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This was my sixth visit to the Elgin MRC's Modelfair which means that the Modelfair visitors have been able to see the development of Bahnhof Breitenfurt Ost, year by year, from its embryonic form in 2008 to its current, nearly finished condition, which fact was pointed out to me by several visitors to the exhibition. On the whole, the trains behaved themselves with most of the serious glitches being the responsibility of the operator (me). It reminds me that several times in the past I have determined to create an aide memoir displaying the exact sequence of actions required to run a train. In my defence I have to say that it is nearly a year since I used the layout. No award this time though. (Possibly because the judges came round when I was desperately trying to find a room for the night due to a muck up over my accommodation.)

There were 45 stands at the Modelfair, of which 11 were layouts with scales ranging from 0 (1:45) to Z (1:220). Ironically, Breitenfurt Ost was not listed in the programme, which would explain the puzzled looks on the faces of some of the visitors looking it up!

Finally, I would like to thank the organisers of the event for inviting me again and for their support throughout the exhibition.

Bahnhof Breitenfurt – Ost – Z scale by Chris Manvell. Click on thumbnail images to see them full size.
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Breitenfurt – Ost is, as stated, an early 20th century fictitious mainline station somewhere in Bavaria. As well as carrying through traffic, the station is the junction for a small branch line which disappears into the hinterland.
The trains themselves come from several of the old Länderbahnen (state railways) as well as the later Deutsche Reichseisenbahnen (1920-1924) then Reichsbahn-Gesellschaft (DRG or German State Railway Company, 1924-1937) and the loco shed is home to a number of 1860s' Bavarian locomotives, one of which can occasionally be seen running on the up main line.
In addition to the four through roads, a branch platform, a small freight yard and loco servicing facilities, the 6ftx2ft board has enough room for a six road hidden yard, capable of holding up to eight trains, and two short hidden sidings at the end of the branch line. The latter can be the source of amazement for young children who expect the same train to come down as just went up!
First we have general views of the layout as seen by passers-by.
(Note. Some of the photos were taken while setting up, hence the lack of trains, locos, etc.)
Some station views for those who stop and look, along with photos of the background.

Note the scale length nine coach train (no rubber tyres on the loco and a motor the size of a sugar cube).
Some views not normally seen by the visitors. They are not called 'hidden sidings' for nothing!
And, finally, Breitenfurt through the ages!

20082009 20102011 20122013
Note that there is less apparent progress in later years as other interests take more of my time. However, there was progress but mostly out of site of the visitor.

As the remaining layouts had to be photographed before the doors opened on Sunday morning, many of the images are devoid of trains, and some layouts are not shown as they were covered with dust sheets. My apologies for the pretty tacky quality; I had to dash round and many were taken without flash.

Circular Canyon – USA On30 (1:45) scale desert freight railroad by RAF Kinloss MRC. (Stand E33)

We are in the middle of Arizona desert when we hear the bark of a steam loco working hard as it pulls its heavy load. The loco with its assortment of wagons is wending it weary way along a narrow gauge line cut into the side of a small curving canyon in the middle of the landscape

Cragganmore – UK 0 scale by Elgin MRC. (Stand )

The namesake of this layout lies in Speyside and the distillery exists as it is in the model, but that is as far as reality goes. The layout, according to the exhibition programme is in its 'final' form, though I am sure it will have developed further by next year! ... the line swings through a 90 degree turn as it approaches the distillery, and finally disappears into a tunnel. Most of the motive power is diesel, except for the wee distillery loco with its rake of wagons.

Eastleigh – by Stan Moug of the Perth and District MRC. (Stand 15)

The line emerges from a tunnel straight into the station, them past a small marshalling yard eventually to disappear into a deep cutting by the distillery. Most of the motive power appears to be diesel,

King Street – UK N scale by Moray MRG. (Stand E32)

A small modern terminus, handling local and long distance traffic, with an associated motive power depot. Just beyond the station there is a small freight facility.

Maltby – UK OO scale by Inverness & District MRC. (Stand E27)

A station with associated industrial area somewhere in Yorkshire.

Polar Express – US outline. (Stand E?)

Part of a private collection of memorabilia associated with 80 years of film, adverts and television programmes.

Scott Lake – US N scale by EMRC member, Arry Dodd (E10)

Scott Lake is a small rural station near the border of Michigan and is served by the Chicago & NW. Basically a freight line, the occasional railcar serves as motive power for light freight.

Thomas – UK OO scale by Elgin MRC. (Stand E20)

An opportunity for the kids (and parents?) to try their hand at driving Thomas and Percy.

Tram City – by Fred Dilley (EMRC). (Stand E21)

Modern trams are shown running through a traditional cityscape. (Did someone mention Edinburgh?)

Overview of the central hall and stage

Layouts that I didn't get to see were Barrie Green's 'Ullapool', a what-might-have-been concept, and Allan Thom's 'Grantown on Spey' diorama of the station of that name.

More images may be available on the Elgin MRC's own website.