The London Festival of Railway Modelling, Ally Pally-24 to 25 March 2018

[newbryford]

I think I'd go for something of more use than a Zenit EM although it would be useful in flooring any pursuers.

 

 My mate once dropped his EM on the platform. Although the filter mounting ring was bent, there was no other damage - apart from the mark on the tarmac..

 

Cheers,

Mick

[batrapyr]

You have got to laugh at some of the numpties on here complaining about the start and end times of this show. Unless I am mistaken, all times and dates were advertised well in advance. I have no complaints about the venue, the times, the dates, the security staff, the traders or even Andy York.

 

My only complaint is that some of the layouts were just too good, displaying craftsmanship and skills that I have zero chance of replicating. Apart from bring very impressed, I went home feeling totally humbled.

 

Well done to all exhibitors.

 

Barry Denyer

[polybear]

have no complaints about ...... or even Andy York.

 

 

 

 Blimey, you're very forgiving....

 

Andy - just kidding....please don't ban me.....

[sharris]

I think I'd go for something of more use than a Zenit EM although it would be useful in flooring any pursuers.

For flooring capabilities my 2kg of Mamiya C33 might do quite nicely.

[Portpatrick]

There was a time, when working for BR I travelled free, I used to go up to UMIST for the Manchester show on a Friday afternoon.  After my daughter's end of term event at Nursery School.  Very worthwhile .  Seriously I see most opening hours on offer as fine, and I look at it from both sides of the layout.  For me a 9.30 to 5.30 is one very long day of operating!  And I have brought 2 layouts to Aly Paly in years gone by.  10.30 to 4.30 is about right, esp if looking at a 2 day show.  And while middle age  and medication do mean I have less energy than those Manchester days, when I go to Warley for advance ticket opening I am normally on a train home to Watford by 3, having had a few rests and some expensive food on my way round!  On that one I plan my essentials, trade and layouts , in advance and then see as much as I can bear of the rest until my feet complain too much.  For this Aly Paly I arrived for 9.30 opening and left c 2.30 after the N Gauge Forum photo shoot and natter at BH Enterprises. I did little for the rest of the day, except prepare for my part in helping leading the Church service on Sunday morning. 

[ColinK]

As mentioned much earlier, we are having a short break in London. Two reasons for it. First to go to Ally Pally, second was our trip today to the Post Office Museum, which includes a short ride on the underground mail railway. I enjoyed Ally Pally and enjoyed the ride on the Post Office Railway.

 

Got to be back home for Easter as the Morecambe - Lancaster - Kirkby Londsdale - Ingleton - Settle - Malham bus service starts Easter Sunday and I’m rostered to drive it. The section between Settle and Malham is one of the most scenic bus rides in Britain.

[woodenhead]

You have got to laugh at some of the numpties on here complaining about the start and end times of this show. 

 

I think we can disagree with people's views without resulting to labeling or insulting.

[Pacific231G]

Firstly, a big thank you to everybody involved with the show, including my super gang of operators and those who came to see Leighton Buzzard and said some very nice things about the layout and us taking it out to shows.

 

Exhibiting a layout, especially a rather old one that you didn't build yourself, can be hard work, pretty stressful (when you are risking the reputation of somebody else if it all goes wrong) and tiring. The lovely reception we got made all the effort worthwhile.

 

A special highlight for me was a great chat with a chap who had travelled from Cornwall. He had been at the first public showing of Buckingham in 1948 and we were able to point out all the things that he would have seen back then, as a 15 year old enthusiast. He had some great memories of how the layout was operated and presented, including a train indicator made from a post with plug in removable arms to show which train was to run next. It was probably based on a real GCR train indicator.

 

Opening hours will always be something that people disagree over. Rather like layout heights. There is no right and wrong. Just different opinions. Trade at a show like Ally Pally will always be a matter for debate too. The show must cost an arm and a leg to put on and stand rentals must require a big turnover of stock to create enough profit or publicity to make attending realistic. There were a few specialist stands there, like Hobby Holidays, C & L, Roxey, Model, Precision Paints and others I can't recall off the top of my head.

 

For me, Addison Road is one of those layouts that would make me want to attend a show if I was not sure whether to make the effort. Super modelling, excellent presentation and good people to talk do. Plus a subject matter that is right up my street. A real show stopper now and it isn't even finished!

 

I agree about the diversity of visitors too. It was lovely to see such a mix of ages and ethnicity.

 

One two, who clearly wouldn't have been alive in the heyday of Buckingham in the model press were very knowledgeable about the layout and the construction methods used, which was a very nice surprise.

 

All in all a top weekend, even though it has taken me a couple of days to recover.

If Addison Road is one of the layouts that would make you want to attend a show - and it is a superb piece of modelling- Leighton Buzzard (Linslade) definitely does that for me. Thank you so much for bringing it down and it was also good to get a chance to talk with Crispin. Despite its vintage the layout really does show how much operation can be got out of a very small layout.  One thing I got a chance to look at properly this time was the block system and Peter Denny's very ingenious and simple block instruments. As always I, and I'm sure very many others,  really appreciate and value your work in keeping the Buckingham Branch alive as a "going concern" 

 

Leighton Buzzard and a few others apart, this year's layouts generally left me a bit cold compared with last year's but I suspect that's just a reflection of my own interests rather than on the quality of what was there. Nevertheless Ally Pally remains one of my favourite shows and the great Hall is a magnificent venue, so much better than the typical sports hall.

[t-b-g]

If Addison Road is one of the layouts that would make you want to attend a show - and it is a superb piece of modelling- Leighton Buzzard (Linslade) definitely does that for me. Thank you so much for bringing it down and it was also good to get a chance to talk with Crispin. Despite its vintage the layout really does show how much operation can be got out of a very small layout.  One thing I got a chance to look at properly this time was the block system and Peter Denny's very ingenious and simple block instruments. As always I, and I'm sure very many others,  really appreciate and value your work in keeping the Buckingham Branch alive as a "going concern" 

 

Leighton Buzzard and a few others apart, this year's layouts generally left me a bit cold compared with last year's but I suspect that's just a reflection of my own interests rather than on the quality of what was there. Nevertheless Ally Pally remains one of my favourite shows and the great Hall is a magnificent venue, so much better than the typical sports hall.

 

Many thanks for the kind words. Until a few years ago, my hobby was all about building layouts and if anybody had suggested how much satisfaction and pure enjoyment I would get from a layout I hadn't built, I would have laughed at them. Since having Buckingham, I have learned that as far as control systems go, I have never seen a better one and any future layouts I build will certainly be wired up using the Denny methods.

[garethevans1986]

A post from one of our members regarding the start/end times of the show:

 

 

Some people may be interested in the timetable that gets a large layout like Mostyn to an exhibition like Alexandra Palace.

 

Two to four weeks beforehand - Layout erected, formations re-arranged and tested to accommodate new stock, greenery refreshed, ballast and rail touch-ups where required, electrics and DCC checked, layout carefully vacuumed to remove dust etc., track given deep clean and turnout operation checked.

 

Thursday before show - Layout dismantled, Hire 7T Truck collected and loaded

 

Friday - Depart home 06.30, Depart Clubhouse 07.15, Truck arrives at venue 11.30, Truck offloaded at venue by 12.30. Layout erected and stock set out  plus some testing by 20.00 (there are 650 items of stock - most of which have 3-link couplings). Leave venue 20.00 and arrive hotel 20.20.

 

Saturday - Hotel breakfast 07.00, leave hotel 07.40, arrive venue 08.00. Cleaning and testing until 09.30. 09.30 - 17.00 show open. Arrive Hotel 18.00.

 

Sunday - Hotel breakfast 07.30, leave hotel 08.10, arrive venue 08.30. Cleaning and testing until 09.30. 09.30 - 16.30 show open. Dismantling and re-loading until 19.30. Depart London 19.30 with stop off at services for some fast food. Journey delayed by several sections of overnight single lane working on the M6.

 

Monday - Truck arrives at clubrooms 00.45 (remember they are limited to 56mph), truck offloaded and club locked by 01.30. Arrive home and offload stock 02.00. 07.30 leave to return hire truck with job completed by 08.30.

 

Gareth

[Georgeconna]

No matter what time they shut it won't be late enough to get around all that. Do let them know if you think they should stay open later for you.

Yes you can, done it twice and felt the aches and pains for day afterwards, Nice place to sit as well to watch the RC stuff. Giving it a miss this year as it seemed to be the same stuff on show. Maybe next year. Quality stuff at it though.

[Crewlisle]

Please note that the show opens - in practice - at 9:30am. Having been an exhibitor last year, and living 40 miles away , that meant being in  the hall bright and early around 8:30, after an hour and a quarter's drive, Oh and the clocks have gone on...Call that 7:30.

 

Remember that some of the larger stands / club vehicles will not be on the road until 7pm or later on the Sunday, with long drives home and then off-loading the lorry before the crew can go home. I don't know what time the crews from Grantham and Calcutta Sidings got home last night - I suspect, around midnight. Historically MRC members were off-loading barrier at the CMRA store in Welwyn at 9pm or later - and then had to get home.

 

It's very easy to complain about closing time when you don't have 5-6 hours hard work ahead of you after the show closes , after a full day's operating , with an early start. Not everyone - but certainly significant numbers - who may then have to go into work next morning and work a full working week

 

I could not visit Ally Pally this year but having been on the exhibition circuit both as an exhibitor & visitor for many years, I can see both sides.  Exhibition managers have a thankless task in choosing the exhibits to please the visitors & organizing the exhibition itself.  I exhibited my layout 'Crewlisle' at Ally Pally last year & found it to be well organised with something for everyone.  I thought the opening hours seemed to be a good compromise for both the exhibitors & visitors.

 

What a lot of visitors do not appreciate is that some exhibitors travel a long way, especially when invited to such prestige exhibitions as Ally Pally or the NEC.   I live in Plymouth & referring back to my timetable for last year:

 

Friday:

With help from my operators, load up van Friday morning & left home at about 1000.

Arrived Ally Pally about 1600.  I could walk faster along that North Circular Road!

Finished setting up & testing about 1900.

Find hotel, shower, change clothes then look for somewhere to eat.

 

Sunday:

Left Ally Pally about 1830.

Joined the start of the M4 at Chiswick at 2000.  Problem was that England were playing at Wembley at teatime & everyone wanted to use the North Circular when it finished!

Arrived home at 00.30 & unloaded van.  Finished unloading about 0100.

Luckily my operators were able to take a day's leave on the Monday.

 

Although it was a tiring weekend, it never felt that way as when visitors complement you on your layout or ask you questions like 'How did you do that?' or to see the joy on a child's face when you let him do some shunting or drive a loco on the main line (with one finger on the emergency stop button!) it made it all worthwhile.  If you are not prepared to put in the hours & hard work, don't accept the invitation to exhibit your layout!

 

Look at warley for example 6pm for day 1. And day 2 is 5pm. But ally pally was only 5 pm on day 1 that's only 7 hours and day 2 was even worse at 4.30 pm. Ok I know shows always end a bit earlier the last day that is fair enough. But to end so early on the first day was not what I consider value for money and the main reason I didn't get to see everything. And when they made the closing announcement I was not the only one with a look of surprise on there face.

 

The quality of the layouts was excellent, but it was very difficult to get good views and appreciate them hence very often towards the end of a show the crowds thin out but with the early closing I missed out on some of these quality layouts. So at £12 on the door entry and god knows for a trader, I'm sure that as a trader you would want to get the maximum return on your show costs and the visitor to get good value.

 

I'm sure there be those with a different view that's democracy, but if this the situation next year I won't be making an effort to visit especially with all the transport difficulties in various locations for such a short show when I guess that the average travelling time was probably arround 1 1/2 hours each way

 

Andy

 

Andy,

 

There is a simple solution to there not being enough time to see everything, it is 'Forward Planning' & researching the layouts & traders attending.  Every year our local club organizes a coach trip to the NEC on the Sunday.  We arrive about 1100 which gives us 6 hours to see everything.  When they first started many years ago I got fed up to get on the coach at 1705 & someone saying 'Did you see so & so?' & you missed it!  What I have done for the last few years is to order an Exhibition Guide about 10 days beforehand & check out my 'must-see' layouts/trade stands.  On the floor plan, write down your shopping list then hi-light your 'must see' layouts & traders in two different colours.  When you have done your shopping & visiting your 'must see' layouts you can wander round & see everything else.

 

Peter

Edited March 29, 2018 by Crewlisle

[PenrithBeacon]

I didn't attend the show this year, I had to cry off the family visit because I had a back spasm on Saturday night and couldn't walk Sunday!

Having said that the opening times seem to be right enough but if you want to see everything, absolutely everything, then the individual visitor might have an issue.

 

Personally I think the show has got to be too big, far too big, but I would imagine that that wouldn't cut too much ice at Warners

[Phil Parker]

Personally I think the show has got to be too big, far too big, but I would imagine that that wouldn't cut too much ice at Warners

 

Surely there are lots of shows to chose from. If you prefer smaller events, then go to one of those instead. I made the trip to Lancing a few weeks ago and enjoyed a terrific time in a small civic centre where none of the layouts was longer than 9ft.

 

BUT, a smaller event doesn't attract the same trade and you won't see several roundy-roundy large layouts. There's also an issue with the hall itself, it doesn't get any smaller or cheaper if you only want to fill half of it. The solution is to move halls of course, but then it's not the same show and you might as well have picked a different, and smaller, one anyway.

[hayfield]

Surely there are lots of shows to chose from. If you prefer smaller events, then go to one of those instead. I made the trip to Lancing a few weeks ago and enjoyed a terrific time in a small civic centre where none of the layouts was longer than 9ft.

 

BUT, a smaller event doesn't attract the same trade and you won't see several roundy-roundy large layouts. There's also an issue with the hall itself, it doesn't get any smaller or cheaper if you only want to fill half of it. The solution is to move halls of course, but then it's not the same show and you might as well have picked a different, and smaller, one anyway.

 

I think its a bit more complicated than just the size of the show. Plenty of stands at the show, very few that interested me and I herd visitors comment that the likes of Wizard, Gibson, London Road. Southeastern Finecast etc were not there. However a large number of box shifters and stands that were less specialized and perhaps more in tune for family layouts, if this is what keeps this show going then its OK with me, I will wait for Expo, Scaleforum and Railex etc. Also will go to local small shows which normally has an even more mixed set of traders.

 

First of all shows must make profits to continue, next is a good healthy selection of layouts. I expect its every show managers dream to pick the traders, very few shows have that luxury. Though there is a lot to be said about making it affordable to traders and visitors alike. And having a good spread of different traders 

[PenrithBeacon]

Surely there are lots of shows to chose from. If you prefer smaller events, then go to one of those instead. I made the trip to Lancing a few weeks ago and enjoyed a terrific time in a small civic centre where none of the layouts was longer than 9ft.

 

BUT, a smaller event doesn't attract the same trade and you won't see several roundy-roundy large layouts. There's also an issue with the hall itself, it doesn't get any smaller or cheaper if you only want to fill half of it. The solution is to move halls of course, but then it's not the same show and you might as well have picked a different, and smaller, one anyway.

If I were your line manager at Warner's I think I'd want to do a spot of counseling over this reply. It's not a great idea to suggest, however politely it seems to you, for a railway modeller to go elsewhere.

 

It's true that 'a smaller event doesn't attract the same trade' but it might well attract a more varied one, a trade that offers to supply the modeller with the stuff they need to build those 'roundy-roundy' layouts and the other terminus layouts.

 

My view is, and remains, that Ally Pally is too big for the average visitor, and it seems to be too expensive for the smaller traders too. My view on the size of the show can easily be discounted but the expense for the traders ought to be causing a few bells to ring.

[Andy Y]

If I were your line manager at Warner's I think I'd want to do a spot of counseling over this reply. It's not a great idea to suggest, however politely it seems to you, for a railway modeller to go elsewhere.

As an editorial team we go to a lot of shows, some for work and some of our own free will for our own interests. We also advertise several shows in the magazine's pages, allow promotion of events on RMweb and I've even been known to give support for events which may be on the same dates but in different geographical regions which are on at the same time as our shows. None of us have been brought in for counselling, coercion or brain-washing. Besides the boss is known to go to a few shows of his own choosing too.

[Phil Parker]

If I were your line manager at Warner's I think I'd want to do a spot of counseling over this reply. It's not a great idea to suggest, however politely it seems to you, for a railway modeller to go elsewhere.

 

It's true that 'a smaller event doesn't attract the same trade' but it might well attract a more varied one, a trade that offers to supply the modeller with the stuff they need to build those 'roundy-roundy' layouts and the other terminus layouts.

 

My view is, and remains, that Ally Pally is too big for the average visitor, and it seems to be too expensive for the smaller traders too. My view on the size of the show can easily be discounted but the expense for the traders ought to be causing a few bells to ring.

 

Sorry, if you want a bland corporate reply, or that I lie to you then you are going to be disappointed. At BRM and RMweb, we support AND VISIT all sorts of shows, large and small, not just our own and would encourage others to do the same.

 

If you don't like Ally Pally, then that's as shame - but your decision. Thousands of others seem to think differently, numbers were up and lots of people have said they enjoyed the event a lot both in person and on-line. The trade reported that they did very well, which would suggest they were catering to the people who paid to come in. There was variety too, with plenty of layout building materials. You don't see as much no-UK product at most events either, but a lot of it can be re-used on British prototype layouts.

 

Apparently, it was difficult to see some layouts at busy times, also suggesting that these were the right ones. Personally, I think it was a good show and I'd have enjoyed it as a visitor, probably more than I did behind the stand since I didn't get out to see anything other than the sausage roll seller on Saturday!

 

If you want a smaller show with specialist traders then, that's a different type of event. One of the Expo events or Railex would seem to be a better fit. The trade you like probably wouldn't make any money at a general event nowadays. You can show most people endless stands full of etched loco kits and they won't be remotely interested nowadays. That's fine, this is a big and varied hobby with something for everyone in it. Those guys need a lower cost event with visitors who ARE potential customers rather than looking for a nice RTR loco. That event probably isn't going to take place in central London though as the horrific cost of the hall alone would preclude this, as the loss of Watford finescale shows. 

 

What we want is for people to enjoy their hobby. Do that, even if it means 1 or 2 don't visit our shows because we know they won't like them, and we're doing the hobby, and hopefully the magazine, a favour in the long term. 

[Jol Wilkinson]

Sorry, if you want a bland corporate reply, or that I lie to you then you are going to be disappointed. At BRM and RMweb, we support AND VISIT all sorts of shows, large and small, not just our own and would encourage others to do the same.

 

If you don't like Ally Pally, then that's as shame - but your decision. Thousands of others seem to think differently, numbers were up and lots of people have said they enjoyed the event a lot both in person and on-line. The trade reported that they did very well, which would suggest they were catering to the people who paid to come in. There was variety too, with plenty of layout building materials. You don't see as much no-UK product at most events either, but a lot of it can be re-used on British prototype layouts.

 

Apparently, it was difficult to see some layouts at busy times, also suggesting that these were the right ones. Personally, I think it was a good show and I'd have enjoyed it as a visitor, probably more than I did behind the stand since I didn't get out to see anything other than the sausage roll seller on Saturday!

 

If you want a smaller show with specialist traders then, that's a different type of event. One of the Expo events or Railex would seem to be a better fit. The trade you like probably wouldn't make any money at a general event nowadays. You can show most people endless stands full of etched loco kits and they won't be remotely interested nowadays. That's fine, this is a big and varied hobby with something for everyone in it. Those guys need a lower cost event with visitors who ARE potential customers rather than looking for a nice RTR loco. That event probably isn't going to take place in central London though as the horrific cost of the hall alone would preclude this, as the loss of Watford finescale shows. 

 

What we want is for people to enjoy their hobby. Do that, even if it means 1 or 2 don't visit our shows because we know they won't like them, and we're doing the hobby, and hopefully the magazine, a favour in the long term. 

Phil,

 

I think you have summed that up very well.

 

Assisting on of the "specialist" Small Suppliers at a number of shows each year it is also clear to me that the hobby is more strongly dividing into two sectors, those that buy RTR and those that make their own models. There is a degree of interchange but I think that is diminishing. So those shows that attract a large proportion of the RTR buyer will be uneconomical for the kit manufacturer/supplier.

 

At those shows where there is a fair proportion of the "general public" ,it is they that show the most interest in the kit built models on display. Presumably the RTR buyer has already dismissed the kits on show as irrelevant to his modelling. Likewise, when exhibiting my layout, it is often the casual visitor (quite often the ladies) as well as the model makers who show most interest in the modelling on view. 

 

Jol

[hayfield]

Sorry, if you want a bland corporate reply, or that I lie to you then you are going to be disappointed. At BRM and RMweb, we support AND VISIT all sorts of shows, large and small, not just our own and would encourage others to do the same.

 

If you don't like Ally Pally, then that's as shame - but your decision. Thousands of others seem to think differently, numbers were up and lots of people have said they enjoyed the event a lot both in person and on-line. The trade reported that they did very well, which would suggest they were catering to the people who paid to come in. There was variety too, with plenty of layout building materials. You don't see as much no-UK product at most events either, but a lot of it can be re-used on British prototype layouts.

 

Apparently, it was difficult to see some layouts at busy times, also suggesting that these were the right ones. Personally, I think it was a good show and I'd have enjoyed it as a visitor, probably more than I did behind the stand since I didn't get out to see anything other than the sausage roll seller on Saturday!

 

If you want a smaller show with specialist traders then, that's a different type of event. One of the Expo events or Railex would seem to be a better fit. The trade you like probably wouldn't make any money at a general event nowadays. You can show most people endless stands full of etched loco kits and they won't be remotely interested nowadays. That's fine, this is a big and varied hobby with something for everyone in it. Those guys need a lower cost event with visitors who ARE potential customers rather than looking for a nice RTR loco. That event probably isn't going to take place in central London though as the horrific cost of the hall alone would preclude this, as the loss of Watford finescale shows. 

 

What we want is for people to enjoy their hobby. Do that, even if it means 1 or 2 don't visit our shows because we know they won't like them, and we're doing the hobby, and hopefully the magazine, a favour in the long term. 

 

 

Phil

 

It was a great show, it was also good to see so many families enjoying some of the best layouts in the country, the effort put in to get the young ones making things along with many experts/craftsmen (and ladies) demonstrating many activities relating to modelling for the older ones

 

There was in one way a great number of traders, the one downside for me and overhearing many visitors was the lack of specialist traders. thanks to Roxey mouldings I was able to buy some Slaters parts, completely drew a blank on Comet, Gibson and certain Markit bits. A show with so many fine layouts and demonstrators its a great pity so many larger specialist traders were not there.

[Oldddudders]

It seems to be being suggested that Warner’s people should only be visible at Warner’s own shows. Wot twoddle! If Warner’s stake in our hobby is to be optimised, then it is vital that the guys seek intelligence about modelling on all sides, so Andy, Phil and others are benefitting their employer by spreading themselves about the wider exhibition circuit - and visibly so.

 

Here on RMweb, where Warner’s pick up the costs of your and my entertainment and enlightenment, regular and knowledgeable contributions are made by a senior staffer from Model Rail. Of course they are - the journos know each other, respect each other and help enrich their respective magazines by some cross-pollination. There are regular threads on here about the competing publications, covering content etc. It all happens in a thoroughly adult and beneficial way for all, especially us punters.

 

Were Warner’s to put the boot in to the home team, insisting upon a blinkered approach to the real modelling world, it would be to the cost of RMweb, and BRM most of all. I am confident it will not happen any time soon.

[Geoff Endacott]

At least the show is being talked about. After all, there's no such thing as bad publicity, unless you are an Australian cricketer.

 

Geoff Endacott

[Portpatrick]

At least the show is being talked about. After all, there's no such thing as bad publicity, unless you are an Australian cricketer.

 

Geoff Endacott

Or Michael O'Leary of Ryanair!

[steve W]

If Addison Road is one of the layouts that would make you want to attend a show - and it is a superb piece of modelling- Leighton Buzzard (Linslade) definitely does that for me.

Smug mug here is happy to report that he was a member of the Sunday Addison Road operating team and, in his yoof, was a visitor to the vicarage at St. Newlyn East to see the Rev. Denny's masterpiece in action. It's a shame, but in that now distant past I saw a magnificent model railway, but failed to fully appreciate what I was actually looking at.  Knowing a section of the layout was going to be at Ally P would certainly have made the cost of admission a bargain.

A good cross section of the hobby on display, a well organized show all round in my view.

[Andymsa]

Andy,

There is a simple solution to there not being enough time to see everything, it is 'Forward Planning' & researching the layouts & traders attending.  Every year our local club organizes a coach trip to the NEC on the Sunday.  We arrive about 1100 which gives us 6 hours to see everything.  When they first started many years ago I got fed up to get on the coach at 1705 & someone saying 'Did you see so & so?' & you missed it!  What I have done for the last few years is to order an Exhibition Guide about 10 days beforehand & check out my 'must-see' layouts/trade stands.  On the floor plan, write down your shopping list then hi-light your 'must see' layouts & traders in two different colours.  When you have done your shopping & visiting your 'must see' layouts you can wander round & see everything else.

 

Peter

Hi Peter,

I read your reply with interest, it was a last minute decision to go to the show as I was not sure if I would be able to attend, So I wasn't as prepared as you. I went because I wanted to see a couple of traders which I did. Being a European modeller there were some layouts and traders that interested my particular area of modelling. But that said I still appreciate the effort and skills of the other layouts there aswell, I won't go into naming them but they have been covered already here.

 

Andy