York 2025

York exhibition was the first outing for Mauch Chunk PA since December 2019 and it’s return from Yorkshire and it was important that the re-launch went well. MC is now BMRG’s second layout on the exhibition circuit and it is intended to provide a more relaxing weekend for the operators than the challenges of Mostyn.

A considerable amount of work has gone into MC during the run-up to York and this included:-

New stock and newly-weathered stock.
Locomotives and rolling stock allocated to specific pre-tested formations.
A new crossover to facilitate greater use of the station platform road.
Newly-painted central backscene.
Scenic upgrading to refresh all the greenery.
Permanent fixing of key buildings and scenic detail.

The team for the weekend was Richard Oldfield, Kevin Bays, David Faulkner, Steve Hales, Dave Millward and Chris Mitchell.

The hard work put in before the show paid off with very reliable running, especially from the venerable roster of steam locomotives – some of which have been susceptible to frustrating short circuits. The decision to handle all steam locomotives in cradles at all times was clearly vindicated (many of these old locomotives have split frame pick-up and a minor distortion of a detail part can be enough to produce a short circuit).

York marked the first exhibition where we made really extensive use of the switching possibilities on MC. We now have a list of future changes that will enhance this attractive feature.
Richard Oldfield

We start with an unusual view of MC from above. Note also the photos of a new Pacific G2sa to add to the G3sa already in the roster.