The 6th Annual Model Railway Exhibition held at the Youth Centre, Burn Lane on Saturday 21st March was a huge success both in terms of the numbers of people through the door and the total of £2,500 raised for the Heel and Toe charity and Rotary charity funds.
The event had 17 working layouts in scales from “n” to “1” representing periods from the mid 1920’s up to the present day, and modelling prototypes from as far away as Japan. Exhibitors came from as far South as Scarborough and as far North as Blyth.
The seven trade stands did good business and the three Preservation Society stands raised a lot of interest.
The café did a roaring trade with emergency supplies of Bacon and bread rolls having to be rushed in as the day progressed.
The new John Henry Jones Memorial Trophy for the best layout judged by the exhibitors was won by Colin Salmond from North Tyneside with his North Hetton Colliery layout, the trophy was presented by John’s widow Freda. John had been one of the original team organisers of this very popular event.
The other new trophy “The People’s Choice” chosen by the public was won by the Shildon Model Railway Club with their “Welder’s Quay” layout.
