10th February, 2025
Members of the L&B Thames Valley Area Group took our promotional stand to the two day Alton Model Railway Exhibition which was held on the first weekend of February.
The L&B stand had an excellent position, just inside the entrance to one of the big halls. This meant that every visitor to the room had to walk past our stand both as they entered and left the hall.
Alton is 150 miles from Woody Bay – a bit too far for a day trip. As well as promoting the railway we also encourage folk to take a short break in Exmoor or perhaps have a longer holiday.
Not only do we hand out leaflets about the L&B, we also distribute leaflets about Lynton & Lynmouth plus a copy of the Exmoor National Park Pocket Guide.
One of the model railway layouts close to our stand depicted Blackmoor Station when trains were still running, prior to closure in 1935. In addition to the actual layout there was also a model of the Blackmoor Gate Hotel and Restaurant as seen above.
That building has long gone but nowadays one can eat and drink in the nearby Old Station Inn - TheOldStationInn - which is built in and around the original Blackmoor Station. The pub restaurant is now owned by the L&B so money spent there will ultimately benefit the railway.
The next outing for the TVG stand will be to Basingstoke Model Railway Exhibition on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 March. This link BNHMRS 2025 Annual Exhibition - Basingstoke and North Hants Model Railway Society gives more information about that event.
If you visit the Basingstoke MRE then do say hello to the members manning the TVG stand!