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Famous Toys Fair 2004 (1) (2) (3)

On Saturday 20th March 2004, the Netherlands saw a new event focussing on Meccano products. A joint initiative by the Dutch Meccano Guild and the Dutch HRCA, this 'Famous Toys Fair' featured extensive displays of these Meccano toy lines, complete with working Meccano models and Hornby train layouts. To round off the show, there were sales tables offering vintage toy trains, tinplate toys and dolls.

This Dublo 3-rail layout was the first we've ever had at a Dutch HRCA meeting, and in fact we think it's the first ever Dublo layout to be publicly shown in The Netherlands.

The Dutch HRCA Dublo Construction Team consisted of (from left to right) Piet Buis, John Keates and his son. Their lovely post war three-rail layout featured a double track baseboard, complete with station area and goods depot. Locos included Bristol Castle, Silver King, Duchess of Montrose, LMR 8F, N2 and 2-6-4 tanks.

As always the most popular item was the Travelling Post Office which never failed to claim the attention of any children that saw it!

A closer view of the goods area. Some Dublo Dinky Toys added much to the effect. Power was provided by 2 standard Dublo transformers, which performed very well during the entire weekend.

The other side of the Dublo area was used to put up a nice display of mostly plastic super-detailed coaches and wagons. As you can see, most of these were in pristine boxed condition.

There's a lot less interest and knowledge of Hornby-Dublo in Holland, and we were therefore surprised at the positive reaction that we heard at the show. Perhaps we'll find some more members!

The foreground shows the station area, while in the background John is putting a locomotive back on the track.

In the next hall, the Dutch Meccano Guild had their 2004 AGM to coincide with this show. A wide variety of Meccano models was on display, many of which were continually in operation, adding an underlying buzz of electric motors to the lively hubbub of conversation.

Meccano models on display ranged from rather small to (very!) large, either straight from the manual or built to someone's own invention.

No Meccano show is complete without some giant cranes. The largest crane easily came up to the (high) ceiling of the hall. The one shown here was easier to photograph, and just exudes that typical Meccano flavour.

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