Bristol Model Railway Exhibition, 28-30th April 2023

[bmthtrains - David]

Some lovely looking layouts, although I hadn’t realised it was a nautically themed exhibition… ⚓️

[franciswilliamwebb]

2 hours ago, Bristol_Rich said:

Also it’s evidently a dog walking field so watch your feet…

 

 

So, any complaints about lack of seating will be met with cries of "there were plenty of stools outside!" 😉

[Merlot]

Well worth the 300mile round trip from Manchester! 

 

[AY Mod]

50 minutes ago, bmthtrains - David said:

 I hadn’t realised it was a nautically themed exhibition… ⚓

 

@Phil Parker likes boats; more than trains. Clyde puffers before chuffers.

[Gilbert]

A few photos from Friday - I'll be back again tomorrow - I am mainly there helping with Bunkers Lane but did get to a few layouts..click on the photo for a link to the album..

 

[rogerzilla]

Coppell was amazing due to the length of the trains and the OLE.

 

Copenhagen Fields is absolutely huge and a rather unusual shape - not easy to reach a derailed train, I imagine!

[Gilbert]

5 minutes ago, rogerzilla said:

Coppell was amazing due to the length of the trains and the OLE.

 

Copenhagen Fields is absolutely huge and a rather unusual shape - not easy to reach a derailed train, I imagine!

I don't think the trains on CF are allowed to derail....

[rodent279]

Few photos from today. Many excellent layouts, I didn't take many photos  though.

Copenhagen Fields is very impressive.

 

I especially like the tube station.

 

Coppell was very realistic. From some angles, it really feels like you're right next to the WCML.

 

There was a really impressive broad gauge layout, whose name I forget. Handbuilt baulk road, most stock scratchbuilt. Feltham MPD was also very good, really capturing the atmosphere of a rundown steam shed towards the end.

 

But the star of the show for me was Bunkers Lane.

Although not a faithful reproduction of the real Leighton Buzzard Narrow Gauge Railway (Southcourt Ave, Himley Green & Bunkers Lane are all in Linslade, on the other side of the WCML), again, the stock and the setting really captures the scene. I grew up in Linslade, had school friends in Himley Green & Southcourt Ave, so it really meant something to me. The prototype for the block of flats in the first photo is next to the WCML, at the end of Waterloo Rd-our house was on Waterloo Rd, 1min walk away, so I could really relate to it.

[brightspark]

Blue diesel on Swaynton for you.

 

Also there is a bus stop right outside the venue.

 

😁

 

[Michael Hodgson]

5 hours ago, Gilbert said:

I don't think the trains on CF are allowed to derail....

Well I saw one that derailed and lost the last two wagons of a NLR train..

Fortunately it was only a few inches from the nearest operator, so no problem to recover them before something else struck it.

[rogerzilla]

The guy leaning against the wall (behind the orange car) on Bunkers Lane is definitely up to something.

Edited April 29, 2023 by rogerzilla

[Phil Parker]

Is Keith there? 

 

 

[Penlan]

On 29/04/2023 at 11:05, Merlot said:

Well worth the 300mile round trip from Manchester! 

Agreed, even with my 400 mile round trip from Penzance.  'A Grand Day Out'.
(And both places, Bristol & Penzance, are deemed to be in the West Country). 
 

Edited April 30, 2023 by Penlan

[Gilbert]

On 29/04/2023 at 12:41, Gilbert said:

A few photos from Friday - I'll be back again tomorrow - I am mainly there helping with Bunkers Lane but did get to a few layouts..click on the photo for a link to the album..

 

 

I've updated the album..

 

[Chris Chewter]

I managed to splice together a video from the footage I collected earlier today. I thought it might be useful if you weren't able to attend:

 

 

[Gilbert]

On 29/04/2023 at 13:03, rogerzilla said:

Coppell was amazing due to the length of the trains and the OLE.

 

Copenhagen Fields is absolutely huge and a rather unusual shape - not easy to reach a derailed train, I imagine!

Two of my favourite layouts - and not just at the Bristol Show...

[Jonboy]

I attended this show and have to say I felt the layout choices were less inspiring than last year. Each layout was very very good in its own right but there seems to be a focus on large space filling layouts, whereas last year had a better mix of small, medium and large.

I personally find this less inspiring as often the small layouts have a higher concentration of small details that draw the attention.

 

The show team were very welcoming and the venue is well chosen as accessible and clean/tidy with reasonable catering.

[Re6/6]

A very enjoyable visit was had by the three of the 'Balcombe' team (10800, Brinkly and me)

 

Layouts of a high quality were on show.

 

Copenhagen Fields is a miniature masterpiece all the more so for its age. I particularly liked 'Coppell' with its superbly fine OHLE with 'pans up' running.

 

In 2025 we'll be bringing 'Ouse Valley Viaduct'. Greatly looking forward to that!

 

 

[rodent279]

At a completely un-scientific guess, I'd say parts suppliers were outnumbered by "box shifters" by about 5:1. That said, a lot of detailing parts were available from 3rd party retailers, and I did see a good range of unmade kits on a couple of stalls - nothing that tempted me though.  I got 80% of my shopping list items ticked off.

[Not Jeremy]

A thoroughly enjoyable weekend was had at Bristol courtesy of Warners and the Association.

 

I attended with my bijou boutique of books and Jerry Clifford, and considering how little I took, we took quite a lot!

 

 

Obviously opinions differ and we all have our own preferences, one comment that amused me was a trader asserting that their takings had been adversely affected by the entrance price daring to be as high as £12.00. You should have seen his prices....

 

For the size of show and the quality of the layouts on display, not to mention all those lovely retail opportunities, the entrance price represents terrific value.

 

By all accounts, without Warners involvement there simply would be no Wales and West show, which would be a huge pity given the show’s fantastic history and pedigree. Hopefully it will now continue in to the future, showcasing both the hobby and West of England clubs. If you think you can make it better - then get involved!

 

So thank you again to all involved in putting this show on, very much appreciated by me.

 

For what it’s worth I didn’t spot any BR blue(!!)

 

 

 

Simon

Edited May 1, 2023 by Not Jeremy
Smaller sized image file

[Phil Parker]

6 hours ago, rodent279 said:

At a completely un-scientific guess, I'd say parts suppliers were outnumbered by "box shifters" by about 5:1. That said, a lot of detailing parts were available from 3rd party retailers, and I did see a good range of unmade kits on a couple of stalls - nothing that tempted me though.  I got 80% of my shopping list items ticked off.

 

A lot depends on how you define "box shifter". Does Cheltenham Model Centre count? Almost certainly, but they also sell many materials and parts too.

 

Any ratio also represents the changes in the hobby over the years. People visiting general shows simply don't buy detailing parts any more - the RTR is detailed enough that except for specialised models, you aren't chopping bits away and replacing them.

 

Those kits you didn't buy, contain a good example. There's a D&S Wisbech tram with a price of £75 that I've seen at at least 3 shows. Once upon a time, it would have been snapped up, but now you can get a RTR model, it's touring the country, looking for a new home. And as I have 2 in the stash, I'm not giving it one.

[Phil Parker]

1 hour ago, Not Jeremy said:

Obviously opinions differ and we all have our own preferences, one comment that amused me was a trader asserting that their takings had been adversely affected by the entrance price daring to be as high as £12.00. You should have seen his prices....

 

I'll pass this on. No reason the entrance fee can't be 50p if the trade stand fees are raised to compensate. Or isn't this what he means? 😉

[Barry Ten]

I enjoyed it a lot. I've been going to the Bristol show since around 2008 but I must admit I stopped going somewhere in the 2010s, when I felt that the number of good layouts wasn't enough to justify the journey, with a lot of fairly uninspiring exhibits and some looking quite tatty, as if they only got dragged out of the club room to fill some floor space. I started going back again around the time the third hall opened, and I'd say the show has been consistently improving since then, with more than enough to make me feel 12 pounds was well spent. This year there were some very good exhibits, and while I'd appreciate a bit more in the way of specialist trade support, I understand the factors behind the current balance. I spent about 3 1/2 hours there but could happily have lingered a bit longer.

[kipford]

We had a great time it was a nice show, despite me dropping a Class 66 on the floor and destroying the motor, I was not a happy bunny at that point. Will be back next year though with the SHMRC's Hope-under-Dinmore.

[rodent279]

I got in for free with RMWeb gold subs, but spent nearly 4 times the entrance fee in there. Worth the £12 I think.