Warley NEC Exhibition November 26th and 27th 2016

[Eaton]

You were both very fortunate.

 

Having collected and loaded the hire van on Thursday for a 10 a.m. start on Friday, I finally got home at 9:30 on Sunday and unloaded by 10:10 so I could take the van back by 9:00 this morning.

While most of the delays at the venue stem from the NEC's organisation and rules, some access preference for those with larger exhibits and/or longer journeys would be nice. We had the layout broken down by 5:45 but, despite leaving the rest of the team to do it and going to get the van from E1 car park at 5:20 I was 62 in the queue and didn't get in to the hall until 6:25 and out again at 6:50.

 

It's the first time we have exhibited at the Warley show, although I used to assist one of the Small Suppliers for several years until he gave up about fifteen years ago because it wasn't viable. I also used to attend as an "exhibitor" at the Motor Show when it first moved their from Earls Court. The NEC  organisation doesn't seemed to have moved forward since then.

 

We enjoyed showing the layout and three of the operators spent a little money (usually picking up stuff from the Small Suppliers section that they had ordered in advance). Quite a few visitors were keen to know how certain things had been made/done, varying from making the track, through the materials used to construct the buildings,  to how we paint and line carriages. Hopefully we were able to help them to have a go at some model making. We even had young six year old Maxwell operating the control panel (under guidance!) for a short while. What else could we do, he had dragged his Grandad back several times, as it was his favourite layout.

 

Lots of people took photos, much more than we see at the specialist shows. It was the same at the St Albans show in January. Perhaps creating photo albums/records is some peoples primary interest, rather than modelling

 

I've never been to the Warley show as a visitor. Would I ever go as one? The answer is definitely no as the show is aimed at the the "hobby" in general and therefore contains much that doesn't really interest me, especially the hordes of red/blue box retailers. I am able to find what I want/need at the specialist  "finescale" shows where access is easier, the atmosphere is more relaxed, etc.

Access to the Hall is a real problem both for setting up and braking down. The one and a half hour wait in the North Car Park on Friday and a similar but not quite as lengthy experience on Sunday is frustrating to say the least. However I'm sure that this has been carefully thought about by the organisers and is the safest and most efficient alternative and certainly preferable to a general free for all. You just need to be aware of the situation and factor this in when you accept an invitation. Similarly you need to be aware that your accommodation, if saying over night may be many miles away, in our case it took us an hour to reach it on Saturday due to the traffic congestion around the NEC car parks. Also breakfast is served at the NEC and not at your hotel so again be prepared for a lengthy queue, as there was on Saturday morning but strangely not on Sunday. The early opening time, 9.15am is also something of a problem particularly if you are still in the breakfast queue.

[Chris M]

The same problems can occur at smaller shows. This year I have had a 12 mile trip each way to my hotel at a smaller show. Also I have arrived at a show at the agreed time only to find the hall wouldn't be available for an hour or so. Sometimes layouts have to be manhandled up stairs, sometimes you can't get your vehicle close to your allotted space. Sometimes your allotted space is simply too small despite giving the correct dimensions. Sometimes layouts have to be moved after they have been put up. Break down is always an interesting time no matter how big or small the exhibition and often includes a bit of waiting around when you are keen to get home.  It happens despite the best intentions of the organisers and has to be accepted as part of being on the exhibition circuit. I don't let it worry me as I know the organisers will have put in a lot of work and time for free, usually as well as doing their day job. 

 

Its all worth it if a few people really like your layout or are inspired to have a go themselves based on what they have seen.

[Captain Kernow]

Back in the day when Voyagers were introduced the railways weren't doing too well. The voyager was something of a revolution in two ways. Firstly it could accelerate much faster than traditional trains and secondly it enabled Virgin to run a higher frequency of shorter trains. This proved very popular and soon the many voyager services were uncomfortably full. What I was told many years ago is that Virgin wanted to put extra cars into these units back in the early years but the Strategic Rail Authority (who were in charge of things then) said no. They also told Virgin they were being too successful and forced them to reduce their sales & marketing team. I am not aware of any technical reason why additional cars could not have been added at that time. Now of course it is too late as we probably don't have the information or expertise to make additional coaches for Voyagers.  

My recollection from those days when I was at work was that the railways had very much turned the corner already by the time the Voyagers were introduced. The technical limitations involved in any suggestion of re-marshalling them was brought home to me during the early discussions on why they were failing when given a light sprinkling (or not so light!) of sea water at Dawlish. I also suggested that the (then) buffet car could be turned round/re-marshalled, so that the buffet area was also next to the First Class, only to be told that 'computer says no'.

 

Either way, the limitations in their formation does seem to stem from Governmental interference.

[Captain Kernow]

Chris Nevards new one.

 

 

Thanks Robin, I didn't even know he'd done another layout (though the last time I spoke with Chris, he's certainly had time to build several!).

[Captain Kernow]

Here are my pictures from Warley Show 2016:

 

Wow! That must have taken you ages to post up on here, and what a fantastic and comprehensive record of the show.

 

Many thanks for that, and to everyone else who's also posted their photos.

[Captain Kernow]

The same problems can occur at smaller shows. This year I have had a 12 mile trip each way to my hotel at a smaller show. Also I have arrived at a show at the agreed time only to find the hall wouldn't be available for an hour or so. Sometimes layouts have to be manhandled up stairs, sometimes you can't get your vehicle close to your allotted space. Sometimes your allotted space is simply too small despite giving the correct dimensions. Sometimes layouts have to be moved after they have been put up. Break down is always an interesting time no matter how big or small the exhibition and often includes a bit of waiting around when you are keen to get home.  It happens despite the best intentions of the organisers and has to be accepted as part of being on the exhibition circuit. I don't let it worry me as I know the organisers will have put in a lot of work and time for free, usually as well as doing their day job. 

 

Its all worth it if a few people really like your layout or are inspired to have a go themselves based on what they have seen.

I think it's worth pointing out that the Warley/NEC show is one of the (probably) few venues where you can actually get a vehicle right into the hall and unload/load your layout or display in the dry. I can't overstate how valuable that is, if it's teeming down with rain outside, as it saves having to think about weather-proofing vulnerable parts of the layout.

 

I know that some exhibitors are able to get a vehicle into the Matford exhibition hall in Exeter for that show, as it's essentially an agricultural exhibition venue, but I don't know of other venues where this is possible, although there must be some.

 

I've only ever been to Warley once, and that was helping a friend exhibit his layout, so I'm aware with the way the priority and queuing systems work. If we as a hobby want to hold a few 'mega' exhibitions like Warley each year, there are always going to be 'logistical challenges' in putting it on.

[kirtleypete]

You drive in at Alexandra Palace too and it's very useful. I know it's a smaller show but the organisation there puts the NEC to shame. .

 

 

Peter

[melmerby]

Some layout pictures from Warley:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Keith

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Colin_McLeod]

Would that be the ECML which runs down the, er, West Coast, Colin?

Oops.  Post duly corrected. Thanks.

[Eaton]

I think it's worth pointing out that the Warley/NEC show is one of the (probably) few venues where you can actually get a vehicle right into the hall and unload/load your layout or display in the dry. I can't overstate how valuable that is, if it's teeming down with rain outside, as it saves having to think about weather-proofing vulnerable parts of the layout.

 

I know that some exhibitors are able to get a vehicle into the Matford exhibition hall in Exeter for that show, as it's essentially an agricultural exhibition venue, but I don't know of other venues where this is possible, although there must be some.

 

I've only ever been to Warley once, and that was helping a friend exhibit his layout, so I'm aware with the way the priority and queuing systems work. If we as a hobby want to hold a few 'mega' exhibitions like Warley each year, there are always going to be 'logistical challenges' in putting it on.

I couldn't agree more, getting the van along side your layout space does off-set the waiting and I was not in anyway being critical of the Warley Organisers after all they are hardly novices and I'm sure they have arrived at the best possible solutions given the circumstances some of which I am probably not even aware.

[David Bigcheeseplant]

I was on the Wild Swan stand most of the weekend, There was the nomal mix of layouts from poor to outstanding. The trade seemed to be missing quite a few small specilist traders, although there was a chap selling some really quality drill files for a very good price a set of 10 micro drills at £10 thanks Jerry Clifford for pointing me in the right direction of these. Really surprised no one seemed to be selling woodland senics ballast as I needed plenty of the stuff and even Bachman who make it didn't bring any!

 

David

[kirtleypete]

I asked Kernow about that a while ago and basically it takes up too much room in the van to be worth bringing as it's a pretty low value product. They're better off putting in more 00 loco's.

 

Peter

[melmerby]

Some of the other things at Warley:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Keith

 

 

 

 

[Scottish-Exile]

An interesting observation here. Given that much of this topic is about the crowds & lack of space at the show. On display were no less than 4 steam locomotives of the 1:1 scale variety. Now they were certainly worth seeing and provided a bit of variety and 'something different' for the punters which is presumably why they were there. Along with hopefully raising a good few pennies for their respective restoration funds.

 

However, given the constraints on space, and the well documented - here and elsewhere - reasons as to why half the hall is left empty, then I wonder if having 4 full size locos is not a tad overkill for a model railway show?. Don't get me wrong, I too was happy to see them and of the 7 camera phone pics I took, 5 were of these kettles so I'm answering my own question as it were!.

 

I can't imagine anyone chose to go to Warley purely to see a steam locomotive, so if anything has to be sacrificed to provide more room or more layouts, then my view is it would be these locos. When I want to get my fix of the real thing, I take myself off to a heritage line or the NRM. Yes, I'll usually spend time looking at the model trains they invariably have there, but I don't go to the NRM with the express wish of wanting to see a model railway and I guess no one comes to Warley with the only desire of seeing the Grange.

 

Anyway, just an observation and happy to be shot down in flames

[Not Jeremy]

I had  a great time both on (and off - sorry Kevin) the Wild Swan stand - what a fantastic show, as ever.

 

Thank you very much to all the organisers and participants, your efforts really are greatly appreciated.

 

I'd also like to say how very jolly and helpful were all the people on the drinks and food stands.

 

I truly don't recognise a lot of what I read on here about how terrible it all is - utter codswallop.

 

Just goes to show you'll never please all of the people all of the time. Some folk appear determined to wallow in misery whatever they are faced with, I feel truly sorry for them.

 

Thank you again for a fantastic event and here's to Warley 2017!

 

Simon 

[Natalie]

Wearing my Signalling Record Society one of our roles at the exhibition is to award a trophy for Best Signalled Layout. Although it gives us a chance to actually see the layouts it is a large undertaking that involved 5 of us spending 7 hours. Actually deciding on a winner was exceedingly difficult as there were a lot of good layouts with good signalling. Eventually we whittled it down to 5 layouts being Blackgill, Clarendon & Scrubbs Lane, Johnstown Road, Loftus Road and Minories. The final choice as winner was Johnstown Road by the Barrowmore MRC as it was felt that the signals themselves were modelled to a very high standard with lots of little details that appealed to us signalling nerds. So congratulations to the Johnstown Road team and to the runners up.

[melmerby]

 The final choice as winner was Johnstown Road by the Barrowmore MRC as it was felt that the signals themselves were modelled to a very high standard with lots of little details that appealed to us signalling nerds. So congratulations to the Johnstown Road team and to the runners up.

Yes

I thought Johnstown Road was a cut above the average.

Two distinct operating areas with a connecting line made for interesting operation.

Although I was able to get to see the layout fairly easily on both Saturday & Sunday (I must have been a bit lucky) there were always too many others also watching to be able to take a decent photograph without getting in peoples way.

 

Keith

[Edge]

A generally good show in opinion. A little less to see than recently in my experience, but still very good indeed.

Purchases were fruitful - a class108 DMU for £55, and a Heljan Western Enterprise for a bargain basement price. Okay, it had previously been detailed by a gorilla (superglue so thick it looked like candle was and dayglo orange paint on the bufferbeams which managed to totally obscure all of the moulded details) but it cleaned up nicely

[Compound2632]

Some excellent photos of splendid layouts there - thanks from one who could not make it. Steve Monk's "Studley and Astwood Bank" (as seen on here) was advertised - that is one I am sorry to have missed - did it in fact appear?

[Barry O]

However, given the constraints on space, and the well documented - here and elsewhere - reasons as to why half the hall is left empty, 

The % of "empty" hall is no where near 50%...and people do seem to enjoy the "big" locomotives.

 

The biggest traffic problem for me was the use of the car park nearest Hall 5 for use by people attending the Concert in the Arena  ... trying to get out on both Saturday and Sunday evenings was interesting. Friday night the traffic inside the NEC was affected by local traffic problems and it took me 45 minutes to get to Hockley Heath - only because I knew the alternative route via Solihull! 

 

baz

You drive in at Alexandra Palace too and it's very useful. I know it's a smaller show but the organisation there puts the NEC to shame. .

 

 

Peter

It must have improved a lot since I last went as they looked like they had been trained by the worst members of the NEC car parking team!

[kirtleypete]

The NEC seems to have imporoved greatly in that respect since it was privatised, but at Ally Pally we've always been very impressed with the staff on parking duty.

 

Peter

[melmerby]

Re the amount of the exhibition hall used/unused:

 

If you visit the Warley MRC show website there are some FAQs about the exhibition, one is why they leave some of the hall unused.

They only pay for the the square metres they use for the exhibition and have found there has to be a compromise.

The law of diminishing returns has shown that using more hall does not necessarily mean more visitors.

This reduces the return per square metre on the trade stands and reduces the viability of the whole enterprise.

 

The number of visitors for the Warley show has stayed fairly constant over the years unlike the Good Food show which I went to when it first started and was quite small but has expanded several times so that it is now many times it's original size.

So unless there is increased footfall, there isn't going to be any added space.

 

Keith

[steve4rosegrove]

  Much progress has been made on the addition to Clarendon, called Scrubbs Lane, which I enjoyed watching.  The jury is still out on the correctness of that spelling but my theory as a former resident of the area is that it is correct for 1908 but not now.  

Thanks for your comment and enjoying watching.  Some of the Clarendon group were surprised by the spelling when first introduced, but old maps confirm it for the era of the layout (1908).  We also have an old post card which uses the double 'b' spelling.

Steve

[chrisf]

Thanks, Steve.

 

Except that the postcard, in an uncharacteristic lapse of accuracy on the part of Pamlin Prints, does not show the West London Line!  The SR loco is on the bridge over the Paddington branch of the Grand Union Canal near what my London A to Z calls Old Oak Sidings.  The line in the background is the North London line, which at this point curves round to join the connection which leaves the West London line at Mitre Bridge, joining the NLL just south of Willesden Junction High Level station.  The photo was taken from Old Oak Lane just south of the former entrance to Willesden MPD and just north-east of the point where Old Oak Common Lane diverges to the east and Old Oak Road becomes Victoria Road as it heads south-west towards North Acton.  Scrubs Lane lies a little over half a mile to the east.

 

None of this changes the fact that IMHO the addition to Clarendon enhances an already brilliant layout!

 

Chris

[Captain Kernow]

I truly don't recognise a lot of what I read on here about how terrible it all is - utter codswallop.

 

 

Well, that's a word you don't see on here every day, let alone correctly spelled!

 

Well done, that man!

 

I'd also have loved to have gone to the show, but I couldn't make the whole weekend and it's really too far, from a personal perspective, for just one day. Others may enjoy the lengthy hours travelling from and back to the extremities of the UK, but I'd rather not. Scalefour North in one day was quite enough, thanks, just over 5 hours to get there and the same back, and just under 5 hours at the show. Good time, though, but very knackering.