PART TWO FROM THE BUSY, BUSY MIDLANDS SHOW

This year’s Midlands Model Engineering Exhibition showed that model engineering is alive and well in the UK. The first day was very busy, indeed, with traders reporting bumper business. Day two was busy, too. No doubt it continued into the weekend.

‘The Fosse’ as it is known colloquially is a four-day event which gives the possibility to attract plenty of visitors without serious overcrowding. Its location, right in the middle of England, makes it accessible to most parts of the country, as well as the Midlands hot-bed of model engineering. Indeed, the Warwickshire Exhibition Centre (to give it its official title) is now home to a variety of events throughout the year, not just those connected with the businesses housed at the same location.

It is always a wonderfully relaxed event - by design. Meridienne Exhibitions is a fully staffed, professional outfit. Clubs love it. They keep coming back in numbers every year. So do the traders. 

This show usually produces lots of locomotives - many of them a bit special. This  year there seemed to be more of a balance, perhaps reflecting more closely what goes on in model engineering workshops these days. Interesting and complex clocks, for example, like a Harrison RAS Regulator, and some historic models like the Evil Spirit slash steam hydroplane and a shiny new Stuart 6A.

It is always interesting to see new exhibits these days from the Society of Model and Experimental Engineers. The SMEE has a wonderful collection of models donated or bequeathed by members. Recently the stationary engine group has been cataloguing and restoring the collection. 

See Part One here.

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