Long-running model railway exhibition in Timaru to feature more than 16 displays

[ad_1]

Andrew Milliken has been preparing a new railway display for the upcoming Alpine Energy Model Railway Expo.

JOHN BISSET/Stuff

Andrew Milliken has been preparing a new railway display for the upcoming Alpine Energy Model Railway Expo.

More than 16 model railway displays will feature at a long-running railway model expo in Timaru that aims to raise funds for Hospice South Canterbury.

Organiser of the Alpine Energy Model Railway Expo, Andrew Milliken, said the expo had been running for almost 30 years, and this year would be the sixth time he had organised the biannual event.

“It’s a great exhibition to run over the school holidays,” Milliken said.

“The 16 model railway displays, and displays from retailers, are coming from around the South Island … I enjoy organising and running the expo immensely.

READ MORE:
* Model railway sets to chug into Timaru expo
* Progress on South Canterbury Traction Engine Museum extension trucking along
* Model railway expo raises $2200 for Hospice South Canterbury

“We usually get comments from other exhibitors about how good our show is because there are no clubs involved, it’s nice and relaxed.”

Milliken would be exhibiting a display he had been working on for several years, and was building specifically for the show.

“A lot of hours of work go into it with the framework, tracks, buildings and adding in the details to the scenery.

“The hardest thing about building a railway model is getting the tracks right, so things run smoothly.”

Andrew Milliken will be exhibiting a display he has been working on for several years, and was building specifically for the show.

JOHN BISSET/Stuff

Andrew Milliken will be exhibiting a display he has been working on for several years, and was building specifically for the show.

Milliken’s model is “loosely” an English theme on one side and an American theme on the other.

He said the main reason he picked up building model railways as a hobby was for the “engagement of it”.

“I’ve been modelling for over 40 years, and it’s just a favourite hobby to work on the visuals, electricals, the tiny details and just trying to replicate real life in miniature.

“I’ve made many, many models over the years.”

His favourite model was a large scale garden railroad which was still under construction at his home, and it was his favourite because it was nearly 2.5m tall.

The main reason Andrew Milliken builds model railways is for the “engagement of it”.

JOHN BISSET/Stuff

The main reason Andrew Milliken builds model railways is for the “engagement of it”.

Although it was not easy to source some materials for the models, Milliken said between scouring TradeMe, the Internet and the network of New Zealand retailers, he could usually find what he needed.

His advice for anyone wanting to take up the hobby was to “start small” and “learn from your mistakes”.

“The only way you can get better at building models is trial and error. There’s no right way or wrong way. You learn as you go, and it’s also important to stick to your skill set.”

The exhibition would be open from 10am to 4pm on July 8 and 9 at the Roncalli College Gymnasium. Entry for a family was $20, $10 for an adult and $3 for children.

All profits from the exhibition would go to Hospice South Canterbury.

[ad_2]

Leave a Comment