RMweb Premium PMP Posted May 24, 2010 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 24, 2010 >>>>>>>>> Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard_S Posted May 24, 2010 Share Posted May 24, 2010 Has anyone from our experienced layout exhibitors got a 'checklist' for things to take to a show? And if so would they consider PM'ing it to me or putting up on thread. It may be useful to other beginners in the exhibiting field too. I'm fairly certain I've covered all requirements for my first show this weekend, but it'd be nice to see if I've left anything out or need to consider something else. Just in case it's on anyones list, my warehouse is permanently fixed to the layout ... Hi PMP There a number of items we make sure we take to shows including; all of the presentation features such as lights, uprights, drapes. If you set up at home without these its remarkably easy to leave something essential behind...... tool kit inc soldering iron and meter cleaning kit checked that all the stock has been cleaned and back to back tested mugs are useful as many shows like you to bring your own paperwork including directions to the venue and accommodation; if at all possible put these into your sat nav before the big day then you won't be sittiing in a darkened car park trying to work out where on earth you are heading to...... boxes or crates to pack all the odds and sods you need to minimise the number of round trips to and from the car park better still a trolley to eliminate as much carrying as possible a sense of humour because the big unknown in this hobby is how well your layout will tolerate being shaken around in the back of a car or van Hope that helps and good luck with your show. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jim s-w Posted May 24, 2010 Share Posted May 24, 2010 Hiya Each layout will be different but Layout Stock Legs Curtain directions extension leads (best to take a flat type) RCD Munchies water lights any exhibitor info required expenses reciepts (if required) Any parts of the layout not perminantly attached to it track cleaner toolbox inc soldering iron at least 1 spare point motor and decoder for it (if you are using them) spare controller a smile and patience for the same question you will be asked every 20 minutes a book to make a note of any faults for next time any info required for vehicle hire Thats it for now - Ill edit the list if I think of more One more thing though - clean ALL wheels before the show HTH Jim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Dagworth Posted May 24, 2010 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 24, 2010 Copied from my excel format checklist, some of these may seem a bit off topic.... IEC Bent pins (at least 36) Track rubbers Gantries Fishplates Guitar string Signals Lamps Trees Lighting gantrys Spare bulbs Dimmer stock cleaning trays 4/6 ways mugs nuts and bolts 6x legs beams Gantry frames 12 boards 12½ stock trays (full!) poly cement road bridge voltmeter fabric drawing pins 2x511 + link solder soldering iron white spirit laptop and DVDs phones and chargers Money Mirrors Stools 24x floorboards spanner screwdriver hammer craft knives Masking/lecky/gaffa Pen Houses Station Building Towels Pliers Snibblers Spirit level DEMU signs Painkillers Bulldog clips Catenary box Lenz 100 sets Link cables 37and 9 pin TRTS buttons carpet ECoS TV Trackball TFT monitor Radio Mic and battery DEMU membership forms and holder fishplate bolts dimmer cable kadee box trix cleaners RPC boxes Cat 5 cables Power supply box bat drill power screwdriver Video receiver decoder boxes coupling gauges RCD electrification box deodorant etc toothbrushes N gauge rail Coupling wire Brake pipe wire Timetable cards Earth lift cable Hex 3 Ftb Keyboards decoder and 511 manuals people silver conductive paint superglue paint brushes component boxes wire bog roll 511 cleaning cable cottonbuds plasters pipes and backy lighter fluid Dagworth data file Cheque book Wallet Uncouplers Book PVA Ballast Notebook Mitten Transfers box Penknife Lube oil Road vehicles Blue stuff Wet and dry paper Plasticard White shirts Ties Name badges Safety pins Paint Tweezers IPA Funnel Dapol Track Cleaner German Track Cleaner Show paperwork Mitten is a little beanie baby kitten mascot that goes everywhere with us andi Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
10800 Posted May 24, 2010 Share Posted May 24, 2010 1) Comfortable chairs/stools (at the right height ) to sit on. 2) In the absence of 1), or even if you're just wandering about behind the layout, offcut of carpet to stand on. 3) Power supply, extension leads, RCD in case you need one. 4) Multimeter. 5) Good Beer Guide Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold beast66606 Posted May 24, 2010 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 24, 2010 1 - Van 2 - Layout 3 - Operators Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Re6/6 Posted May 24, 2010 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 24, 2010 ....your own mugs and a decent coffee of your choice! Was exhibiting at a well known show a few years ago and noticed that the 'caterer' was making the coffee at the rate of a third of a teaspoonful per mug. When asked for a strong cup, I was offered a less than level teaspoonful. When I asked for a heaped spoonful....you can guess the rest! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigwelsh Posted May 24, 2010 Share Posted May 24, 2010 2) In the absence of 1), or even if you're just wandering about behind the layout, offcut of carpet to stand on. I'd really recommend that one at Railex if your standing without a barstool. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhBBob Posted May 24, 2010 Share Posted May 24, 2010 1 - Van 2 - Layout 3 - Operators Yes. that's what I take - I don't have time to rebuild parts of the layout so what works is used ! But I can recommend one of those gigantic tool boxes with wheels and a handle that Stanley make; for £27 plus post at http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/STANLEY-PRO-MOBILE-TOOL-BOX-CHEST-STA192083-1-92-083-/290408493301?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Garage_Equipment_Tools_Tool_Boxes_Storage&hash=item439db1f0f5 it was a bargain !! You can get most things in that box, including 4/6 way sockets, DCC controllers, power units, lunch box, drinks and many spare items you'll never need, like sandpaper, spare rolling stock wheels, files and glue, and spare fibre brush refills. The rolling stock, of course, travels in three suitcases - how could I possibly forget that ? Bob Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Bigcheeseplant Posted May 24, 2010 Share Posted May 24, 2010 Slippers, armchair, smoking or tweet jacket bow tie! you should know at Railex we try and set high standards! David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Dave Searle Posted May 24, 2010 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 24, 2010 I also have a comprehensive check list. The majority of small stuff is either in stock boxes (in the case of rolling stock) or 35L Really Useful plastic crates: Major loose items: Baseboards & legs Lighting gantries Misc loose items Drapes, stool, stock table, roll of carpet Lighting crate Lights & leads, RCD Extension leads (4 way, 6 way & 10m reel) Misc crate Hand vacuum cleaner Dustpan and brush Dust sheet to cover layout overnight Long tape measure Aspirin & plasters Power Supply crate Main & Auxiliary Power supplies & leads Controller Crate Control panel & Hand held controllers Bolt tin General crate Current exhibition info in wallet folder for easy access, exhibitor badges, coffee/lunch tickets Wallet folder with my contact details sheets for exhibition manager enquiries Notebook, wiring diagram, Time-table/schedule Layout name and other items to stick on, blue-tack Track & Back to back gauges Uncoupling poles & spare batteries Loco cradle, wheel cleaner & puffer brush Track cleaners & test loco Spare point motors Scenic crate Loose road vehicles, scenic clutter, loose buildings Glues (PVA & Superglue), loose scenic scatter Tool crate Multi-meter, Wire cutters, wire, pliers Soldering iron & stand, solder Screwdrivers (powered and hand) Drill & bits Stock boxes Locos, Coaches, Wagons The crates & stock boxes stack neatly under the layout and are labelled to make finding things easier. Cheers, Dave Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim V Posted May 24, 2010 Share Posted May 24, 2010 Having experienced constant power outages at an exhibition, I treated myself to a UPS (uninterruptable power supply), latest show, no power problems. Puts a stop to those people who turn off all the power in the hall, without asking. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny Emily Posted May 24, 2010 Share Posted May 24, 2010 One thing I find useful is a selection of glues to match those used in layout construction, because some mystery little piece always manages to fall off. So polystyrene cement, PVA, gloy gum and Bostik are always good to have to hand. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diesel Dayz Posted May 24, 2010 Share Posted May 24, 2010 1 - Van 2 - Layout 3 - Operators And Rolling Stock Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterl Posted May 24, 2010 Share Posted May 24, 2010 Having seen layouts turn up at Show minus the legs, the stock, even the odd operator!!! I always have a check list, all the boxes are labeled and now have a list of what should be in them, and a final check is done as they are loaded into the car.  Oh yes still don't take every thing with me to every show Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alibuchan Posted May 24, 2010 Share Posted May 24, 2010 one of the members at my club turned up at the exhibition with all of the stock and controller and drapes, he set up the legs as his wife phoned him asking when he would be back for the layout. luckily he was only at a show 30 mins down the road so made it home and back as they opened the doors. and another story. same bloke as before was invited to a small show in northern France. got there to realise that the layout and controllers were in the car but had picked up 2 boxes of paperwork (bills statments etc) and his 2 boxes of stock were at home waiting to be picked up luckily the 3rd box contained 3 of the locos wagons and a few coaches. luckily it was only a 5 foot long shunting and small station, a southern BLT I think. he did get some good comments about how a layout can be run with such little stock though. his wife now double checks the car before he goes anywhere now. my point is plenty of checking and lists. if you can lay it all out before it goes in the car or van so you can see what isn't there that you think should be. the carpet and/or slippers are a very good idea Alistair Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Vale Posted May 25, 2010 Share Posted May 25, 2010 Not much to add that hasn't been covered above, but I find the following sundries useful and easy to forget: * Gaffer tape to secure any mains cables running on the floor. * Black marker pen to touch in any paint chips from transport/storage (my profile boards are black). * A bottle of brown wash (e.g. GW Devlan Mud) and a small brush for when you spot any plaster you didn't manage to cover up. * A graphite pencil or similar for restoring conductivity, and/or track cleaning supplies depending on preference. Will Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Donw Posted May 25, 2010 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 25, 2010 If you exhibit often then making up a special toolkit for shows which is SEPARATE from your normal tool box can be sensible. Otherwise you can find tools have been left on the layout or workbench and not returned to the tool box. Do make sure a multi-meter is included. Spare bulbs for the lighting rig. A hot glue gun is handy for quick fixes. I have a work tray with tools made to fit in an old brief case I use if for demonstrating but its also handy for exhibiting as it gives a worksurface for soldering etc. I used to take a small pot of sky paint to touch up any bits of backscene that got marked during transit/handling. Do fix things that need fixing after each show. I had a tiebar break and used a piece of cotton to hold it together throughout the show. When we next took the layout out my fellow operator remarked there's a piece of cotton caught round this tiebar. Red faced time. Fortunately it held for two more days! but it should have been fixed beforehand. Most people only spend a short time looking at each layout. So if you take enough stock to ring the changes for an hour long sequence they will not see the same stock twice. You may become bored seeing the same stock. But if you stick to a reasonable amount of well tried and tested stock its a lot less stress than bringing loads of stuff that might play up. Of course you may enjoy being embarassed in front of others if so bring along almost finished, half tested and things that should be on the repair bench. Donw Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold beast66606 Posted May 25, 2010 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 25, 2010 And Rolling Stock just buy some more when you get there - saves the trouble of carrying them. On a serious note Paul - we have a list, which was originally compiled a good while back, which has all the elements of the layouts on it - we derived the list by assembling the layout to exhibition standards and the dismantling and noting each and every component. For example the Widnes (simplified) list is Scenic board - 4 Fiddle Yard curved board - 4 Fiddle Yard straight board - 4 Legs - 16 Single support legs - 4 Bolts - "Widnes" toolbox Light brackets - 4 Lighting units - 4 The stock and the like is detailed as follows (we use collapsible crates which are numbered) WVY crates 1- 25, these are all prepacked with the individual stock boxes during the pre show cleaning exercise and each stock box is itself documented on a spread sheet. WVY crates 26 and 27, these are the scenic items which aren't fixed to the layout. IT check list - standard for both layouts. Power check list - standard for both layouts. etc. The composite list is printed out each time and is ticked off as it's loaded into the van and then double checked before departure. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Worsdell forever Posted May 25, 2010 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 25, 2010 My checklist is printed off and as everything is gathered together before loading each item is ticked off, only after everything is ticked can loading start. As each item is loaded into the car the item is crossed off the list. The list is also written in the order of loading - baseboards, legs, lighting, etc ending with the small bits like toolbox. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
br2975 Posted May 25, 2010 Share Posted May 25, 2010 IEC Bent pins (at least 36) Track rubbers Gantries Fishplates Guitar string Signals Lamps Trees Lighting gantrys Spare bulbs Dimmer stock cleaning trays 4/6 ways mugs nuts and bolts 6x legs beams Gantry frames 12 boards 12½ stock trays (full!) poly cement road bridge voltmeter fabric drawing pins 2x511 + link solder soldering iron white spirit laptop and DVDs phones and chargers Money Mirrors Stools 24x floorboards spanner screwdriver hammer craft knives Masking/lecky/gaffa Pen Houses Station Building Towels Pliers Snibblers Spirit level DEMU signs Painkillers Bulldog clips Catenary box Lenz 100 sets Link cables 37and 9 pin TRTS buttons carpet ECoS TV Trackball TFT monitor Radio Mic and battery DEMU membership forms and holder fishplate bolts dimmer cable kadee box trix cleaners RPC boxes Cat 5 cables Power supply box bat drill power screwdriver Video receiver decoder boxes coupling gauges RCD electrification box deodorant etc toothbrushes N gauge rail Coupling wire Brake pipe wire Timetable cards Earth lift cable Hex 3 Ftb Keyboards decoder and 511 manuals people silver conductive paint superglue paint brushes component boxes wire bog roll 511 cleaning cable cottonbuds plasters pipes and backy lighter fluid Dagworth data file Cheque book Wallet Uncouplers Book PVA Ballast Notebook Mitten Transfers box Penknife Lube oil Road vehicles Blue stuff Wet and dry paper Plasticard White shirts Ties Name badges Safety pins Paint Tweezers IPA Funnel Dapol Track Cleaner German Track Cleaner Show paperwork. . CUDDLY TOY . CONVEYOR BELT . SLIDING DOORS . "Didn't he do well !!" Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.