Train Collector's Society, Bassett-Lowke and Trix Society Annual Show
British Motor Museum, Gaydon, Sunday May 31st 2026
Report and Pictures by Bob Leggett
The British Motor Museum was as usual a perfect venue for the joint TCS, Bassett-Lowke and Trix Society Vintage Toy and Model Railway Show. Paul and Shirley Williams (Fig 1) did the honours on the door again and manned the entrance all day. The show opened to the General Public at 10.00am. Paul also set up a an original 1980's-90's Swedish Brio Set (Fig 2) with modern battery powered engines running round steadily all day (Fig 3).
Alongside, the Museum had set up a tea and cakes stall specifically for the show and 'Maria's Snack Bar' did exceptional trade and she was highly praised for her speedy and reliable service and early morning Bacon Rolls (Fig 4) .
As usual the Trix Society took over most of the Foyer, Trix members Martin and Penny Drayson were manning the Publicity and spares stand (Fig 5).
Steve Foxon with help from his son Herbie and Anthony Gould (one of the founders of the TTRCA) had their pre-war 15' x 4' Bakelite track layout (Fig 6) using three original Mono boards. I was pleased to see a Trix City Station (Fig 7).
The 0-4-0 Tank Engines did well taking three coaches up to the upper level (Fig 8). Martin Kilford with help from Robin Gregory was operating his excellent 1960's Trix 2-Rail layout using pre and post war buildings. The Many-Ways station is always a delight (Fig 9) seen here with the rare Liliput black 'Flying Scotsman' and Trix DMU.
John Brown seen here with Sarah Beale was running the Trix replica box sales stand (Fig 10). Co Organiser David O'Brien also had an excellent sales tables featuring various Trix Sets
The first exhibit in the main hall was Simon Culverhouse who with help from Kevin Ellis had Simon's excellent British Minitrix layout (Fig 11), last seen at one of our Sandy shows! A Britannia and Warship were running well (Fig 12) on this superbly made display.
Next was the popular large round table set up for visitors to sit and chat with fellow collectors with a cup of tea/coffee (Fig 13). It was well frequented all day.
Alongside Mike Green was at the Bassett-Lowke Society Stand (Fig 14) and in the corner the B/L Society had their wonderful combined 30' x 18' Gauge 1 and 2 layout (Fig 15), helping run the Trains was David Viewing, Jonathan Viewing, Stuart Rose, Jeremy Viewing and John Ellis,
An 0-6-6-0 Tank (Fig 16) with a rake of 6-wheel Coaches was passing the lovely wooden station full of passengers and Station Staff (Fig 17).
We pass Richard and June Atkins (Fig 18) selling a great variety of Train and vintage Toys and arrive at David Lyon's excellent Hornby 00 Gauge Live Steam Layout (Fig 19). David showed me how the engines worked using a model without it's body (Fig 20) whilst a rare black 'Golden Fleece' was running round at great speed (Fig 21). David did well to attend as he has been unwell recently, however felt well enough to come, making the decision on Saturday morning.
The far corner had a very impressive Hornby O Gauge LMS themed layout. Operated by Howard Starr-Keddle and fellow members of the HRCA Mortimer group, Mark Wright, Robert Kaufeler, Mike Allen, Denis and Liz Randell and Graham Sumner (Fig 22), it had some wonderful scenes including a large Farm (Fig 23), a village full of Terrace House and shops created by Denis Randall using Hornby Signal Boxes and No 2 Stations (Fig 24) and a large LMS Motive Power Depot (Fig 25), with four running tracks, this was a must see layout for all the detail as well as the trains!
On the back wall was TCS Chairman Bryan Pentland with a wonderful themed Electric outline O Gauge Train and Trams layout (Fig 26) as well as electric Lenhardt Trams I loved the Tri-ang Minic vehicles on Super Streets track, particularly the Minic saloon full of passengers passing a well lit Dinky Service Station (Fig 27). Overall there were seven tracks in operation!
Alongside Paul Chapman was displaying Lima and Rivarossi 0 Gauge (Fig 28). With a huge variety of coaches and goods rolling stock Paul was able to run some excellent long trains and I was able to catch sight of his famous Penguin at the tail of one of them (Fig 29).
In amongst the traders in the middle of the hall were several exhibitors, Graham Bilbe with his clockwork and Electric Bing Table Top Railway (Fig 30) with help from Geoffrey Robinson, Francis Whitehead and Roger Clark they did well to keep these 100 year old trains running all day (Fig 31) on original track and points.
David and Amalia Ramsey were displaying the Hornby Control System (Fig 32) and also had a book of remembrance for David's friend Chris Graebe (Fig 33) who died recently, Chris will be forever known for writing the definitive book on Hornby 0 Gauge.
Chris and Rob Sanderson were again promoting the 78 Derngate Society (Fig 34), I was particularly taken by the Bassett-Lowke Tea Pot that was on display (Fig 35). I'm sure many like me want one of those!
Derek Bond seen here with Colin Penn (Fig 36) with help from Paul Shepherd had his wonderful collections of 3D printed parts for Tri-ang Railways and Minic Motorways for sale and had a layout showing off his products in action (Fig 37). Latest new spares include Decals and Wings for the flying plane.
Mel Camish seen here with Paul Williams (Fig 38) was selling his lovely range of Hornby-Dublo style repaints and Tracksetta items.
Bob Leggett had on display the rare Playcraft 009 Quarry Layout (Fig 39), made for a short time in the late 60's, many had not seen this before, constructed in pre-formed polystyrene, it was a static display with a selection of Eggerbahnn and Playcraft Locos and Rolling stock and ephemera.
We now move into the Balcony display area, first is Eric Large seen here with John O'Dell (Fig 40) who made the journey from Basingstoke by Public Transport despite it being a Sunday!
Eric had a lovely display of repainted Tri-ang Locomotives and Hand built Rolling stock (Fig 41) and also a display of 7 different TT manufacturers (Fig 42) including Tri-ang and modern Hornby TT and a very rare Lohman Europa 3-Rail 20V AC Locomotive (Fig 43).I also spotted a Hampshire DEMU made by Eric (Fig 44),
Dave White (Fig 45) had an impressive display of Hornby AcHO HO Gauge Trains built in France and Tri-ang Minic Motorways sets and models also made in France (Fig 46). I was intrigued by a red London Double Deck bus Ref I M 1545 (Figs 47 and 48) made only in France that was known as the Illuminated Bus with reflective features.
Next was the Chiltern group's Hornby-Dublo and Neverwazzas 'Queens Park' 2-Rail layout (Fig 49) operated by Derek Smith and Kip. Running around was one of Derek's latest creations, a superb LMS blue Coronation Scot (Fig 50).
Dave McRobb and Dave Jarvis were flying the flag for Hornby-Dublo 3-Rail (Fig 51). As well as running traditional stock another creation by Derek Smith and John Bann was a Black Five (Fig 52).
It was good to see the Kitmaster Club and Steve Knight and Marcus Archer had their Airfix Dr X system that was only produced for one year (Fig 53), Steve reported good sales although I'm not sure about Marcus new hair do!!!
Neil Smith (Fig 54) with help from Les Martin had his excellent colourful 1950's Tri-ang 00 Gauge Standard Track Transcontinental Layout with working Catenary on both main Tracks. Neil had a superb range of stock running including a modified Hiawatha Loco with a Vandebilt Tender and another with a Forward cab (Fig 55). The trains ran smoothly all day using both the Centenary and standard pick up from the rails. Scenery included many of the Tri-ang Minic 00 Gauge Push 'n' Go models and the Countryside series rubber buildings (Fig 56). Three trains were running at all times. Look out for the videos on YouTube,
Alongside David Rhodes had a working display of Pullman Trains (Fig 57) , Mostly 00 Gauge including recent Hornby Brighton Belle, Wrenn Brighton Belle, a Modified Tri-ang Brighton Belle, Midland Pullman, Graham Farish Pullmans and a lit up Devon Belle Observation Car (Fig 58),
Nikki Dean seen here with Dixon Upcott (Fig 59) had a display track in the middle of her sales tables and was running various multiple units including Tri-ang Blue Pullman (Fig 60)
In the centre of the hall were the majority of Traders, many reported very good sales. Bob Leggett sold a Tri-ang Rich Uncle Set for £180 (Fig 61) and a Lionel 0 Gauge Wild West set for £300 (Fig 62). On Simon and Goodyear's table were Marklin 0 Gauge and Gauge 1 Round House sections with the appropriate Turntable both circa 1910 seen here with Euston the Teddy Bear (Fig 63)
The attendance was on par with last year with around 220 visitors. The main hall was very busy mid morning (Fig 64).
A big thank you to Bryan Pentland (TCS) and David O'Brien (TTRCA) who co-ordinated the show with help from Paul Williams and Dave White from the TCS and Mike Green from the Bassett-Lowke Society. I would also like to thank Paul Shepherd for manning my sales table and display when I took notes for this report!
It is hoped to have another show next year and information will be out as soon as possible.
