Warley NEC exhibition 23rd & 24th November 2019

[Benjamin Brady]

Good Morning All,

 

We are back now and the layout back in storage until the next show. We had a very enjoyable weekend at the show, the layout ran very well apart from the odd derailment but they can't be helped and we all suffer from that plight I am sure. It was a nice surprise when walking around the Bachmann stand to see 90128. Before long we had one running around the layout and preformed superbly all weekend.  

 

There is the jobs list to be assessed and a plan of attack made for the work to be carried out. The one problem with this layout is finding space with it spending most of its life in store. We shall be looking forward to our next outing in 2020 with the layout. 

 

However I do have to disagree with the lack or running that ikcdad witness at the show. Weaver Hill most most defiantly had trains running all weekend. We are very much a train set. In fact it's very rare we do not have a train on the front with just 4 lines and continuous running. I admit you might see the same trains do a few laps but before long there is a change coming. 

 

Mind just to show solidarity to our other operators, the layout behind which was also a roundy round layout always looked to have something  moving.

 

8 hours ago, ikcdab said:

 

I also think that trains must run! All too many of the layout just had nothing running or some rather slow shunting going on. the exceptions were the two(?) live steam layouts and the vintage Hornby dublo sets.We do come to see trains running and the operators need to know they are putting on a public show, not there for a social. On some ,layouts the operators were just stood round chatting and not running trains. 

 

 

A few photos were taken and I shall add them as soon as possibe

 

Benjamin 

[Chris M]

9 hours ago, josh_will said:

 

 

Also I noticed that they won’t even let you have a sit down against the wall at the back now, which I’m more than happy to do - you’ve got to keep wandering around in the hope that you’ll find a free seat somewhere.

The walling is NEC standard partitioning and isn't designed to have anyone lean against it. If someone asks you not to sit against it  it is for your own good.

[Tony Teague]

9 hours ago, ikcdab said:

I saw no "wow" layouts this year. Although all were excellent, generally they were small to medium rather than large and exciting!

I also think that trains must run! All too many of the layout just had nothing running or some rather slow shunting going on. the exceptions were the two(?) live steam layouts and the vintage Hornby dublo sets.We do come to see trains running and the operators need to know they are putting on a public show, not there for a social. On some ,layouts the operators were just stood round chatting and not running trains. So please sharpen up.

 

I agree - for me, too much N, HO and O and not enough OO, which after all is the most popular gauge, and no single 'iconic' OO layout.

I went both days - Saturday just far too busy for my liking, but Sunday very pleasant and despite my reservation, still a worthwhile and enjoyable show to visit - well done to all involved.

[roundhouse]

I thoroughly enjoyed doing the DCC decoder demo over the weekend. Not only did I fit quite a few decoders including sound for osme visitors but I also learned that Wrenn locos can be converted to DCC using a 3D printed bush and also installed sound into O gauge locos for a few people.

 

I didnt get much chance to look at the layouts htough but that also occurs when exhibiting a layout but did purchase materials to commence the building on my new 009 layout and also had my Revolution flat cars personally delivered to my stand by the Revolution team and ery nice wagons they are.

 

A three hour journey home after spending an hour to help a firend dismantle his layout.

 

Being at the venue at set up and knock down you really get to see the amount of work that the volunteers have to do.

 

Looking forward to next year when I may well be doing the demo again.

Edited November 25, 2019 by roundhouse

[Barry O]

7 minutes ago, Tony Teague said:

 

I agree - for me, too much N, HO and O and not enough OO, which after all is the most popular gauge, and no single 'iconic' OO layout.

I went both days - Saturday just far too busy for my liking, but Sunday very pleasant and despite my reservation, still a worthwhile and enjoyable show to visit - well done to all involved.

Problem is.. where are these iconic layouts?

 

I have been to Hartlepool, Leeds, Spalding, Newcastle and the NEC over the last two months. Most of the "iconic" layouts (other than Shap, Chapel en le Frith and Grantham which I helped with) were in 2mm FS, 009, HO, EM, O16.5 and O gauge. Not many new OO layouts have been on show.

 

So, either no pne is building impresive OO layouts or they have them hidden away.

You can only book what is available..

Baz

[Phil Parker]

20 minutes ago, Barry O said:

So, either no pne is building impresive OO layouts or they have them hidden away.

 

Now if all those who post moans spent some time building the "Wow" layouts instead of expecting everyone else to do it for them, things would be different!

[Hobby]

8 hours ago, Trojmiasto said:

My issue is that a customer would have happily paid £80 for a returned model with £100 on the ticket, so to have then sold the models to a dealer for £50 for them to sell on at £100 at a later date is, once again, leading to a higher price for the end user and a continuation to the ridiculous inflation that we continue to see in the hobby. 

 

Though to be fair at the secondhand end of the market the toyfair traders do exactly the same thing... Both are businesses so do exactly what you'd expect them to do... If you don;t like the price don't buy but wait until it has reached a level you find acceptable...

[Tony Teague]

29 minutes ago, Barry O said:

Problem is.. where are these iconic layouts?

 

I have been to Hartlepool, Leeds, Spalding, Newcastle and the NEC over the last two months. Most of the "iconic" layouts (other than Shap, Chapel en le Frith and Grantham which I helped with) were in 2mm FS, 009, HO, EM, O16.5 and O gauge. Not many new OO layouts have been on show.

 

So, either no pne is building impresive OO layouts or they have them hidden away.

You can only book what is available..

Baz

 

You may well be right, but given club activity as well as that by individual modellers I'm more than a bit surprised that nothing is out there.

 

8 minutes ago, Phil Parker said:

 

Now if all those who post moans spent some time building the "Wow" layouts instead of expecting everyone else to do it for them, things would be different!

 

It was hardly a 'moan' Phil - just a bit of constructive feedback - after all this is the biggest exhibition in the calendar, so it surprises me that no clubs would have anything to offer - nevertheless, I enjoyed the show as I have said.

[PaulRhB]

Why does the scale matter? Surely it’s what’s there as inspiration that counts?  

Sorry but I don’t get this fixation with having certain proportions of scale or subject I find a good layout can give me ideas no matter what. I’m a Southern Region Signalman, primarily a narrow gauge modeller, and required by the laws of the SR to treat any Western Region stuff with deep suspicion and yet one of my favourite threads here is Kevin’s Little Muddle. It’s just sublime modelling with a healthy dose of good humour.  

There were several layout where the subject wasn’t one I’d consider but still enjoyed the detail and what was running. I missed a few layouts as usual by some photos I’ve already seen but there were 3-4 that alone made me glad I’d seen them and I’m unlikely to catch again. 

Edited November 25, 2019 by PaulRhB

[Tony Teague]

First its a moan, then a fixation - to be clear it is an observation in the spirit of constructive criticism!

I am a Southern modeller who also follows and gets great inspiration from Little Muddle, and as I said, I enjoyed the show on both days that I attended.

There are plenty of real moans and fixations elsewhere in this thread - just search 'rucksack', 'smelly modellers', 'parking', etc!

 

[Pete the Elaner]

Just now, Tony Teague said:

 

There are plenty of real moans and fixations elsewhere in this thread - just search 'rucksack', 'smelly modellers', 'parking', etc!

 

Most of the time it is better to say nothing at all than to moan. It certainly takes less time.

 

I rarely look at layouts when I go to shows. I am more interested in items on my shopping list, being able to see new products & the bigger shows such as Warley are a good place to meet up with friends.

[polybear]

17 hours ago, Chrisr40 said:

I think that's because they were a little optimistic with their pricing for used, sold as seen, short/no  warranty goods which could be purchased literally within a few feet but without any of the aforementioned negatives.

 

I've seen that at Ally Pally too - the punters simply walked away

[Tony Teague]

2 minutes ago, Pete the Elaner said:

Most of the time it is better to say nothing at all than to moan. It certainly takes less time.

 

I rarely look at layouts when I go to shows. I am more interested in items on my shopping list, being able to see new products & the bigger shows such as Warley are a good place to meet up with friends.

 

Tend to agree - for me it was at least 50% social.

[PaulRhB]

Sorry Tony that wasn’t a dig at you but there is so often comment in show threads on not enough of one scale that it does seem people are a bit focused / fixated on the scale they model sometimes to the exclusion of others by what they type  

 

When you see posts of ‘too much’ HO, N etc and you’ve taken a layout in those scales you are left wondering if you should bother. We had a very nice weekend with my HOm and one thing I did notice was that no one felt it necessary to make a loud comment about ‘uh it’s foreign’ this time which I took as a pleasant change from previous time’s where people feel it’s necessary to show their displeasure in person. It’s mildly irritating when you’ve worked hard preparing and sharing it that people feel they need to be that rude. 

[roundhouse]

I picked up a very good priced loco on a smaller traders stand so some bargains were about but it was only by chance that I spotted it as theres just so much to look at.

 

In my opinion with what I did see, there were many superb layouts there, particularly the Barrowmoore clubs USA HO layout (cant remember how to spell the name of the layout). OK I like North American layouts but who could not be impressed by it scenery and presentation regardless that it wasnt UK outline and HO isnt that dissimilar to OO.

[RedgateModels]

On 24/11/2019 at 11:29, SHMD said:

 

The same "solution" was mentioned in the post above that one.

 

I think this whole issue is blown well out of proportion as most people exaggerate the size of backpacks/duffle bags/shoulder bags by continually referring to them as "rucksacks"! 

 

I must have been to 20 or 30 model railway shows and I have only ever seen 1 rucksack amongst the thousands of bags being worn off the shoulder/on the back.

 

 

Kev.

 

 

 

erm, couldn't resist taking this snap from my demo table .......

 

 

And this was Saturday

Edited July 13, 2022 by RedgateModels

[warbonnetuk]

Had a great weekend exhibiting my layout Santa Maria. Was great to chat to a good few RMWebbers with similar interests in the RhB along with numerous questions on transporting a layout with overhead wires.

 

Managed to see a few layouts with the Northwest Corridor and Barrymore's CNJ layouts taking my fancy.

 

Congrats to the Warley team and thanks for the invite

[Clive Mortimore]

Although I didn't attend this years Warley I know what Tony means. I have got the the stage when viewing layouts if the subject matter is not in my sphere of interest I glance not look at the layout. Yes it is a selfish approach and yes I could be missing some great modelling. I would rather spend a long time viewing a layout I like than watching several I cannot connect with. That is me and if an exhibition doesn't meet what I like then I am the loser, not the show.

Edited November 25, 2019 by Clive Mortimore

[warbonnetuk]

2 minutes ago, RedgateModels said:

 

erm, couldn't resist taking this snap from my demo table .......

 

 

And this was Saturday

 

Do your think the guy on the left may be suffering from rucksack envy.......?

[Tony Teague]

13 minutes ago, PaulRhB said:

Sorry Tony that wasn’t a dig at you but there is so often comment in show threads on not enough of one scale that it does seem people are a bit focused / fixated on the scale they model sometimes to the exclusion of others by what they type  

 

When you see posts of ‘too much’ HO, N etc and you’ve taken a layout in those scales you are left wondering if you should bother. We had a very nice weekend with my HOm and one thing I did notice was that no one felt it necessary to make a loud comment about ‘uh it’s foreign’ this time which I took as a pleasant change from previous time’s where people feel it’s necessary to show their displeasure in person. It’s mildly irritating when you’ve worked hard preparing and sharing it that people feel they need to be that rude. 

 

Perfectly understood; I always enjoy the variety that the larger shows can deliver and as the owner of a "stay at home" layout I have nothing but admiration for the efforts of those who put in the effort to exhibit.

[SDJR7F88]

23rd - 24th November 2019 saw the biggest event of the Model Railway calendar, the annual Warley National Model Railway Exhibition, held at the NEC Birmingham.
With no less than 100 Amazing Model Railways in whole variety of scales and sizes from across the country and further afield, as well as the leading Model Railway manufactures showing off there latest releases and prototypes, plus much, much more, the show is a must for anyone!   
In this video we take a look as some of the highlights from the show, including the winning layouts from this years Great Model Railway Challenge, a look a the latest prototypes and releases from likes of Hornby, Bachmann, Peco and more, plus just some of the superb Model Railways on display over the course of the weekend!
Hope you enjoy!

 

[Harlequin]

My favourite layout was "Spirit of Swindon".

 

It was the most fully realised with a proper proscenium arch framing the scene and clever, variable lighting that went through sunrise, day, sunset, night cycles.

 

The modelling is superb (as far as I could see) and there seemed to be multiple operations taking place whenever I visited.

 

 

 

 

Apologies for the quality of the last photo but it was the only reasonable one I got of sunrise/sunset (oy). I had to erase someone's arm and then drop the JPEG quality right down to upload it.

Edited November 25, 2019 by Harlequin

[SM42]

1 hour ago, Chris M said:

The walling is NEC standard partitioning and isn't designed to have anyone lean against it. If someone asks you not to sit against it  it is for your own good.

 

Indeed. Someone did just that behind us and we had to stop our stand from falling onto us as a result of the push through.

 

I had a great week-end. Some good video and photos on here to see what I missed and really the only negatives that came from the week-end were the very rude steward just after close on Saturday (I suppose we all have one of those in our clubs) and sore feet. 

 

Warley is Warley. It's big and it comes with big exhibition / show problems (mainly outside the control of the organisers despite their best efforts) which have been well documented here both before and after.  We just have to accept these things happen and deal with them as best we can and with good humour, it's the nature of the beast,  and not just at model railway shows.

 

All in all, I had a great time, met lots of people, learnt a bit, spent a bit (don't tell Mrs SM42) didn't see much (didn't expect to)  and now ache all over.

 

Thanks to all those behind the scenes that made it happen.

 

Just need to introduce a hammer to some nails and wood now. I feel inspired to do something creative

 

Andy

 

 

[Mel_H]

48 minutes ago, Tony Teague said:

First its a moan, then a fixation - to be clear it is an observation in the spirit of constructive criticism!

I am a Southern modeller who also follows and gets great inspiration from Little Muddle, and as I said, I enjoyed the show on both days that I attended.

There are plenty of real moans and fixations elsewhere in this thread - just search 'rucksack', 'smelly modellers', 'parking', etc!

 

Perhaps separate 'rucksack', 'smelly modellers', 'parking', 'food', 'travel' etc sub-threads could be set up for next year so we can talk about modelling on the Warley page!

Edited November 25, 2019 by Mel_H

[David Bigcheeseplant]

I have been every year probably for about twenty years and the last few working on a trade stand but I felt this year was lacking, most years there is normally a wow layout or two but this year nothing. A lot of what is at Warley does not interest me but normally there would be a few stand out layouts, but this year even though there was a few I liked there were not really show stoppers. 

 

Also the specialist trade seemed to be getting less each year, and I have heard the parking next year will go up to £20 so if I was a paying punter I would probably think twice if I was deciding to go.

 

in the past even the continental section would have something which even not my personal interest would have Something they blew me away but this year even that was missing.

 

David 

Edited November 25, 2019 by David Bigcheeseplant