Kew Bridge Steam Museum

Festival of Models returns in October

• Details
• Published on Saturday, 28 August 2010 14:05

The ever popular Festival of Models exhibition returns to Kew Bridge steam Museum on Saturday 2nd & Sunday 3rd October, with the museum buildings absolutely crammed with exhibits including stationary engines, traction engines, a perfect complete model of the famous Billy Smart’s circus (c.1960), and a wide range of model boats. There is truly something for everyone to see and enjoy!

The largest of the Museum’s engine houses will be transformed into a veritable wonderland, with a chance to see model engineering at its very best with some models running using compressed air and real steam. Visitors to the show will be able to see the similarities between these small wonders and their full sized steam engine counterparts.

Even in miniature, a fully working model of a dragline excavator is something to be seen.  With extraordinary detail and accuracy the visiting example at this show is fully functional and ‘driven’ from a replica control position with CCTV. 

On the museum’s narrow gauge railway, “Thomas Wicksteed” – the newest steam locomotive in the country, will be giving rides throughout the exhibition.  Inside, the Museum’s Steam Hall Rotative engines will be running all weekend and, as a special treat, the 1838 Maudslay Cornish beam engine will be demonstrated twice on each day, thanks to the kind sponsorship of Edgecam.

Refreshments will be available in the museum’s Babcock Café, and a quiet area with simple activities for children will be also available throughout both days of the exhibition. 

The Festival of Models is jointly organised in support of the steam museum and the Dunkirk veteran paddle steamer Medway Queen.  70 years ago 338,000 men were rescued under heavy enemy fire from the beaches and port of Dunkirk to be brought back to England.  The paddle steamer Medway Queen brought back 7,000 of those men, and is currently being rebuilt to her former glory in Bristol.  She will be at the show in model form with a display of the latest news on the restoration process.