If you missed it…

This weekend was the Gauge O Guild Virtual Model Railway Exhibition. Originally born of the Covid pandemic, this online experience took the place of Gauge O Shows like the annual “Guildex” extravaganza. As modellers couldn’t come to see layouts and attend the workshops and clinics. The Guild brought them to us through the internet. Not just Guild members too. Everyone was able to take a look at what the O scale community had to offer. Layout tours through YouTube, clinics and workshops via Zoom sessions. It was great stuff. There were traders too, like any good model railway exhibition. Some traders use the opportunity to make product announcements, some would have “show specials”. It was everything you’d expect from a model railway exhibition, but without the push and shove of fighting your way through crowds and no risk of Covid-19 infection. The first show was in 2020 and there has been one every year since. 

As a model railway enthusiast and Guild member living in the USA, I haven’t been able to attend any model railway exhibitions in the UK at all, let alone Guildex. So to be able to sample O scale specific material is great. I have even bought from traders, and the Guild, through the show.

As you can expect, the majority of the layouts on show are large room filling masterpieces. But this year, there was definitely a swing towards smaller layouts. Layouts in smaller rooms. There were no micro layouts, but there were layouts that could certainly be described as “in the spirit of a micro”. 

With smaller layouts to view, this years show was a very enjoyable experience, and I came away feeling impressed and inspired. As I’m currently mulling over the idea of an O scale micro layout, perhaps this will nudge me along. Perhaps I could have a micro layout on show next year.

A big personal thanks goes out from me to everyone involved putting it all together. It is most appreciated. 

The virtual exhibition is available to view until the end of November. I recommend that you pop over to the Guild website and follow the “revisit” link. You won’t regret it.