expoEM 2016

On Saturday I went to Bracknell Leisure Centre for the EM Gauge Society model railway exhibition.

My railway is double oh (OO) which means that the scale of the locomotives is 4mm to the foot. That means 12 inches of the real thing, or prototype as it is called, should be 4mm in size on the model. For historical reasons, due to early manufacturing technologies, the distance between the rails is 16.5 mm which is not to scale.

EM gauge modellers like to have the correct rail scale and put this right by using a gauge of 18.2mm which is the correct for the standard gauge of 4ft 8 and 1/2 inches. These modellers like to make their models very highly detailed.

There were many layouts to look at and marvel at the fine detail that had been incorporated in each one. There were also stands selling parts, ready to run models, tools, scenery items, paints, and kits. Everything for the railway modeller.

Parking was tight as it was very busy in the car park. Access to the leisure centre was good and everything was on the ground floor. However one or two of the layouts were only at eye level for the standing. It was £8 on the door which was for a ticket allowing entry on both Saturday and Sunday.