North Eastern Meccano Society
Darlington Exhibition 1984
Here are a number of photos taken at the 1984 Darlington Exhibition held in the Bondgate Hall on 10th November.
If anyone spots any errors/corrections, please let the webmaster (Timothy Edwards) know.
Pictures of Darlington Exhibition 1984
High resolution versions of the photos are also available to view or download if desired. In most browsers clicking on a thumbnail, will make that image stay on the webpage and you can then click on the link to get the high resolution version.

Photo - Frank Beadle Collection
Darlington Exhibition 1984 - Chris Barron's half full size model of a V-I2 Hispano-Suiza Aero Engine in gleaming yellow-blue and silver. Mains motor powered the cylinders and cam-shafts were cut away to show movements, valves and spark plug operating in the correct sequence, flash bulbs to represent sparks. (10/11/1984)
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Photo - Frank Beadle Collection
Darlington Exhibition 1984 - Chris Barron's half full size model of a V-I2 Hispano-Suiza Aero Engine in gleaming yellow-blue and silver. Mains motor powered the cylinders and cam-shafts were cut away to show movements, valves and spark plug operating in the correct sequence, flash bulbs to represent sparks. (10/11/1984)
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Photo - Frank Beadle Collection
Darlington Exhibition 1984 - Mark Barron's (Junior) model of a 4.5 Naval Gun Turret based on the 1959 County Class Destroyer. The guns re-coiled to normal position, platforms and gun fully working, even a flash bulb in the barrel to represent firing. (10/11/1984)
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Photo - Frank Beadle Collection
Darlington Exhibition 1984 - Jim Berrie's fine model 3'3"(1m) long of a Baltic 4-6-4 Tank Locomotive in red and green, with all wheels moving and complete with coal at one time! (10/11/1984)
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Photo - Frank Beadle Collection
Darlington Exhibition 1984 - Jim Berrie's model of a locomotive of the Crampton Cab Single Wheeler type, all wheels and valve gear in motion. (10/11/1984)
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Photo - Frank Beadle Collection
Darlington Exhibition 1984 - Jim Berrie's model of a locomotive of the Crampton Cab Single Wheeler type, all wheels and valve gear in motion. (10/11/1984)
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Photo - Frank Beadle Collection
Darlington Exhibition 1984 - John Bruce's model of a 'Chair-O-Plane ' with provision and models of 16 persons riding. Very colourful in blue, red and yellow. (10/11/1984)
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Photo - Frank Beadle Collection
Darlington Exhibition 1984 - Tony Cains' (Junior) Robotic Arm stretching 4 feet (1.5 m) long, which would grip a beaker and pour water, it also travelled on rails and was powered by 7 motors. (10/11/1984)
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Photo - Frank Beadle Collection
Darlington Exhibition 1984 - Brian Chaffer's model of a Rack and Pinion Loco in zinc and yellow material. (10/11/1984)
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Photo - Frank Beadle Collection
Darlington Exhibition 1984 - rear view of Tony Clark's model of a Caterpillar Lifting Bucket Excavator all functions with separate motors, 4 wheel drive, pivot steering and remote control. (10/11/1984)
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Photo - Frank Beadle Collection
Darlington Exhibition 1984 - Tony Clark's model of a Caterpillar Lifting Bucket Excavator all functions with separate motors, 4 wheel drive, pivot steering and remote control. (10/11/1984)
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Photo - Frank Beadle Collection
Darlington Exhibition 1984 - Douglas Cooper's model of a Vertical Steam Engine based on the 1930 model, and built in silver and yellow material. (10/11/1984)
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Photo - Frank Beadle Collection
Darlington Exhibition 1984 - Mike Cotterill's model of a Twin cylinder Steam Engine with novel triangle in place of rods. (10/11/1984)
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Photo - Frank Beadle Collection
Darlington Exhibition 1984 - Mike Cotterill's model of a Twin Cylinder Steam Engine based on the Kew Bridge, London. Pumping Engine.
The flywheel was of channel segments, the boiler of 7½" (l90mm) dia.of red plates with green strips was joined to the Engine by pipes. (10/11/1984)Click here to see higher resolution photo
Photo - Frank Beadle Collection
Darlington Exhibition 1984 - David Dalton's model of a Scania Truck with Automatic Pick-up revolving around a large tracked base at great speed. (10/11/1984)
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Photo - Frank Beadle Collection
Darlington Exhibition 1984 - Joe Etheridge's model of an unusual Lift-Well Climbing Crane just under 6 feet (1.750 mm) tall,, operated by 4 six speed motors in the body to the jib, hoist, crane hoist and rotating mechanism all controlled from the cabin. The supporting structure represents three floors of a building under construction. (10/11/1984)
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Photo - Frank Beadle Collection
Darlington Exhibition 1984 - Joe Etheridge's model of a Fairground Dive Bomber model built from a design by Mr.G. Cowen of South Africa. (10/11/1984)
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Photo - Frank Beadle Collection
Darlington Exhibition 1984 - Jim Finlayson's model of a 4-4-0 American Prairie Locomotive. (10/11/1984)
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Photo - Frank Beadle Collections
Darlington Exhibition 1984 - Jim Finlayson's model of a 4-4-0 American Prairie Locomotive. (10/11/1984)
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Photo - Frank Beadle Collection
Darlington Exhibition 1984 - Jim Finlayson's Meccano Workshop Model with Lathe, Griner, Saw, Buffing Machine the dynamo being driven by a steam engine. (10/11/1984)
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Photo - Frank Beadle Collection
Darlington Exhibition 1984 - Jim Finlayson's magnificent model of a Block Setting Crane in red and green, remote controlled and powered by four FDU motors. (10/11/1984)
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Photo - Frank Beadle Collection
Darlington Exhibition 1984 - John Fuller's 6' 6" (2 m.) model of a high Level Luffing Crane in red and green, demonstrating the Toplis system fully, with every movement fully represented and operating but having movements controlled in sequence, all powered by a variety of motors in the model. (10/11/1984)
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Photo - Frank Beadle Collection
Darlington Exhibition 1984 - John Fuller's model of a Windmill Pump built from pre 1926 Nickel with mains motor drive, based on a Dealer's Demonstration Model of early days and 3' (1m.) high. (10/11/1984)
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Photo - Frank Beadle Collection
Darlington Exhibition 1984 - Michael Gray's scale model of a Hunslet Narrow Gauge Shunter also in blue-yellow, with centrifugal clutch, articulated bogies and coupled rod drive. (10/11/1984)
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Photo - Frank Beadle Collection
Darlington Exhibition 1984 - Michael Gray's model of Self Steered Dodgem Cars, taking power as the real thing does from a 24" (60 cm) x 18" (45 cm) steel base and powered by two 4½v motors. (10/11/1984)
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Photo - Frank Beadle Collection
Darlington Exhibition 1984 - Keith Hughes' model of an Excavator with continuously operating digging action, the motor powered model was in blue and deep yellow the very latest colours, the model from an original design by the late Geoff Coles. (10/11/1984)
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Photo - Frank Beadle Collection
Darlington Exhibition 1984 - Bert Love's unique model of Blackpool Tower flying six examples of 1935 to 1940 Meccano No.O Aeroplanes all personally refurbished and restored to pristine condition. (10/11/1984)
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Photo - Frank Beadle Collection
Darlington Exhibition 1984 - Edward Lydiate's Perpetual Motion Calendar which had a mechanism to turn the entire unit at midnight, also compensating for different days in the month, also adjusting itself for the extra day in February every four years. This was a really fine model. (10/11/1984)
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Photo - Frank Beadle Collection
Darlington Exhibition 1984 - John MacDonald's model of a Half Track Vehicle with Twin Aircraft Guns. Power winch, steering, front wheel drive, 4 speed box, clutch, 3 diffs, sprung axles, disc brakes and full working gun. (10/11/1984)
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Photo - Frank Beadle Collection
Darlington Exhibition 1984 - John MacDonald's model of a Frigate based on the Broadbeam Leander Class, almost everything worked, propellers, rudder, elevating bomb throwers, both radar, Sea Cat detector, Sea Cat,4. 5 gun . twin guns elevating, even the rotors on the helicopter on deck -a fine model, nearly 6' 6" (2 m) long in red and green (10/11/1984)
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Photo - Frank Beadle Collection
Darlington Exhibition 1984 - Peter Mason's Astronomical Clock in red and green, from the Patrick Briggs design, mains motor drive for exhibition it showed moon phases, age and state of tides. (10/11/1984)
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Photo - Frank Beadle Collection
Darlington Exhibition 1984 - Brian Reay's model of a Traction Engine with real smoke?, drum winch, 3 gears and 9"(228 mm) wheels. (10/11/1984)
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Photo - Frank Beadle Collection
Darlington Exhibition 1984 - Brian Reay's Clock with twisting string round four pole escapement, weight drive and with automatic rewind. (10/11/1984)
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Photo - Frank Beadle Collection
Darlington Exhibition 1984 - R Rich's magnificent model of a 10' 6" (3,300 mm) long Scammell S24 Prime Mover and 100 ton Trailer in self made black Meccano, contrasting well with white plastic plates. The Tractor had 15 forward and 3 reverse gears, clutch, locking differentials, hub reduction, power steering, full lighting from headlights to warning lights. The Trailer had 28 wheels, 16 power steered at the rear, the unit was dual articulated, weighed 103 lbs(57 kg.) and moved under its own power by one 12V. Motor - in all a masterpiece! (10/11/1984)
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Photo - Frank Beadle Collection
Darlington Exhibition 1984 - R Rich's magnificent model of a 10' 6" (3,300 mm) long Scammell S24 Prime Mover and 100 ton Trailer in self made black Meccano, contrasting well with white plastic plates. The Tractor had 15 forward and 3 reverse gears, clutch, locking differentials, hub reduction, power steering, full lighting from headlights to warning lights. The Trailer had 28 wheels, 16 power steered at the rear, the unit was dual articulated, weighed 103 lbs(57 kg.) and moved under its own power by one 12V. Motor - in all a masterpiece! (10/11/1984)
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Photo - Frank Beadle Collection
Darlington Exhibition 1984 - R Rich's magnificent model of a 10' 6" (3,300 mm) long Scammell S24 Prime Mover and 100 ton Trailer in self made black Meccano, contrasting well with white plastic plates. The Tractor had 15 forward and 3 reverse gears, clutch, locking differentials, hub reduction, power steering, full lighting from headlights to warning lights. The Trailer had 28 wheels, 16 power steered at the rear, the unit was dual articulated, weighed 103 lbs(57 kg.) and moved under its own power by one 12V. Motor - in all a masterpiece! (10/11/1984)
Click here to see higher resolution photo
Photo - Frank Beadle Collection
Darlington Exhibition 1984 - R Rich's magnificent model of a 10' 6" (3,300 mm) long Scammell S24 Prime Mover and 100 ton Trailer in self made black Meccano, contrasting well with white plastic plates. The Tractor had 15 forward and 3 reverse gears, clutch, locking differentials, hub reduction, power steering, full lighting from headlights to warning lights. The Trailer had 28 wheels, 16 power steered at the rear, the unit was dual articulated, weighed 103 lbs(57 kg.) and moved under its own power by one 12V. Motor - in all a masterpiece! (10/11/1984)
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Photo - Frank Beadle Collection
Darlington Exhibition 1984 - Bob Robson's model of a Colliery Incline with the loads represented by Ping Pong balls. Completely automatic, modelled in beautiful red and green, driven by 5 motors, it was a real eyecatcher, (10/11/1984)
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Photo - Frank Beadle Collection
Darlington Exhibition 1984 - Ray Stephens' model of a Volvo 6x4 Tractor Unit in red and green built to scale of the ash-tray tyres, working clutch, gear box, differentials from a power drive motor. (10/11/1984)
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Photo - Frank Beadle Collection
Darlington Exhibition 1984 - Ray Stephen's model of a Traction Engine in red and green, with rear wheel built up from curved strips in skilled manner. (10/11/1984)
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Photo - Frank Beadle Collection
Darlington Exhibition 1984 - Ray Stephen's model of a Traction Engine in red and green, with rear wheel built up from curved strips in skilled manner. (10/11/1984)
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Photo - Frank Beadle Collection
Darlington Exhibition 1984 - John Stephenson's Servo Clock Striking Mechanism in red and zinc with a brass bell. (10/11/1984)
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Photo - Frank Beadle Collection
Darlington Exhibition 1984 - Yatton House Adult Training Centre (with whom Charles Archer is an Officer), showed a fine full size Block Setting Crane in red and green. (10/11/1984)
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Photo - Frank Beadle Collection
Darlington Exhibition 1984 - Charlie Archer's sales stand for outfits and parts. A youngster looks interested in something he has for sale. Charlie is wearing the 'mandatory' Meccano jumper (10/11/1984)
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Photo - Frank Beadle Collection
Darlington Exhibition 1984 - General view of the exhibition. (10/11/1984)
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Photo - Frank Beadle Collection
Darlington Exhibition 1984 - The prizes (10/11/1984)
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Photo - Frank Beadle Collection
Darlington Exhibition 1984 - General view of the exhibition. (10/11/1984)
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Photo - Frank Beadle Collection
Darlington Exhibition 1984 - Paul Joachim (left hand side centre) appears to be looking directly at the camera. Brian Chaffer (crouched down) is talking with Tony Clarke regarding the finer detail of his Caterpillar lifting bucket. Nick Forth (white jumper) and Steve Clarke (right hand side top) are obviously discussing something to do with Meccano. To the right hand side of Nick and Steve, we see Ray Stephens who appears to be making his way to see some important Meccano model. (10/11/1984)
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Photo - Frank Beadle Collection
Darlington Exhibition 1984 - General view of the exhibition. (10/11/1984)
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