Ted Polet

On 22/23 June 2002, the Valkenburg Narrow Gauge Museum (run by a preservation society called the Stichting Nationaal Smalspoor) held its annual narrow gauge model railway exhibition in which the 009 Society took part.

Friday 21 June saw the beginning of a narrow gauge enthusiast's migration to the west of the Netherlands. Some of the English exhibitors had started as early as 3.00am to drive hundreds of miles, or catch an early flight to Holland. Others arrived well past midnight early Saturday.

On Saturday morning there was a full size steam loco outside being fired up, and when I arrived to deliver the first carload for my own layout there were several layouts standing already. Mick and Garry were busy setting up the publicity stand across the small side hall where the English participants and I myself were directed. Several friends and acquaintances from the narrow gauge modelling fraternity were drifting in until the show really got going around 10:30. From then on until about 5pm trainload after trainload of visitors came into the museum, and all started their tour through the show in our side hall which was nearest the entrance.

In the evening many of the participants assembled in the entrance lobby where we were served a hot meal. This was a most pleasant occasion enabling us to learn to know some of the others a little better. After dinner we went by special train to the museum storage shed about a mile away. Here an interesting collection of locomotives and rolling stock is waiting to be restored. Immediately some wag compared this to Brian Guilmant's second-hand sales stand in 12" to the foot scale.

The next day was a continuation of Saturday. Halfway through Garry and Mick had a go at operating Rae Bridge. Some of Mick's rolling stock was tried out on the layout and although one or two engines failed to take the hidden curves, most of the stock did very well considering it doesn't run very often.

Whilst Garry and Mick worked Rae Bridge, I was able to have a too-short look at the other exhibits. The quality of work on show exceeded my wildest expectations. As usual, the Museum chose one exhibit as the 'best in show', and this time the award was given to a woman modeller. Anneke Boelens quite deservedly got the award with her French model Morvallon. The quality of her work also earned her an invitation to Expo-NG in 2004.

The 009 Society promotion stand drew a lot of interest as well, and the small amount of second-hand items Mick had taken along, and the Society handbook sold very well.

During Sunday we were also visited by several other English guests including some from the Greenwich & District NG Model Railway Society.

All good things come to an end, and towards the end of the afternoon we had to pull the plugs and start packing up. It seems we had about 700 visitors through the weekend, which is quite good considering this isn't a large show. Let us hope this trend continues in the years to come.

The Dutch Group of the 009 Society would like to thank the organisers for this excellent model railway show. In addition, we have the 009 Society's Committee and several members to thank for all their support to us.