WIGAN 2017 Saturday 30th September & Sunday 1st October

[Eaton]

 

'Amalgamated Wagon Works' from the Rochdale Model Railway Group with be the fourteenth and last Exhibition Taster as we now start to get into Exhibition Logistics Mode. The 'Wagon Works is an O gauge depiction of a small wagon repair shop, a commonplace facility seen in most areas of the country in 1932 when the layout is set. It is a resurrected project that has been rejuvenated by a new modeller and as such should show what can be achieved with determination.

 

We hope that these 14 tasters have given you some idea of what to expect at WIGAN 2017 but please be aware that this is only a 'taster' as there are another 18 layouts that accompany those illustrated and they are by no means inferior in quality. We also have an extensive collection of over 40 traders and a comprehensive collection of demonstrators. If you are at all interested in Model Railways then you are assured an interesting and worthwhile  visit.

[Eaton]

                                        

 

The final post before WIGAN 2017 opens features the cover from our full colour Guidebook celebrating as it does the 50th Exhibition to take place in Wigan. For us this is something of a milestone as over the years the path we have trodden has not always been smooth or straight. On occasions it has been  decidedly uphill but nevertheless here we are 50 exhibitions later. Looking back it is easy to see the progression we have made, the exhibition is larger, has more layouts and a greater trade participation than even fifteen years ago.

However the exhibition scene is always changing and we always need to try to be ahead of the game. This reflection was prompted by an article in the August Railway Modeller headed 'The provincial model railway shows - are they still viable?. This was the thoughts of Dave Holman who must be part of the organising team for the Chatham Exhibition, traditionally a large provincial show held in June. It makes interesting reading as they have decided to downsize and have organised a much more manageable event. As he says putting ourselves through the logistical nightmare that is an exhibition weekend was no longer as enjoyable as it once was.

Make no mistake it is hard work and it has often been said that the activity most similar to railway modelling could be furniture removal as this is certainly what it feels like when the show is finally over. For people to put on an exhibition is has to be enjoyable or you do start to question the whole enterprise. The question then arises as to what makes it enjoyable. In our case it would be to promote the quality within the hobby by bringing to the North West the very best layouts. It is what we have always strived to do. It we can no longer do this then the enjoyment would evaporate. At the moment we are in the midst of a precarious balancing act trying to maintain the quality but also curtailing the costs and in some cases these two positions are diametrically opposed. Put very simply we need visitors through the door as this would dramatically effect the quality of WIGAN 2018 and remove the constant financial worry.

I add this as an observation on Model Railway Exhibitions in general and in particular their value for money. I did a rough calculation and factored in to the cost the free hours given over the weekend by our organising team, helpers, layout operators and demonstrators and pondered on the true cost of admission if these free hours had to become paid hours. The 'true' admission charge is in excess of £40 and this would still make it cheaper than most concert tickets or football matches. Yet it still seems impossible to fulfil everyone's expectations.

Returning to the original question - are provincial model railway shows viable? well the answer will be the willingness of people to continue to donate those 'free hours' and equally the willingness of visitors to support those endeavours. We very much hope you will support us as we have in mind something very special for WIGAN 2027 our 60th Exhibition if we make it that far.

Edited September 27, 2017 by Eaton

[G-Mac]

Looking forward to the weekend exhibiting Poulton-le-Fylde. Great lineup of layouts and trade support!

 

Greig

[tender]

Nearly forgot to order our 'Advance Tickets', got in just before the deadline (i hope!). Looking forward to the show.

[Bomag]

 

Regarding CAR PARKING, there is a football match on Saturday directly across the road, kick off 3pm. This means that there will be no free car parking, certainly in the afternoon and probably all day. It will get very busy between 2 and 3pm in the afternoon and again from 4.45 until 5.30 so travelling to and fro during those times are to be avoided. It will have quietened by the time the exhibition closes at 5.30. There will also be a lull from 3 until 4.30 when the match is being played.

On Sunday the large car parks further along Loire Drive should be free.

Wigan Council now view every potential parking place within the Borough as a source of revenue and are aggressively placing meters in every conceivable space. Within a very short time the concept of free parking in Wigan will be but a distant memory. Please be aware that we as a group have absolutely no control over the parking arrangement in the locality of the Sports Centre (if only we did) but we are sure that both The Centre's management and indeed Wigan Council would be very pleased to hear your opinion. Sadly your opinions would be wasted upon us as we have absolutely no influence until the next round of elections.   

 

It would have been helpful to say what the parking charges would be on the Saturday, £3 or £4 for many would be OK but if you have to pay, for example £10 for all day parking then it may not be worth it. A quick search found no details of cost, anybody know?

[5BarVT]

Nearly forgot to order our 'Advance Tickets', got in just before the deadline (i hope!). Looking forward to the show.

Got mine already, just need to remember to take it with me when I come south tomorrow. Looking forward to the show too.

Paul.

[APOLLO]

It would have been helpful to say what the parking charges would be on the Saturday, £3 or £4 for many would be OK but if you have to pay, for example £10 for all day parking then it may not be worth it. A quick search found no details of cost, anybody know?

 

Saturday is an event day (Football) so a charge of £5 on the DW carparks, according to this site. Free on Sunday but check that the exhibition is not classed as an event

 

https://en.parkopedia.co.uk/parking/carpark/dw_stadium/wn5/wigan/?arriving=201709271800&leaving=201709272000

 

Beware the ones marked free - they aren't.

 

I live in Wigan and am thoroughly sick of our money grabbing council AND the parking companies that police these car parks. . The car park outside the exhibition used to be free, now pay & display £4 all day. My daughters go to karate there and we have a free pass - only during Karate lessons though. I'll walk.

 

Brit15

Edited September 27, 2017 by APOLLO

[Eaton]

It would have been helpful to say what the parking charges would be on the Saturday, £3 or £4 for many would be OK but if you have to pay, for example £10 for all day parking then it may not be worth it. A quick search found no details of cost, anybody know?

Further to the information provided by Apollo regarding parking on the large car park further round Loire Drive, this car park features temporary/moveable Ticket Machines so one is never certain when there is a charge. They will certainly be in operation on Saturday afternoon when the Latics are playing (charge £5). What the situation would be if you parked early on Saturday morning and the machines where not there and then stayed all day including the afternoon when they are, is problematic. I would suggest a trip to the security man in this sentry box for clarification and verification before leaving your car.

On Sunday you just need to look out for the machines to ascertain if Sunday has somehow been designated an 'Event Day'. 

I only wish I could be more helpful but you only have to look at the housing estates around the DW Stadium on Saturday afternoon to see how ridiculous this situation is, there will be cars abandoned all over the place, blocking peoples drives, parked on grass verges and of course this contributes to the congestion after the match.

But then this is Wigan and we specialise in traffic abnormalities. The Saddle Roundabout which most of you will pass, yes the one with a furniture store in the middle, also around its edges has a fire and ambulance station, Asda, B & Q, MacDonalds, Screwfix, Home & Bargains and the road leading to the Robin Park Retail Park and the DW Stadium. Add to this that all the traffic going into Wigan Town Centre has to pass through a Victorian Railway Bridge and you can imagine what it is like on a Monday morning.

Thankfully over the weekend the traffic is not concentrated into two rush hours and is therefore passable.

[Bomag]

Thanks for the info but I have no idea what the reference to DW is about, but if the carpark at exhibition is £4 then it looks OK. With the state of my knee I don't want to leave early because I have had to walk any distance.

[Eaton]

Thanks for the info but I have no idea what the reference to DW is about, but if the carpark at exhibition is £4 then it looks OK. With the state of my knee I don't want to leave early because I have had to walk any distance.

Dave Whelan, owner of Wigan Athletic.

[MarkSG]

Another (hopefully) simple question - what are the catering options at the show? 

[Reorte]

This is all sounding rather offputting, particularly car parks that charge more than I'm likely to have in change. It's a nuisance to get to by rail from where I am too. I'll still be going (it's too good a show to miss) but my enthusiasm is a little damped.

[Gilbert]

Worth it once you get in...

[Hugh Flynn]

hi

Well looking forward to a good weekend at Wigan, just about to load up.

Hugh

[Scottish-Exile]

Visited Wigan show last year for the first time having just taken up railway modelling. A great show so I've now got my advance ticket and will be there tomorrow. Drove up from North Wales last year, but have decided to get the train this time.

 

It's £18.50 return and just over an hour doing an Arriva service from Flint to WBQ, then a Virgin trains service to WNW. Free parking at Flint and whilst it's a bit more expensive, it just saves the hassle of driving/parking. I drive roughly 800 miles most weeks at work and loathe having to drive at weekends too.

 

Only issue I see is that I'll arrive at Wigan at 9.38 giving me just 2 minutes to get off the train, out the station and catch the free bus. Best wear my running shoes

[TheSignalEngineer]

To add to the traffic and parking woes of going to Wigan, I gave up driving to the town years ago, there are rail engineering works around Manchester over the weekend. No trains in that direction from Piccadilly and Oxford Road, only service is from Victoria. My chosen route will be bus to Stalybridge and train from there.

[Signaller69]

Looking forward to visiting on Sunday, hopefully with free parking too . . .

[Reorte]

To add to the traffic and parking woes of going to Wigan, I gave up driving to the town years ago, there are rail engineering works around Manchester over the weekend. No trains in that direction from Piccadilly and Oxford Road, only service is from Victoria. My chosen route will be bus to Stalybridge and train from there.

Ah, that exaplains why it was looking a hassle to get to by train.

[Ross34]

This is all sounding rather offputting, particularly car parks that charge more than I'm likely to have in change. It's a nuisance to get to by rail from where I am too. I'll still be going (it's too good a show to miss) but my enthusiasm is a little damped.

 

Hmm.. I pondering whether to go myself for similar reasons.

 

Wigan is normally a "no-brainer" for me but as I get older traffic and parking is getting to be a bit of a hassle.

 

I can actually get a bus - its an hour each way from Lowton and £3.60 return - so real complaints there - we'll see.

 

The other reason I may not bother this time is the small amount of overseas content - and before anybody gets on their high 'orse that isn't a pop at the show or the work the team have put in  - and I "know" good modelling is just that but, well personally I'd like more non UK stuff to look at.

 

Having said that I'm sure the show wil be a success - with or without my tenner.

Edited September 30, 2017 by Ross34

[APOLLO]

Just back home (2 miles away !!) from the Wigan Exhibition - a great show as usual with fantastic trade support. Layout of the show for me was Purgatory Peak - it has everything, sound, fantastic scenery and structures, and was well operated also. The two WCML modern image layouts Coppell and Euxton Jcn I spent some time at - and I'm not a modern image modeller !!

 

I managed to find most of the bits n bobs we all need - along with a couple of obscure railway books of lines I have never heard of - now laid away for Christmas reading.

 

Again a big well done and thank you to Eaton and all involved, 

 

Brit15

[Scottish-Exile]

A fabulous show with so much to see. Some fab layouts and unlike other shows I've been to, where I normally just look at stuff in my own gauge and dismiss other gauges or continental layouts, this time, I found some of the layouts that I would normally give just a passing glance to, actually were the most compelling. Purgatory Peak being a prime example of this.

 

Having spent 3 seperate spells in my railway career at Ayr depot, Mike Bissetts St Marnock & Lasswade O gauge layouts got me going back to several times. Pen-Y-Graig had so much to offer in a small compact space and Coppell & Euxton Jucntion has made me determined to add OHLE to my next layout.

 

Good to talk to the operators and traders with everyone being most helpful. Finally I'm all for learning new techniques for modelling, but surely the builders of Tan-Yr-Allt have gone just a bit too far with their method for building rock faces

 

Edited September 30, 2017 by Scottish-Exile

[Gilbert]

Just back home - my journey was a little longer ( 200miles each way) as I combined with a family visit to Liverpool.

I know there has been chat about parking etc I had no parking problems and the morning traffic inwards was lighter than expected based on previous years - maybe the match puts off the retail park punters?- I parked near the far side of the DW from the sport centre ( Pizza Hut end) and was asked if I was going to football - I said no and was told it was fine to leave the car - when I returned about 2pm I saw a few chaps in the hi viz directing football traffic to a pay car park but my car park was very empty still...

Coppell was excellent, I very much enjoyed Mill Bank Alley, Chester Northgate and Barton Road and picked up useful supplies from Digitrains and Eileens. Resisted the temptations of the many booksellers...

I could have spent a lot longer or even made a whole day of it - the quality of layouts was very good but I have a busy weekend ahead still..

Edited September 30, 2017 by Gilbert

[Gilbert]

Asurely the builders of Tan-Yr-Allt have gone just a bit too far with their method for building rock faces

 

Tan.JPG

 

I understand its fairly common in certain parts...

[Free At Last]

I am going in the morning. Is access from and to the M58 at Wigan ok, coming home from Darwen last night the M6 southbound was closed between J27 and J26.

[Gilbert]

Can I also say how helpful and approachable all the exhibitors I spoke to were - thanks