Eaton Posted June 24, 2022 Author Share Posted June 24, 2022 (edited) For us at least the whole exhibition picture has changed. The nature of the trade support, the backbone of any exhibition, has seen the most dramatic change. We used to enjoy seeing our exhibition populated by those small specialist traders who would provide modelers with the materials they needed for our hobby. Many are now trading on-line, some have been sold to larger enterprises, some have taken the opportunity to retire and others just view exhibitions as to much of a risk. Either way the risk to our exhibition is significant in the loss of income. As we are not supported by a large Model Railway Society, being now five friends who decided to continue to organise the Wigan Exhibition after the former Wigan Club disbanded, we simply cannot afford to make a loss. Therefore this coming exhibition is very significant. The debriefing meeting after the exhibition may prove to be historic. If you are wondering how five people manage what is quite a large show on their own, (we are indeed not superhuman) but are assisted by our colleagues from the Wirral and others who over the years have kept our enterprise afloat. Ultimately the continuation of the Wigan Exhibition will depend on the visitors through the door so I can only echo the previous post in asking for everyone's support. Edited July 28, 2022 by Eaton 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ardbealach Posted June 24, 2022 Share Posted June 24, 2022 Interesting comments from Eaton as a show organiser. I agree that in this post Covid world exhibitions have changed, not least that two years of continuity have been lost. Even now we are still not there to life pre-Covid. I am sure traders have reviewed there business model post-Covid. Where are the benefits for them now? If enough income can be generated on line why spend time loading their wares for a weekend away at a show - not least the swingeing increases in fuel costs - if it can all be done from home. And if the show is held in premises which are basically a Faraday Box and WIFI is not guaranteed,why would you bother with the possibility of the uncertainty of taking only reduced cash takings in an ever increasing cashless society. As a member of a group, with two award winning layouts, who love exhibiting layouts at exhibitions, we too have seen a change Post Covid. We are two years on from the start of the Lockdown. Some members of the group have now decided they haven't the stamina to go out on the exhibition trail. And we have yet to have new younger operators appearing over the horizon to take over the heavy lifting and the operating of handsets. Recently I did a cost comparison on travelling each day from home to exhibit our layouts compared with staying over, given that maybe exhibition managers may get a hotel discount in the larger number of guests to accommate us over the weekend. Fuel costs have hardened the economics to stay close by the exhibition in an hotel over the full weekend rather than for us having the daily travel to / from the show. However we have some of our operators who prefer not to have three, or even four nights away, from their homes. Visitors are attracted to shows to see layouts they haven't seen before. The days of trotting the same old local layouts each year at each show have now long gone. Our group have always taken the view that our layouts had to been seen in shows far from our clubroom base. How many layouts livingh at home south of say the M4 do we see north of Birmingham? And how many northern layouts are to be seen in Kent? Maybe a bit of "out of the box" thinking is required. Perhaps exhibition managers could organise a group of exhibitors from various model groups and clubs in say Newcastle, and then hire a large wagon to transport all the layouts to say Exeter, saving multiple van hire. All the exhibitors could travel together in a minibus or coach, saving car transport costs. The fact that Wigan have a number of layouts at the next Wigan Show from East Kilbride which the majority of NW England modellers will never have seen, can be only good. Well done Eaton! Maybe I should have put this rant on another "starter" posting? But Eaton has certainly opened the debate. (Alisdair) 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted June 24, 2022 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 24, 2022 Whilst not directly related to only this exhibition, but I think in the post covid world we're going to have to suck up the fact that we'll have to pay increased admission charges to cover the basic costs, no more relying on traders to subsidise us. Mike. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eaton Posted June 24, 2022 Author Share Posted June 24, 2022 Without substantial trade support you are looking at a huge increase in admission charges. I would estimate somewhere between 50% and 100%. Also good balanced trade support was always seen as an attraction to visitors. There is also the impact that reduced trade support has on Guidebook production. Trade Advertising is a significant factor in contributing to the cost of printing and publication. We must just wait and see but it is not a happy place to be. 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eaton Posted June 25, 2022 Author Share Posted June 25, 2022 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eaton Posted June 27, 2022 Author Share Posted June 27, 2022 (edited) A little bit of good news. Wigan Athletic are playing away from home on our exhibition weekend. The significance of this is, given that the DW Stadium is just across the road from our venue, is that car parking should be easier and the bar in the Sports Centre will be not as crowded. Edited June 27, 2022 by Eaton 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eaton Posted June 28, 2022 Author Share Posted June 28, 2022 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
APOLLO Posted June 28, 2022 Share Posted June 28, 2022 On 27/06/2022 at 10:15, Eaton said: A little bit of good news. Wigan Athletic are playing away from home on our exhibition weekend. The significance of this is, given that the DW Stadium is just across the road from our venue, is that car parking should be easier and the bar in the Sports Centre will be not as crowded. Will the huge car park at the side of the stadium be free for the duration of the exhibition ? I'll be walking there but I'm sure a free car park will attract more custom to the exhibition. Brit15 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eaton Posted June 29, 2022 Author Share Posted June 29, 2022 With Wigan FC playing away that car park would normally be free but very little is normal these days. Rest assured we will check it out nearer the time and make everybody aware of what is going on. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eaton Posted June 30, 2022 Author Share Posted June 30, 2022 With regards to Harlyn Pier, is that not a superb photograph? I speak from personal experience when I say that having your layout photographed is a daunting proposition as the camera can be very unforgiving. Focusing in on details that are not normally seen at close range but usually viewed from two of three feet away can highlight previously unnoticed flaws. Not so in this photograph, the detail is exceptional, the weathered stonework, the van in the distance with the door open for loading, the worn timber stanchion in the foreground and have you ever seen mud better modeled! Have you noticed how the stonework on the steps is graded in colour to reflect the receding waterline. I also like the colour consistency, everything is toned down, yes there is colour but nothing shouts at you. One thing is certain, the builder has an eye for observational detail, and I think this is one of those layouts that rewards prolonged and careful looking. It is a truism that the longer you look the more you see. I feel this will truly be the case with Harlyn Pier and I can't wait to see the real thing. Just my kind of layout!!! 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eaton Posted July 1, 2022 Author Share Posted July 1, 2022 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eaton Posted July 5, 2022 Author Share Posted July 5, 2022 (edited) Edited July 12, 2022 by Eaton 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eaton Posted July 9, 2022 Author Share Posted July 9, 2022 (edited) UPDATED LAYOUT LIST ALLOA OO Scottish Regional Study Group 1950 / 1960 Central Scotland 31ft x 12ft ALSTON N Newcastle & District M.R.S. B.R. 1957 to 1966 5ft x 1.6ft APPLEDORE OO Bob Hawes, Warrington B.R. (S) North Devon 18ft x 2ft BEWDLEY OO Wirral & North Wales M.R.C. Bewdley Station in the 1960's 18ft x 8.6ft BRYNCRUG Sidings 7mm/NG Andy Biggs, Preston Talyllyn Railway in the 1940's. 6ft x 2ft CARROWBEG OO Ian Mulroy, Poulton-le-Fylde Irish Railways, Westport, Co. Mayo 1980 to 2010 24ft x 10ft CASTLE CAEREINION OO9 Martyn Harrison, Scottish Borders North Wales Narrow Gauge 8ft x 1ft CHAPEL-EN-LE-FRITH OO Leeds M.R.S. Barry Oliver 1955/61 B.R. in the Peak District 30ft x 15ft CHARWELTON INTO THE 1980's OO CBM Diesel Group B.R. 1980's in the Midlands 37ft x 11ft CLAIRMONT OLD QUAY ONG Ian Shulver, Southport M.R.S. Mineral Line in the North Midlands 8.6ft x 1.6ft COLONIAL TURTLE BAY OO9 Rob Rossington, Huyton 12ft x 2ft DALLAM N Simon Fenton, Wigan FRM 2001 Virgin, Freightliner, EWS in the Warrington Area 20ft x 3.6ft DYNA HYFRYD N Les Nehrlich, Preston & District M.R.S. Post Privatisation 1995 to Date 30ft x 14ft EASTWOOD P4 Ray Hodson, South Hants M.R.C. Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway 1895 to 1922 32ft x 12ft ESTATE RAILWAY QUAY 7mm Ng Colin Oldfield, Rainhill M.R.c. Pioneering Estate Railway of the early 1800's. 5ft x 1ft GLEBE LANE O Ian Futers, Norfolk Late 1970's to early 1980's in Central Scotland 14ft x 6ft GREAT ENDON OO Jeremy Davison, Preston Northern Rail in Lancashire 1995 to present day. 18ft x 8.6ft HARLYN PIER O Peter Beckle,y West Sussex B.R. (SR) in North Cornwall 23ft x 2.6ft HOPE UNDER DINMORE EM David Bridges, South Hants M.R.C. LNWR/GWR Joint on Shrewsbury to Hereford Line 1904 / 1922 20ft x 11.6ft JAMES STREET N Steve Wright, Essex 1955 / 1966 B.R. Midland and Eastern Trains 22ft x 13ft MORDAUNT STREET O Bill Campbell East Kilbride M.R.C. B.R. South East Glasgow 21.6ft x 2.6ft NEW SHARON On2 Bob Harper, Sale Maine (USA) 2ft Narrow Gauge 25ft x 9ft NEWBURY MILLS OO Eric Robinson, Blackburn & East Lancs M.R.S. B.R. 1960/70 in Lancashire 16ft x 4ft NEWCHAPEL JUNCTION O Steve Wilkins S.R. & G.W.R. in the Yeovil area. 55ft x 23ft NEW MILLS N David Forshaw, Ormskirk 1990 / 1992 West Coast Mainline in Carnforth Area. 24ft x 9ft NORTH BALLACHULISH EM Andy Cooper, Rochdale 1970/71 West Highlands of Scotland 16ft x 9ft OLD OAK YARD OO Gn15 Colin Hayes, Preston 15-inch Heywood Estate Railway in the North West PAYNTERS GREEN O Nick Rapkin & Mike Taylor (RIP) Blackpool & North Fylde M.R.C. L.N.E.R. & L.M.S. in the East Midlands 18ft x 3ft PRESCOT AGGREGATES OO9 Society Built by our late friend Roger Christian This is a Free Lance OO9 layout 4ft x 2ft PURGATORY PEAK On30 Macclesfield M.R.C. Shaun Horrocks Mining in Colorado, with the Denver & Rio Grande R & R in the 1930,s 32ft x 10ft SHIREBROOK N Duncan & Janet Hunnisett, West Yorkshire 1980 / 93 B.R. Eastern Region in the Derbyshire & Nottinghamshire coalfields 21ft x 7.6ft SMETHURST JUNCTION OO Hazel Grove & District M.R.S. Steve Holmes 1990's to the present in North Manchester 25ft x 2ft STANLEY JUNCTION N East Kilbride M.R.C. Jeff Hawkins B.R. Perth area of East Scotland 20ft x 4ft TUNLEY MARSH N Warrington M.R.C. Chris Tungate Late 1950's Western Region 8.6ft x 1.6ft ULAVRY STRAND HOe Charlie Insley, Macclesfield Southern Sweden on the shore of Lake Vattern 4ftx 2ft YARD No. 2 P4 David Barrett, Western-Super- Mare GWR/LNER/BR Branchline / small goods yard in the London Area 13ft x 1.6ft 36 Layouts on the list instead of the original 30. Edited September 27, 2022 by Eaton 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eaton Posted July 10, 2022 Author Share Posted July 10, 2022 (edited) THE TRADERS LIST FOR THE 2022 EXHIBITION Artmaster Ltd (Brushes4Models) Bill Hudson Books D C Kits Digitrains Ltd. Dingo Servo Mounts Durham Trains of Stanley EBMA Hobby & Craft Nick Tozer Railway Books Holder Collectables International Railway Master Index JAVmar JS Models LCUT Creative Leigh Models & Hobbies LOCO Fleet Shop Made in Manchester Pennine Models Powerbond Glue RAIL stuff Enwins 3D Models Road Transport Images Sweets of Yesteryear Ten Commandments The Junction Box TTCDiecast.com Vintage Prints Elecra Rail C & L Track Systems Edited September 27, 2022 by Eaton 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eaton Posted July 13, 2022 Author Share Posted July 13, 2022 Another set of photographs from the layout list. This one a OO example. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eaton Posted July 14, 2022 Author Share Posted July 14, 2022 With regards to the additions to the original layout list we are greatly indebted to the Merseyside & South West Lancashire Group of the OO9 Society for providing five of the layouts and to Warrington Model Railway Club who gave us the sixth. Many Thanks!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eaton Posted July 18, 2022 Author Share Posted July 18, 2022 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eaton Posted July 20, 2022 Author Share Posted July 20, 2022 Please note I have updated the layout list giving a few more details and the layout sizes. Anyone interested in purchasing Advance Tickets can now obtain them via our website at www,wiganfrm.org.uk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold 5BarVT Posted July 22, 2022 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 22, 2022 On 20/07/2022 at 11:18, Eaton said: Please note I have updated the layout list giving a few more details and the layout sizes. Anyone interested in purchasing Advance Tickets can now obtain them via our website at www,wiganfrm.org.uk Thank you, ticket purchased. Some brilliant layouts, really looking forward to it. Some interesting layout dimensions e.g 12’ 7.2” :-) Paul. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SP Steve Posted July 23, 2022 Share Posted July 23, 2022 On 20/07/2022 at 11:18, Eaton said: Please note I have updated the layout list giving a few more details and the layout sizes. Anyone interested in purchasing Advance Tickets can now obtain them via our website at www,wiganfrm.org.uk Hopefully Eaton won't mind but for those interested in advance tickets then they can be purchased by following the link below: https://www.wiganfrm.org.uk/product/Expo2022/2?cp=true&sa=true&sbp=false&q=false Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eaton Posted July 25, 2022 Author Share Posted July 25, 2022 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eaton Posted July 30, 2022 Author Share Posted July 30, 2022 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ardbealach Posted July 31, 2022 Share Posted July 31, 2022 Looking forward to catching up with all the Wigan regulars . Three images of Bewdley courtesy of Andy York. (Alisdair) 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold 5BarVT Posted July 31, 2022 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 31, 2022 30 minutes ago, ardbealach said: Looking forward to catching up with all the Wigan regulars . Three images of Bewdley courtesy of Andy York. (Alisdair) Will you be operating Bewdley? I’ll be there on Sat and will try to remember to make myself known. Paul. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ardbealach Posted August 1, 2022 Share Posted August 1, 2022 21 hours ago, 5BarVT said: Will you be operating Bewdley? I’ll be there on Sat and will try to remember to make myself known. Paul. Yes will be there. You cannot miss the team. We will be wearing our blue shirts with our names embroidered on the pocket. And wearing our bow ties as well. So you shouldn't miss us! Look forward to meeting you. (Alisdair) 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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