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Warley NEC - All over for another year. Feedback so Far.


wollastonblue

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OK, the shoppers win! :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

On a different note, maybe the 'unwashed bit' is in fact a secret ploy for people that want to see the layouts? They're quite clean in 'real life', but the week before a show they see no water or deodorant - bingo they then have the whole layout to themselves, with the rucksack being a standby weapon to remove any lingerers without a sense of smell?

 

Sorry, I'm being silly - it's been a long day :P

Don't take me seriously!

 

Dammit Mutley, another plot seen through..... :lol: Must muck out the pigs before going this year...tehehe

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OK, the shoppers win! :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

On a different note, maybe the 'unwashed bit' is in fact a secret ploy for people that want to see the layouts? They're quite clean in 'real life', but the week before a show they see no water or deodorant - bingo they then have the whole layout to themselves, with the rucksack being a standby weapon to remove any lingerers without a sense of smell?

 

Sorry, I'm being silly - it's been a long day :P

Don't take me seriously!

 

That does sound like a good reason not to go, but why does this show have such a reputation...? Do they really manage to find 20,000 people from the South Birmingham area who never go to any other exhibitions, or do people really not make an effort for what ought to be the national showcase for the hobby...?

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That does sound like a good reason not to go, but why does this show have such a reputation...? Do they really manage to find 20,000 people from the South Birmingham area who never go to any other exhibitions, or do people really not make an effort for what ought to be the national showcase for the hobby...?

 

 

It's not just Warley - Ally Pally can be as bad altho' the smaller local shows seem to be much better. My offspring - being of student(ish) age do counts of various things we come across at shows and 'smelly people' are one category they usually count.

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If, as most people seem insistent on doing, everyone goes for the Saturday Morning/Early Afternoon, then I'm not surprised at the horror stories re crowding and scrums reported.

 

I for one have done the 'first through the door' thing, and accept that that timing brings with it the 'scrum' problem. By the later afternoon the crowds have always thinned out and it's easier to see the layouts. For the first time this year though I'm going on Sunday, and I'm arriving later in the morning. I'm hoping it will be less of a scrum and that I'll be able to see the layouts more. I've learnt that the Bachmann scrum isn't worth it, and as far as other shopping is concerned then most of what I'm likely to want is either going to be easily available later in the day, or I can pre-arrange beforehand with any traders to pick it up whenever I'm there.

 

So, I ask everyone here this simple question: Why do we keep thinking that the Saturday morning (for weekend shows) is the best time to go to a model railway show, and in the case of Warley in particular?

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I am tempted to go, my wife is away so have a free pass, I am just trying to weigh up spending time on the layout or going to the show, meeting up with a few friends etc. If I can be sure of getting some Bachmann Presflos that may tip the balance in favour of going...

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So, I ask everyone here this simple question: Why do we keep thinking that the Saturday morning (for weekend shows) is the best time to go to a model railway show, and in the case of Warley in particular?

 

I guess it is because people feel they may miss out on a bargain or two? I know this used to be the case with the Bachmann stand many moons ago, but as people have said, it really is now a non event. Southampton Model Centre used to throw stuff away quite cheap as well, alreays remember a Bachmann style scrum at their stand as well!

 

Well, the only reason I'm doing Saurday is simply becuase the new misses wants me to meet her and her parents in Taunton on the Sunday.....was planning on a trip on the West Somerset Railway, but it seems the line is shut for enginerring works....######! :angry:

 

Cheers,

 

Stephen

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The Manchester mafia will be in attendance on the Saturday so Im sure we will catch up with you at some time during the day Chris!

 

I have a marginally different perspective of Warley, Whilst i do have a shop its only if theres a bargain or something specialist i need - Ive no intention of spending anything this next weekend, but I do like a browse. I seem to spend most of my time chatting to folk though, which makes the ??8.50 or whatever seem a bit ludicrous just to talk all dayrolleyes.gif

 

As there are so many layouts there ( there has to be quite a few "fillers" in to fill the halls) I tend to be selective what I stand and watch so its got to grab me straight away. Otherwise i target a few layouts which might interest me and go for that.

 

Always go though year after year!

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I've never been to Warley before and am really looking forward to it :D Myself and three friends are driving up Saturday morning, staying overnight a few miles outside Brum and then visiting Didcot Railway Centre on the way home on Sunday.

 

And yes, we will be wearing anoraks B)

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[rant]

In reply to no one in particular but to lots above:

 

I will be at Warley on Saturday:

 

a. in the opening 'scrum': i) there's less traffic on the roads early in the morning so getting there is easier (about 140 miles journey). ii) last year I did the same and didn't leave until gone 15:00, i.e. 5.5 hours at the show. getting there later in the day would hamper such a visit.

 

b. and I will have my rucksack, and probably a walking stick too this year; I suffer Golfers' elbow (it affects the opposite surface of the elbow to Tennis elbow!) and can not carry shopping, etc. in any other fashion. Besides, it leaves both hands free to check the merchandise. However, to appease the complainants above, I may not take the translation (Ruck - German = Back) too literally this year. (And, BTW, I am conscious of the extra space required behind when wearing one and extremely aware of my surroundings as a result. In the unlikely event of anyone getting in the way, an apology is always offered!)

 

[/rant]

 

See you at 13:00 Saturday!

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Being on the Wild Swan Stand there are a number of new books out:

The Kent and East Sussex Railway by Brian Hart

LNER Wagons Vol 3 Peter Tatlow

LMS profiles 12 The LMS diesel shunters

LMS profiles 11 Pictorial supplement The Coronations

LMS Jounal 27

Midland Record 30

 

Hopefully I may get chance to look around the show, if not come and say hello.

 

David

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My main reason for having a backpack at show's is to carry my dinner in. I'd rarther have a packup then pay for food. Also it's very useful for filling with item's I've bought.

 

Usially I tend to drop it off when I reach a layout. This means putting it on the floor and holding it with my legs to stop any unwanted activity. That means that when it's time to leave the layout I don't have it on my back to swing into people.

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I suppose the NEC must be one of the few shows where a cloakroom is available, so why not use it...? It'd be a shame if the organisers had to enforce a no backpacks rule, especially if some are only using one to carry their lunch in. Security ought not to be an issue but could still be a worry, but then again there's no point in taking a camera and it'd be easier to replace a recently purchased RTR item or unbuilt kit than a priceless loco.

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i shall be in attendance from friday to sunday, on 'county gate', i went last year and carried a rucksack that a) had my lunch in and B) carried all the smaller items that i could loose.But i am always checking to make sure that im not hitting anyone with it, and if im in a tight spot that i dont have enough room to turn round in, ill either take it off and get out or back out so that i dont hit anyone.but then agen you get the ones that dont give to monkeys about anyone but them selfs :)

 

Hope to get off the layout at 1 to come and see you all. was good last year, the free beer was an unexpected bonus..thanks andy y :)

 

hope to see you all at the weekend

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I don't mind people carrying rucksacks so much. I admit, I often take one if I'm travelling to an exhibition by train and carry some food and camera in it. It's the people who carry a rucksack that a small family could quite comfortably live in that annoys me. There really is no need!

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Ah, ok. I thought perhaps that there was something more specific that I wasn't aware of.

 

Thanks.

 

Also the lighting in hall 5 is crap. Let's hope more layouts have their own lighting than a couple of years ago. I will be taking one myself, but only a small pocket type and maybe a small camcorder.

 

I too will be taking a rucksack, only a small one. Tried without last year and took a carrier bag for my lunch. Put it on the floor to photograph a layout and someone stood on it. Damn good job I had no purchases at the time.

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Tried without last year and took a carrier bag for my lunch. Put it on the floor to photograph a layout and someone stood on it. Damn good job I had no purchases at the time.

 

That's one of the main problems if you don't have one. At least when you've got a rucksack your hands are both free to be able to look at things and take photo's.

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I don't mind people carrying rucksacks so much. I admit, I often take one if I'm travelling to an exhibition by train and carry some food and camera in it. It's the people who carry a rucksack that a small family could quite comfortably live in that annoys me. There really is no need!

 

These large rucksacks i beyond me

 

I think i take a log with cAMERA and camcorder plus space for purchases and have tried the carrier bag method

 

But i do not take a back pack you mmight need if going walking for 10 years lol

 

They get most upset if you bump into them but if there bag hits you they dont care

 

I see two reasons why people dont use the cloak room

 

1) not aware of it

 

2) think you probably have to pay for it and dont want any more advoidABLE EXPSENSE

 

Sam

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Not all ruck sack users are "bad" people! - I've got a couple of dodgy knees at the moment so a small back pack with some butties and a book for the train journey means I'm balanced and have both hands free - a stick at the NEC would be much more anti-social!! :D

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Not all ruck sack users are "bad" people! - I've got a couple of dodgy knees at the moment so a small back pack with some butties and a book for the train journey means I'm balanced and have both hands free - a stick at the NEC would be much more anti-social!! biggrin.gif

 

 

i agree it is the ever growing minority that we are talking about - some sort of bag is need by 80-90% of attendies and a rucksack for most is the best option

Reasonably sized ruck sack no proble even the bigger ones are no problem if people are considerate and dont have the idea they rule the world

 

SAM

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I'm sure I referred to this on RMweb3, but I do Stewarding duties at a local gallery, rucksacks (of ANY size) are banned, they have to be left in the 'store cupboard' or if there's to much protest (amazing how many have bad backs and it helps to 'balance' them) they can hold them in their hand like a carrier bag. If they slip the rucksack back on, we have a radio link to security and they appear promptly..... and the visitor is escorted to reception where they are reminded of the rules, they are then again given the option of leaving the rucksack in the 'Store Cupboard' or just leaving.

 

Having had a hit to the face a couple of years ago at a model railway show, my glasses going to the floor and 'crunch' as somebody else avoided the rucksack being 'adjusted', my views are somewhat tainted, especially as I didn't have my spare pair with me and I had a drive of 200 miles home - BTW I use a shoulder bag.

 

Penlan

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Warley for me is a chance to see many layouts from the North of England show circuit that we don't see down in the south also some of the huge layouts like Shades of the Harz, (which is a major reason for me going this year), that are too big for many smaller shows. Like others have said it is also an opportunity to see many products in person rather than on the net and also be exposed to new ones you never knew existed.

The hall lighting is appalling but if layouts have proper lighting then my pictures seem to come out ok and I can always apply a bit of correction in paintshop. I suspect that they assume exhibition stands will include their own lighting as they do at the motorshow.

It does help that I'm 6ft4in so can bear being in the second or third row, I just look for smaller people to stand behind. Patience in getting to the front for photos is rewarded although with large crowds and smallish aisles some jolting is bound to happen. I assume the NEC charges for floor area which would account for the show not using all the floor space around the outside too. I would have thought otherwise they would space it out to fill the hall.

Parents taking kids, who stand to gain the most enjoyment from the layouts, have my sympathies trying to protect them from the scrum part.

Finally I go on the saturday as I can take it as leave but if I take the sunday off I lose out as that is always overtime and that pays for the saturday purchases! wink.gif

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