br2975 Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 I ( br2975 ) will be operating "Vopak Terminal" with my brother ( naturol ). . Feel free to stop, chat and introduce yourselves. . Brian R Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium wagonbasher Posted January 12, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 12, 2017 Black Country Blues is fully prepared: I have been out to the garage and checked the layout is still there... It is! Mark delivered two very large boxes containing the rolling stock to my place last night.. He thinks of everything! geoff reminded us that he was bringing the layouts control cables... we knew, We hadn't forgotten...... loading midday tomorrow if you come to the show, please speak to us, it breaks up the monotony, not ours, yours.... Kidding... Andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold queensquare Posted January 12, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 12, 2017 Kim and I are there demonstrating 2mm modelling - mainly locos but I will have a few other bits and pieces with me. Jerry Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold adrianmc Posted January 12, 2017 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted January 12, 2017 Just completed producing the 260 exhibitor's badges for the show. Looking forward to marking out the two large halls tomorrow afternoon and welcoming our exhibitors. During the exhibition amongst other things I'll be the one with the camera recording the event for posterity and the CMRA website retrospective - smile please! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium ELTEL Posted January 12, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 12, 2017 Black Country Blues is fully prepared: I have been out to the garage and checked the layout is still there... It is! Mark delivered two very large boxes containing the rolling stock to my place last night.. He thinks of everything! geoff reminded us that he was bringing the layouts control cables... we knew, We hadn't forgotten...... loading midday tomorrow if you come to the show, please speak to us, it breaks up the monotony, not ours, yours.... Kidding... Andy Pete will be there operating Oulton TMD Eltel Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scale7JB Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 Hi all, The S7 group will have part of a nearly complete layout - Love Lane in attendance, to demonstrate the improved running of Finescale 7mm. Do come and say hello. We like to chat. JB. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium wagonbasher Posted January 13, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 13, 2017 Hi all, The S7 group will have part of a nearly complete layout - Love Lane in attendance, to demonstrate the improved running of Finescale 7mm. Do come and say hello. We like to chat. JB. Black Country Blues is fully prepared: I have been out to the garage and checked the layout is still there... It is! Mark delivered two very large boxes containing the rolling stock to my place last night.. He thinks of everything! geoff reminded us that he was bringing the layouts control cables... we knew, We hadn't forgotten...... loading midday tomorrow if you come to the show, please speak to us, it breaks up the monotony, not ours, yours.... Kidding... Andy Picking up the van for Black Country Blues shortly.. What snow did fall in the Midlands is clearing fast (I'm going out on a limb there, I can only personally vouch for the 5 mile trip from my house to Stafford and back) but, I feel that is likely to represent a lot of the Midlands. Andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PenrithBeacon Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 Picking up the van for Black Country Blues shortly.. What snow did fall in the Midlands is clearing fast (I'm going out on a limb there, I can only personally vouch for the 5 mile trip from my house to Stafford and back) but, I feel that is likely to represent a lot of the Midlands. Andy Snowing in Harrow! Brrr. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Graham_Muz Posted January 13, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 13, 2017 Another light dusting of snow in the Chiltern Hills this morning, roads should be OK though A busy weekend for me as I wiat assiting with the loading and setting up of the High Wycombe and District MRS Cariboo Roiver HO layout at the venue tonight. Tomorrow will be at the South Western Circle www.lswr.org AGM and meeting before returning to Stevenage on the Sunday to play trains on Alan Paley's lovely pre grouping layout Loughborough Road and then assisting the Cariboo River team with their layout breakdown. I look forward to seeing others at the show. Fisherton Sarum is booked to appear at the 2018 show. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete the Elaner Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 You could well get some stupid questions on Sunday.... I doubt that. No question you or anyone else will ask is likely to be stupid. Failing to ask it is. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Y Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 I've had the pleasure of spending the day with Luton MRC's O gauge group photographing Central Works which you really should keep an eye out for at the show. Some interesting and excellent locos plus the wagon tippler! A lovely crew please so do take the time to have a chat with them. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clearwater Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 Hi What are the catering options within the venue? Presume if necessary, we can leave and come back. I don't think I've ever been to Stevenage before. Does the station have an m&s or similar? Thanks David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold bourneagain Posted January 13, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 13, 2017 There are a number of eating places located in the Leisure Park on the far side of the Rail Station, accessed via a footbridge - KFC, Pizza Hut, Nandos, Frankie & Bennys, Starbucks and a few others. Also there are a number of similar eateries in the Town Centre. Hopefully there will be a passout system, similar to that which was in place at St Albans. Confirmation required! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharris Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 Looking forward to visiting tomorrow- if you see someone nursing a hangover it's probably me! (Colleague's leaving do tonight!) I noticed mention of a pass out system- is that for my benefit? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisf Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 I will be there on Sunday, which I say for the benefit of those who wish to take avoiding action. Chris Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tc Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 I've had the pleasure of spending the day with Luton MRC's O gauge group photographing Central Works which you really should keep an eye out for at the show. Some interesting and excellent locos plus the wagon tippler! Feature_1s.jpg It's great to see the late Peter Elmslie's tippler - originally built for the MRC's Happisburgh - has found a new life on this layout. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clearwater Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 Well, they must be doing something right as it a long queue to get in! David Edit: or something wrong about taking money off people at the entrance! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Portpatrick Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 Recently returned to Watford from Stevenage - other activity this afternoon so could not stay longer. Obviously for me a longer run than the Arena but still quick and easy to get to. Parked in Westgate - short stay being better value for us. SWMBO went shopping. The new venue is a vast improvement. Plenty of space to circulate. Perhaps a seats area would be nice now it is much bigger? Only issue was the wrist bands. I fully realise why they are needed. But I was one of many who bought my ticket at the upstairs booking office and was told it was all downstairs. Only as we started going in did I and many others learn about the bands. At the time we were upstairs the side table with programmes had no steward and no bands. Needs sorting for next year. Either can the young ladies on the cash desk be briefed to tell us we need then and where to get them. Or get the stewards who check on us at the bottom of the stairs to issue them as we check in. And I enjoyed the show. Bought a book on the Claytons and a DVD. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PenrithBeacon Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 Just got back. Super show, really brilliant, well done to all. Two things, perhaps, for next year: a seating area for folk like me who need to have a sit after about an hour or so, recharge the batteries, have lunch and then away again; and more space in front of the layouts, which might mean fewer layouts, but might also mean less space behind them. Regards Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold bourneagain Posted January 14, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 14, 2017 An excellent show and venue, far superior than the cramped conditions in the Alban Centre. I agree with Portpatrick above regarding the issue of the wristband and programmes which needs to be looked at for next year. Another little niggle, the rather tight squeeze pass the seating area where the food was being served. It could have done without the layout; Wendsleydale, being positioned on the opposite side which caused a build up of patrons in that area. Perhaps next year one of the Societies would be better placed there, whilst not being disrespectful to Societies, but they don`t generally have the same amount of patrons congregating around their stands. Well done, looking forward to next year. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
34theletterbetweenB&D Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 Wristband dispensing working well at the upper entrance when the wife and I bowled up at midday. The much more spacious floor plan proved a significant benefit, far easier circulation and access to view the layouts comfortably. Good range of layouts too in scales, subjects, settings and time periods, a real credit to the CMRA team finding that many exhibitors to provide such coverage; customary friendly atmos. that I always have found at the CMRA show, plenty of families with children and teens, useful range of model component and tool suppliers. Oh, and the plentiful ladies' lavatory provision also went over big time with my wife, no queues at all. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Trainshed Terry Posted January 14, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 14, 2017 Just got home from a very enjoyable event. Well done gentlemen. Left Braintree at 09:30 and got there about 10:25. walked to the venue, thinking that there would not be a cue. Oh how so wrong we was. Joined the back of the cue but was happy to do so as C.M.R.A show has always been good to visit. A much better venue as everything is on the same level. There are some great layouts and a good selection of traders, and a lot easier to walk around. I did not spend a lot of money on modelling items. The cafeteria in the main hall was well staffed and the cost of the food and teas where reasonable but could have done with more seating areas for the people that are maturing in age. so that they can take the weight of there feet and have a cuppa. But all in all a much better shown and venue, may it long continue there. Terry. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Bigcheeseplant Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 My first visit to Stevenage, and if I was not visiting the exhibition would have been my last, quite a difference from the lovely city of St Albans. The halls were much better than the arena with space to move around and see stuff, I think the layout of exibits could have been better and it is always a learning curve moving to a new venue. The queue to get in was quite long and the two people selling tickets upstairs seemed to take a while to issue just a single ticket, strangely there was another pay desk down stairs that no one seemed to be using and maybe it would have been an idea to direct the queue outside to use both desks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharris Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 I'd agree about the catering- juggling a sandwich, hot coffee and shopping bag of goodies proved tricky. The queue stretching all the way down the steps caught me by surprise. But a very enjoyable day overall. The standard was very high this year - I was particularly impressed by the Dutch contingent's industrial modelling. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clearwater Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 Having queued for just over half an hour, I was concerned it would be jam packed when we got it. I was presently surprised that it was free flowing and easier to get to layouts than say Warley. We also made an inadvertent smart move by going to the smaller room first which was quieter. I found the venue easy to get to go and I'd be interested as to whether attendance was higher. Anecdotally, overheard conversations in the queue suggested people travelling from distance on the ecml in both directions. Certainly our train from kings cross had a fair number for the show David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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