Back in the Woods - 7 1/4" Gauge Society AGM 2022

Following our most enjoyable attendance of the 7 1/4" Gauge Society AGM in 2021, we were delighted to be offered the opportunity to return to Echills Wood Miniature Railway in 2022 with our stand and a host of the many new additions to our product range that we have worked so hard to bring through in 2022. We really enjoy the AGM at MRW. It brings enthusiasts of the hobby together from the far reaches of both the country and the world and is a celebration of playing trains, perpetuating our interest in miniatures and giving us something to look forward to beyond scheduled club running.

Setting the Stand

Sometimes it takes the organisation of an event to reflect on how much we have brought forward to our range in the last year. Alongside tinplate oil bottles and feeders, Morris Lubricants Oils and Hurricane steam raising blowers to name a few. Our growing range of products manufactured in partnership with Colin Edmondson was also on display, including profile gauges and his unique click & play portable track range, soon to be available on our website.

We also had the opportunity to show off our new Neptune 3 demonstrator battery electric loco. Finished in BR blue with unique wasp stripes and cranks for some dynamism, we were very pleased to be able to offer people the opportunity to try out first-hand a brand new loco and our portable track, laid in less than 20 minutes naturally!

We were blessed with good weather and familiar faces - it was excellent to see many who have seen us grow and use our products for themselves. When you're often so busy designing, making and running a business, it means everything to hear such positive feedback about our track, tinplate and blowers. Just as we work so hard everyday to develop useful and interesting designs, we're very pleased to hear our products working so hard themselves on a daily basis.

Angus, one of our long standing customers, was there with his large American locomotive and two of our hand made oil bottles. He found the bottles to be the ideal companion to his large miniature loco and traction engine alike.

Playing Trains

With such a lot on, we struggle sometimes to get out and enjoy the hobby ourselves. Fortunately, we were lucky enough to have Colin Edmondson's own Imp locomotive, to play with on the mainline. Chris, our new intern, got a first-hand go at driving a miniature loco with the smallest one available to buy in 7 1/4" gauge!

After the official 5pm closing on the Saturday, the Neptune 3 was carried from the stand to the station and we set it up ready to stretch its legs. A 3 motor shunter, its short body belies its power and performance. The loco was more than happy to cruise at line speed limits and had plenty more to give should we have wanted to pull more coaches!

In the Steaming Bays

With our fun on the line over, we retired to the steaming bays to look at the excellent examples of locos and rolling stock that had made their way to the event and talk trains with friends old and new. We spotted more of our products nestled in amongst the various tackle people use to keep their locos in good shape and all looked ready to use at a moment's notice. Some highlights included this lovely looking Darjeeling miniature saddle tank loco, a number of deeply impressive American outline steam locos and some finely made battery and petrol electrics including Scamps and some AME mainline locos.

Thanks Again

We'd like to extend our thanks to the 7 1/4" Gauge Society for having us again at what is a thoroughly appropriate venue with excellent, dedicated volunteers. The team would also like to thank you if you were one of those who came to chat to us on the stand and of course especially if you purchased any of our wares. We're looking forward to what the AGM will bring in 2023 and if you're planning on attending, we really hope to see you there!

One of our long standing customers David Docking posted this lovely video of the entire event, with MRW making a little appearance at 17.30 minutes.