Forth and Clyde Area Group: Derby 2024 Expo in retrospect

A small group of FCAG members thoroughly enjoyed their visit to last year's 2mmSA Expo at the Derby Conference Centre. The 2025 event is now only a couple of months away. To encourage more of the group to make the journey south, here are a few pictures from the 2024 show.

It was a busy Expo, with much to see and do.

Nigel Ashton's "Drws-y-Nant" project was on show

As usual with an Expo. there's no problem in asking to see the intimate details usually hidden at public shows. A great chance to see how others have approached building layouts.

Richard Holmes' "Midholme", 2mm finescale with 9mm gauge track, was another attractive layout:

 Bryn Davies' "Colwyn Bay" never fails to please

Jon Cox's large N gauge finescale layout "Buxton" was most impressive

Alan Whitehouse's Exchange Sidings

 

Tony Simms' Hull Bridge

Mick Simpson's Pit Hill

Peter Kirmond's YORK was a tour-de-force

YORK is a classic example of 2FS impressionism, using light and pattern to convince by suggestion rather than simply modelling literal detail. An example is the brickwork on the platform buildings, which is from MDF (I think... or is it mounting board?) scored with a Silhouette cutter:

A very close look reveals that the brick effect is achieved by raising, rather than incising, the cut lines. But from even a few centimetres away, with the careful lighting hidden behind the proscenium arch, the eye interprets the shadow as a cut, not a ridge. Brilliant.

Nothing impressionistic about the solid silverware however...

The well-stocked Bring and Buy stall was happy to lighten visitors' wallets (as was the 2mmSA Central Shop).

 Demonstrations there were aplenty.... including Laurie's track demo:

 Simon's DCC workshop:

 Chris's coach and NPCS bench:

The competition stand was literally bursting with superb models

Close-up inspection was possible and in most cases the modeller could be tracked down for any questions

I was impressed by the simple yet effective stock-box design used by one competitor ... trouble is, I can't remember whose it was!

I can't resist a final shot of Nick Mitchell's Colossus sitting on the centre road of YORK: you can almost smell the hot oil and hear the gentle hiss of steam.

 

 

The 2025 Expo promises to be just as appealing. Derby Conference Centre has reasonably-priced rooms so you can arrive the night before, optionally sample the local waters, fall out of bed in the morning and go straight to the Expo via the breakfast-room. There is a bus from Derby station, or for fitness enthusiasts it's a gentle twenty minutes' stroll. What are you waiting for ... the Expo is on Sunday 11th May 2025, with full details here.