RMweb Premium Siberian Snooper Posted September 20, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted September 20, 2015 Having spent the best part of a couple hundred quid at Partington last Saturday, I managed to do better today, I think I will give shows a miss now 'til at least next year, some hope! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Mark Forrest Posted September 20, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted September 20, 2015 I really enjoyed Scaleforum and I'm grateful for the opportunity to exhibit Fryers Lane. As the first time out with my first P4 layout (which is still very much a work in progress) I couldn't have wished for a more friendly and supportive atmosphere. Big thanks to the organising team and to everybody who I chatted to over the weekend. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
charliepetty Posted September 20, 2015 Share Posted September 20, 2015 Having spent the best part of a couple hundred quid at Partington last Saturday, I managed to do better today, I think I will give shows a miss now 'til at least next year, some hope! Just back from Scaleforum, nice show with good layouts, sadly from my point of view the customers who came ( seemed less than last year) had zipped up pocket syndrome. Its an expensive show to do as a trader and even though I enjoy the event and meeting people, it should really may a profit. Lets hope the show continues but ways need to be found in my opinion to attract 'New Blood' Charlie Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Porcy Mane Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 Nice photo Tim. Good use of the pole. Didn't realise the society was using foreign volunteers to carry people around the show on their shoulders. Can't see it catching on though. P Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidbr Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 I was on the DRAG stand which we put on in response to comments made on the S4 Forum, where people said they wanted a show for members, to meet people and talk railway modelling. This is what DRAG provided and we were all busy for both days in our temporary clubroom with a steady flow of people. The hall at Stoke Mandeville is large and as David Cheeseplant said earlier, swallows people so even though photographs show expanses of floor, there are a lot of people there. Again, responding to comments, the aisles are wider, the hall less cluttered and people can move around others who stand chatting to friends. There is no shoulder rubbing. The provision of seating was yet another response to comments, so earlier posts referring to the Society's methods of gathering feedback are clearly misinformed. I congratulate the organisers on providing an excellent, friendly, inspiring show which it was a pleasure to be part of. The atmosphere was delightful. In contrast, I was at Expo EM North last week which really was quiet, parking being a nightmare as there were 6 football matches on the Saturday at the venue. The show was all but dead for most of the afternoon. Sunday, was a better day but still not particularly busy. The contrast with Scaleforum was chalk and cheese. I would not be inclined to go again to that EM exhibition unless I lived much closer, there was better parking availability and I had nothing better to do. As for other comments referring to a 'last show', these must be coming from another planet. There has been no such suggestion. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Re6/6 Posted September 21, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 21, 2015 10800 and I got home in with relative ease last night unlike the nightmare journey up on Friday. The cause was three smashes on the M5 & M4 and vast volumes of traffic, but hey ho, once we were there it was all felt worthwhile. We (DRAG) with our area group "showing what we do" set up seemed to be of interest to many members and punters. We were all busy demonstrating our 'stuff' pretty much full time. Our departure from the normal two chairs in front of a table was to set our tables at a higher level and with no chairs for folks to 'hog' thus excluding other would be questioners from accessing the demonstrator. It seemed to work well with sometimes four of five watching at the same time! It was good to see our 'Dear Leader' there on layout operation duties and to catch up on the latest scenic developments! All in all it was a fun time with lots of friendly folk, both members and public and time for the annual catch-up with friends and acquaintances. As ever, a big thankyou to Terry Bendall and his band of helpers for putting it all together. An finally, please no more naysaying about it being the last one which is far from the Society's thoughts, I'm sure. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Bigcheeseplant Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 I managed to hobble round the show making a change from working on the Wild Swan stand. As a show I can normally walk or bike to this time I had to get a taxi, At least it was on my doorstep any other location I would not been able to get there. I think Scalefourum is not an exhibition as such as there are things I don't think could be done with a more general show including Railex as with lower numbers the emphasis is more interactive. Maybe some of the layouts were not all to my taste but the whole content was a lot better than most club shows. There was all the traders I needed plus plenty of people I know so chatting was much in force. I wonder if the P4 aspect put more general visitors off or even if the general public know about the show, as if it was named Aylesbury Model Railway Exhibition it would attract more people! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium CloggyDog Posted September 21, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted September 21, 2015 Excellent. I shall be playing the national anthem of the DDR at full volume whilst 18.201 runs.... And very splendid it was to see 18 201 hammering round the test track. I really should have brought some of my DR loks and stock to keep him company - 03 2157-0 and 2 DBv doppelstock sets. Next year... next year... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horsetan Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 ....I really should have brought some of my DR loks and stock to keep him company - 03 2157-0 and 2 DBv doppelstock sets. Next year... next year... I think we can manage a double-header next year, by which time I might even have managed to buy some more 1st generation Doppelstock coaches. If you've got access to any 1:87 DDR flags, we could run a FDJ-themed Sonderexpreß - "Einen zuverlässigen Wegweiser braucht jeder Mensch — brauchst auch du." Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Re6/6 Posted September 21, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 21, 2015 If you've got access to any 1:87 DDR flags... ....being waved by a 1:87 Herr Honecker...! Or even 'Horse Face'! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisf Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 I was there both days. It is the sort of show that needs both days if one is going to make the most of it. Some appear to think that swooping in, grabbing some photographs and departing quickly delivers good value for £9 but wouldn't it be boring if we all held the same views! My learned friend and coalition partner Mr Easter has posted elsewhere a vulture's eye view* of the hall yesterday afternoon. It bears out what Davidbr has said above. People are talking to one another. Whether they are giving or taking advice, giving or taking money or merely nattering, they are talking. Try doing that in the deafening sweaty bearpit that is Warley! I was very impressed with the DRAG presence. It shows, if it ever needed showing, how well a bunch of individuals can work together in a common cause. The choice of demonstrators this year was shrewd and wide ranging. The show is also one where layouts still under construction have a natural place. Among the debutants was Mark's Fryers Lane with its "star" guest operators who it is always a pleasure to see. Alongside it was Cadhay Sidings, a solo effort set in East Devon. This proved of interest to the creator of another P4 layout set nearby which, I understand, is due to feature in MRJ, possibly the issue after next, and quite right too says he after having seen it elsewhere. Trade support too was well chosen and I admit to having taken the precaution of finding a cashpoint on Saturday evening lest further purchases need to be funded. With the greatest of due respect to David Bigcheeseplant I cannot support his suggested rebranding. He has his own show on which to try that one. The clues to the purpose of Scaleforum lie in its name. I can't see the Society buying the idea either. Chris * - before anyone gets the wrong idea, I am not saying that Tim is a vulture Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete55 Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 I was on the DRAG stand which we put on in response to comments made on the S4 Forum, where people said they wanted a show for members, to meet people and talk railway modelling. This is what DRAG provided and we were all busy for both days in our temporary clubroom with a steady flow of people. The hall at Stoke Mandeville is large and as David Cheeseplant said earlier, swallows people so even though photographs show expanses of floor, there are a lot of people there. Again, responding to comments, the aisles are wider, the hall less cluttered and people can move around others who stand chatting to friends. There is no shoulder rubbing. The provision of seating was yet another response to comments, so earlier posts referring to the Society's methods of gathering feedback are clearly misinformed. I congratulate the organisers on providing an excellent, friendly, inspiring show which it was a pleasure to be part of. The atmosphere was delightful. In contrast, I was at Expo EM North last week which really was quiet, parking being a nightmare as there were 6 football matches on the Saturday at the venue. The show was all but dead for most of the afternoon. Sunday, was a better day but still not particularly busy. The contrast with Scaleforum was chalk and cheese. I would not be inclined to go again to that EM exhibition unless I lived much closer, there was better parking availability and I had nothing better to do. As for other comments referring to a 'last show', these must be coming from another planet. There has been no such suggestion. Thank you for talking down Expo EM North. What you omitted to mention was that Expo was in a one off venue for this year only.....the normal venue does not have the nightmare car parking of the Saturday, which was dire I agree, Sunday being much better. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Mick Bonwick Posted September 21, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 21, 2015 I was there for both days, but you'd expect that from a demonstrator. I was not in a position to count heads through the door, but from my perspective, sitting at a table, there were plenty of people there. If there is a 'next time' I will take my lunch break at opening time, and my walk around the hall at closing time, because they were the only periods during which I was not engaged in conversation. It will be interesting to do a comparison with the Great Electric Train Show next month, and see how experience there compares with views expressed and experiences related in this thread. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Bigcheeseplant Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 I would hate to see Scalefourum rebranded but I just wonder why some of the general model railway visitors I see at more general shows not a million miles away do not attend Scalefourum, is it that they see it as something that does not interest them. It is a largest show with layouts and traders just like any other show. It is called Scalefourum I don't think the wording Model railway exhibition appears in any adverts and maybe that is the issue in attracting the more general visitor. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenton Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 Lets hope the show continues but ways need to be found in my opinion to attract 'New Blood' The clues to the purpose of Scaleforum lie in its name. I can't see the Society buying the idea either. And there lies the two sides of the problem. Scaleforum is a show piece for scale 4mm finer scale modelling (particularly as seen/presented/espoused by P4). To encourage those OO modellers and even EM modellers to move up and join the P4 ranks it must be seen as welcoming and offering gentle encouragement. If the society membership is presenting a closed shop (you have to prove yourself in P4 before you come along to our show) and that there is a suggestion that the public (novice modeller/OO modeller) is not welcome then frankly P4 deserves to fade. Ideally, I would have thought that attracting new modellers from the very start is the ideal. Catch them before they spend all their money on OO and become embedded in that gauge. You are selling P4 as the correct gauge for 4mm after all - or is it really some exclusive club. I can't say I'm attracted to P4 and build so few kits in P4 I can count them on the fingers of one hand. The demand isn't there it remains a niche within a niche. Yet I do enjoy Scaleforum. I enjoy admiring the layouts and the "feel" of the show just like EMGS shows and just like Railex. So I want it to succeed. If the numbers were truly down and the traders profits badly hit then it is time the stick in the mud society organisers started to think outside their closed minds for ways to attract more people to P4 and to get them before they feel the need to move to another gauge. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
arran Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 I would hate to see Scalefourum rebranded but I just wonder why some of the general model railway visitors I see at more general shows not a million miles away do not attend Scalefourum, is it that they see it as something that does not interest them. It is a largest show with layouts and traders just like any other show. It is called Scalefourum I don't think the wording Model railway exhibition appears in any adverts and maybe that is the issue in attracting the more general visitor. HI All How do you hope to expand the following of the scale if you advertise it to the converted only !! Regards Arran PS barriers are also used for people to lean on to watch the trains go past and make your viewing experience more enjoyable Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
davefrk Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 In contrast, I was at Expo EM North last week which really was quiet, parking being a nightmare as there were 6 football matches on the Saturday at the venue. The show was all but dead for most of the afternoon. Sunday, was a better day but still not particularly busy. The contrast with Scaleforum was chalk and cheese. I would not be inclined to go again to that EM exhibition unless I lived much closer, there was better parking availability and I had nothing better to do. As for other comments referring to a 'last show', these must be coming from another planet. There has been no such suggestion. I think it a bit unfair you comparing EXPO North with Scaleforum, (especially this year with the usual venue being unavailable). The parking was dreadful on the Saturday due to various football comps including an under 17s tournament with all the parents and fans turning up at once, something the venue neglected to inform the EXPO organisers I believe. No, the comparison should have been with Scalefour North if anything or Scalefour with EXPO EM in May, that would be a fairer comparison. I attend both Scalefour North and EXPO North as a trader and whilst this year the EMGS event was down in numbers due to the late change in venue they are usually on a par with each other in terms of numbers, interest and groups blethering together in a most enjoyable way. Dave Franks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jub45565 Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 How do you hope to expand the following of the scale if you advertise it to the converted only !! It depends how much you intend on letting people know before they turn up to Scaleforum. I cover my modelling activities on this forum, rather than on the Scalefour society forum, to show it to a wider audience and show that it is perfectly achieveable if you have the time and inclination to do so (it also allows me to learn from those who model in other gauges or scales too!). There are plenty of others doing the same, so I think that puts the society in peoples minds. It was advertised on here too, so I can't see how that is only advertised to the converted! I really enjoyed my day there yesterday. Excellent trade availablility, layout and demo talking points and space and time to enjoy it all. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penlan Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 TiC - Perhaps if MRJ was added to the shows title that would draw in the crowds, MRJ did it at Central Hall .... As I'm not a member of the S4 Society, I have no idea what the accounts show, and indeed I don't need to know. If the Society is happy to host the show, if it fits within their financial plans, then let it run. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold martin_wynne Posted September 21, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 21, 2015 To encourage those 00 modellers and even EM modellers to move up and join the P4 ranks Not all P4 layouts are in lofts and attics. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Porcy Mane Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 How do you hope to expand the following of the scale if you advertise it to the converted only !! I'm not 100% sure that is the case. I think the S4 society take out adverts in the more general model railway press. I remember the day when four line announcement in the exhibitions section of Railway modeller would guarantee a show packed to the rafters the down side being you could hardly get near an exhibit. PS barriers are also used for people to lean on to watch the trains go past and make your viewing experience more enjoyable Maybe the society might consider installing couches at layout level so you could have a snooze as you watch the trains go by! Wasn't it the Stoke Summit layout that used to arrange chairs grandstand fashion out front so you could have a seat whilst you watched trains pass? Then someone realised the seats were being used for folk just having a rest. For me, the lack of barriers (from both an attendee and an operator point of view) at Expo type events is one of the attractions. P Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Mick Bonwick Posted September 21, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 21, 2015 Not all P4 layouts are in lofts and attics. Indeed, some are in heads and armchairs. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Mike Bellamy Posted September 21, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted September 21, 2015 I don't think the wording Model railway exhibition appears in any adverts and maybe that is the issue in attracting the more general visitor. As one of the organising team of another "specialist" show we altered the 7mm Narrow Gauge "Convention and AGM" to be "Exhibition" to creat more interest from the local Dads and Kids to help cover our costs. As a result there are enough visitors in the hall at AGM time to keep both layout operators and traders busy. . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Porcy Mane Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 Indeed, some are in heads and armchairs. Ah ha, but that is not scale (or gauge) specific. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
10800 Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 And there lies the two sides of the problem. Scaleforum is a show piece for scale 4mm finer scale modelling (particularly as seen/presented/espoused by P4). To encourage those OO modellers and even EM modellers to move up and join the P4 ranks it must be seen as welcoming and offering gentle encouragement. If the society membership is presenting a closed shop (you have to prove yourself in P4 before you come along to our show) and that there is a suggestion that the public (novice modeller/OO modeller) is not welcome then frankly P4 deserves to fade. Ideally, I would have thought that attracting new modellers from the very start is the ideal. Catch them before they spend all their money on OO and become embedded in that gauge. You are selling P4 as the correct gauge for 4mm after all - or is it really some exclusive club. Not sure where you get that second sentence from Kenton, nobody is suggesting either of those things and it would be bonkers to do so. And as far as I know from talking to the organisers and people on the Society stand (and my own experience doing this) the usual line is to suggest that if someone wants to try P4 then start with a small separate project - nobody suggests that existing 00 or EM layouts should be changed to P4 unless the owner wants to. I know many people (me included) who are active in both P4 and 00 projects - each has their pros and cons. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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