London Festival of Railway Modelling - Ally Pally - 27/28th March

[Andy C]

Grahame, putting my exhibition managers hat on for a bit and being a bit presumptious by answering for Nick (The MRCs exhibition manager) sometimes you just cannot get suitable layouts in a particular scale no matter how hard you try, and at the moment GOOD N gauge layouts are as rare as hens teeth. There are quite a few layouts in N out there but by and large they are not of a quality you would put in a major show without getting a panning from your critics for putting something in of poor quality, so as you can see us por s*ds just cant win.

 

Nottingham was the same last weekend and we have been having much the same problem ourselves, although this year we have certainly cracked the problem.

[Scale7JB]

I thought I saw that Copenhagen fields was going to be there...

 

JB.

[bmthtrains - David]

I agree with Grahame on this - I was thinking of going this year as I have the weekend off, but given there are only 2 N/2mm layouts there, I decided it wasn't worth the cost of travelling. (not that I don't appreciate other scales though).

 

There are certainly a LOT of N gauge layouts of a suitable quality to attend a show like this, so I am very surprised so few were selected this year. That said, the N gauge show in September may have a hand to play in this, as it is rapidly becoming such a great, and big, event that it is now the focus of the N gauge calendar, so N gauge at Warley and AP may now become less important.

 

A shame though, given about 5 years ago they had a special N gauge 'village' with a terrific selection of high quality layouts.

 

David

[pirouets]

Whilst I am a "n-gauger", i'm going up tomorrow as there are a number of layouts I want to see in the flesh such as Wibdenshaw & Borchester Market, plus there may be a small spending spree, but we shall see on that one.

[TomE]

Just a word of advice for those using the tube, with many of the tube lines closed, the Northern and Piccadilly lines were absolutely heaving today. No-one said anything about that bloomin' steep hill from the train station either!!!

 

Still, enjoyed the show and put a few names to faces so worth the visit!

 

Tom.

[Andy C]

There are certainly a LOT of N gauge layouts of a suitable quality to attend a show like this, so I am very surprised so few were selected this year.

David

 

Well I wish someone would point them out to us because we keep going to shows and see very little of real quality to invite - including the N gauge show. Dont get me wrong Ive no bias against N, and would like to put a lot more in the show, but if they dont pass muster, then they aint going in.

[Chrislock]

Just got back from my first ever visit.I caught an early train this morning so was there by 9am, to take advantage of a pre-booked ticket.

It was very civilised and not busy at all really, until around 11am

 

It was great to meet some people from the web forums. Hallo again to Missy Julia, Mark and Noel - and others who were equally welcoming, but whose names I didn't catch. Everyone I spoke to gave time and were helpful and friendly.

 

I didn't go with a view to buying anything in particular, unlike my mate Paul who came out with, it seemed, half the Bachmann and Hornby stands. He did aquire a class 25 with sound etc for £100 though, and a pullman he'd long been after.

 

I picked up some new (much finer but now deleted ) drivers from the 3mm stand with which I intend to replace the present ones on my spinner.

And I did treat myself to some tools, including a compact digital caliper; some solder cream and brass blackener, a NGS etched brake van kit, some DG couplings to try out, and a hardback copy of my bible - The Midland Railway by Hamilton Ellis - for a fiver. Also a few Langley bits and pieces.Oh, and I was also tempted to buy a £6 try-it-out set from the 2mm SA!

I took the opportunity to see Copenhagen Fields - it is an amazing layout but dare I suggest there is just a little too much landscape and not enough railway? 2mm can get swamped if the balance isn't right. No wonder it is still a work in progress after all these years! Superb modelling though.

 

I also particularly enjoyed the 7mm MR layout based on Ilkeston, whose name I can't recall, but which was built and operated by a couple of fellow Midlanders. Hello to you too, and thanks for letting me across the barrier to see your locos close up.

 

As a result of being somewhat awed by the 7mm I had a lengthy chat to the people on the O Gauge Guild stand, leaving with a copy of the Gazette and an application form! There is just something special about big trains, and I can see a nice modest but shiny kit built 1F and coach standing on my windowsill...just as a side project, like! Hmmm, maybe.

 

A good day definitely.I think I will make the AP and Leamington my two annual events from now on.

 

Cheers

Chris

[Ian J.]

Just got back from the show myself, and all-in-all it felt well worth it, with a number of distinctive and good models though several of them I have seen at other shows in the last couple or so years.

[robertcwp]

I went to the show today and, whilst it wasn't the best ever, there were plenty of good layouts to see. This was the first time I have seen Mostyn since it was enlarged. I particularly liked the variety of DMUs they now have. Wibdenshaw was excellent as always, and also had stock I don't recall having seen before - even a Met-Cam DMU with buffet. Specialist trade stands were a bit patchy though - several well-known names were absent. Book Law as usual had plenty of books to relieve me of some cash - six books from them today. I spent much of the time going round the show with fellow RMWebber and BRCoachingStock member Mark Jenkins (Mark54 on here) and also had a chat with Ben Jones from Model Rail.

 

Though there were lots of people there, a good point for the show is that they have wide aisles so there is plenty of space, unlike Warley which tends to have too many pinchpoints. They could have put more chairs out under the organ as seating seemed to be in very short supply.

 

Anyone going on Sunday should check the trains as well as the Tube - SouthWestTrains for one has lots of engineering work in its territory tomorrow.

[Chrislock]

Book Law as usual had plenty of books to relieve me of some cash - six books from them today.

 

Was that the second hand bookstall?

I have just been browsing the hardback I bought for five quid and have found it is a first edition and signed by the author!

[apj64]

I went to the show today with my son and was dreading the crowds and not being able to get near to any of the layouts.

On arrival I was pleasently surprised and pleased that there was next to no queue for tickets, plenty of circulating space and was able to get to see every layout that we wanted to.

My only wish was that there was more N gauge but thats been covered elsewhere, loved Copenhagen Fields, Cannons Cross well most of them in fact. I spent about 2 minutes at the Farish section of the Bachman site and walked away, the prices where stupid. We was able to buy what we wanted from The Signal box at a fraction of what Bachman wanted.

We avaoided the Underground shut downs by using the Barking to Gospel Oak line with a change at Harringey Green Lanes and 5 minute walk to Harringey Station and First Capital Connect to Alley Pally much nicer and more civilised journey. Anyone travelling there tomorrow might consider that alternative route but remember there is also no North London Line between Gospel Oak & Stratford.

Oh and dont worry about the free bus its a lovely walk up the hill with the views across London

All in all a very enjoyable day out

[Southernman46]

Mostyn, Borchester Market or Wibdenshaw - any of which worth the entrance fee alone :icon_thumbsup2:

 

Very good exhibition - well worth a visit even just for the spectacular view over London from Muswell Hill

 

Got annoyed with the large rucksack brigade today - some very inconsiderate individuals about especially when standing at trade stands.....

 

Just a note for those travelling by public transport tomorrow - the Victoria Line has NO service whatsoever so anybody planning to use Finsbury Park interchange to avoid Kings Cross (which I heartily recommend - the effect of a Eurostar train-worth of people disgorging with suitcases etc... into the underground tunnels is significant and can't be entirely safe ??? but there you go) should plan to use the Piccadilly line.

 

Southernman46

[chrisf]

Just got back - an hour and a half from AP to the hovel in Bedford by public transport is pretty good.

 

I spent some time looking at Mostyn and was more impressed with it than I used to be. Cornwallis Yard has grown a new fiddle yard and is greatly improved as a result. Wibdenshaw never fails to impress. I found it wise to arrive at early doors so I could get near some of the popular layouts. Not a bad show overall but rather short of outstanding.

 

My route there - FCC train from Kings Cross to Finsbury Park, then W3 bus door to door. This had a moment of interest when the train stopped short at Finsbury Park with the last two coaches off the platform so I had to inch my way along a girder from the rearmost coach but one to the platform. I reckon the driver forgot he had two units instead of one. Form 1 for him, I suppose.

 

Chris

[Baby Deltic]

Just got back myself. Unloaded a large amount of cash as per usual (fell foul of the Bachmann stand twice) and walked away with another class 45 and 46. The layout were good. I particularly like Wibdenshaw, mainly because of the level of detail to both scenery and stock. Met up with the usual bunch of other rmweb misfits and had a pint and a chat with GordonS, TonyS, BoD, PhilH and others. I believe the group photo will be appearing shortly. B)

[stewartingram]

Just a word of advice for those using the tube, with many of the tube lines closed, the Northern and Piccadilly lines were absolutely heaving today. No-one said anything about that bloomin' steep hill from the train station either!!!

 

Still, enjoyed the show and put a few names to faces so worth the visit!

 

Tom.

If its any help - W3 bus runs from Finsbury Park station (the tube entrance side bus station) via Ally Pally and down the hill to Alexander Palace (FCC) station. Takes about 20mins from Finsbury Park, but no hills to climb!

[Redkiterail]

If its any help - W3 bus runs from Finsbury Park station (the tube entrance side bus station) via Ally Pally and down the hill to Alexander Palace (FCC) station. Takes about 20mins from Finsbury Park, but no hills to climb!

 

As well as the free coaches going from Wood Green Tube and Alexander Palace Br station. I hope everyone had a good show and that even though we runing two trains at a time doing some circuits that Centenary Park Road was at least worth a watch.

[Scale7JB]

Looking forward to tomorrow, sounds like it's going to be a pretty good day....

 

I shall be around the scale7 stand for 1pm if anyone wants to meet up... If not have a great day....

 

JB.

[grahame]

Well I wish someone would point them out to us because we keep going to shows and see very little of real quality to invite - including the N gauge show. Dont get me wrong Ive no bias against N, and would like to put a lot more in the show, but if they dont pass muster, then they aint going in.

 

I appreciate the business of wanting only quality layouts and the difficulty in finding them. And I guess distance and cost is another factor that can kibosh plans. For example I don't know if the N gauge 'Law Junction' layout has been to Ally Pally - it's certainly good enough quality - but coming from Scotland may put it out of contention. However, the 'Basingstoke' N gauge layout of the FADMRC is also a very good and large N gauge layout that was featured in Hornby mag last year. It certainly hasn't been to Ally Pally (although was at Nottingham last year and won the pot for most entertaining layout) and being local in the South would have meant there was no need to provide accommodation for operators in London and kept costs down.

 

Anyway I went along to the show today and enjoyed myself. It was great to see Mostyn and Wibbenshaw again and there was a good opportunity to chat to the manufacturers, traders and demo'ers.

 

G

[polybear]

Went today - not the best I can remember but well worth the (not very long) trip. Got in around 10-15; the Bachmann scrum was actually pretty quiet even that early - a quick scan of the prices told me why, though no doubt some found some bargains . I only bought a couple of items, but was very pleased with both (an unused comet chassis kit for an LMS Coronation including a set of what turned out to be Ultrascale wheels all for twenty kit, plus a secondhand but as-new Picture Pride display cabinet for forty quid - turns out to be around 220 new very happy bunny).

 

A few outstanding layouts but others in general were not earth shattering I thought; one-sixty for a cup of tea was certainly taking something (you decide what...) and the sight of the gravy impregnated tea towel being used to cover a tray of stew (?) was enough to make me glad I brought sarnies with me.

 

All in all, worth the trip.

Brian

 

ps I got the display cabinet from the medway queen preservation society (stand 14) - they had a second one available (still unsold at 3-30pm) so if you want one you may just be lucky on sunday.

[woodenhead]

I appreciate the business of wanting only quality layouts and the difficulty in finding them. And I guess distance and cost is another factor that can kibosh plans. For example I don't know if the N gauge 'Law Junction' layout has been to Ally Pally - it's certainly good enough quality - but coming from Scotland may put it out of contension. However, the 'Basingstoke' N gauge layout of the FADMRC is also a very good and large N gauge layout that was featured in Hornby mag last year. It certainly hasn't been to Ally Pally (although was at Nottingham last year and won the pot for most entertaining layout) and being local in the South would have meant there was no need to provide accommodation for operators in London and kept costs down.

 

I can think of one other good quality N gauge layout that wouldn't have gone amiss at Ally Pally and the operator clearly had nothing else booked today cos he was spotted observing Wibdenshaw and Mostyn.

[Geoff Endacott]

I agree with Grahame on this - I was thinking of going this year as I have the weekend off, but given there are only 2 N/2mm layouts there, I decided it wasn't worth the cost of travelling. (not that I don't appreciate other scales though).

 

There are certainly a LOT of N gauge layouts of a suitable quality to attend a show like this, so I am very surprised so few were selected this year. That said, the N gauge show in September may have a hand to play in this, as it is rapidly becoming such a great, and big, event that it is now the focus of the N gauge calendar, so N gauge at Warley and AP may now become less important.

 

A shame though, given about 5 years ago they had a special N gauge 'village' with a terrific selection of high quality layouts.

 

David

Try Trainwest on 10 & 11 April. Six of the 27 layouts will be 2mm scale / N gauge.

 

Geoff Endacott

[Wayne 37901]

Hi guys,

 

I'll be travelling down by rail Tomorrow on a booked ticket.... First GW HST from Cardiff to Padd, then I need to get to Kings Cross BR station for a connecting service to Alexandra Pallace...

 

However I now see that some Tube lines are having engineering work carried out.... Does anyone have any advice on what I should do, I see A replacement bus service is running but I couldn't find out if kings Cross was affected.

 

 

Thanks in advance for any help guys...

 

 

Cheers.

[John M Upton]

However I now see that some Tube lines are having engineering work carried out.... Does anyone have any advice on what I should do, I see A replacement bus service is running but I couldn't find out if kings Cross was affected.

 

Thanks in advance for any help guys...

 

Typical Underground 'service' this weekend I am afraid:

 

No service whatsoever on the Victoria and Circle Lines

No Hammersmith & City between Hammersmith and Baker Street

No District Line Earl's Court to Edgware Road

No Metropolitan Moorgate to Aldgate

 

For Paddington to King's Cross you can either try Bakerloo to Baker Street then Met to King's Cross or Bakerloo to Picadilly Circus then Picadilly to either King's Cross or on further to Wood Green and then free bus or W3 bus to Alexandra Palace.

 

Unfortunately with all these closures which are now getting beyond a joke quite frankly, there is some serious overcrowding occurring which if it anything like the last time I experience the system on a Saturday with these sort of works on effectively made the Underground unusable.

 

As a result (plus an early start on Monday) I have decided to tear up my advance purchase ticket and not bother going after all.

[37176]

If anyone has a decent picture of my brass locos running on American HO layout RS Tower, could they post them here. The locos were UP SD70M 2001 in Olympic Torch paint, SD70ACe KCS 4005 in Grey and SD70M-2 CITX 140 in Blue. Like an eejit I didn't take any photos as I was operating the layout most of the day yesterday. Packed my decent lenses too! I need a decent pic to put in a program for the American show at Lichfield on May 15th.

 

Ta

Rugby, severely enjoying the Oz GP.

[Tony_S]

I went yesterday and very much enjoyed my day out. The central London tube stations were busy and it was clearly causing confusion for tourist groups trying to move about. The Northern line to Kings Cross was very busy (like peak rush hour) but I always managed to get on but it would have been difficult for anyone with much luggage.

 

Tony