The Trainwest model show moved to Bowerhill, Melksham in 2007 - the last weekend in May.


Layout at Train West

Train West has run in Chippenham for a number of years, and has now moved to Melksham. Some 80 stands at the Christie Miller Sports centre, about half of which were operating layouts ranging from the larger continuous runs at a large scale though to small "point to point" systems, Everything from larger-that-O gauge to Z represented.


Trade stand at Train West

Most of the remaining stands were trade sales stands - and it was marvelous to see all the modelers supplies on offer.


Admiring the operating

Personally, I could stand for hours at certain of the exhibits.


Plenty of videos - but NONE of Melksham

Interestingly, Melksham HAS a train service but not one that was suitable to get visitors to the show - another lost opportunity for FGW. And indeed, Melksham seems to be a forgotten railway backwater. This huge display of DVDs offered just about every rail subject but ask about Melksham DVDs and you get a blank look and "No - sorry - nothing".


Cant even buy a ready to run 153

Looking to build a model of Melksham? There isn't even a ready to run 153 available - you have to convert your own (but then that's what was done in real life) and the Bachmann 158 in Wessex Trains livery is no longer available.


Ah - the sum total

We did find this wagon, and an Avon Tyres one too, to represent the town.

Train West official site

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