Alton Model Railway Group "FEBEX 23" exhibition - part 1 - Saturday 4th February 2023

Another weekend and another model railway exhibition. This week, it was a fast car, up the A303, A34 and A31 to the Eggers School in Alton. Alton Model Railway Group's FEBEX 2023. This is a show ive been to a few times now and although i dont tend to like shows that are in schools (where else do they hold them then? I hear you say) this is always a good show, with a great balance of layouts, traders and groups. 2023 saw the show expanded, with a refectory now being home to the refreshments and a few layouts - this room had a bouncy floor, which probably wasnt great for exhibitors or videographers! This allowed for more layouts in the main hall.
This is what you can see in part 1:
Kaninchenbau - A Swiss / Austrian outline layout, modelled in 3.5mm Ho scale - the prototypes ran on metre gauge track. The layout is completely automated, working by computer, allowing constant movement. Very entertaining!
Waalhaven - A Dutch shunting layout, set in an industrial scene. Modelled in 3.5mm Ho scale.
Garden Railway - A 1:35 (effectively G) scale model of a miniature railway in a garden. Lots of fun. The trains run on N gauge / 9mm track.
Freshwater - A 2mm finescale layout of the terminus station on the Isle of Wight.
Old Elms Road - A large, roundy, roundy 4mm scale OO gauge layout. The Western Region of BR is modelled, as multi track mainline, in an urban setting. The roads feature moving vehicles, some of which I havent seen modelled in motion before - lookout for the JCB and the AEC Regent pump escape fire engine. Great work!
Mannin Middle - Isle of Man railways feature on this very cleverly built layout. The operator does literally stand right in the middle of a small area, in the centre of the layout. More superb modelling, including the operating level crossing gates.The layout is 4mm scale, OOn3 trackwork.
Ropley - It was really great to catch up with this layout, as I follow its progress on RMWeb. People think modelling a preserved railway would be great as you could run whatever you like - so you could, but this layout doesnt work like that. The layout is a spot on replica of Ropley on the local, Mid Hants Railway. Even the locos, in various states of dismemberment, are captured brilliantly.
Bridport Town - A 7mm scale O16.5 narrow gauge railway, is fed from the standard gauge Bridport Town station.
I hope you have enjoyed this first selection of layouts - they certainly feature a wide variety of subjects. Please feel free to comment, share and like. If you arent already a subscriber, subscribe today and check out the rest of my content.
Before I wrap this up, I want to mention it was great to catch up with Fred @WilburyCastle and Garry @Cheekytek. Great to see you guys.
Dont forget to look out for part 2 - coming soon!

[@markcousins9337]

Good selection of layouts.

[@ba14eagle]

Thanks Mark. There really was - I think this was the best Alton show ive been to.

[@ken.creswick]

Nice camera work, titles and editing, thanks, much appreciated video!

[@ba14eagle]

Thanks Ken - you're very welcome