Railex 2015 23rd & 24th May 2015

[Kenton]

 

I particularly regret not being able to see the Corris layout in the flesh this time

Sadly it has changed and my thoughts were for the worse! (I did voice my opinion) It is still good - just IMO not as good. The effort put into it to move it from a very compact roundy micro to a somewhat stretched end to end is admirable but for me it has just lost that compact feel of the original.

[PenrithBeacon]

 

Sadly it has changed and my thoughts were for the worse! (I did voice my opinion) It is still good - just IMO not as good. The effort put into it to move it from a very compact roundy micro to a somewhat stretched end to end is admirable but for me it has just lost that compact feel of the original.

With respect to 'Kenton' it's difficult to see how an extension to this layout, assuming the same quality of modelling, can diminish its impact.

 

Having said that I haven't visited this year's show, I'm not feeling to good, but I shall be looking forward to seeing 'Corris' again, hopefully later this year. In the meantime, I'm listening to TMS and Stokes is going bananas.

 

Regards

[2mm Andy]

 

Sadly it has changed and my thoughts were for the worse! (I did voice my opinion) It is still good - just IMO not as good. The effort put into it to move it from a very compact roundy micro to a somewhat stretched end to end is admirable but for me it has just lost that compact feel of the original.

 

I think you might be confusing two different layouts. There is an 009 model of Corris, by Rod Allcock, and Peter Kazer's larger scale model (the one at Railex). 

 

Andy

[Kenton]

 

I think you might be confusing two different layouts. There is an 009 model of Corris, by Rod Allcock, and Peter Kazer's larger scale model (the one at Railex). 

 

Andy

Yes I think you are spot on - such is the case when a prototype location is modelled. As I was saying both versions include some great modelling and are very similar in style - which does not help my addled brain. I do wonder why the operator did not put me right on the comment ... probably taking delight in the thicko on the other side

[woodenhead]

 

Yes I think you are spot on - such is the case when a prototype location is modelled. As I was saying both versions include some great modelling and are very similar in style - which does not help my addled brain. I do wonder why the operator did not put me right on the comment ... probably taking delight in the thicko on the other side

He probably did tell you, but you were walking around in Avatar pose so punters would be forewarned of your presence and you didn't hear him.

[PaulRhB]

Yes Peter Kazers model is somewhat older than Rod Allcocks one too and pretty much absolutely to scale. I remember seeing it at Eurotrack when it used to be in Southampton and as there was no one else in front they ran a fairly intensive sequence for me to video too. I would guess that was nearing twenty years ago!

One of my favourite models and rather sad I was unable to get off night shift as I'd have gone just to see that again as the old VHS tape of it is rather poorly.

[gwrrob]

I didn't take many shots but there was plenty of quality modelling to be seen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Roy L S]

I spent a couple of hours at the show today, I wish I could have stayed a bit longer. As always, an excellent show with layouts of consistently high quality. Great cross section of traders too, some rarely seen at any other shows in the area. For me a real "modellers" show but still balanced to appeal to families too and a real showcase of what railway modelling is about.

 

Definitely high up on my list of shows to go to for next year.

 

Roy 

[2ManySpams]

I didn't take many shots but there was plenty of quality modelling to be seen.

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Nice photos Rob, thanks.

[Mark Forrest]

A fantastic show, really well organised by David and the team.

Although I'm usually 4mm biased, I thought the mix of layouts was great; particularly Corris which I thought was excellent.

 

Thanks to everyone who chatted to us on BCB, always nice to catch up with people who are aware of the layout through the forum in real life.

[Re6/6]

As ever, a great show. Thanks to David Big Cheese and his team for all their hard work.

 

Some fine stuff on show. Had a good day catching up with all the 'usual suspects'!

 

Highlight for me was BCB, having never seen it in the flesh before. To me, that's the proper way to show a layout to its best. A railway in a landscape. Sorry to have missed meeting up with our Dear Leader yesterday!

 

All in all, this show never disappoints. 

[David Bigcheeseplant]

Another Railex over and I am relaxing today felt more knackered this weekend than in previous years maybe I am getting old!

 

We seemed to get some really good feedback, and the main moans and groans were table and chairs in the cafe I am not too sure we do much about this but I will put my thinking cap on and see if improvements can be made.

 

I have been going through the 400 or so feed back response forms and the general feeling is the majority of people loved the show and will return next year with only one person who didn't like the show at all and won't be back next year. Someone else wanted more RTR traders and less specialist stuff. but the general feeling was we had the right balance both on trade and layouts. 

 

Again our vintage bus did a fantastic job all weekend.

 

53 weeks till Railex 2016 as we will be on 28th & 29th May

 

David

[10800]

Not wanting to repeat anything too much, here are a few pics of mine from yesterday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Gilbert]

One of my favourites - an unexpected "find" for me was Grindley Brook

[ANT]

Hello

 

Thankyou all for you kind words about the show.

 

The Awards at Railex 2015 are as follows:

 

Best Layout: Black Country Blues By Staffordshire Finescale Group.

 

Best Model: The Straddle Carrier on Alan Bevan's layout Warren Lane that was built by Mick Lawrence.

 

Photos of the presentations can be found on our Club website using the below link:

 

http://www.rdmrc.org.uk/Railex2015/Awards2015.html

 

I will add more names and details as I obtain them.

 

Thanks

SEEYA
ANT

[David Bigcheeseplant]

Even as the event manager some of the layouts I book and may not be to my personal taste but when they turn up at Railex they just blow me away. Warren Lane was not my own period of even gauge, peco track etc. but the container movement was just fantastic and presentation a true exhibition layout.

 

What did people think of our club stand this year?

 

David

[Mike G]

Got back from Railex last night and had a chance to reflect on what I saw. 

 

Cracking mix of traders, some excellent layouts and something I've always enjoyed at this venue - space to get around. Well done to all concerned on the organisation. No complaints on parking or anything else for that matter. Looking forward to next year already.

 

Mike

[ShuntShed]

First time i have been to Railex and i have to say that is one of the best shows in the country. The quality of the layouts on show was fantastic really top notch.

Nice to see Black Country Blues has progressed well since i saw it a few years ago at Ally Pally.

 

Here is a video of the event that I took on the Saturday

 

[The Stationmaster]

Even as the event manager some of the layouts I book and may not be to my personal taste but when they turn up at Railex they just blow me away. Warren Lane was not my own period of even gauge, peco track etc. but the container movement was just fantastic and presentation a true exhibition layout.

 

What did people think of our club stand this year?

 

David

I think you usually manage an excellent mix of layouts David and, as usual, there were some really top notch and unexpectedly good ones in this year's selection.  But as it happens my daughter, who accompanies me to many exhibitions, formed the impression that 'there wasn't as much as last year - possibly a result of several 7mm scale layouts, I don't know?

 

Oddly (for those who know my tastes in Big Four railways) only one layout didn't interest me or even attract me to take a long look at it and that was 82G which I have seen on a number of previous occasions, and i wasn't over keen on Aberbeeg either (more heresy) although I was impressed by the station end and area around it, maybe I spent too much time there in the days I was being paid to do so.  I think one of the clever things about your choice of layouts for Railex is that you seem to manage to find something which is 'different from usual (interest)' for many of us and which lights upon a general love of well modelled railways rather than normal particular scale and geographical loyalties, keep up that good work please.

 

I didn't stop to look at your club stand but thought it looked very well presented.

 

As far as trade presence is concerned I think you achieve an excellent mix - I rarely seem to come away without spending anything and I went yesterday with no particular 'shopping' in mind but finished up leaving behind with various traders a number of those pretty blue banknotes.  Despite being fairly close at hand I don't frequent Expo EM (I value my pass outs and like to keep 'the management' happy) so the trade presence you lay on suits me rather well  although it would be nice if Brassmasters also happened to be present

 

The cafe area I appreciate is beyond your control but in my view it beats many other shows, even if it is rather light on cakes, and for me it is something which helps to make the day out.

 

Sp once again - great show, well done, thanks. 

[Re6/6]

I had decreed to myself that the wallet would stay firmly padlocked and then I happened upon that nice Mr Chris Gibbons with all his delights......!

 

I'm now on basic rations for a while.....!

[stivesnick]

Went yesterday, and agree with others that the quality and mix of the layouts was very high. As for the quality of the operating - not so good. As has been noted many time before on RMweb pages, there were some long gaps between things moving on some layouts.

 

I also liked the range of trade stands, even though not always my thing, it is always interesting to see what is available in other scales.

 

Nearly didn't go when I saw the 14 layouts/45 trade mix. This is a result of having 2 very large and 1 large O gauge layouts. Replacing one of these with a large OO tail-chaser and a couple of smaller layouts would have made the show even better.

 

Nick

[black and decker boy]

I had to take a year off from helping at this years show but took my new baby son along to start his training and buy some essentials from the traders.

 

Here are a few photos of Aberbeeg which I really liked, but in my perhaps biased view, there were no poor layouts at the show and each appealed and entertained me.

 

 

 

 

 

[Horsetan]

I had decreed to myself that the wallet would stay firmly padlocked and then I happened upon that nice Mr Chris Gibbons with all his delights......!

 

I'm now on basic rations for a while.....!

Et tu, Brute? Et tu?

[edcayton]

Most post-exhibition threads contain a lot of negative comments and whingeing.  It is noticeable that Railex attracts entirely positive comments year after year which is a huge compliment to David and the team. I very much regret not being able to attend last year or this, and hope to be better by next year for what I think must be THE best show.

 

Ed

[lmsforever]

Went yesterday and thoroughly enjoyed myself good selection of layouts and chance to chat to old friends Aberbeeg was my favourite followed by the superb underground terminus also the roundhouse in Wadebridge by John good to see you and the missus again.My mate who came with me thought it a great trip and looks forward to next year ,agree about the café not fancy but reasonable food with friendly staff.Well done lads you are getting better every year and liked the club stand but a few pot plants would have added an extra perzaz!