Hugh Mervyn James Trophy Prize Winners

Hugh Mervyn James was a member of Clyde M.R.C. For many years until his death in January 1992. Mervyn as the club members knew him by, was a railway man and had spent most of his working live on the railways in depots around the country. He enjoyed his model railways and before his death had all the thirty seven loco's which were shed at Motherwell depot. In the mid 80's Mervyn was a member of the Model Rail Scotland Committee acting as chief steward which he enjoyed doing. He went near and far to model Railway shows himself and with club members sometimes visiting two shows on the one day (Harrowgate and York comes to mind ). At the club shows the "Festival of Model Railways" Mervyn often showed films of railways. In his honour the members of Clyde M.R.C. donated the trophy.

This trophy is awarded by the friends of Scale Rail and is given to the layout, which in their opinion, is the best in the show. The trophy was first awarded in 1997 and as such there have been 5 winners to date:

2002

Federal Street Yard by John Wright of Newcastle in Proto 87

Federal Street breaks new ground in HO American modelling as it is built to the new Proto 87 standards, one of the first of its kind in the UK. Wheel and track standards in Proto 87 are almost an exact scaled-down representation of the prototype.

Photo's © John Wright

http://home.freeuk.net/nmrabr/p87/home.htm

Certificate of Merit Awards Photos

2001

Aber-Wryst-Watch by Bob & Gwen Dawson of Yorks in 7mm

This narrow gauge layout was created mainly to display the scratchbuilt buildings that had been created and needed a suitable setting to exhibit them. The rolling stock is a mixture of kit and scratch-built 'O' gauge bodies built around ready to run Hornby 'OO' gauge chassis.

2000

Port Lairge Wharf by Richard Chown in 7mm

The coal wharf was designed to create a distinctive layout using a minimum of space. The wharf is an import dock for coal from Wales into Ireland in the early 1900's. There is also a mixed freight wharf to the rear. The prototype cranes were hydraulic powered, the control being located under the power house.

1999

Acton Mainline by Croydon M.R.S. in N gauge

Acton Mainline is situated on the GWML route travelling west out of Paddington. The layout is set in the in the period 1989-1991. Passenger services on the layout include Inter-City main line and Network South East suburban services. Freight movements from all regions are represented by Railfreight Acton yard is a terminal for Foster Yeoman Aggregates, and its activities also include the Redland tiles Speedlink service and a point where stone trains divide for forwarding onto other depots.

All buildings and trackside furniture are scratch built using plasticard except for the lighting towers which are etched brass. Locomotives and rolling stock are a mix of kit built and modified proprietary models. The rolling stock is constantly being added to. If you are interested in modelling in the modern image then this layout is not to be missed.

1998

Hudson Road by Jon Grant of Sunderland and District M.R.S. OO

Hudson Road is a development of Jon's previous snow scene layout, Hudson Lane N.E.R. Parts of Hudson Lane have been incorporated into Hudson Road which is again an East Durham N.E.R. line set in the winter of 1917/18.

Jon has retained the atmosphere of Hudson Lane by again depicting an extensive goods facility on the Sunderland to Hartlepool line, with a nearby colliery providing coal for local industry and shipping.

The snow scene was created using expanding foam, (available in an aerosol can from D.I.Y. stores), covered with Modroc plaster bandage to create the landscape. Foliage and scatter were then applied to this followed by several light coats of white paint, details were then picked out using darker than usual greens and browns with a light dusting of glitter being added as a final touch to simulate frosted snow.

The layout is normally operated as a night scene hence the darker pictures!

1997

Nalaton Junction by Alan Bodell of Hawick & District R.S.

Nalaton Junction is a fictitious location somewhere in north-east England in 1945/47. The terminus station has a short goods only branch leading off here requiring all locos to run-round before proceeding thus giving many more train movements. The buildings are based on real NER prototypes which can be found at Beamish.

The trophy is awarded to the layout the 'Friends of Scale Rail' deem to be the best in the show, criteria include:-

the quality of the layout, note the layout doesn't need to be complete, or a rounded layout - it can be purely locomotive, tram or scenery.
quality of running.
quality of rolling stock / locomotives etc.
the ooh factor helps, if there is something that is distinctive, original or different.
if the public like it!.
the amount of used fivers handed to the show team and show organiser in brown paper bags

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