Yesterday I made the trip down to Newton Abbot Racecourse for Day 2 of the inaugural South West Miniature Engineering Show, and what a belter it was. If you’re into model engineering, steam, or just appreciate incredibly skilled craftsmanship, this new event deserves a permanent spot in your calendar.

First Impressions

The venue was easy to find (follow the “Racecourse Officials” signs as advised – it drops you right at the right entrance opposite the big Tesco). Free parking, level access, on-site catering, and a decent atmosphere from the moment you walk in. At £14 for an adult ticket it felt like good value for what turned out to be a proper full day out.

This being the first running of SWEMES, there was a lovely buzz of “new event” energy. Clubs from across the South West had come together, and the halls were packed with stands showcasing everything from tiny stationary engines ticking away on compressed air to serious-scale locomotives and traction engines.

The Highlights

The sheer variety was brilliant. There were beautiful examples of home-built steam engines in all scales, some running, some displayed in various stages of build so you could see the incredible detail inside. One of the standout themes seemed to be Bulleid-related stuff – I spent a good while admiring the 7" gauge Merchant Navy rolling chassis on the General Steam Navigation stand. Seeing big engineering projects like that in miniature is always humbling.

Outside (and the weather played ball), there were traction engines and other road vehicles in steam, plus a miniature steam railway giving rides. Nothing beats the smell of coal and hot oil on a spring day.

The traders were well represented too – I had a good poke around the tool and material suppliers (always dangerous for the wallet). Picked up a couple of useful bits I didn’t strictly need but definitely wanted. The not-for-profit angle was nice to see as well; the show is supporting local cancer charities, which adds a proper feel-good factor.

The People

What really makes these shows special is the crowd. You’ve got the old hands with decades of experience happily chatting to wide-eyed newcomers (and kids who were absolutely mesmerised by the moving models). Everyone was friendly and willing to talk about their builds. I had several great conversations about techniques, suppliers, and the eternal question of “when do you decide a model is actually finished?”

Would I Go Again?

Absolutely. For a first-time event, the organisers did a superb job. It had that perfect mix of inspiration, nostalgia, and hands-on wonder that model engineering shows do so well. Whether you’re a seasoned builder, someone who’s thinking of getting into the hobby, or just fancy a day looking at incredible miniature machinery, SWEMES delivered.

If you missed it this year, make sure you’re there in 2027. In the meantime, it’s left me properly fired up to get back into the workshop.

Highly recommended!