- HISTORY -
The first Merstham Model Steam Show occured in 1985 at the original site of St Nicholas
School on London Road, Redhill. The show has been staged on the third weekend in
May every year since 1987.
The Event began as a weekend for Garden Railway Modellers. These modellers build
and operate model railways usually in their gardens to a scale of around 1:19. Most
of these railways run Live Steam models although there are many modellers using
battery power. Their railways often feature lineside buildings and model houses
to the same scale and much use is made of small accessories to create the atmosphere
of a country or industrial railway.
The range of exhibits at the Merstham Model Steam Show has broadened over the years
and there are now displays of Toyshop Steam, Meccano, Model Engineering, Model Traction
Engines, Model Boats, and Dollshouses.
The event is housed in the Hall and Gymnasium of St. Nicholas School, Merstham and
in a number of large Marquees. The Model Boats have exclusive use of a large outdoor
Swimming Pool. Model Traction Engines can be seen running on the Tarmac or Grass
areas. There is also the permanent 7¼" Passenger Railway, (The Merstham Valley Railway
) some ½ mile in length and a portable 5" Passenger Railway operated by the Croydon
Society of Model Engineers.
Trade support is very strong, with all the major Garden Railway Equipment Manufacturers
and Suppliers along with a range of suppliers for Model Engineers, Model Boat Enthusiasts,
Toyshop Steam etc.
Attendances are normally in the region of 3000 per year, with many other enthusiasts
involved as exhibitors or stewards etc.
Our aim is to provide a non-competitive environment in which Modellers can enjoy
showing their models to a discerning public and share their experience and skills
with modellers in their own and other disciplines.
St. Nicholas School is a Residential School for Boys aged 11-16 years with Learning
and Behaviour difficulties. The proceeds from the Merstham Model Steam Show are
used to provide recreational facilities and activities for the pupils at the school,
especially the Live Steam Group which enables pupils to experience the thrill of
operating small scale Live Steam Models, and in the Summer Months the 7¼" Narrow
Gauge Merstham Valley Railway.
