Butterley 2013
Entry posted by andyram
862 views
This year was the third year of Butterley's Midland Rail-ex event. I have been fortunate enough to visit the last two shows and was very much looking forward to this year's event. I had read a one or two concerned comments from people on RMWeb, with these worried about parking and signage at the event. I wondered whether these would be an issue this year.
Arriving at Butterley shortly after 9am on Sunday parking was certainly not a problem. There was plenty of space in the car park, and there were plenty of stewards to direct you to a space to ensure that they got as many cars in as possible. With an overflow car park available too there seemed plenty of space available and I heard no complaints during the day.
The queue had been dealt with quickly and there was no delay at the booking hall when paying the entrance fee. On the platform the staff kept us all informed about the various loco movements and arrangements for the train services to the exhibition site at Swanwick Junction. At Butterley the station buffet and gift shop were both open as was the AMRS building all of which provided things to do whilst waiting for the train.
The first train left on time at 9.30am and deposited us all at Swanwick soon after. With the show due to start at 10am I was surprised that we were allowed access to the event some 20 minutes early. Whilst this meant no hanging about it, it did lead to some exhibitors not being ready. In the station building the Bachmann Collectors Club stall was unmanned and covered over with a sheet. The "Glen Roy" layout was all set up, but was also unmanned. A similar situation was found in the Diesel shed where one layout was also not operating and two trade stands were unmanned with one still covered over.
This certainly is not a good start to the day. I do not blame the exhibitors for this as the event was advertised to start at 10am and so I guess they were all working to this time. But surely there is a security issue to have unmanned trade stands and layouts when the general public are allowed to enter. We all know that there are the odd "light-fingered" individuals who sometimes attend such events.
It is clear that the organisors have not quite got the start of the day sorted yet. The same thing happened two years ago, whilst last year the first train was excessively delayed to "kill time". In my opinion if the event is due to start at 10am then the first train should take that into account and should not arrive at Swanwick until this time. Perhaps the first train should be timetabled later, or if the need is to move people from Butterley quickly perhaps the first train could pass through Swanwick, run to Riddings and stop on the return!
That criticism aside I thought the show was excellent once again with a good range of trade stands and layouts. The buildings were well sign-posted and the map in the show guide was very clear. I think the organisors had listened to concerns from those less mobile vistors who felt that there was too much walking to do. As a result there were no exhibits in the West Shed this year, with the nearer Stationary Engine building used instead- although these exhibits were upstairs.
Amongst the highlights of the show for me was the excellent "North Bridge". This small layout is crammed full of detail right down to the litter in the track bed and the detailed building interiors. The sound fitted locos add to the effect. I have seen this layout many a time before and never fail to be impressed. Other excellent models included "Poole in Wharfedale" complete with the moving vehicles on the road, the Ilkeston group's superb "Kimberley" layout filled out the chapel building very well. I do hope people managed to find this model.
Iron Mould Lane is a fine model of an iron and steel works. Lots of detail and sound here too. My young daughter certainly recognised what it was trying to achieve, pointing and shouting "hot, hot" as one of the blue liveried Austerity tanks shunted a torpedo wagon. I think she recognised this vehicle from a steel works model seen at DEMU Showcase earlier in the year. What a memory for a 20 month old!!
I did get back to see "Glen Roy" being operated later in the day. This is a very good model with lots of operational interest in a small space.
The theme for the full size railway was stated as "shunters". Sadly this was a bit of a let down with the advertised display of shunting engines not being present. The small Peckett tank "Whitehead" was involved in some shunting during the day and made some light engine runs up the Codnor branch. Not really enough for it to be classed as "theme" though. At least the service trains catered for all though with both sets "top and tailed" by steam and diesel. Sadly I missed any steam haulage as having been diesel hauled by a class 47?? in the morning I had the same loco on the return as it relieved the Jinty for it to be coaled and watered. Never mind!
All in all another great show and congratulations to all of the organising team. I am already looking forward to the 2014 event.
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