RMweb Gold Nickey Line Posted January 18, 2010 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 18, 2010 Myself and my brother attended on Sat. afternoon, I thought there were a number of outstanding layouts. Didn't really notice the lack of modern image, sorry! Gresley Beat was probably for most people worth the entrance fee alone. I agree that the venue leaves a lot to be desired, how Major Clanger stands the heat downstairs year after year is beyond me! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisf Posted January 18, 2010 Share Posted January 18, 2010 I suppose that those who go year after year, like me, accept the venue for what it is. It is much more suitable for pantomimes, beer festivals and Fairport concerts but I am not aware of a better venue anywhere near St Albans. Neither, I suspect, are CMRA. The layouts included something for every taste. I have already commented on Gresley Beat and can honestly say that I found most of the others worthwhile to watch. Next year Derek Mundy's Clarence Road is due to appear and that will be worth more than a second glance. Trade support and demonstration stands were much the same as in previous years and were well chosen. Catering is always a source of comment but as all I required was a cup of tea I was happy. There is a perfectly good Wetherspoons next door for those whose requirements are greater. Chris Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
edcayton Posted January 18, 2010 Share Posted January 18, 2010 FWIW I reckon that their bacon baps are a match for anywhere! Ed Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Lambton58 Posted January 18, 2010 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 18, 2010 My 15 year old and I and went on Sunday afternoon and quite enjoyed the show. Having been to St Albans a few times now, I know what to expect from the venue; yes it's not ideal, but it does add it's own character to the event. The standard of the layouts was pretty good, although some of the operation... full speed past a red light... :icon_confused: 'nuff said. The 'Stealth Bomber' was definitely the highlight for us, despite our preferences for large engines and industrial stuff. Imaginative and well presented. I wasn't too bothered about the perceived absence of traders. The few specialists attending were OK and I was able to get the bits I wanted. Hopefully enough to keep me going till Railex! One thing this show consistently does very well is assemble a good range of excellent demonstrators. Obviously some are going to be more relevant or interesting to us than others, but we were particularly impressed with Missy's 2mm finescale stuff and the guys making trees & buildings in the basement. Ralph Lambton58 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markeg Posted January 18, 2010 Share Posted January 18, 2010 Did anyone get a photo which they could post of Broadford, the Aussie layout? Diesel or Steam? I live about a hours drive from Broadford Victoria in Bendigo. Most of our exhibition layouts in Australia now are of Australian themes. For us who model British, we have to suffice with one or two at the most layouts at even he large exhibitions. Our Oakham was one or three last year in Melbourne out of about 30. The trip to see Gresley Beat would have been enough for me. And Wellbridge looks nice to from what I read in the Hornby Magazine. Mark Below is the Bendigo Model clubs Elphinstone layout. 40kms south of Bendigo. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Endacott Posted January 18, 2010 Share Posted January 18, 2010 Broadford is featured in the January and February 2010 issues of Continental Modeller. I dare say the magazines will be available in Australia in due course. Geoff Endacott Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravenser Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 Broadford is featured in the January and February 2010 issues of Continental Modeller. I dare say the magazines will be available in Australia in due course. Geoff Endacott I did get some shots of Broadford and will try to post this evening . As to period , well the NSWGR stuff was in candy.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
34theletterbetweenB&D Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 ... And Wellbridge looks nice too from what I read in the Hornby Magazine. ... Scenically very successful. The realistically large open space of the goods yard and station car park (the latter still relatively empty because mass ownership of private cars hasn't taken off yet) is particularly to be commended. Usually the temptation is to bung in extra siding space. And it had a sense of place, with the dry valley and the gorse on the rising ground very indicative of it being somewhere on the Downs in Southern England. It also ran well, with an interesting mix of trains at well judged speeds for the type of traffic. It struck me as a good example of an 'aspirational' layout; for someone who has the space, this is what can be achieved in OO and would be practical for a single builder, given the time (years!). That's by comparison with something like 'The Gresley Beat' awfully impressive, but just look at the amount of work required. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
micklner Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 I have a couple of the Australian layout. Sadly the forum is refusing to download my photos , as it has for the last two days? I presume its a forum fault?? Mick Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gordon s Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 I have a couple of the Australian layout. Sadly the forum is refusing to download my photos , as it has for the last two days? I presume its a forum fault?? Mick Mick, I thought that too. However, even though it says it has failed and using the preview button it appears they are not there, the forum has uploaded the pics and they will appear once you press Add Reply. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
micklner Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 Thanks for the info re pictures. Lets see what happens ??? Pt 2 Well bizarre but succesful Mick Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravenser Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 Some more shots of Broadford Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Major Clanger Posted January 20, 2010 Share Posted January 20, 2010 Myself and my brother attended on Sat. afternoon, I thought there were a number of outstanding layouts. Didn't really notice the lack of modern image, sorry! Gresley Beat was probably for most people worth the entrance fee alone. I agree that the venue leaves a lot to be desired, how Major Clanger stands the heat downstairs year after year is beyond me! No hotter than being down in the soup wells.... Seriously, being hot at shows doesn't bother me that much. It's the ones with vest, shirt, jumper, fleece and still feeling cold that I don't like - which actually describes St Albans last year. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chappers Posted January 20, 2010 Share Posted January 20, 2010 I Also took some photos of Broadford and they along with the rest of the show can be found here: http://chappers.fotopic.net/c1805928.html Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonathan452 Posted January 20, 2010 Share Posted January 20, 2010 ST.ALBANS 2010 - AWARD FOR BEST CAMEO(!!!!!) This without a doubt must go to Wellbridge for the dog doing what it shouldn't have been against a lampost. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Long Line Posted January 20, 2010 Share Posted January 20, 2010 Finally been able to post?.. Any how, I was looking forward to this one having never been before. We had a thoroughly good time and all credit to the David and the CMRA exhibition team for their efforts over the weekend.. despite the best efforts of the St Albans traffic wardens to the contrary! Saturday was busy but the extra hour 5-6 was questioanble with not many punters remaining? Sunday opening was quite but soon picked up towards lunch. I was pleasantly surprised by the large numbers of young families, the only drawback being that many seated their kids on the barriers who then proceeded to try and grab the stock or kick the layout... accordingly i moved the barriers 2'6" from the layout.. unfortunate for everyone else but very necessary. I didn't get much chance to see the show but knowing most of the the line-up, it seemed a good mix (not presuming Long Line) of quality modelling. One of my team reported a lack of boxed rtr for sale? Missy's demo was a must see though! We had no problems with the catering and found the exhibitor facilities (especially the comfy chairs!) to be more than adequate. Unfortunately i hadn't got the new lighting fitted, which although the layout was lightly illuminated by the buildings lights.. made photography difficult and working with 3 link couplings in N, FUN to say the least! My fault however as i had been pre-warned of the lighting issues, deeming them not as significant as it turned out! Would i go again.. absolutely :icon_clap: :icon_clap: :icon_clap: Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveb860 Posted January 20, 2010 Share Posted January 20, 2010 Nice to see the XP rake and the DMU in the photo's of Broadford, as I was tasked to paint them for Iain.This is the first I have seen of the finished results. I understand the XP rake was unfortuately a non-runner at the show with bogie problems.Did anyone manage to capture the little yellow tractor based shunter in a photo ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
-missy- Posted January 20, 2010 Share Posted January 20, 2010 Missy's demo was a must see though! Mark Hello Thank you Mark Im glad people found my stuff interesting. I must echo your comments on the show. I had a really great time with the exception of a hiccup with my overnight accomodation (but that was a very small problem). I didnt notice any problems with the heat or had any problems getting around the place, the food in the pub opposite was fantastic, and loved the layouts and traders there. I have agreed to demo again next year Missy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold coal house Posted January 21, 2010 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 21, 2010 hi missy just to say that i enjoyed talking to you on saturday.i was the one who paints figures.hope to have my n gauge up and running soon.hope to see you at some shows?will you be at abingdon.? keep modeling the things you do are fantastic. george Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
darren chpamn Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 hi everyone well this first time ive been able to get online after the show ive not been to the show in a long time and im glad that wellbridge was able to go to it this year ,i agree that for rtr stock there was a bit of a shortage but for other trade it was fab i was able to get lots of bits and bobs that i needed.the hotel were we stayed and i think most of the people who were staying at the show was fab couldnt fault the breakfast or the room .the food at the spoon pub was fab and adrian thank for your service on sunday.all in all i will visit the show next year. daz Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
-missy- Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 hi missy just to say that i enjoyed talking to you on saturday.i was the one who paints figures.hope to have my n gauge up and running soon.hope to see you at some shows?will you be at abingdon.? keep modeling the things you do are fantastic. george Hello George It was nice to talk to you too. I hope my stuff inspired you to do something? Thank you for the comment too, and yes I will be doing a demo at the Abingdon show. Missy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RANGERS Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 Sadly didn't make it this year, the comments on the venue are all valid but as has been said, is there anywhere better? I was an exhibitor at the very first show back in 1987 and most of the comments of this year were valid back then but it hasn't stopped the CMRA going on to do a successful show there almost every year since (was it bi-annual to begin with?). I suspect the support of the theatre management has been a major factor, they do seem pretty welcoming compared to the attitude of some, it is also one of the more characterful venues on the circuit. As I recall one of the main plus points in favour of it for that first show was that St Albans was central to the membership of the Association and as there was no existing club, they wouldn't be treading on any toes and it might be the catalyst to start a club there. As far as I know, it's taken 24 years so far and it still hasn't happened so maybe they'll carry on until it does! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold adrianmc Posted January 23, 2010 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted January 23, 2010 Hi all, Just to let you know that a full retrospective of this years St Alban's exhibition has now been posted on the Chiltern Model Railway Association's website at: www.cmra.org.uk/stalbans10.html Featuring all 21 layouts and the 50+ other trade stands and demonstrators. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Major Clanger Posted January 23, 2010 Share Posted January 23, 2010 Hi all, Just to let you know that a full retrospective of this years St Alban's exhibition has now been posted on the Chiltern Model Railway Association's website at: www.cmra.org.uk/stalbans10.html Featuring all 21 layouts and the 50+ other trade stands and demonstrators. What a nice presentation - and you even got a picture of me working! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve1 Posted January 23, 2010 Share Posted January 23, 2010 Adrian, I noticed a lot of old friends and acquaintances in those pics! steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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