Model railway club celebrates 40 years with special Horsham exhibition
Railway enthusiasts and families are being invited to celebrate 40 years of model railway modelling when the West Sussex N Gauge Model Railway Club stages its anniversary exhibition in Horsham.
The club will mark its 40th anniversary with a special show at Horsham Youth Centre, Hurst Road, on Saturday, November 7, from 10am to 5pm.
Visitors will be able to enjoy a variety of model railway layouts in different gauges, browse stalls selling new and second-hand railway equipment and accessories, and take advantage of refreshments available throughout the day.
Founded in 1986, the West Sussex N Gauge Model Railway Club began life with just four members meeting in a small room in Steyning. With no permanent layout available, the founding members decided to adopt the American N Track Modular System, developing their own standards for building modules at home which could then be assembled together on club nights and at exhibitions.
The club's popularity grew, along with the number of modules available for display. However, the lack of space at its original Steyning meeting place eventually became a problem, prompting a move to its current home at Sompting Village Hall.
Space remains a challenge, as the hall is also used by other groups, but members have developed a compact layout known as the 'Friday Night Layout'. Measuring just 17ft by 13ft, it can be assembled in around 30 minutes and features three running lines and a nine-track fiddle yard.
The arrangement allows members and visitors to test their own rolling stock or simply enjoy watching the trains operate using either DC or DCC control systems.
The club continues to embrace the modular approach and welcomes new members interested in building layouts to its exhibition standards. One example of the system is stand number nine, featuring the Cynon Valley layout presented by Peter and Gilly North.
The anniversary exhibition promises something for both experienced railway enthusiasts and newcomers to the hobby.
Admission is £5 for adults, while under-15s can attend free of charge when accompanied by an adult. The venue has disabled access and is conveniently situated close to Horsham town centre and railway station, with ample pay-and-display parking available nearby.
Anyone interested in finding out more about the club can also visit its regular meetings, held on the first and third Friday of each month, from 6.30pm to 10pm, at Sompting Village Hall in West Street, Sompting.