other things, the Society’s range of EM track and points, in addition to the ever-popular members’ second-hand sales.

Saturday 11th May - 10.30am to 5.30pm
Sunday 12th May - 10.00am to 4.30pm


Venue
Bracknell Leisure Centre
Bagshot Road
Bracknell
Berkshire
RG12 9SE

Location
Within easy reach of both the M3 (Junction 3) and M4 (Junction 10). Follow the brown signs for Bracknell Leisure Centre. SAT NAV - RG12 9SE
Bracknell Railway Station is ¾ mile away.
Free on-site parking, Catering and Level Access

Admission Prices (valid for both days)
2-day visitor ticket £11.00
EMGS members £9.00
Accompanied children under 16 - FREE
(Tickets valid both days)

Layouts booked to attend
Elcot Road (P4) - Southern Electric – Simon Bendall
Express Daisy Sidings (EM) – Andy Avis
Glenuig (EM) – Fictitious ex NBR branch in 1980s – Gary Hinson
Great Bardfield (P4) - GER Backwater in the 1960s – David Hawkins
Hepton Wharf (P4) - L&Y - the late Iain Rice’s famous “Cameo” refurbished by SHMRC
Nettlebridge New Colliery (EM) – Nick Ridgway
Otterford (EM) - GWR 1940s - Chris Lamacraft
Pencader (EM) - South Wales in 1930s – Cardiff 4mm Group
Portskerra (EM) – Highland Railway 1915 – Tim Tincknell
Rolvenden (P4) - KESR 1920s – Robin Gaye
Shirebeck in Emswell (EM) - East Midlands 1970s/80s – Alan Monk
West End Drift (EM) - (Chairman s Challenge Winner) – Graham Hudson
Guest Layout (2mm Finescale) – Tucking Mill – Jerry Clifford

Trade Support
247 Developments
Alan Gibson
Bill Hudson Transport Books
Branchlines
Brassmasters
Cambrian Model Rail Ltd
C & L Finescale Track Building Systems
Dart Castings
Dingo Servo Mounts
EBMA Hobby & Craft
Harry Flatman (locos)
High Level Kits
Isinglass Models
London Road Models
Mike King (Southern drawings)
Model Railway Developments
Modelstock (ABS)
Nick Tozer Railway Books
Nick Whiteley (3D printed buildings)
Prickley Pear Products
Roger Carpenter Photographs
Roxey Mouldings
Squires Model & Craft Tools
Steam Age

Demonstrators
David Burnett - 3D Printing
Tony Gee - Architectural modelling
Vernon Harrod - Kit and scratch-built coaches and other rolling stock
Andrew Hartshorne - Kit built and modified R2R Freight stock
Geoff Haynes - Painting and lining
Peter Hill - Converting R-T-R locomotives and scratchbuilding
John James - Split chassis loco construction
Geoff Kent - Modelling using plasticard
Paul Nash - Landscape modelling, including trees
Peter Sutherland - Plastic coaches
Phil Tattershall - Bull-head trackwork construction

Visiting Model and Railway Societies
Bracknell Railway Society
Diesel and Electric Modellers (DEMU)
Great Western Study Group
Model Electronic Railway Group (MERG)
Missenden Railway Modellers
Pendon Museum
We are pleased to welcome Bracknell Model Railway Society to the show as the local club catering for our hobby. Their clubroom is at Pinewood Leisure Centre (RG40 3AQ) between Wokingham/Bracknell/Crowthorne, where they have layouts in N, 00, EM and 0 gauge. They also have a live steam track (3.5” and 5” gauge) at Jocks Lane in Bracknell RG12 2BH. New members are always welcome, including juniors (who must be accompanied). Talk to the members at their stand or go on-line at www.bracknellrailwaysociety.co.uk for details or find them on Facebook.

The EMGS Test Track
The test track, (now with both analog and DCC control) will be in attendance, with EM, P4 and OO tracks available for testing your models, and perhaps test running items from the Members sales stand.

Members Sales stand
The stand will be located in the balcony area overlooking the hall
Trading times will start later than the opening of the show and finish earlier than the closing time.
All transactions strictly CASH ONLY.

Catering
The Centre catering service will be offering sandwiches, paninis, tea, coffee etc. Regrettably there will be no hot food available as after privatisation the kitchen was closed down, as was the licensed bar.
As an alternative there is a Harvester pub, The Horse & Groom, by the roundabout at Devonshire Way. There is also a large Sainsbury’s Superstore on the A322 about 1/2 mile towards the M3 which has a Starbucks serving, we are told, their usual fare plus paninis, sandwiches, etc. A short walk from the Centre is a petrol station which has a Waitrose shop attached stocking sandwiches, pies, confectionery etc. A little further on there is KFC with upstairs seating available. The town centre has a number of eating places including The Old Manor, a Wetherspoons pub, although it is quite a walk away.

Failing that you could, of course, bring your own
 

timbowales

Western Thunderer
Folks, despite what is published in the EMGS April Newsletter #240 there are NO trains to/from Bracknell during this event, only a Rail Replacement Bus.
I found this out when I attempted to book tickets for this event.
Tim T in Llanelli
 

David Mylchreest

Western Thunderer
Road works closing the M25 this weekend. If you're coming from the North take the M4 West off the M25 Jc15. Then drive to M4 Jc10; turn onto A329(M) towards Bracknell.
 

Phil O

Western Thunderer
I'll be showing up tomorrow with my shopping list, and collecting pre-ordered goods, hopefully.
 

Hobbyhorse

Western Thunderer
First visit in a good number of years as I mostly model in 7 and 16mm, excellent show.
Travelled by rail and bus with out any problems.

Simon
 

NHY 581

Western Thunderer
This was my first visit to Bracknell and I have to say what a great day was had. Good to meet with Marc Dobson and discover his pre-grouping range of kits. Truly excellent value. Currently, I just need a couple of grounded van bodies and Marc is knocking these up for me but I can see a few purchases ahead, including the M&GNR brake mentioned by Adam above.

The layouts were excellent and I found much to inspire or simply enjoy. Nice to see my chums in the Cardiff 4mm group taking some of the honours with Pencader but every one of the layouts merited an award.

I picked up everything on my list aside from a couple of replacement bits for my soldering irons. I forgot. Also enjoyed helping out Mark on the Blacksmith stand, minding the fort whilst he had a couple of wanders.

Good to bump into Phil O but there were many familiar faces and much chatting was had.

So, another exhibition is added to the must go to list......

Rob
 

Leander

Active Member
The Competition winners from expoEM Spring 2024, presented by the EM Gauge Society, at Bracknell Leisure Centre last weekend
eldPhoto1-web.jpg.1dc345b4d3eb1fcf14331c0cb878ff78.jpg
Peter Denny Memorial Trophy (layout operated in the most prototypical manner)
Great Bardfield by Dave Hawkins
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Pencader presented by the Cardiff 4mm Group won the Challenge Cup (awarded to the best layout in show, by public vote) and the Watlington Trophy (best scratchbuilt or kitbuilt item on a layout or demonstration stand) for Pencader's Station Building.
 
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