MANCHESTER EXHIBITION 2013 - 5 and 6 October

[black and decker boy]

The reality - well the only thing I will say is that we will definately not be at the Armitage Centre next year.

 

Pleae feel free to keep guessing, but the MMRS will let you know where, when  and what as soon as we are good and ready!

 

Not another show moving to Stoke Mandeville stadium?

[t-b-g]

I didn't make it this year. I am away 3 weekends out of 5 and combined with the financial outlay for fuel/food/admission making the trip around the £50 mark I stayed home. I have seen most of the layouts there before and some of them several times.

 

I haven't missed many Manchester shows as it was always a "must" but I can't help feeling that the show has suffered from changes in date and venue. Increasing competition from EXPO EM and from Wigan show haven't helped either.

 

Over the last few years the visitors seem to have seen a falling off in the number of modellers attending, perhaps being replaced by family type visitors. There are any number of regulars that seem to no longer go. That may explain the disgruntlement in the ranks of traders, as the specialists don't sell much to the family visitors.

 

Hopefully, whatever the MMRS folk have up their sleeve will see another change in the fortunes of the Manchester show.

 

I hope that they don't change the date and make it another summer show as two big shows in the NW in the summer months is one too many. Some folk would think it is two too many! After some of the comments made regarding Wigan, I worry that there will be an attempt to do that show some "damage" by moving Manchester to a similar date, which I feel would be counter productive. If I was arranging Manchester and considering making changes, I would choose a date as far away from Wigan and EXPO EM shows as I could.

 

The last thing the hobby needs is for needless hostilities to break out between major exhibition organisers.

 

As for a venue, if the show has sponsorship (which it does from Bachmann & Model Rail)) then why not do like the BRM shows and go for a top exhibition venue to see if it really makes a splash. Something like GMEX would at least put the show back towards the city centre again and may be just what Manchester show needs.

 

So my vote is for GMEX just before Christmas. It would be a move forwards in venue plus a nod back to Manchester Show's more illustrious past (it was always "The Christmas Show") and a railway heritage venue at that!

[PenrithBeacon]

... we will definately not be at the Armitage Centre next year.

I'll remove it from the SatNav then! One thing about the show I didn't like was the absence of specific parking places for disabled visitors. I saw a couples of blokes struggle from the car park to the centre only to be confronted with a flight of stairs. No matter where you go, please could you change that for the future.

 

Regards

[54Strat]

Thanks to the team for putting on a great family show. The free kids admission was a bonus, though I would have happily paid extra as the free loan of a child's step saved my arms and back from what is usually a painful experience hoisting a six year old up and down all the time. And Thomas was great, I even had a go. Funny to hear quite a few passing derisive comments about it, ironically some people really are above playing trains it seems.

 

The free brass scrap samples from Worsley Works will really help me hone my soldering skills, so thanks for that, it was a really nice thing to do.

 

So apart from getting squirted by water (Timpdon Lake , I thoroughly enjoyed it. Lot's to see and even though a few layouts needed a bit of coaxing here and there, it's nice to see these imperfections on show as it reflects my own experience. I'm sure the operator on the 'Triang Minic Motorways' layout didn't stop for a minute as watching him trying to keep up with stalled vehicles was just as amusing as the speed the things whizzed around. Top stuff, and just added to what I and my lad thought was the most enjoyable exhibit there.

 

Really nice to see Albion Yard in the flesh at last, those trees are fantastic and one of the few layouts I can say are much better in real life than is recorded in the modelling press. My lad declined a offer of a go, is PMP mad offering the controller to a six year old? Nope, just a reflection of his generosity.

 

Thanks again.

 

Paul

[Mod6]

Several pointless posts removed - we don't need stereotyping and childish insults please.

[PLD]

N

The last thing the hobby needs is for needless hostilities to break out between major exhibition organisers.

 

So my vote is for GMEX just before Christmas. It would be a move forwards in venue plus a nod back to Manchester Show's more illustrious past (it was always "The Christmas Show") and a railway heritage venue at that!

I'll second that Tony! In the days when it was the last show before Christmas, there was frequently a club 'outing' from Hull with a minibus full. This year, with club involvement in three other events this weekend, I don't think even a full car load made it...

 

Unfortunately tnough the North West does seem prone to clubs/exhibitions having a dig at each other (not just Manchester and Wigan), so I do fear a decision made for the wrong reasons but with nothing apparently yet publicised there is time for sense to prevail...

[PenrithBeacon]

A few photos of 'Leicester South'; more to follow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regards

[black and decker boy]

 

As for a venue, if the show has sponsorship (which it does from Bachmann & Model Rail)) then why not do like the BRM shows and go for a top exhibition venue to see if it really makes a splash. Something like GMEX would at least put the show back towards the city centre again and may be just what Manchester show needs.

 

So my vote is for GMEX just before Christmas. It would be a move forwards in venue plus a nod back to Manchester Show's more illustrious past (it was always "The Christmas Show") and a railway heritage venue at that!

 

Childhood memories are of the Manchester Show at UMIST in the snow & rain of December and trying to guess \ advise Father Christmas of ones chosen model whilst trying to win big on the Tombola. Memories of early adulthood are New Century Hall on a Friday night followed by a few pints in a real ale bar nearby whilst dodging the Disney on Ice street traders. December would be good but would MMRS do any better in a head to head with Warley?

 

As for GMEX (or Manchester Central as it is now known), don't hold your breath. Its dammed expensive and I doubt any level of sponsorship would cover it. It would be good though if miracles were to happen.

[Savoyard]

When did the exhibition move from the Corn Exchange? I presumed in my previous post I would have been about 10 which would have been 1969 when I went.

[PenrithBeacon]

Some more ...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regards

[David Bigcheeseplant]

I would expect the GMEX to be way out of the reach of any model railway club, I was told the Telford Centre costs the O gauge guild around £30K to hire and thats with 50% discount! No idea what the NEC cost is but I expect that will be a lot higher.

I guess some venues work and some don't but it does depend on the cost of the venue you have to hire I very much doubt there would be many people willing to pay £40 to have a show at the GMEX even if it was a fantastic show.

 

I have not been to the Manchester show for a few years as it always clashes with another comitment, but I did like the Co-op building so I can't comment on the current venue, or future venue even.

 

With the event of the internet we have instant feedback and photos of the show, rewind 30 years ago when there were the big shows like the Model Railway Club London Show, York and Manchester all which where bigged up in the Railway Modeller you had to visit the show to see the layouts, if there was feedback it was in the letters page a month or two later, now its instant and some people really should think a bit before they press post!

 

Big does not mean better, I would not like to manage a show larger than Railex as you need to find more layouts and traders each year. I try and ensure I speak to traders and keep an ear to the ground on what people think or various shows, exhibitons managers also speak to each other and do warn each other if there has been issues with a trader or layout.

[woodenhead]

There is another show location in Manchester with free parking and full entertainment for partners whose interests lie away from all things railway modelling, it even hosts modelling events which MMRS has participated in; Event City next to the Trafford Centre.

 

I don't know what it costs but I would guess it may be cheaper than G-Mex.

 

Anyways, we will find out in due course where the MMRS are taking their exhibition and when.

[PenrithBeacon]

More ...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regards

[Mallard60022]

Thanks for the pics penrith b. Leicester South is quite impressive; I've seen it a few times now and it seems to get better and better.

Also congrats to PMP for a well deserved trophy even if it is not to scale

P

[Barry Ten]

As one of the Albion Massive I had a terrific time both operating the layout and having a look around the other exhibits. It's a very friendly show and I could honestly have spent all day gawking at Leicester South. That's not to do down any of the other layouts at all, but Leicester South really does get close to my idea of the perfect train set, at least in a show context. Tons of trains, never a dull moment, and yet with plenty of finely observed steam-era atmosphere and satisfying grime.

 

PMP's trophy was well deserved, so if you haven't caught Albion yet come to Warley - you may even get a chance to laugh at my 3-link coupling skills.

[Mallard60022]

As one of the Albion Massive I had a terrific time both operating the layout and having a look around the other exhibits. It's a very friendly show and I could honestly have spent all day gawking at Leicester South. That's not to do down any of the other layouts at all, but Leicester South really does get close to my idea of the perfect train set, at least in a show context. Tons of trains, never a dull moment, and yet with plenty of finely observed steam-era atmosphere and satisfying grime.

 

PMP's trophy was well deserved, so if you haven't caught Albion yet come to Warley - you may even get a chance to laugh at my 3-link coupling skills.

Not a chance mate, my 3 link skills are far better than yours (NOT) and so all observers' laughs were used up at Newark!

Totally agree that L South is a fine exhibition layout. I saw it some years back, soon after its birth at Shipley Club and just before the wagon turntables were 'motorised'.

It's one of those layouts that is 'just right' scenery wise and 'weathering/toning' of stuff. I find so many layouts have so much stuffed into/onto them that they look like the Churchill Collection at Bletchly Park and many look like those shiny European layouts we sometimes see  (all fairgrounds, hot air baloons and garish colours).

Also, unlike many folk, I don't really care if hardly any trains run as long as the layout has good scenics (like Blackgill).

The odd gimmick is OK (e.g spotter/photter with added camera flash or workman having a we*)  but please, not more than two!

Now I had better go and clear my little effort of unnecessary cr*p.

Glad you enjoyed the experience. Did you order  Baccy Twins?

Phil @ 36E

[PenrithBeacon]

Ackthorpe

 

 

 

 

 

Regards

[PenrithBeacon]

Eccleston ..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regards

[PenrithBeacon]

Kilbrandon ...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One last post to come!

 

Regards

 

 

[Barry Ten]

 

 

Did you order a Baccy Twins?

Phil @ 36E

 

They looked a treat, although I wasn't there to see them running on Albion.

[Guest Bob S]

 

A good show I thought. Enough good layouts to keep me happy, and of course like any show one or two that I passed quickly by.

 

Loved Albion yard with that inovative backscene/frontscene idea. A clever way to end a layout....

 

Bob

[PenrithBeacon]

The last of Kilbrandon, for my money the best in show ...

 

 

 

 

 

 

My thanks to all who have expressed their appreciation.

 

Regards

 

 

[black and decker boy]

Deleted on the basis of more recent developments.

[298]

Particularly after the change of venue it has seemed laclustre and missing some of the quality and variety both of layouts and trade of just 4-5 years ago. While the venue does contribute to the 'feel' of the show, I don't think it can be entirely blamed on the change of location - other organisations put on quality shows in similar and poorer venues...

 

 

I think it is easy to underestimate the effect that a venue has on the overall ambience of a show, especially when a show is forced to change for reasons out of their control. Even in a large city it might be next to impossible to find something that ticks every box in terms of space, cost, accessibility, amenities, etc. Unfortunately no-one builds exhibition venues that are custom designed for an amateur hobbists club to hold a show in, so we have to make do with sports halls, schools, etc. Even the self appointed exhibition centre for the nation that will host an event next month fails abysmally on several counts.

[BROADSTONE]

Thanks to Penrith Beacon for the photos of my layout Kilbrandon at the Manchester Show, an exhibition I really enjoyed. The photos are very clear and detailed and do show up a few places and stock that needs some work done! But thanks again - by the way, what camera are you using?