Stafford Railway Circle Exhibition 6th - 7th Feb, anyone planning on going?

[Andy Y]

You mean Stephen Harris, Andy? ? ...

 

Thanks Pete, I do indeed - a slip of the brain last night!

 

 

I'd like to thank the organising team and members of Stafford Railway Circle for the invitation and the very enjoyable weekend. Manning the layout and stand single-handed today I must single Fred out from the SRC for a special mention for the invaluable support of regular cups of tea all day. It was really pleasing to see such a busy weekend for the organisers and traders; well done. This show really is a must do for all show-goers within reach of the Midlands.

 

I'm happy to say the layout generally ran well today after a spring clean early this morning which made it a much more enjoyable day.

 

 

[paulscot]

What can I say? Perhaps one of the best show's that i've been to in recent years. Plenty of trade support selling a good range of products with bargins to be had for those inclined to partake.

Layout wise I can only echo what has already been posted, top layouts for me included Diesels in the Duchy, Ynysarwed sidings and for buildings excellence Clutton.

Had a good chat with Andy Y as well, cracking layout is Keyhaven with plenty of small details that only really spring out when you keep looking.

My 8 year old daughter loved the show and wants me to confirm taking her again next year :-)

 

Took a few phots as well but unsure of where I should post them ?

 

Regards Paul

[big T]

I spent the day on the DEMU stand, and it was freezing in the Sandylandylands suite!

 

Top drawer show could do with a few more traders though.

 

There were some quality layouts on show.

 

 

[torkardlane]

Paul post the pics on this thread, really enjoyed my visit Saturday so much camera never left my side and I got not one pic (lol).

[Natalie]

My first time at the show and enjoyed it thoroughly. Spent the day either on the DEMU stand or taking my card for a trip round the stands. Bought too much as per usual. Have bought a Bachmann 150/1 DCC starter set to give myself an introduction to DCC and see what it is all about- prior to my planned 1967/68 Portsmouth/Fratton area layout.

 

Standout layouts were Keyhaven - had a nice chat with our esteemed leader too- Clutton- for the both the signalling set up (mechanical lever frame and block bells etc) and the 'railway through a landscape' approach. Another favourite was New Haden Colliery- would love to get some overhead wires on there and operate it with Harton electrics....

 

Notable non-kettle orientated were Bedlam Heath, Anderstaff Yard and the seminal 'Diesels in the Duchy'- a very welcome different approach to the depot layout- this was so much more and is one that i would like to see again.

 

I would echo the comments about the hall being none too warm towards the end- but at least I had a fleecey top on.

 

Next year's show I think is going to be a must.

[Guest Phil]

My first time at the show and enjoyed it thoroughly. Spent the day either on the DEMU stand or taking my card for a trip round the stands. Bought too much as per usual. Have bought a Bachmann 150/1 DCC starter set to give myself an introduction to DCC and see what it is all about- prior to my planned 1967/68 Portsmouth/Fratton area layout.

 

Eh ? Traitor Natalie ! I thought you were a Midlands girl ! I would have expected something where the electrickery supply was suspended above the trains rather strewn around the floor making the P-way look untidy !!!!

 

Seriously, sounds a very intersting choice Natalie.

 

Standout layouts were Keyhaven - had a nice chat with our esteemed leader too- Clutton- for the both the signalling set up (mechanical lever frame and block bells etc) and the 'railway through a landscape' approach. Another favourite was New Haden Colliery- would love to get some overhead wires on there and operate it with Harton electrics....

 

Notable non-kettle orientated were Bedlam Heath, Anderstaff Yard and the seminal 'Diesels in the Duchy'- a very welcome different approach to the depot layout- this was so much more and is one that i would like to see again.

 

I'm guessing it was D in the D's first outing and it is a very interesting layout. I'm guessing that the NSE class 50 and coach were representing the main line to Penzance, and the four tracks curving round were the single line to Newquay and sidings for St Blazey. It was refreshing to see locos trundling around at scale speeds I must say.

 

I would echo the comments about the hall being none too warm towards the end- but at least I had a fleecey top on.

 

Next year's show I think is going to be a must.

 

Second that Natalie - always a must for me, and glad I got off my shift to go this year.

[Mark Forrest]

Thanks to all who attended.

I managed to escape from behind New Haden for just long enough to buy a few Presflos :icon_drool: and sneak a few proper (blue) locos on to the excellent Diesels in the Duchy

[Mark Forrest]

It was refreshing to see locos trundling around at scale speeds I must say.

You weren't watching when I was operating then :icon_redface:

[St. Simon]

Hi,

 

Well returned from Stafford yesterday after a couple of days operating Blandford St. Mary.

 

The exhibition was good and I met a couple of faces from here (hello again Mark Miller and ChrisF! ). The Spitfires that flew over the first hall evey 20 minutes soon got very annoying! Plus I never got the reason why the 'Diesel in the Dutchy' layout hung god knows how many tree's between two chairs then proceeded to Spray Paint them!

 

Got to say the fudge was excellent!

 

Simon

[Andy Y]

Plus I never got the reason why the 'Diesel in the Dutchy' layout hung god knows how many tree's between two chairs then proceeded to Spray Paint them!

 

 

2manyspams was implementing the Diesls in the Duchy carbon neutral policy with the emergency reforestation scheme to balance the footprint defecit created by the half a rainforest that went into the baseboards.

 

 

 

[St. Simon]

2manyspams was implementing the Diesls in the Duchy carbon neutral policy with the emergency reforestation scheme to balance the footprint defecit created by the half a rainforest that went into the baseboards.

 

 

 

 

 

Simon

[avonside1563]

On behalf of myself, and other Stafford Railway Circle members who aren't on the forum, I would like to thank everyone who attended the show, exhibitors, traders and visitors, you have all helped to make it a huge success. Our only concern now is how do we make next year's show even better! However, I'm sure ELTEL will have a few ideas up his sleeve, so watch this space.....

[5 C]

I thoroughly enjoyed my four hours at the exhibition on Saturday. I was absolutely staggered by the amount of people who were there. Normally crowds will thin out shortly after lunch, but it seemed there were still plenty of people about when I left just before 3pm. Everyone was well rewarded with a great selection of layouts and trade stands.

 

I spent quite a bit of time at Andy Y's Keyhaven which was generating a lot of interest and I particularly enjoyed watching Knutsford East Junction.

 

According to the programme, next year they'll be using all three halls, which should be quite something.

 

The "count" for the day was two books, a decoder and a chimney, but considering my shopping list was only two of those, that's pretty good.

 

In case you're wondering ELTEL, I'll be back next year!

 

Andy

[2ManySpams]

 

Simon

 

first off i must say thanks to all that have left great comments about Diesels in the Duchy - i'm sure Damian will be well chuffed when he reads them. We were all relieved how it all came together for the first show and how well received it was.

 

Second the trees.... We tried to get boxes of sea moss/foam before the show and failed and as such the layout spent saturday with half the required foliage. An early purchase on saturday was 2 forest in a box(es) from green scene. The washing line was somewhere to dry the sea foam once it had been soaked in warm water and pva to straighten and stengthen it. The trees were greened on sat night and planted first thing sunday. They transformed the bridge end of the layout.

 

Last, an apology to all nearby for the spraying of brown paint on sat afternoon .... I can only say that it wasn't me and that the culprit had been asked not to do that in doors.

[George Woodcock]

Hello

 

Thanks to the Stafford lads for a great weekend. A fine show indeed, one of the best. An especial thank-you to Pete Harvey for his help on Saturday and being the only operator not to damage anything. The Hornby 08 is obviously the best as it survived being tested to destruction with minor cosmetric damage from the layout to the concrete floor. Once again thanks to all who came to look at the layout , we love you all.

 

Cheers

 

George

[Flood]

My cheapest exhibition in years, six quid on entry fee and four quid on two packs of craft knife blades - total a tenner!

 

Another interesting show, I'm amazed how many layouts these days have little or no backscene (Glenn and I are still struggling to work out what to do with ours).

 

Very good of Andy to listen to my drone, it must have seemed like an eternity! Also good to see Brian et al at Shawplan in good humour as well. Thoroughly enjoyable just like last year - all in all a job well done by all concerned.

[ELTEL]

I spent the day on the DEMU stand, and it was freezing in the Sandylandylands suite!

 

Top drawer show could do with a few more traders though.

 

There were some quality layouts on show.

[ELTEL]

The second point being lack of traders, there were in excess of 40 traders, but I would welcome suggestions of traders you think would improve the exhibition.

 

ELTEL

[johnb]

Another first-timer to Stafford and I was thoroughly enjoyed the show. The selection and variety of layouts was outstanding and the trade managed to extract some cash for some long awaited bits.

 

 

A very well well done to the organisers.

 

I came up by train from Berkhamsted and using London Midland all the way it was GBP13 return, which was quite a good deal too

 

I'll try to get there next year too.

[torkardlane]

ELTEL I thought there there was a good mix of all types of traders. Really enjoyed the exhibition, the only comment I would add was that the food area only had one till and when youre at the back of the queue it was a long time to pay.

 

But I'll be back next year.

Tom

 

 

[Guest Phil]

Another first-timer to Stafford and I was thoroughly enjoyed the show. The selection and variety of layouts was outstanding and the trade managed to extract some cash for some long awaited bits.

 

 

A very well well done to the organisers.

 

I came up by train from Berkhamsted and using London Midland all the way it was GBP13 return, which was quite a good deal too

 

I'll try to get there next year too.

 

That was a good point for those people living sarf of Watford. LM do so very cheap APEX tickets for the WCML service. My Mrs and cousin travelled Rugeley TV - Euston and return last year. ??6 one way and ??9 the opposite direction.

 

Chuck in a couple of quid for the vintage bus service from Stafford to the showground and it becomes a fairly economical visit.

 

The brand new LM class 350s are comfy and warm or cool - recommended as an alternative to the red and silver claustrotubes.

 

Also have to agree with EL TEL that 40 traders was quite enough for me - a very good mix indeed. The only trader I missed was Parkside but I have a healthy mountain of kits to sustain me for quite a while yet. !!!

[ELTEL]

ELTEL I thought there there was a good mix of all types of traders. Really enjoyed the exhibition, the only comment I would add was that the food area only had one till and when youre at the back of the queue it was a long time to pay.

 

But I'll be back next year.

Tom

[ELTEL]

Hi Tom

 

Yes catering is a issue and each year we point out the fact to the caterer.

 

Under the terms of the halls hire is that we have to use the appointed caterer.

 

It is however a area we will keep working on.

 

ELTEL

[StaffsOatcake]

Hi Tom

 

Yes catering is a issue and each year we point out the fact to the caterer.

 

Under the terms of the halls hire is that we have to use the appointed caterer.

 

It is however a area we will keep working on.

 

ELTEL

 

More traders as in the form of shop retailers maybe what people were after. Perhaps the Hobby Goblin from Stoke, Haslington Models, or the Tutbury Jinny may interested/approached for next year.

[Andy Y]

More traders as in the form of shop retailers maybe what people were after. ? 

 

I think there were an adequate number of box movers TBH. Encouraging more specialist trade will encourage more of the modellers - the exhibits suited that market segment IMO whereas bringing in more RTR wouldn't bring more of the collectors/families IMO.