Nor'West News: August 16, 2016

NOR’WEST NEWS Tuesday August 16 2016 5
in miniature
BUILDING: A train layout under construction and a G-scale
layout at last year’s Christchurch Model Train Show.
“There we found towns of
beautiful buildings with terracotta
roofs. We had discovered
the romance of the French countryside.
“Anything French is different.
If you see a French car you know
it is French because it looks nothing
like anything else. It is the
same with railways.
“Their narrow gauge railways
were basically portable. They
could be picked up and laid
beside a road.
“That really intrigued me. Narrow
gauge secondary lines were
introduced to boost the network
of French railways.’’
The unplanned detour instigated
his French narrow gauge layout.
“One develops a modeller’s
mind.
“A modeller will typically think
how it would look in miniature?”
He talks about Hamburg’s
mind-boggling Miniature Wonderland.
“It’s absolutely intriguing. It’s
a huge collection that is pushing
the boundaries of technology and
inspiring manufacturers to pick
up on it with new products.”
“The model aircraft must
represent the peak of model
building.’’
“The model trains have been
running for so long the track is
wearing out.”
The closest we have in
Christchurch is the annual big
model train Show, this year being
held over the weekend of October
1 and 2.
The venue is Pioneer Stadium
in Lyttelton St, Spreydon. It is the
show’s 25th anniversary so promises
to be special.
Mr Andrews was an instigator
of the event, starting a model
train show at Hagley Community
College and then expanding to
the Horticultural Society hall.
Then, the Christchurch Model
Railway Exhibition Society was
formed and took over. Its growth
took it to Pioneer Stadium where
it has been ever since. At its peak
the show attracted 10,000 people
over the two days.
“It’s about its optimum size.
“Considering our modest
Christchurch population we do a
pretty good job,” he said.
This year’s show will help those
wanting to get into the hobby.
“We will have beginners’ train
sets and heaps of demonstrations.
Find out the best models to buy
and learn how to make things.
“Technology will be to the
fore. This is enhancing the hobby
and drawing younger people in.
They can operate a railway from
a PC or mobile phone, utilising
wi-fi and DCC (digital control
systems).”
He says model railway people
are an enthusiastic bunch. They
will do their utmost to share
what they know.
Andrews will be on the demonstrations
desk. It is likely he will
let slip how to disguise a lot of
money spent on the hobby within
the weekly household bills.
“I live here,
I work here,
I sell here’’
Contact me for a no obligation appraisal and
be introduced to the smartest way to sell your
home – Ajit Gill
ajit.gill@mikepero.com
021 434 065 | 0800 7376 05
Mike Pero Real Estate Ltd Licensed REAA (2008)
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