Gauge 1 North

History

In early 2009, one of our members voiced the idea of a Gauge 1 Exhibition in the north of the country. The Gauge 1 Yorkshire Group, supported and developed this idea and the concept of Gauge 1 North was conceived.

The proposed venue in Bakewell, Derbyshire was well known to two members of the committee, and although

not on the national rail network, the town’s transport links were good. Good car parking was available and access to the venue was excellent – even possible to drive into the hall for unloading. After contacting a number of respected Gauge 1 traders about the idea, it became evident very quickly that this was going to be well supported, particularly when we made it quite clear that this was not going to be restricted to G1MRA members and guests, but would be opened to the general public as well. The local membership was also invited to discuss the proposition through the local group newsletter. Prospective exhibitors were also contacted, with an enthusiastic response. By the end of July 2009, the Yorkshire Group Committee had come to a firm decision that there was a need for a Gauge 1 Show in the area, that it would be well supported, and that it was viable. Gauge 1 North was up and running.

We decided to use our exhibition layout, Moordale, and to approach G1MRA for the use of Dobson Bridge, which was held by our friends in the East Midlands Group. We had also been promised the addition of another end-to-end to add to Moordale.

By the time the end of 2009 was reached, it was evident that we would be on target for in excess of 25 trade stands, but we were having problems persuading some small finescale G1 layouts to attend mainly because our date clashed with another railway show to which several layouts had been committed. The Yorkshire Group Committee decided at this point to include some demonstration tables showing different aspects of modelling in Gauge One. We quickly found volunteers to demonstrate point making, running steam on a rolling road and painting and weathering, and followed this up later on with building in real stone, pattern making and several interesting running demonstrations on Dobson Bridge. Videos of G1 garden events would also be available.

Setting up and Exhibition Day

A good team of helpers was ready on the Friday afternoon to set up Dobson Bridge and Moordale. Some traders startedto appear after 1pm and by the end of the afternoon most of the traders expected had arrived and set up.

The Exhibition day itself was very busy for the organising group – too busy to be truthful. However there were

plenty of stewards and helpers around, and everything was ready for an on-time opening at 10am.

The final figure for adults and children attending was in excess of 500. Add to that the 45 stewards, helpers and

runners, and about 100 trading staff, the halls looked busy for most of the day. There were no mishaps – everything seemed to go off very well. Plenty of interest from the public and plenty of support from the G1MRA members.

Many G1MRA members appeared early in the day and spent most of the day at the exhibition. Most of the afternoon visitors were non-members.

Plenty of help was on hand for the clearing up. We had agreed to have the halls cleared by 6pm and this was

achieved with relative comfort.