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This was our first visit to Bradford and we were joined by Saddletank (Martin S-C), Terry Cunliffe (Mr NWE), Ian MacMillan
and Alan Heath (alan2). We were made very welcome by the club members. Our only misgiving was that we were located right next
to a full height double door fire exit which let the light flood in. We were able to hang a curtain to cover up part of the
doorway, but fire regulations would not allow full coverage. Saddletank had brought his Shuttle and we quickly had our
three machines and projectors up and running.
As at Horsham, North West England V2 and Cannock Chase V4 were prominent in our demonstration, but Blackpool Tramway,
MidEast, Woodhead, Skipton 1920, Tehachapi, Delaware & Hudson and Rhine Valley also had an airing.
On Sunday Ian took a drive up to Haworth and duly purchased 5 copies of the 'Worth Valley and Queensbury Triangle' Route
which Martin quickly loaded on his machine and then ably demonstrated using the locos and stock from Skipton 1920.
We had a steady flow of visitors over the whole weekend. No mad rushes as we sometimes see. With plenty of helpers we
even had a chance to take a good look at the other exhibits and peruse the wares on the trade stands. It was a well
balanced exhibition with a good variety of layouts and trade support. One trader was even selling the Faller Car System.
If you haven't seen this system it is basically a road with a follower wire underneath that vehicles fitted with a
motor and strong magnet will follow the wire. A starter set of a loop of road and 1 vehicle will set you back about
£50 - £60, not cheap but it does look impressive.
The most amazing layout at this exhibition was the OO9 Live Steam layout. Yes that's 4mm to the foot on 9mm track LIVE STEAM.
These little locos take 1.25mm of water superheated and will run nonstop for around 7 minutes. Given the layout they were
being demonstrated on (like a rabbit warren) these little locos performed extremely well with and without loads.
This exhibition was in fact Bradford MRC's 25th Jubilee Year Exhibition. Congratulations to them for
setting and keeping a fine tradition. We were presented with a Silver Plaque to commemorate our attendance
at this Exhibition by the Club Chairman. We thank you for the plaque.
Our thanks to the Bradford MRC for the invitation to attend and the excellent refreshments, to the UKTS people
who helped us and to the visitors who joined us. One particular gentleman approached us during the exhibition
with a view to taking the UKTSLive stand to the SKIPTON show in 2005. Now that will be awesome.
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