EXPERIENCE the world of model engineering this May as the South West Miniature Show debuts in Newton Abbot.

The exhibition, which takes place on May 15 and 16 at the racecourse, will feature many hand-machined steam locomotives, traction engines and other working machines.

Brought to Newton Abbot by model engineers from societies across the South West, the models are often constructed in home workshops or domestic garages in scales from 1/32 up to 1/8, or larger scales for traction engines.

Many miniature engineering clubs used to put on shows, but since Covid-19 this has almost stopped, the nearest full exhibition being in Warwickshire.

The event will appeal to established hobbyists, but organiser Rob Speare has worked hard to make the event family friendly.

It won’t just be static models, there will be lots of movement, lots of intrigue, and more outdoors - including a miniature steam railway giving rides, traction engines in steam and a table top steam railway.

‘For the dedicated, there are a few specialist traders coming along; but it is mainly a show about helping people see the enjoyment in making working models’, Rob said.

‘We also hope to encourage our younger to look around with a ‘spot the locomotive challenge’ for under 10s, as these are our potential engineers of our future’, Rob added.

As a lifelong model engineer himself, Rob says it’s quite a coup to bring such a quality show to South Devon.

‘We are all really excited that so many people are pulling out the stops to make this something special’, Rob said.

For more details about the event, which is in support of hospice care, visit www.swemes.uk