Basingstoke Model Rail Show 2019

[Western Star]

Another year and another show...  so here are the formalities as a precursor to the main item (that is, the photos of layouts which are attending our show in March 2019).  For those who follow the posts about the Basingstoke Model Railway Show each year then you are not going to receive any surprises this time around - the usual "formal" details, the hope-to-include photos (dependent upon what I can obtain from the exhibitors), the occasional response from the floor (that means you!) and possibly yet another appearance from the Red Hat.

The show is at:-

Aldworth Science College,
Western Way,
Basingstoke,
RG22 6HQ

on Saturday 9th March from 10.00 to 17.00 (or 5/00 for those of a timetable persuasion)
and Sunday 10th March from 10.00 to 16.00 (or 4/00 etc.)

Admission is:-
* adult £6.00 including free show guide
* child £3.00
* family £12.00 for two adults and three children

Here is a link to the Exhibition page on the Club's website where you can find details of traders, directions and the Heritage Bus service

Here is a link to the layouts which are attending.

Here is a link to the show flyer so please print one and show to those who are not WTers. I am embarrased to say that what I consider to be the star attraction has been omitted from the flyer... rumours are correct, Gordon and Maggie are bringing Arun Quay to our 2019 show.

I am resting from organising the "Best-in-Show" in 2019. I am pleased to announce that Steve Flint (editor of Railway Modeller) is making a welcome return as guest Judge for the 2019 show. Steve was the first "guest" Judge when our Club embraced the idea of inviting acknowledged specialists from the world of railway modelling and that change has benefitted our club and the show.


regards, Graham

Edited November 22, 2018 by Western Star

[Ian Morgan]

Was Copenhagen Fields listed as being N gauge just to upset them?

[Western Star]

Was Copenhagen Fields listed as being N gauge just to upset them?

Stop stirring under that Santa Hat!  I have asked for the entry to be changed.

 

Ian, entry has been changed to 2mm finescale.

Edited November 22, 2018 by Western Star

[Western Star]

Here is a starter for the Basingstoke 2019 show - Arun Quay by Gordon and Maggie Gravett. I might be mistaken, I think that I invited Gordon to bring his "next" layout when he was packing Pempoul after that layout appeared at out show in 2014 or 2015. Even back then Gordon had had invitations for Arun Quay from other clubs and that speaks volumes for his skill in creating a believable slice of railway history.

Gordon has supplied a fair number of images - all his copyright - so there are going to be several excursions to this part of the South Coast.

 

 

 

 

No caption comment from me with these photos, no need for these are masterpieces. Just zoom in and browse the texture, the tones, the detail - look for the coal which has been spilt from the bunker and resting on the footplate.

[Ian Morgan]

Now less than a month away.

 

We will have Santa's Globetrotting Vacation, the layout we won heat 3 of the Channel 5 Great Model Railway Challenge with, operating at the exhibition.

 

 

There will also be a new layout centred around the Royal Albert Bridge that featured in our Brunel Tribute layout that we built for the final. There should be an introduction to this layout in the March Railway Modeller. Some of the other cameo features from the Brunel Tribute layout are now standalone dioramas which will also be on show.

 

[Ian Morgan]

Only two and half weeks to go.

 

As I said, some dioramas lifted from our Brunel tribute layout will be on show. Here is a bit of the broad gauge atmospheric railway, with period people and vehicles that will be there.

 

[NIK]

Hi,

 

The Basingstoke show is this weekend. All the elves have been woken up in time for Santa's Globetrotting Vacation. The Royal Albert Bridge layout is being fettled and space is being readied to receive Copenhagen Fields and many other layouts (I think its a total of nineteen).

 

With both Hornby Magazine and the Railway Modeller attending it will be quite an event. The Heritage bus service will be running from Basingstoke Station to the exhibition.

 

Regards

 

Nick Murphy (a member of the Basingstoke and North Hants Model Railway Society - still looking for members).

[SteveC32]

‘Readham’ is racked up ready for the journey to Basingstoke this weekend. The Tram, that has been ‘troublesome’ to date has tonight received a high capacity Zen Stay Alive so fingers crossed it’ll perform reliably at the weekend. Team Readham are looking forward to the weekend, if you’re going to the exhibition please say hello as it’s always good to meet fellow RMWeb’ers

[Western Star]

Exciting...  set up day and work starts early with some club members off to the shops for weekend sustenance.  After lunch other members load van(s) with barriers, cables, rolls of duck tape, the tea urn, even a counter for the refreshments - all of which gets unloaded at the venue from circa 5pm.  I shall wander along at about the time that we are allowed access to the school so as to start the never-ending task of moving tables and chairs from the main hall to a place of safety for the weekend.  Thereafter acting as a guide for the traders and exhibitors who set up on the Friday evening.

 

The Red-hat has been the subject of Spring Cleaning.

 

regards, Graham

[adrianmc]

Leysdown is now in the S-Max ready for its trip to Basingstoke.

 

Hopefully the ex LB&SCR D1 which has featured on all the show's publicity will be running!

 

 

Looking forward to meeting any fellow RMweb members attending the exhibition.

[Geoff Endacott]

On 28/11/2018 at 22:06, Western Star said:

Here is a starter for the Basingstoke 2019 show - Arun Quay by Gordon and Maggie Gravett. I might be mistaken, I think that I invited Gordon to bring his "next" layout when he was packing Pempoul after that layout appeared at out show in 2014 or 2015. Even back then Gordon had had invitations for Arun Quay from other clubs and that speaks volumes for his skill in creating a believable slice of railway history.

 

I am pleased to report that Gordon and Maggie have agreed to bring Arun Quay to Trainwest.*

 

Geoff Endacott

 

* In 2022.

[NIK]

Hi,

 

Kernow say they will be revealing big news at the Basingstoke Show.

 

Most of the layouts and traders arrived last night. Hornby magazines 2,500 goodie bags have arrived. We are looking for Yorkshire Tea for Steve Flint of the Railway Modeller.

 

Santa's Globetrotting Adventure and the Royal Albert Bridge arrived mid evening and hopefully the layout the Basingstoke Bodgers built for the Radio Times Great Model Railway Challenge publicity will be there too as will an Atmospheric Railway Diorama from the GMRC final. So that's three layouts and a diorama from the GMRC.

 

Free visitor parking is all round the back of the school.

 

 

Regards

 

Nick Murphy (a member of the Basingstoke and North Hants Model Railway Society - still looking for members)

 

 

[JJGraphics]

NEVER AGAIN!

 

This morning I drove 20 miles from my home to the show which is located in a school/college in a residential area. The car park was full. Was directed to an "overflow" car park which was also full. The stewards could do nothing and just walked away. Drove around for a while and eventually found a space to park on the street about a quarter of a mile away. Walked back to the show and found the entrance queue double-stacked in a dirty, dark corridor with people arguing about where the queue began. Decided this was not for me as did several others and walked out.

 

I have attended very many model railway shows in my (long) lifetime, of all sizes from the mighty Warley down to tiny shows in village halls with just four or five layouts but a lot of friendly chat. This was my all-time worst experience by a very big margin.

 

John

Edited March 9, 2019 by JJGraphics
Corrected typo

[rob D2]

44 minutes ago, JJGraphics said:

NEVER AGAIN!

 

This morning I drove 20 miles from my home to the show which is located in a school/college in a residential area. The car park was full. Was directed to an "overflow" car park which was also full. The stewards could do nothing and just walked away. Drove around for a while and eventually found a space to park on the street about a quarter of a mile away. Walked back to the show and found the entrance queue double-stacked in a dirty, dark corridor with people arguing about where the queue began. Decided this was not for me as did several others and walked out.

 

I have attended very many model railway shows in my (long) lifetime, of all sizes from the mighty Warley down to tiny shows in village halls with just four or five layouts but a lot of friendly chat. This was my all-time worst experience by a very big margin.

 

John

Also gave up, when the car park and the overflow is full and the guy on the gate is saying “ you might find something on the street “, I lost interest after cruising around for 20 mins in vain.

 

And to be honest as I went up the hill, some of the estate started to look a bit too edgy to even park my modest motor.

 

inadequate provision, or seriously underestimated the numbers.

 

 

[JJGraphics]

15 minutes ago, rob D2 said:

Also gave up, when the car park and the overflow is full and the guy on the gate is saying “ you might find something on the street “, I lost interest after cruising around for 20 mins in vain.

 

And to be honest as I went up the hill, some of the estate started to look a bit too edgy to even park my modest motor.

 

inadequate provision, or seriously underestimated the numbers.

 

 

 

Not an area I felt too comfortable about leaving my car in, either.

 

I also noted one resident "having a go" at somebody who had parked outside their property (not causing an obstruction). It was getting pretty heated so I kept my head down.

 

John

[PenrithBeacon]

Just got back, no issues with parking at all. Nice show as ever but I saw two red hat's.

[PaulRhB]

Yes plenty to see and while the car park was filling rapidly at opening time there were loads of spaces by 1pm. We started queuing outside as we were there at 10:05 but were in the show within ten minutes. 

 

[richard brown]

hi all here is my video from the basingstoke model railway show

 

Richard 

Trains in the attic

 

[30179]

I arrived in the early afternoon and while the car park was busy I had no problem parking, I enjoyed the exhibits and trade stands, my only criticism was that the refreshments were severely limited, a big provincial show like this should have more to offer than sweets, crisps and a limited choice of sandwiches

 

[bodmin16]

So some people think it's okay to form an opinion of my home town and the area I grew up in based on full car parks at an exhibition.  Take a look at the town you live in, is you precious car any safer there than in my home town? Please feel free to stay on the M3 next time you're in the area.  Am not on RMweb too much these days because I don't think it's a friendly place anymore and this only supports my opinion!

[AndyB]

Evening all,

A very enjoyable visit and caught up with a number of friends.

Nice selection of layouts and trade. 

For what it's worth about noon I parked on the road outside with no problem at all.  

[Dunsignalling]

Came up by train with Devonseasider, arriving on-time Basingstoke at 1055, No.3 bus already waiting in front of the station as we came out, departed as advertised at 1106, in the door before half past. Good show, saw some familiar and unfamiliar layouts and faces (inc. being introduced to AndyB) - catering as usual, decent enough, if rather basic. Only complaint was the oppressive temperature in one hall.

 

Vintage bus back to station at 1445, booked 1507 departure to Exeter about 3 minutes late but RT arrival home. Fish & chips off the Codfather's van, indoors eating it just after half five. The Battle of Britain on the box then an early night. 

 

All in all, a very pleasurable day, and I commend SWR to all who had a less satisfactory experience coming by car. Wimborne (by car) next Saturday.

 

John

Edited March 9, 2019 by Dunsignalling

[NIK]

Hi,

 

Like many shows Sunday is normally considerably quieter. Steve Flint seemed chatty yesterday, the Hornby magazine goodie bags were much in evidence.

 

The refreshments are the same price as last year and the tombola had a least one child who won multiple prizes. The Santas Globetrotting Vacation was producing lots of bubbles from Santa's factory.

 

Regards

 

Nick (BNHMRS member - still looking for new members).

 

[40F]

20 hours ago, JJGraphics said:

NEVER AGAIN!

 

This morning I drove 20 miles from my home to the show which is located in a school/college in a residential area. The car park was full. Was directed to an "overflow" car park which was also full. The stewards could do nothing and just walked away. Drove around for a while and eventually found a space to park on the street about a quarter of a mile away. Walked back to the show and found the entrance queue double-stacked in a dirty, dark corridor with people arguing about where the queue began. Decided this was not for me as did several others and walked out.

 

I have attended very many model railway shows in my (long) lifetime, of all sizes from the mighty Warley down to tiny shows in village halls with just four or five layouts but a lot of friendly chat. This was my all-time worst experience by a very big margin.

 

John

 

 

It is hardly the organisers fault that there is restricted parking at the venue a lot of venues suffer from this problem. Could you have gone by train from Wokingham to Basingstoke [via Reading] ?

[JaesonPryer]

I visited yesterday from Downham Market in Norfolk. I arrived at 09.45 and the car park was getting quite busy but no problems at finding a space. I thought the show was a good mix of trade and exhibitors. I left at 16.55. Finally got back home at 20.30 and a round trip of 310 miles. I will be back next year. Thanks to all involved. 

Regards Jaeson 

Edited March 10, 2019 by JaesonPryer