Seaside Miniature Railway Exhibition for Cleethorpes
22 April 2010 by Peter Bryant
The Miniature Railway Museum Trust has announced its forthcoming exhibition: Seaside Miniature Railways. Based in a professionally-curated 1000sq ft exhibition space beside the historic Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway, the exhibition is due to open by early June 2010.
The expo tells the story of miniature passenger railways around the coast of Britain, with the history of the seaside holiday as its backdrop. Locos, stock and exhibits of 7.25” and 10.25” gauge representing several unusual and interesting lines will be on display from launch; with a rotation of more through the next 18 months. This will be the first devoted exhibition on these leisure railways that have carried literally millions of daytripping passengers through the past 120 years.
Corporate sponsorship, along with key exhibits for display has been secured; details of which will be announced during May 2010. An audiovisual area, plus interactives, exhibits large and small, ephemera and detailed histories of various railways form the expo.
The seaside-themed exhibition marks the first major public project for the MRMT since 2008, as it continues towards its aim of establishing a major accredited permanent museum of miniature railway history on the adjacent site.
However, the Curatorial Group of the MRMT is in urgent need to hear from anybody who would like to discuss potential secure short-term loans of seaside miniature railway-related ephemera; from posters to postcards, tickets to uniforms and operating hardware – in order to complete the display. The Group is also appealing to loco/stock owners of out-of-service items, which might be loaned for displayed at a future date.
David Humphreys, chairman of the MRMT commented: “This is an exhibition not just for railway enthusiasts but for anyone who likes to be beside the seaside. Through the generosity of our sponsors, exhibit owners and the work of our dedicated volunteer railway museum curators, fundraisers and skilled professionals, we are proud to bring this brand new attraction to the classic British seaside resort of Cleethorpes. This will bring more visitors to the area and increase tourist time spent in Cleethorpes. There’s no better place for it and we hope that this marks the start of bigger, long-term plans.”
The exhibition is due to open by early June 2010
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What a splendid project this is - I hope all enthusiasts with suitable artefacts in private collections will give it their support. An ambitious plan, certainly, but absolutely central to the MRMT's vision and an opportunity for working railways with equipment currently being "rested" to put in on public display on a rotating basis. Every success to you!