What is it about a train that tugs at a very basic desire in many of us?
Is it the need to travel, to explore? To watch the countryside flash past the windows taking us to exciting new places? Is it meeting new people on your journey?
We all have different reasons for watching a train, and/or waving at the driver or passengers aboard.
If you have been caught at a rail level crossing and got frustrated as you waited for, and then watched the train pass by while your car devalued, this is not the show for you.
If you want to come along and appreciate the talent that the modellers have put into their layouts, to buy something or sell something no longer needed, or have a play with a layout, then this is the show for you.
Come and take your trip down memory lane, bring your children and/or grandchildren, and help to create those memories that we ourselves hold so dear.
There will be three large layouts in Room 1, the first being the ever favourite New Zealand Railways Sn3½ layout from Invercargill called ‘Arauatu’ (‘A row or two’ – signifying the discussions carried out during construction) featuring Otago and Southland locations & scenery.
‘Almost Chicago’ an urban HO layout is back from Christchurch as a larger V shape.
‘N Central’ from Alexandra is always a crowd favourite that can be assembled in many different configurations, so it will be interesting to see how it is set up this year.
‘Ghost Mountain’, a small American HO layout from Ashburton and a new ‘Pukeko Junction’, a G Scale layout with plenty to see from Christchurch round up the layouts in Room 1.
A ride on Thomas the Tank Engine will be on display and will be available for purchase.
A Buy, Sell or Exchange table will be operating, so if you have excess modelling stuff for sale, this is the place to bring it to.
Models 4 U and 040 Trains N Models will have the best models for sale, and the Taieri Bowling Club will have drinks & food on offer.
In Room 2 will be found ‘Piper Flat’ from Orari, a HO American layout, with ‘A little bit of Europe’, an OO layout from Christchurch beside it
‘Thomas & Friends’ together with ‘Orsnow’ an N scale American layout will be the two layouts available for you to operate, and ‘Ranch Hill’, an American N Scale layout from Ashburton will be nearby.
Up on the stage LEGO™ will be back again this year, and bigger this year as there have been many additions since last year’s show.
Appreciate the scenery, the movement of trains, the animations on some layouts and if you are tired, have a cuppa and something to eat in the lounge before carrying on.
For those travelling by bus, there are bus stops outside and opposite the new Countdown in Gordon Road, and the Taieri Bowling Club is a short walk up Wickliffe Street.
Come along and talk to the layout operators, let your children or yourself operate the ‘Thomas and Friends’ layout or the N scale ‘Orsnow ‘layout, and, “may the bug catch you” – maybe buy something.
No matter what the weather will be outside, there is plenty to see and do at the Dunedin Model Train Show at the Taieri Bowling Club where it will be nice and warm inside.
No EFTPOS, Cash only.
Tickets are $15 for a Family for 2 adults and up to 3 children under 14 years.
$8 for an Adult and $1 for a child under 14 years of age unless they are so small we can’t see them over the entry table!
Enquiries to dunedinmodeltrainshow@vodafone.co.nz
