Jump to content
 

Your 3 favourite (regular) exhibitions


steve1
 Share

Recommended Posts

As an adjunct to the Pictures thread, what three exhibitions do you always look forward to/enjoy most? By which I mean regular events, not one particular year or a one-off show like the infamous MRJ exhibition of 1990.

 

In reverse order, my nominations are:

 

3) Stowmarket - Nice relaxed atmosphere, great layouts and a pleasant town in which to enjoy an overnight stay.

 

2) York - Best big show of the lot in my book. Always enjoy it, whether as an exhibitor, demo, steward or even just as a punter. Plus it's only 15 miles from home!

 

1) DEMU Showcase - Without a doubt my favourite by far. Not just the excellent selection of layouts, traders and demos but the overall ambience. Then there's the curry and The Coppers Arms, just to make it perfect.

 

steve

 

  • Like 3
Link to post
Share on other sites

In no particular order: Railex, Stafford and Cheltenham. The first two because they're the best big shows within my usual travelling distance, and the latter because it's my nearest regular and always a really good show for a small exhibition.

 

When I lived in Stoke, my top three would have been Stafford (again), Wigan and Manchester. The latter two are too far away from where I live now to justify a day trip, but I do visit that part of the world fairly regularly on business and I've been lucky enough to be able to combine that with a visit to one or the other on a few occasions when the dates have coincided.

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

That's a toughie. I go to lots of them & there are different things about each that I like.

 

1. Great Electric Train Show - One of the bigger ones & I usually see friends there. Thee was something about the atmosphere at Gaydon which I liked but being able to walk to the venue in Milton Keynes is a bonus.

2. Great Central - Big show with lots of layouts & traders with included access to a 20 minutes service on the GCR itself. 2019 was a stopover with some friends, which looks like it may become a regular thing.

3.  There are several others I enjoy equally for different reasons. Peterborough, Ally Pally, DEMU Showcase, CMRA (was Stevenage but who knows where it is moving to). I really can't choose between them.

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Gold

There are others I like too but if I can only pick three they would be:

  1. York. IMHO the best of the big shows, with a wide variety of layouts and traders—I might have criticised the trade support in the past, but when you're building a layout rather than collecting rolling stock to run on in the future you really appreciate how good the trade support for the show is.
  2. Derby—a wide range of different prototypes, and (when at the Roundhouse — hope it can return one day) near to the station too.
  3. Narrow Gauge North. A must if you're interested in NG and live in the north (I am and live across the river from Newcastle.)
Link to post
Share on other sites

Although I try to get to about 10 shows a year they are all local/regional shows in the South West.

 

To choose a top 3 is tricky as the standard has varied over the years. At some of the smaller local shows I often get the chance to spend more time chatting to exhibitors and demonstrators which is nice, so size does not always matter.

The Bristol Model Railway Exhibition is the show I have been visiting the longest by quite some time. It is not in the top 3 as I had found the quality to be a bit variable, though recently I thought it has improved. 

 

3. Weston-super-Mare Train Show.  My local show, with proceeds to charity. The late Keith Price had some good contacts for interesting layouts and this was an enjoyable show from day 1.

 

2. Rail-Ex in Taunton. One of the larger shows I regularly see, which has grown in size in recent years, always a good show.

 

1. Trainwest at Melksham/Corsham. Is probably the largest show I regularly see, there are always plenty of high quality layouts.

 

cheers

Link to post
Share on other sites

1) York - Pretty much the same as above. A top quality show which I (normally) attend every year. Enjoy the mix of layouts as it tends to include more interesting scales/gauges and trade here hasn't got too many box shifters.

2) Caistorail - Mainly because I regularly exhibit there and the guys putting the work into it always look after you and put on a lovely smaller show. 

3) Ally Pally - Partly because of the group of people I travel to this with. We visit the same shows each year and this is the best of those.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Wycrail in High Wycombe, always a good exhibition and worth the 160 mile round trip.

 

Nottingham, not as big as it once was but always used to set a good standard with exhibits from afar where other shows would fill a hall with the same local layouts for the umpteenth time.

 

I couldn't think of a third that I endeavour to get to as a punter and have also exhibited at, but I'd give an honourable mention to Uckfield for ticking all of the boxes, and it's reputation was enough to tempt me into the only full weekend away I've done from the family since our son was born, and to Geoff Endacott and the Trainwest team for their proactive approach to inviting layouts and organising an excellent show. When I first went in 2007 it was a nice drive through the Cotswolds for a couple of nights away with the Wife, and only marred by having to exhibit the layout all weekend...

Link to post
Share on other sites

Warley NEC (it’s got everything and it’s put on by a club not business), Great Electric Train Show ( great layouts, nice size, but little specialist trade), TINGS (I do N gauge and this is the show of the year for us although not all the layouts are that great). Stafford also deserves to be in my top 3 - nice size, nice layouts, good trade exhibitors and Stafford are a decent club. The extreme cold in the exhibition rooms overnight and the rapid heating in the morning can cause a few difficulties for layouts in the first hour of Saturday running.

Edited by Chris M
  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

Expo EM - Good demo's; good traders; and the chance to catch up with people.

Scaleforum - as above

Railex - Aylesbury - Just a very decent show

 

Is Stevenage moving then? Last show I went to some 15 months ago.....

  • Agree 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

Ally Pally has always been my favourite.  There are always a good selection of layouts and traders. The venue is large, but self contained and the park makes it a good family day out.  York is also excellent.  Warley is enjoyable from a railway modelling point of view, but the venue is a toilet. 

  • Agree 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

On 09/04/2021 at 17:33, cp409067 said:

 

*

May I ask if you would please be kind enough to explain this statement?

 

CP

Apparently the leisure centre in Stevenage is to be redeveloped and and will lose more than 50% of its car parking space. (Exhibitors and public). CamRA have therefore declared it non-viable as a venue for future shows and are looking for a new one.

Ray

  • Thanks 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Premium

As one of Stafford's team I'll be objective and not list that one (but by mentioning it here I've fulfilled my obligatory loyalty!)

 

So (in no particular order):

Derby - One I grew up with, from the Assembly Rooms, through the leisure centre, and now the Roundhouse (a great location for it). I always look forward to my trips "home" for this one.

High Wycombe - been to this one twice, thoroughly enjoyed both times

Weston super Mare - operated here quite a few times over the years

Edited by Dragonfly
Link to post
Share on other sites

1. Nottingham (as it used to be) - great selection of layouts and traders, and a great weekend in the city of my birth catching up with friends/relatives.

2. Modelrail Scotland - a highlight of the modelling year for me.

3. Milton Keynes/Peterborough/York - only been to each of these 3 once, but when you don’t get to many shows and your local ones are often a tad underwhelming, these ‘biggies’ tick all the boxes for me and are worth travelling to.

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Gold

I've struggled with this one.  It's like being asked to pick your favourite child!
So, I'm going to be greedy and answer the question twice.


Favourite three shows as a punter:
3rd Stafford.  big show, local, high quality exhibits, great trade, great catering.
2nd Wigan.  big show, local, very high quality of exhibits (dare I say the best from that perspective?) great trade.
1st Warley.  Biggest and best.  high quality of exhibits, biggest rade of the year, and on the basis of "pence per layout seen" quite the bast value for money of the year.

 

Favourite three shows as an exhibitor:
3rd York.  Big show with masses of high quality layouts, but still has that "friendly local club show" feel about it as an exhibitor.  Fantastic show, superb venue, great hospitality, good "apris-exhibition" with a 'do' on Saturday night and three days allows you to explore York and relax a bit, rather than, set-up, play trains, knock-down and bugg@r off at shorter shows, which can be exhausting.
2nd Liverpool.  Scouse hospitality and "having the craic" is rightly legendary.  Apris-exhibition is superb.
1st Barrow in Furness.  Friendly local show with a real focus on quality layouts and fabulous hospitality that just leaves you wanting to come back again next weekend! ;-)  The apris-exhibition is legendary.

Finally, a special mention for the Model Show at Poynton.  Being a model railway show AND a general model show, as a punter it's two quality shows for the price of one.  As an exhibitor, really friendly bunch running the show, great venue, great hospitality, great apris-exhibition.  Ticks all the boxes. :-)

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Premium
On 15/04/2021 at 15:00, Dragonfly said:

Derby - One I grew up with, from the Assembly Rooms, through the leisure centre, and now the Roundhouse (a great location for it). I always look forward to my trips "home" for this one.

 

Pleased that you have enjoyed our shows but regret that unless there are major changes at Derby College there won't be anymore shows at the Roundhouse. They cancelled all future bookings in the middle of last year, returned three year's deposits to us, made their event staff redundant and said that as a College their priority during the pandemic was to ensure that they had sufficient space for their students.

 

At the moment we do not have an alternative venue.

 

  • Like 1
  • Friendly/supportive 6
Link to post
Share on other sites

As I do about 20+ shows a year, it's very hard to pick, but here goes

 

1. Uckfield - Good selection of layouts

2. Ally Pally - normally turns into a club outing, great day out

3. RailEx - Great layouts and traders.

 

Others that I should mention : Tonbridge (club show), Epsom & Ewell, Basingstoke, South Hants MRC (Portsmouth), Scaleforum, Farnham, High Wycombe.

 

Colin

Link to post
Share on other sites

I am probably not the only one who can narrow it down to three, but I would have to go with:

 

1. Ally Pally - For the sheer scale of the event, quality and quantity of layouts, the huge number of traders (some of whom don't normally venture this far south) and you have the opportunity to talk to people from the manufactures and others involved in the industry.

 

2. Folkestone - Normally has a large number of quality layouts and (though the layout of the venue is not ideal for those who have mobility issues) you have a magnificent view across the English Channel (see image below), if the weather is good that is.

 

3. Tolworth - I am always been impressed by the quality of the layouts that are on show and they have one or two useful traders in attendance that I don't come across at other shows I visit.

 

Others that I tend to visit are Chiltern Show at Stevenage, Tonbridge, Ilford & West Essex MRC's show in Romford, Fort Pitt in Chatham, Faversham, Wilmington and Beckenham & West Wickham MRC's show in Eden Park.

 

I have not included my club's (Erith MRS) show (currently in Longfield not far away from Brands Hatch) because that would be bias, but many others have said it is very good show.

IMG_20191005_092948871_HDR.jpg

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...
  • RMweb Gold

I don’t (didn’t) get to many, but top 3 on my list are:

 

1. Model Rail Scotland at the SECC. Great selection of layouts and traders, really friendly atmosphere. 
 

2. Folkestone. Same again.

 

3. Tonbridge. Same again - one I don’t like to miss. My only gripe here that is that it’s only one day and sometimes very crowded. But it’s been explained that venue costs don’t allow a second day - so that’s why it’s 3rd. Still love it!

 

Like many, I’m champing at the bit to once again enjoy a show. If it means masks and higher prices to compensate for limited numbers, so be it. Anything will be better than nothing! 

Link to post
Share on other sites

I would probably have to go with:

 

1. ExpoNG - for the range and quality of NG specialist traders, the range of exhibits (including some from overseas), the modelling competitions and the chance to meet up with narrow gauge and model railway friends. A few years ago I also managed to nip off halfway through to visit Swanley New Barn Railway nearby, which made things even more fun. Unfortunately I haven’t been able to get to Swanley for a few years and it’s now slightly unclear what will happen next as the leisure centre is finally being redeveloped.

 

2. Narrow Gauge South - similar reasons to above, again the chance to meet others from the 009 Society (other NG modelling societies are available) and benefit from the specialist trade stands and NG exhibits is the main draw. I quite liked the old venue at Sparsholt although I also like Eastleigh and can see that it’s more practical as a venue (iirc the reason for the move).

 

3. Ally Pally - location, range of exhibits and trade. Having now been to the other BRM shows at Peterborough and Doncaster I still prefer Ally Pally. It’s also one that I have some great memories of visiting over a number of years.

 

Others that I quite like include the Manchester show at Christmas, though I’ve only actually been to this once. I think being in a city centre location at Christmas (with some Christmas food also) helps to make it special. I haven’t been to the specialist NG shows further north so can’t comment on those, though I’ve enjoyed some of the smaller 009 Society area group open days and exhibitions; I only attended NG South West (which has now stopped) once, as an exhibitor, though I had a great weekend that time. I also like the Chiltern show (St. Albans and subsequently Stevenage) and Tad-Rail at Wing. I’m sure there are other more local shows I’ve missed. On a less conventional note, I also enjoy the Brambleton outdoor open days at their garden railway site (SM32 and 0 gauge). I used to like Warley but haven’t been for a number of years now - the travel costs were getting a bit ridiculous (either by rail or for parking) and it can be very crowded. I was still largely enjoying the show itself, especially with the full size locos on display.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...