Warley National Model Railway Exhibition 2018 - 24th and 25th November

[roundhouse]

We had JMRI on Dobris with Withrottle on ipods. However this weekend for some reason we could only use them to change turnouts as we couldnt get the locos to respond. So we stuck with the tethered throttles.

[kipford]

We started off using iPhones but changed to conventional handsets mid morning Saturday, due to intermitent wifi link drop out which was expected though. We had a trial 5G set up with us as well but that decided not to talk to the NCE power cab. Anyway we had a great time, the show was very well organised as usual, looking at some of the photos on the thread I think I missed some layouts.

[TEAMYAKIMA]

Managing to get close to Lime St. and spending some time waiting for something to happen and thinking, all I can see is a roof; I suddenly became aware of a small lad along side me telling his mother about the details he could see.

I then realised he was at the right height to view the layout properly and could look into the station from below the roof line.

 

I crouched down for a couple of minutes and it gave a completely different perspective.

Maybe the whole layout should be raised by a foot or so?

 

My conclusion...

90% of those who viewed the Lime St., including many on here singing its praises, didn't see it at all.

By only standing up, I think most of you actually missed it.

 

P.S. Yes it is a bit boring to watch and difficult to view. A great piece of modelling though.

 

 

I couldn't agree more with your well balanced view (no pun intended) of this layout.

 

With the layout at the height it is it is ideal for a private visit in a dedicated building where an average height person could easily bend down and see the train movements virtually side on. This of course is totally impossible at a show - especially one that is crowded like Warley was.

 

I am 6ft 3inches and in the third row and all I saw was roof and so I walked off .

 

I genuine pity - superb modelling - interesting operation but not really suited to a busy public exhibition - better suited to a quiet specialist show or better still a private visit where I could sit down for 20 minutes and appreciate the action at eye level - that would be PERFECT!

Edited November 26, 2018 by TEAMYAKIMA

[Gilbert]

I was there helping with a layout and driving the associated vehicle and I thought it was worth just highlighting the very competent and friendly service from all the NEC staff both inside  and out of the Hall. Clearly the Warley club members - and many others who I  assume just help with the exhibition - also go out of their way to ensure exhibitors are made welcome, looked after and then thanked as we left..

[Giles]

Big Thanks to the Warley Team for a very busy show, very well organised from our point of view. At Denton Brook we had the space we needed plus everything ready and waiting, and no fuss.

 

The show was incredibly busy with no let-up at all - which is fine - and we were awarded 'Best Large Scale Layout' which was exceeding kind.

 

Big thanks to Ken and Martin (the team) who operate almost without break, and with constant enthusiasm, and without whom we would not be doing it! 

[7013]

Reading through the postings it appears that Lime Street is a double edged sword.On the one side you have undoubtedly amazing modelling being able to depict the station and its approach in a novel way. On the other side there is the running aspect of the layout which many have been critical of. In the few minutes I stood watching I saw a light engine leaving the station, one of the LMS twins backing on to a train and a BR standard leaving tender first with a train. So not exactly standing still. However that said one criticism I have with any layout is when the operators become overly self indulgent with timetables. I appreciate that on big layouts there has to be some order otherwise chaos will ensue. Small layouts however tend to be more flexible, when I exhibit my ironstone layout I have the luxury of being able to be able to run trains almost continually. Any layout regardless of how well it is built (and Lime st is certainly that) can only hold the attention admiring the construction for so long, it is then incumbent on its operators to show what it is there for. Whenever we exhibit a layout we are there to showcase our skill and what is achievable, but (IMHO) above all we are there to entertain the public who pay good money to be entertained.

[melmerby]

A few more of my pictures.

 

First Mulldale:

 

 

 

 

 

Next New Bryford:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally Thornbury Hill:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Keith

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Jol Wilkinson]

Reading through the postings it appears that Lime Street is a double edged sword.On the one side you have undoubtedly amazing modelling being able to depict the station and its approach in a novel way. On the other side there is the running aspect of the layout which many have been critical of. In the few minutes I stood watching I saw a light engine leaving the station, one of the LMS twins backing on to a train and a BR standard leaving tender first with a train. So not exactly standing still. However that said one criticism I have with any layout is when the operators become overly self indulgent with timetables. I appreciate that on big layouts there has to be some order otherwise chaos will ensue. Small layouts however tend to be more flexible, when I exhibit my ironstone layout I have the luxury of being able to be able to run trains almost continually. Any layout regardless of how well it is built (and Lime st is certainly that) can only hold the attention admiring the construction for so long, it is then incumbent on its operators to show what it is there for. Whenever we exhibit a layout we are there to showcase our skill and what is achievable, but (IMHO) above all we are there to entertain the public who pay good money to be entertained.

It has been my experience when displaying London Road that "modellers" want to see the trains run but aren't often too interested in the modelling detail. The "non-modellers", usually wives and children, are more interested and appreciative of the modelling detail.

 

When one person complained about the insufficient train movement at the CMRA show (we normally have a train running at least every minute) I responded by saying it gave time for viewers to look at the model details. "I'm not interested in that" was the reply. Given how long many people look at a layout, that may be so for many show visitors.

[melmerby]

IMHO the problem with using smartphones rather than tethered handsets could get worse if more layouts start using them.

There is only limited bandwidth available (check the number of channels on your home router) and interference due to proximity could get worse.

 

How many have changed from the default channel? My home Wifi shows most around where I live use just 2 or 3 channels. I changed mine to the least crowded channel.

At model railway shows the routers could be much closer together, especially those controlling small layouts.

 

Keith

[Ron Ron Ron]

I confess, I am not really a fan of N gauge or 2mm modelling.

It has never floated my boat, so to speak.

At this years Warley, personally, I thought there were far too many N layouts.

 

However, there was one that stood out head and shoulders above not only all the other N gauge layouts, but above many, if not most of the others too.

 

Wickwar - by the Farnham & District MRC.

 

A beautifully modelled railway set in the landscape.

Hearing one of the operators talking about the design philosophy and their approach to building the layout, it chimed with my own views on such matters.

I'm a fan of the approach that says, rather than building a railway and adding scenery, build a model of a place and fit the railway in where it belongs, as representing the prototype.

 

In Ron's book, a contender for one of the top 5 layouts of the show.

 

Web site here.....

http://farnhammrc.org.uk/?page_id=399&wppa-album=6&wppa-photo=671&wppa-cover=0&wppa-occur=1

 

 

 

.

Edited November 26, 2018 by Ron Ron Ron

[RichardS]

I didn't visit Warley this year but reading the posts of those who did I am puzzled by the 'lack of movement' complaints.

If the lack of movement is due to operator lassitude or negilgence then such complaints are fully justified.

But any movement must be considered in the light of the layout owner's intention. That is to say 'what are they showing you?'

This hobby is a 'broad church' and just because a layout is highly rated does not mean you will like it. With 90 layouts on show there should be something for everybody although much will not be to one's taste.

There was a comment about Sidmouth's trackplan limiting operation. But it's a model of Sidmouth - a very fine model - So that's how it has to be. If the plan was altered it wouldn't be Sidmouth any more.

Liverpool Lime Street is obviously run to a timetable and that's what it's meant to show.

There's more to a model railway than moving trains although that's what some prefer of course. While some timetable compression can be beneficial my personal view is that we as onlookers should try to understand the motives of the layout's builders before making too many judgements.

And as ever if you don't like what's being exhibited move on or, better still, build a layout to demonstrate what you like and put it on show at Warley.

And yes I have seen both Sidmouth & Lime Street eleswhere. While trains weren't moving I enjoyed studying the scenery, buildings and so forth - all parts of a 'model railway.' (No dinosaurs or daleks thank goodness ;-) )

Edited November 26, 2018 by RichardS

[Edge]

One DJM Austerity (£55.00), One Hornby Peckett (£80.00), One Bachmann Coal Tank (£60.00). Bargains, the lot of them.

 

Managed to resist a Woodhead electric at £120.00, another Hattons Barclay at £100.00 and a LBSCR Atlantic at £170.00, although never let it be said that I have consistent tastes

Layouts were very good this year, although I do agree that from a punter perspective a tad more movement would have been preferable on some. Although to counter that, a little less movement on others would also have been better for the show . No names of particular layouts though, I know how hard you all work to put on the show for us and it seems mean to highlight particular people's layouts.

Edited November 26, 2018 by Edge

[Phil Parker]

A great show once again.

 

Yesterday was busy and didn't spend much or see much as didn't venture far from the DEMU stand which was well attended for much of the day, always good to see.

 

Today I was spending the time trying to see the layouts and get bits from traders. This was hampered slightly by being on a scooter and the crowds around the more popular layouts (nothing particularly new or noteworthy in that however and not something there's many easy answers to).

 

"Hello Hattons. I'll take that snow plough blade you have on the stand. Just fix it on the front please..."

 

"Ramming speed!"

[Jol Wilkinson]

Nice photo, Ron.

 

That is where, when created with forethought, a 2mm or N gauge layout excels - the railway in it's broader environment.

Edited November 26, 2018 by Jol Wilkinson

[Ron Ron Ron]

Another contender for top 5 (IMHO) was...... Halte Tombroekstraat

 

A small, but beautifully modelled and displayed, working diorama.

 

 

 

 

[Crisis Rail]

We started off using iPhones but changed to conventional handsets mid morning Saturday, due to intermitent wifi link drop out which was expected though. We had a trial 5G set up with us as well but that decided not to talk to the NCE power cab. Anyway we had a great time, the show was very well organised as usual, looking at some of the photos on the thread I think I missed some layouts.

 

 

 

Ian

[melmerby]

Some trade pictures

 

Peco Bullhead Crossings & Slips:

 

 

 

 

Hattons.

O Gauge Streak & Teaks:

 

 

 

 

 

P Class:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beilhacks:

 

 

 

Peckets:

 

 

 

Class 66 with different body variations and a chunky mainframe

 

 

Keith

 

 

 

[Crisis Rail]

I didn't visit Warley this year but reading the posts of those who did I am puzzled by the 'lack of movement' complaints.

If the lack of movement is due to operator lassitude or negilgence then such complaints are fully justified.

But any movement must be considered in the light of the layout owner's intention. That is to say 'what are they showing you?'

This hobby is a 'broad church' and just because a layout is highly rated does not mean you will like it. With 90 layouts on show there should be something for everybody although much will not be to one's taste.

There was a comment about Sidmouth's trackplan limiting operation. But it's a model of Sidmouth - a very fine model - So that's how it has to be. If the plan was altered it wouldn't be Sidmouth any more.

Liverpool Lime Street is obviously run to a timetable and that's what it's meant to show.

There's more to a model railway than moving trains although that's what some prefer of course. While some timetable compression can be beneficial my personal view is that we as onlookers should try to understand the motives of the layout's builders before making too many judgements.

And as ever if you don't like what's being exhibited move on or, better still, build a layout to demonstrate what you like and put it on show at Warley.

And yes I have seen both Sidmouth & Lime Street eleswhere. While trains weren't moving I enjoyed studying the scenery, buildings and so forth - all parts of a 'model railway.' (No dinosaurs or daleks thank goodness ;-) )

 

Good post.

 

Yes - the real thing -  not a lot happens as vouched from endless hours sat on Brute trollies in the 70's eating copious amounts of Dairy Crunch (pre RTT of course)

 

No Daleks or Dinosaurs - plenty of Rucksacks though - it's Kendal MRC and the DEMU for me.

Edited November 26, 2018 by Crisis Rail

[jonny777]

A few more of my pictures.

 

 

Finally Thornbury Hill:

 

Thornbury Hill.jpg

 

Thornbury 1.jpg

 

Thornbury 2.jpg

 

Thornbury 3.jpg

 

Thornbury 4.jpg

 

Thornbury 5.jpg

 

Thornbury 6.jpg

 

Thornbury 7.jpg

 

Keith

 

 

 

I love that Thornbury Hill signal box. 

Edited November 26, 2018 by jonny777

[jonny777]

Some trade pictures

 

Peco Bullhead Crossings & Slips:

 

Peco 1.jpg

 

Peco 2.jpg

 

Peco 3.jpg

 

 

 

Bullhead slips.... wahaay.

[Phil Parker]

Nice photos, but I think I win the "Best Warley Train" picture.

 

 

A Battlespace Trubocar floats above the clouds on Aberdeen's layout. 

[melmerby]

Good post.

 

Yes - the real thing -  not a lot happens as vouched from endless hours sat on Brute trollies in the 70's eating Dairy Crunch (pre RTT of course)

 

No Daleks or Dinosaurs - plenty of Rucksacks though - it's Kendal MRC and the DEMU for me.

The problem is that real stations (mostly) operated for 24 hours and when trainspotting you would spend several hours there.

Model railways don't depict 24 hours in real time.

A speeded up clock is common when emulating a prototype so something is happening most of the time.

 

I remember an episode whilst spotting in Derby (probably late 50s) when I persuaded a couple of other spotting chums to visit Derby Friargate to "cop some easterners"

We were there for about an hour and there were precisely no trains in that period (the line was still open pre -Beeching). I got quite a bit of stick for the wasted spotting time!

 

Imagine somebody doing a model of that?

 

Keith

[Ron Ron Ron]

 

Just one observation.

I noted quite a few layouts being operated using mobile phones as handsets.

 

Ron

 

 

there were using dcc with the touch cab or jmri or roco z21 that allows smart devices to be throttles

 

It's OK, I do realise that.

On a couple of layouts, I couldn't see what DCC system they were using, as the operators only had phones in their hands.

On other layouts, it was a mix of regular handsets and smartphones.

 

On another note, sound fitted locos/trains appeared to be the norm, rather than an exception.

 

 

 

.

[Liam]

Here are some of my photos:

 

An Eastern Region layout I can't remember the name of

 

 

Tidworth

 

 

New Bryford

 

 

Portwenn

 

 

Liverpool Lime Street

 

 

 

Longnor

 

 

Up The Line (very poignant with the sounds of machine guns)

 

 

 

Hawes Junction

 

 

Warton Road

 

 

Broom Junction

 

 

[Crisis Rail]

Some trade pictures

 

Peco Bullhead Crossings & Slips:

 

Peco 1.jpg

 

Peco 2.jpg

 

Peco 3.jpg

 

Hattons.

O Gauge Streak & Teaks:

 

Hattons 1.jpg

 

Hattons 2.jpg

 

Hattons 3.jpg

 

Hattons 4.jpg

 

P Class:

 

hattons 5.jpg

 

Hattons 5A.jpg

 

hattons 6.jpg

 

Hattons 6A.jpg

 

Hattons 7.jpg

 

Beilhacks:

 

Hattons 8.jpg

 

Hattons 9.jpg

 

Peckets:

 

Hattons 10.jpg

 

Hattons 11.jpg

 

Class 66 with different body variations and a chunky mainframe

 

Hattons 12.jpg

 

Keith

 

Hmm... is there a resident Metallurgist in town for that casting?