THE BRITISH OVERSEAS RAILWAYS HISTORICAL TRUST   A UK Registered Educational Charity

Chatham Show 2026 Report

General setup of the BORHT stand at Chatham Dockyard, 2026. Photo: © Julian Rainbow

Saturday 18th July dawned bright and early when the alarm woke me at 05:15 hrs. I had packed the car and driven down to the Historic Dockyard by about 07:15 hrs and set about unloading the demonstration track and sales items. The car parking is a good 10 minutes’ walk from the Slipway, so I had the time to admire the various bits of railway equipment, helicopters, destroyers and submarines as I walked back. It was then onto the serious business of setting up the demonstration track. I was helped by a friendly medic for a bit. The demonstration track has been revamped with underlay and a far better standard of track laying than originally. Once, I had the baseboards properly joined together and found that I could run a loco around the full extent of the track with no problems. I started putting out back copies of Journals etc. I was glad that Dick Waller arrived and we finished off setting up the stand and arranging the displays. Shortly afterwards Mostyn joined us.

The show opens to early birds at 09:30 hrs and we soon found ourselves busy talking to people and importantly making some sales. This set the tone for the next two days. The Journal display stand sits nicely over the track, effectively forming a tunnel that seemed to give much interest to the children. The more inquisitive ones came round the back to see what was going on.

I had brought down a good collection of locomotives and rolling stock representing out export industry and these gave sterling service through out the day. They were changed round at regular intervals. No attempt at operating authenticity was made and the Egyptian State Railway Wagons Lits cars, originating from Leeds Forge Company were variously hauled by a English Electric CP Class 1400 or an English Electric NS Class 600. The cars attracted quite a lot of attention. Perhaps the model that attracted most attention over the two days was the Toronto Transportation Commission G Car originally built by Glouster Carriage and Wagon Company. This had very bright lights both inside and at either end, it also had sound.

CP1400 Class and Egyptian CIWL cars on BORHT layout. Photo: © Julian Rainbow

I was glad when 17:00 hrs approached and we could pack way the locos and go home for some food. Sunday was a repeat of Saturday, I was down early, so I could walk around and see the other stands before the show opened. I was pleased to see a large number of Continental layouts. I have been told by the organisers that next year a big Belgium model railway club will be coming across with their layout. They visited on the Saturday.

Sunday was lower on the visitor numbers, but we were particularly pleased to welcome our Michigan member Ronojoy Ghost who was across to attend the Farnborough Airshow. It is always good to meet members in person. The Farnborough Airshow will have to organise itself to have the same dates next year. Another visitor was one of my fellow land survey instructors at the royal School of Military Engineering, Sarah Cummings who has kindly provided the photo from behind the display screen.

Behind the scenes on the BORHT layout Photo: © Sarah Cummings

Outside the slipway there was a demonstration of a live diesel locomotive, and that locomotive was of particular interest to us as it was Barclay 357/1941 named Overlord. She was sent to France inn September 1994 and worked at Bayeux in 102nd Transportation Stores Depot before moving to Ghent, arriving back in the UK in 1946, and leaving again in 1951 for a short trip to the Middle East.

Barclay 357/1941, WD70042, Overlord Photo: © Julian Rainbow

The show finished at 16:00 hrs on the Sunday and the visitors had basically left by 15:30 hrs anyway. Mostyn and I packed up and having returned to my flat decided I deserved a curry in the Gurkha Brothers in Chatham. Only to be told on arrival that due to the football they were closing in 30 minutes. Overall, both days went well, and we achieved our charitable objectives in educating people. One man did not know that we had built most of the early railways in Europe, that Cockerill was English. Other were surprised to learn the Stephenson built the first railway in Africa. We will be returning next year. Although, I do hope that we are not opposite the burger van next year.