Bristol Model Railway Exhibition

[LyttonCPR]

The Association of Model Railway Clubs Wales and West of England (Thornbury) is this weekend To save my fingers I would refer those interested to their website. It promises to be even bigger than previous years, and opens on Friday at 1pm I'll have LyttonCPR there, so if anyone wants a play then come along

[fluff]

All being well, Meg and I will be there with Grizzly Woods Railroad

[John_Miles]

I was wondering when someone would notice there was nothing posted about this exhibition. Black mark for the organisers, especially as the line up of traders and layouts looks really good - I have to promote the latter as I am one of the team with Ynysybwl - as Derek from Eileen calls it, the layout with no vowels (unless you are Welsh of course). The weather looks like it is working up to provide a deluge just as everybody is unloading on Friday morning (viewing starts from 1.00 onwards).

[NHY 581]

I have just returned from the show. I speak as some one who has attended both as an exhibitor and a visitor over quite a few years since the age of 16.

 

I went as a family having collected my daughter from school and arrived about a quarter to four. First priority was to feed no 1 daughter who is nearly 4. We didn't stress over this as we knew that there would be a cafe upstairs.

 

Mmm. Cafe being cleaned up...Only food on offer apart from crisp and chocolate was sandwiches, sausage roll and some burgers wrapped up and being kept warm. When we asked what else was available we were told they had finished cooking for the day......I pointed out a lot of people would be attending from work/school and wasn't the exhibition open until 7pm? Nope, cooking finished for the day......

 

 

Okay cobbled together enough to satisfy daughter....move on..

 

 

Positives then.....

 

Pempoul was superb as always with the Grevatts entertaining as ever. Other layouts that appealed to me and duly noted;

 

Ynysybwl, lovely.

 

Caddiford Water again lovely and looking every inch the quality layout it is.

 

Cheddar. Good to see it again and great to see a layout featuring the S&D in its blue era.

 

Calstock Halton Quay..gorgeous to look at.

 

Paul Rolleys current offering...far too modern for me but a joy to look at and for me its between this and Pempoul for best in show......

 

 

Crowds not too bad and thinned out after five. No nasty B.O noted either but who ever dropped his ashes by the Cheltenham models stand was in need of urgent medical help.

 

 

Oh.., traders...if you are that grumpy on a Friday afternoon it's going to be a long weekend...you know who you are. Not everyone obviously but..........

 

I have to say I looked forward to the show but I can't see me going again. This is a local show to me and it's always had a nice feel to it and I have enjoyed my previous visits.....For me at least this was lacking this year.

 

Rob.

[David41283]

Just got back from a the Bristol show.

 

I thought it was excellent, but then I don't get to many exhibitions.

 

Pempoul was as stunning as you'd imagine. Tonbridge West Yard and Croydon North Street were great too. The modern welsh refinery/chemical plant was extremely impressive. Loads more too. Maindee East Shed with it's "full sensory experience" was great - the 1980's disco smoke machine creating an authentic steam shed atmosphere!

 

I thought the traders were good. Cheltenham Model Centre offering 3 new Farish coaches for £70 was pretty good - especially as they sold me 4 for £90 which worked out a bit cheaper than the "box shifters" with the added advantage of no postage. Some interesting stuff in BH Enterprises, C+L and Squires as ever. I found the majority of traders friendly and willing to round down for a couple of purchases as you'd expect at a show.

 

The cafe is run by the leisure centre, not the show (you can tell be the demographic of the staff - they're 16, not 76!) and is just about adequate, even by council leisure centre standards.

 

I'll be back again for my annual Friday afternoon out next year!

 

Cheers

 

David

[Phil Bullock]

Pierre is talking me in to a Sunday visit all things being equal....

 

Phil

[beejack]

Just got back from the show.   

 

It was good to see Tonbridge West Yard in the flesh.   I was also impressed with Lough MPD.

 

Picked up a OO Dapol Western In BR Blue with 21 pin decoder fitted from the DCC Supplies stand for £105 New

 

I think the extra hall made a difference this year.  To me an improvement over last years show.

[br2975]

I was an exhibitor at this show, and whilst it is an impressive event, well worth visiting as a 'punter'; from an exhibitor's perspective, it was poorly organised to say the least.

.

As for the "two tier" lunches provided for exhibitors; an attractive salad bar for one group,  but a pair of miniscule sandwiches and a packet of crisps for the others (see the attached) - well,  the least said the better.

.

I forgot I had taken an invisibility pill this morning, which is probably why the 'tea lady' totally ignored me ( and a fellow exhibitor ) and continued her conversation with a man and child.

 

Instead of bleating about it here, I would have raised these, and several other items of constructive criticism with the organiser(s), but was unable to identify just exactly who we should speak to.

[Derails Models]

Went to the show more as a punter but did help out with our clubs layout - good show (on the punter side of things, didn't have too much experience of the exhibitors side) and like others have said the extra hall made a difference.

 

Nice selection or layouts, all were very good and deserved to be there - espeically enjoyed Croyden North with the working station announcements however.

 

Will be visiting again next year I expect! :-)

[valleymodeller]

I attended today and had heard of numerous complaints by exhibitors about their catering facility, as alluded to by Brian in post 8 above. It did seem there was a lack of cohesive organisation,

 

As a visitor though I feel the show was a good one. The extra hall , added in addition to the two halls uses in previous shows gave us all more layouts and traders , which is a big plus.

 

As I know the owner and operators of Volpak I was pleased to hear they win awards, so I will be impartial and state my favourite layout was Croydon Noryh Street, with it's station announcements and lighting in the side of coaching stock to indicate locked/opened doors. There were many fine layouts there and a whole host of traders to keep everyone happy.

 

I do feel the organisers should advertise it better next year, and also address the issues raised by exhibitors.

[6959]

I went on Friday and was well pleased. The two main halls can seem very similar each year so the third hall was a great improvement. The larger scales have a definite attraction and are the way to go if you own an aircraft hangar and have a very large bank balance.

 

Luckily I bought five of the eight available Hornby Stanier coaches in early LMR livery that I have been looking for. (Still need R4448, R4448A and maybe R4447).  Also bought some older Bachmann vans from Lord and Butler stand at £7.50 a pop new compared to current Bachmann wagons at nearly twice that price elsewhere.

 

Normally I head for EKM, Railwayania and Cheltenham Models stands first before looking at layouts.

 

Knowing that catering is very basic British Rail I ate lunch before going and took some snacks and a drink.

 

The biggest problem was battling into the overcrowded gents so I went home early.

 

Each year the stairs get steeper, more old men with walking sticks, being pushed in wheelchairs or driving electric buggies.

 

An excellent show despite a few venue problems not of the organisers making.

 

I suggested to my son that we should take the grandson on Saturday but decided it could be pushing our luck as we are going to St.Phillips open day tomorrow.

[Phil Bullock]

Enjoyed the show today but the temperature was getting so high by 1.30 Pierre and I decided to call it a day

 

Great traders but didn't track down the 3 things I hoped to - more Blue Bachmann GUVs, PSX and soldering iron tips so a cheap day

 

Cheers

 

Phil

[40F]

I was an exhibitor at this show, and whilst it is an impressive event, well worth visiting as a 'punter'; from an exhibitor's perspective, it was poorly organised to say the least.

.

As for the "two tier" lunches provided for exhibitors; an attractive salad bar for one group,  but a pair of miniscule sandwiches and a packet of crisps for the others (see the attached) - well,  the least said the better.

.

I forgot I had taken an invisibility pill this morning, which is probably why the 'tea lady' totally ignored me ( and a fellow exhibitor ) and continued her conversation with a man and child.

 

Instead of bleating about it here, I would have raised these, and several other items of constructive criticism with the organiser(s), but was unable to identify just exactly who we should speak to.

 

 

You clearly did not try very hard , you could have asked at the desk where you signed in in the morning and they would have found somebody from the team for you

[40F]

I have just returned from the show. I speak as some one who has attended both as an exhibitor and a visitor over quite a few years since the age of 16.

 

I went as a family having collected my daughter from school and arrived about a quarter to four. First priority was to feed no 1 daughter who is nearly 4. We didn't stress over this as we knew that there would be a cafe upstairs.

 

Mmm. Cafe being cleaned up...Only food on offer apart from crisp and chocolate was sandwiches, sausage roll and some burgers wrapped up and being kept warm. When we asked what else was available we were told they had finished cooking for the day......I pointed out a lot of people would be attending from work/school and wasn't the exhibition open until 7pm? Nope, cooking finished for the day......

 

 

Okay cobbled together enough to satisfy daughter....move on..

 

 

Positives then.....

 

Pempoul was superb as always with the Grevatts entertaining as ever. Other layouts that appealed to me and duly noted;

 

Ynysybwl, lovely.

 

Caddiford Water again lovely and looking every inch the quality layout it is.

 

Cheddar. Good to see it again and great to see a layout featuring the S&D in its blue era.

 

Calstock Halton Quay..gorgeous to look at.

 

Paul Rolleys current offering...far too modern for me but a joy to look at and for me its between this and Pempoul for best in show......

 

 

Crowds not too bad and thinned out after five. No nasty B.O noted either but who ever dropped his ashes by the Cheltenham models stand was in need of urgent medical help.

 

 

Oh.., traders...if you are that grumpy on a Friday afternoon it's going to be a long weekend...you know who you are. Not everyone obviously but..........

 

I have to say I looked forward to the show but I can't see me going again. This is a local show to me and it's always had a nice feel to it and I have enjoyed my previous visits.....For me at least this was lacking this year.

 

Rob.

 

The show this year was one of the best there for a while. I have always found exhibitions are very personal beasts in that  in some years there are no layouts that interest me as such ie wrong scale era etc but the next year they all do. That  is life it seems that a lot of criticism about shows are personal and do not apply to the majority of visitors 

[NHY 581]

As I said in my earlier post, I attended as a punter and did not enjoy the experience with the caterers. Never had a problem in my numerous previous visits, hence going straight there to feed my little girl. Not only was I greeted by a lack of interest but we were also invisible. Someone who I believe was an exhibitor pushed past us to buy a drink and biscuits despite the fact we were queueing. Unusually for me I was lost for words. I was appalled. So to then be offered a burger being kept warm put the tin hat on it. This set the tone for what turned out to be an overall negative visit for all of us.

 

If I return next year it will not be with my family though at this time I won't be going.

 

One of the key functions of an exhibition is to promote the hobby. For us at least the atmosphere was not family friendly.

 

Rob.

[leavesontheline]

I visited this show yesterday for the first time in a couple of years and came away happy. The extra hall certainly made a big difference adding a huge additional space although some of the traders still seemed a bit crammed in on top of each other in some areas. Still, the extra space allowed for some superb extra layouts and made up for the slightly high entry fee, compared to other local shows.

 

I can't comment on the catering as I always go to shows to look at the exhibits/traders so don't tend to eat/drink while I am there. I guess the organisers are at the mercy of the venue usually though, unless they hire in their own caterers which must be more costly.

 

I was pleased to see as many young families as 'older' enthusiasts and most exhibitors were very accommodating of children, which must be challenging when said child is waving it's arms wildly just millimetres away from your prized model! Good to see the interest from the younger generation there though. Oh, one passing comment - the only thing worse than an oblivious back pack wearer? An oblivious child carrier wearer! One guy had the child in his arms but the very large back pack mounted child seat came so close to causing carnage and he didn't seem aware!

 

In previous years I have found this show a bit of a scrum but this year, during Sunday lunch/early pm, it was quite pleasant. Although busy, I could generally get to each exhibit without too much of a wait and I was actually quite surprised how quiet it had got by 3pm when I left. Thankfully no-one had started to pack up early either - another gripe at some shows!

[Dunsignalling]

I've been going to this show for many years and think the new enlarged one a great improvement for which the organisers should be praised overall.

 

The, more numerous, layouts were well-selected for variation in scale, size, concept and prototype and were generally of a high standard.

 

There was a corresponding increase in the trade side, again with greater diversity.

 

The catering has always been the weak point at Thornbury, and remains unchanged. I have long allowed for this and take sandwiches, purchasing only a cuppa and perhaps a slice of cake which is usually pretty decent.

 

The worst aspect, as ever, was the M5 Southbound going home which, as usual, took an hour longer than the trip up (Friday) but that cannot be laid at the door of the organisers.   

 

John

[Arthur]

 

I went on Friday as I usually do and thought that the standard of exhibits very good, continuing an improving trend of the past couple of years. There was a spell of a few years when I found many of the layouts on show a bit so so. Wasn't too crowded and the extra hall was a worthwhile addition containing some very space hungry layouts.

 

Bumped into fellow RMWeb Taunton meet moduleer Aiden.

 

Generally good trade support as always, maybe just a bit lacking in the more specialist traders.

 

I've never used the catering facilities before but this year I wandered up around 4:00, not that much left and I'd have been a bit miffed had I wanted anything substantial. Considering the show was running until 7:00 that hardly seemed like good planning or service. I was happy enough with my pre packed sandwich and crisps which was all I wanted.

 

Nightmare traffic queue on the road from Thornbury joining the M4 at Aust to get back over the old Severn bridge. Five minute journey took over an hour. Next year I'll park the car at Oldbury and swim.

[NHY 581]

I went on Friday

 

Generally good trade support as always, maybe just a bit lacking in the more specialist traders.

 

I've never used the catering facilities before but this year I wandered up around 4:00, not that much left and I'd have been a bit miffed had I wanted anything substantial. Considering the show was running until 7:00 that hardly seemed like good planning or service. I was happy enough with my pre packed sandwich and crisps which was all I wanted.

 

Nightmare traffic queue on the road from Thornbury joining the M4 at Aust to get back over the old Severn bridge. Five minute journey took over an hour. Next year I'll park the car at Oldbury and swim.

 

Totally agree, I'm glad it's not just me.

 

Rob.

[Rivercider]

Nightmare traffic queue on the road from Thornbury joining the M4 at Aust to get back over the old Severn bridge. Five minute journey took over an hour. Next year I'll park the car at Oldbury and swim.

Might this have partly been due to the major engineering occupation in the Filton area meaning no train services?

This exhibition is one I try to do each year, but this time I decided early on to give it a miss, I did not fancy the drive!

 

cheers 

[The Stationmaster]

Very informative thread thank you gentlemen, various.  I gave up on the Bristol show several years ago as I thought it was getting into a deeper and deeper rut, the drive down was becoming increasingly unpleasant on the M5 section and the alternative of the free 'bus from Parkway seemed to sometimes be running to a calendar instead of a clock and missing train 'connections' at Parkway; overall in my view it had been totally outclassed by Trainwest.

 

So it is good to hear that in terms of layouts and with a third hall there has been improvement - which might well tempt me back next year.  However it sounds as if it might have to been on a self-catering basis although at least I'll get a cuppa on the train going to & fro (driving definitely being a non-starter for this sort of weekend).

[40F]

Might this have partly been due to the major engineering occupation in the Filton area meaning no train services?

This exhibition is one I try to do each year, but this time I decided early on to give it a miss, I did not fancy the drive!

 

cheers 

 

 

The nightmare traffic was down to two factors 1] Bank Holiday and 2] The M5 was shut further up north and a lot of traffic was using the A38 so I doubt very much if the Swindon to Bristol Parkway closure affected anything

[br2975]

You clearly did not try very hard , you could have asked at the desk where you signed in in the morning and they would have found somebody from the team for you

 

This is not my first exhibition as an exhibitor, I have been involved in the exhibition scene for a good few years now.

.

I have attended Bristol shows over many years, both as an exhibitor and paying guest, initially in Brunels trainshed, also at the dockside warehouse and the more recent venues.

.

In fact, through my former club membership, I was also a member of "the association" - albeit this membership lapsed more years ago than a few.

 

This last weekend, one exhibitor turned up to find he wasn't expected, hadn't been allocated floorspace and his layout didn't feature in the programme - despite an exchange of numerous e.mails and the provision of a layout description.

.

His layout was eventually accomodated due to an apparent 'no show'

.

These days, most organisers provide exhibitors with what is best described as a welcome pack, an envelope containing details of the venue, directions, accomodation information, meal tickets, a copy of the show programme and details of any functions being held during the evening(s).

.

This wasn't forthcoming at Thornbury / Bristol.

.

I am reliably informed that one other exhibitor, whose layout is also a display for his cottage industry contacted an organiser in the days leading up to the show, concerned that he had no contact from the organisesr - to be allegedly told, his layout was no longer required, but he could attend as a trader - and if he accepted, his previously agreed accomodation would not be provided.

.

It appears another, well known and respected trader arrived to find his 'agreed' 24'0" of frontage was only 14'0"

.

An exhibitor of my acquaintance was the winner of two awards at the show, when sought out on Sunday, he was asked why he chose not to attend the Saturday evening dinner, in order to collect his two awards - his non-attendance was down to his not having been told he had won any award - or that there was a dinner being held on the Saturday evening; had he been aware, he would have attended.

.

Eventually, the one plaque was awarded on the Sunday, the other trophy appears to have been mislaid and was not presented (the winning of the second award may then have been an urban myth ?)..................

 

I was later advised that this same set of circumstances related to another, well known exhibitor and his atmospheric layout ...... 

(i.e. not being aware of the intention to present him with awards at the dinner)

.

My co-operator and I chose to commute each day, as that was convenient to us, and economically viable to the show organisers.

.

I am aware that other exhibitors, living local to us, chose to accept hotel accomodation.

.

When I attended at the exhibitors 'restaurant' on Sunday, I was presented with a very appetising salad bar.

( Please note this was the exhibitors restaurant facility, not that open to the public )

.

Unfortunately, having identified myself to the one lady, I was told my colleague and I were only allowed a pack of sandwiches and packet of crisps.  The salad bar was only available to those who had been provided with hotel accomodation by the organisers.

.

However, an exhibitor local to myself, whose society had availed themselves of hotel accomodation, was declined the salad bar and subjected to the miniscule sandwich and crisps option - which undermined the reasons given for allocating my colleague and I sandwiches.

.

It appears customary at exhibitions, for members of the organising club or the show manager to circulate amongst exhibitors and traders alike and interact - drawing any praise, or constructive criticism from those who have attended. 

.

Unfortunately, I was not approached.

.

Personally, I do not feel it should be down to myself, as an exhibitor to seek out someone at the show information desk to pass on observations such as those above - it would be nice for the organisers to circulate amongst those who have given up a long weekend to assist in furthering the aims of the organisers.

.

And yes, the response by 40F to my initial post has provoked this extended diatribe.

.

Finally, I would like to add that had I attended this show as a visitor, as I have done over many years, I would have left impressed by the quality of layouts, variety of traders and value for money.

[Phil Bullock]

Brian that sounds a very balanced view

 

Sorry I missed you - which layout were you on?

 

Phil

[40F]

This is not my first exhibition as an exhibitor, I have been involved in the exhibition scene for a good few years now.

.

I have attended Bristol shows over many years, both as an exhibitor and paying guest, initially in Brunels trainshed, also at the dockside warehouse and the more recent venues.

.

In fact, through my former club membership, I was also a member of "the association" - albeit this membership lapsed more years ago than a few.

 

This last weekend, one exhibitor turned up to find he wasn't expected, hadn't been allocated floorspace and his layout didn't feature in the programme - despite an exchange of numerous e.mails and the provision of a layout description.

.

His layout was eventually accomodated due to an apparent 'no show'

.

These days, most organisers provide exhibitors with what is best described as a welcome pack, an envelope containing details of the venue, directions, accomodation information, meal tickets, a copy of the show programme and details of any functions being held during the evening(s).

.

This wasn't forthcoming at Thornbury / Bristol.

.

I am reliably informed that one other exhibitor, whose layout is also a display for his cottage industry contacted an organiser in the days leading up to the show, concerned that he had no contact from the organisesr - to be allegedly told, his layout was no longer required, but he could attend as a trader - and if he accepted, his previously agreed accomodation would not be provided.

.

It appears another, well known and respected trader arrived to find his 'agreed' 24'0" of frontage was only 14'0"

.

An exhibitor of my acquaintance was the winner of two awards at the show, when sought out on Sunday, he was asked why he chose not to attend the Saturday evening dinner, in order to collect his two awards - his non-attendance was down to his not having been told he had won any award - or that there was a dinner being held on the Saturday evening; had he been aware, he would have attended.

.

Eventually, the one plaque was awarded on the Sunday, the other trophy appears to have been mislaid and was not presented (the winning of the second award may then have been an urban myth ?)..................

 

I was later advised that this same set of circumstances related to another, well known exhibitor and his atmospheric layout ...... 

.

My co-operator and I chose to commute each day, as that was convenient to us, and economically viable to the show organisers.

.

I am aware that other exhibitors, living local to us, chose to accept hotel accomodation.

.

When I attended at the exhibitors 'restaurant' on Sunday, I was presented with a very appetising salad bar.

( Please note this was the exhibitors restaurant facility, not that open to the public )

.

Unfortunately, having identified myself to the one lady, I was told my colleague and I were only allowed a pack of sandwiches and packet of crisps.  The salad bar was only available to those who had been provided with hotel accomodation by the organisers.

.

However, an exhibitor local to myself, whose society had availed themselves of hotel accomodation, was declined the salad bar and subjected to the miniscule sandwich and crisps option - which undermined the reasons given for allocating my colleague and I sandwiches.

.

It appears customary at exhibitions, for members of the organising club or the show manager to circulate amongst exhibitors and traders alike and interact - drawing any praise, or constructive criticism from those who have attended. 

.

Unfortunately, I was not approached.

.

Personally, I do not feel it should be down to myself, as an exhibitor to seek out someone at the show information desk to pass on observations such as those above - it would be nice for the organisers to circulate amongst those who have given up a long weekend to assist in furthering the aims of the organisers.

.

And yes, the response by 40F to my initial post has provoked this extended diatribe.

.

Finally, I would like to add that had I attended this show as a visitor, as I have done over many years, I would have left impressed by the quality of layouts, variety of traders and value for money.

 

 

I restate you could not have tried very hard