Abingdon and District MRC 50 Years - ABRAIL 24 - 2nd/3rd March

[C126]

7 hours ago, The Stationmaster said:

No cakes and a limited selection of foodstuffs on offer

 

Sorry to read this.  I was going to compliment the venue on the wide selection of reasonably-priced cakes and drinks.  Brownies, chocolate crunch slab, lemon short-bread(?), and more.  But with the constant queue at the counter, I ate at mid-day Saturday.

 

 

[C126]

Please may I add my thanks to all concerned for the show.  My 'search strategy' needed adapting to the venue - the corridors were very crowded at times - compared to a single, open venue (like the Sports Hall), but I saw all I wished, and did not get lost too often.

 

I was struck by the huge range of layouts and their high quality.  I hope visitors were inspired by at least one to join the hobby if not modelling already.  Also, the 'N' gauge layouts were wonderful: very impressive what can be done in such a small scale to-day.

 

Look forward to visiting next year, and it made up for being unable to get to Ally Pally in a couple of weeks.  Many thanks to you all.  Have you considered doing a larger event in a few years, perhaps at a National Exhibition Centre a little further north...?

 

 

[The Stationmaster]

1 hour ago, C126 said:

 

Look forward to visiting next year, and it made up for being unable to get to Ally Pally in a couple of weeks.  Many thanks to you all.  Have you considered doing a larger event in a few years, perhaps at a National Exhibition Centre a little further north...?

 

 

While the venue was 'quirky' by what we tend to think of as the norm for local shows it had plenty of free parking, plus an overflow car park, and was easily accessible by car (perhaps not so by public transport?).    In numerous respects it is a far better venue than the one they had used for many years in the past which, although more like the 'normal' sort of venue for a local show, always had significant parking problems.  And talking to several layout owners they were very happy with the benefits during set-up of the 'individual room' layout as it gave them more space to work than usual.

 

As what has for many years has been the one of the club's local shows (both of which I have regularly attended in the past) I'd definitely not like to see it moved away from their base or from our part of the country.  It was very well staffed by universally friendly and helpful club members and it would probably lose that strong local element if it was moved to any distant (from the immediate area) venue.    The NEC is presumably massively more expensive than most other venues which would impact on what we thought was excellent value money at this show; it cost a tad less for two of us to get into this show than it did for just me at Warley last year  (for various reasons I rarely buy tickets in advance).

 

In more general terms while we do fairly well for local shows within reasonable travelling distance, i.e. less than c.1 hour to get there by car or readily accessible by comfortable public transport without a long journey time, I would hate to lose any more of them following the changes enforced on Wycrail.   'Warley' (as a 'national' club show on a very large scale) and no doubt its successor as a Warners 'National Festival' show are very different from the sort of show most local clubs can organise and afford.   The sheer basic costs, organising and staffing effort required, as well as the financial risk and insurance costs etc, are all in a totally different league from those of a local show; as are the resultant ticket prices.

[Penlan]

16 hours ago, Gilbert said:

My photos of some of the excellent layouts on show. My congratulations to the layout booker! Click on the pawnbroker (shop) for the album...  and I was not able to get photographs of every layout...

'the album.'. Phew, that's a lot.
'... I was not able to get photographs of every layout..'. Unfortunately.
Excellent set of photo's over 2 pages, thankyou.

[C126]

@The Stationmaster Sorry; my reply of great wit and superlative erudition has just vanished in a browser crash, but what I meant was a tongue-in-cheek compliment in that the exhibition felt so broad in interest and well run I hoped something bigger could be undertaken.  But we have seen how much work Warley took, so I think we can be happy with what we had this year.  Thanks to the young steward who was happy to escort me to the Sports Hall with my usual lack of direction.  Much appreciated.

 

May I just advertise the public transport ease of access: X2 or X3 'bus from Oxford town centre (St Aldate's southwards) every ten mins., 25 min. journey, and a 12-15 min. walk up Bath-st from Abingdon town centre to the college.  £2 each way, and a double-decker to enjoy the views.

 

And I saw a shop with 'that type-face' on my way there:

 

 

The left-hand bay had it in raised letters, but it was hidden by the awning.

 

 

Edited March 3 by C126

[Ian G]

Good show lots of very good layouts, but didnt think much of the trade stands

 

Ian G

[Gook the Goblin]

Very enjoyable show with some great layouts. We'll done to the organisers.

 

Nigel

[Modelrailwayquest]

20 hours ago, The Stationmaster said:

What a superb show - probably one of the best collections of top quality layouts I have ever come across at a single show (including some of the 'really big national shows').  As my daughter said (several times) it was a show where there were numerous 'best in show' layouts to choose from.   Shame about the fire alarm this afternoon (Saturday) but one advantage was that if you got back in quickly you could chose your spot at some of the busier layouts where the aisles were rather too narrow!

 

The arrangement of the exhibition was obviously dictated by the spaces available but one you got used to finding your way around and made sure that you kept on looking in every doorway as you came to it we didn't miss any layouts.  In fact the one or two layouts to a separate room worked out to be quite a good arrangement provided the room was crowded - far better than narrow aisles that you get at many shows.  As ever great to meet and chat with various folk we know and see some of the developments on various layouts.

 

The drawbacks?  No cakes and a limited selection of foodstuffs on offer - needs some thought for next year maybe?   The arrangement of layouts in the sports hall seemed a bit hit & miss with narrow aisles in some places and huge gaps in others - maybe the floor plan needs some thought for next year?   Possibly clearer detail in the guidebook re smaller rooms etc but I can see the possible difficulties in doing that.  Incidentally the guidebook is of superb quality - one of the very best I have ever seen given away at a club show.

 

One unusual feature was the relatively limited trade presence and I hope that doesn't affect the viability of the show, especially with what both daughter and I said had a reasonably priced entrance fee to see the layouts in just one of the several buildings used for the show.

 

Good to read that they'll be at the same venue for another two day event next year.  And I hope that it will, as we saw today, also appeal to families with younger children.

 

PS having one rebuilt eye and one unrebuilt eye I found that if I used the unrebuilt one on its own I could actually see some hints of colour in parts of the delightful 'Brief Encounters' layout!!

It was great to meet you at the show Mike! 

[The Stationmaster]

12 hours ago, Modelrailwayquest said:

It was great to meet you at the show Mike! 

Thanks.

 

It was fascinating to see the layout - a very original and clever idea really well executed.  And definitely one of those smaller layouts that benefitted from carefully checking every room with an open door in that building as there were some other real gems over there.

[David Bigcheeseplant]

I went to the show on Saturday, I planned to do Parkrun before in Abingdon (as I wanted to get a nice sweaty smell on me walking round the show) but that was cancelled as well as Didcot, Harcott Hill and Bicester all due to flooding.

 

In my option the venue was not the best but I have never been a fan of colleges or schools for exhibitions. There being quite a few pinch points. There were some nice layouts although I  hate to think what the layout expenses/accommodation costs would be for the 40 layouts, as there was not too much trade to offset the costs. 

 

I thought the trade was disappointing and didn't have much of the small supplier type I normally use.

 

Having brought a ticket in one building there was no one checking tickets when I walked into the two other buildings so if I had wished probably could have seen two thirds of the show without paying. 

 

It was nice chatting to Dawn Quest plus I caught up with other friends for lunch. 

 

The photo of Clarringdon on the cover of the programme was out of focus which I thought was a bit odd, also the flyer was a bit uninspiring with Rapido text phots of a unpainted 15XX rather than photos of one of the layouts attending. 

 

All in all a good show but I think the balance of trade and layout could be improved plus the setting out of the exhibits in the show to create a better flow. With a new venue and going to days there will always be things not foreseen.

 

David

[dasatcopthorne]

Well!

 

I've been to a good few shows over the years ( I'm 76) all around the country and this has to have had possibly the best ever selection of layouts gathered together in one place.

 

Everyone a top class attraction. They may not have all been to my taste but I can appreciate a good layout whatever it's about

 

Yes, the venue isn't perfect  both for exhibitors and customers alike but this was far outweighed by the choice of layouts.

The show was heaving most of Saturday and Sunday until about 2pm. I heard that the caterers had difficulty keeping up with demand.

 

I understand that they have booked next year for two days agian and I'm now wondering how they will repeat the quality.

 

Next year,  please find more corners for a variety of traders obviously missing from this year.

 

All the best.

 

Dave.

[Geep7]

Had a fantastic day yesterday at the exhibition. Very rare for me to spend almost the whole day at a show these days, except as an exhibitor. Tbh, if the quality is repeated next year, I think there could be scope for offering a 2-day ticket.

 

As has been said, the quality of layouts this year was exceptionally high, and whilst I have my favourites, I won't single any of them out, as they were all outstanding, even if some weren't to my own particular taste / scale.

 

A very well done to the organisers for a great first time 2-day show at a new venue. Very brave, and i'm sure lessons will be learnt.

[MrTea]

I spent an enjoyable 1/2 day at Abrail 24 yesterday, partly prompted by the positive comments in this thread.

 

I'd agree that the quality of layouts was good and I thought there was a great variety of layouts of all shapes, sizes and settings. I think the selection of different eras and geographic locations depicted will have appealed to the general public as well as the more serious railway modeller.

 

Here are a few images I took to give a flavour of the exhibits:

 

N gauge on an epic scale - James Street

(very much a system layout of almost baffling complexity)

 

Contemporary 00 set in Staffordshire - Whiteacres

 

Dual gauge Victoria, Australia - Broadford

(notable for the entire 20 foot+ fiddle yard traverser being mounted on wheels)

 

1930s trains in the landscape, 2mm Finescale - Drws Y Nant

 

Grimy 2000s China with lots of steam and diesel action - Beijao by @TEAMYAKIMA

 

A window into the world of York in the 1930s in 2mm FS - York
(it was worth a look round behind the scenes to see the complexity of the off-stage running lines)

 

A Swiss mountain excursion in HOm - Bergellerbahn

 

Edited March 5 by MrTea
Typo

[Modelrailwayquest]

Video of show and most of the 40 layouts, enjoy!

 

 

 

[MattTovey]

I wouldn't normally travel such a distance to a show from Essex but the layout list convinced me plus I get free travel to as far as Reading where I met a mate and we drove rest of way. I my opinion overall a great show layout wise  but which due to certain aspects many out of control of the club, won't be overcome for future shows unless one change is made - the venue. 

 

Positives

 

The quality and number of layouts was 1st class and lots of continuous movement  and scales (no 009 but I think that more to do with a layout cancelling)

Loved the idea of the talks, although I didn't get to sit in on any as lots to see in the expansive venue

It was worth the £12 entry fee due to the amount of layouts

Great to see what looked like so many non traditional model rail fans, ie instead lots of families at the show

Good catering and lots of parking although full but not the fault of the show and saw people having a go at stewards for something which is the problem of the visitor, get there earlier before everyone else does if you want a space without waiting. 

I saw Museum of Transport for first time and it made me laugh and gasp in pleasure and a great surprise, I loved it!

 

Negatives

The venue is completely wrong in my opinion for the huge number of visitors.  It has been mentioned before but Health and Safety seemed to take second fiddle to cramming in as many layouts as possible.

I saw one lady trip over a the crocodile parking ramp, which was the only way to get across the road from venue areas, no warning sign it is is a a non standard ramp on the outer side where people where entering.

During a fire evacuation, the main steward who despite being dressed in all the safety gear, radios and bits of kit and body amour had what seemed a mini meltdown and just stood there and didn't know what to do, instead a layout operator took over and in a loud voice told everyone to evacuate, only then to have everyone just standing outside on a exit car park area with no stewards or staff to get them away from an active road area.  Do they not have event risk matrix procedures in place? More money spent on training and less on bullet proof jackets for your stewards please!

Layouts like Moors View which will get lots of attention was pushed into one corner of a small room where if you wanted to see it, you stopped people browsing on one of the few trade stands at the show as they shared the same small viewing space.

I know in their show video, the presenter made fun of having layouts in a hospital ward, but why o why did they decide to put them there?

The events programme had no relevance to where or what was on show and gave no indication as to what was where and even how to get to areas and had many mistakes and very small fonts. . The main hall which had all the big layouts, pure guess work where it is and then when there, surely that little door in the side can't be the entrance, oh it is!  Pity no one there to guide everyone.  

I actually told a layout that I hoped they will be best in show (Museum of Transport) and was told that had already been decided. This 45 mins after the start of the show, so how can best in show be decided even before the show starts, surely some layouts wont even be fully operational yet. BTW the winner, also I liked, but I still think it should have gone to Museum of Transport.

The Trade - lack of it.  I think I noticed so many non modeller types ie families as there was only limited trade support and with this in mind, they restricted the attraction to modellers willing to spend. 

I  think due to sheer numbers attending, they will repeat same format as it obviously works commercially, however the customer experience and safety of customers does need to be looked at. 

Will I go again, if in the area Yes, as love model railways but it wont be a nice experience and next year, if in area, might opt for a Swindon instead as an alternative. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Southernfrance]

As one of the James Street team I was also very surprised to see a guy waving a trophy around to give to us before midday on Saturday. It seems it was awarded on the Mayors choice, and he came first thing on Saturday. We much prefer public votes as they are the only ones that truly represent what the paying punters like. Surely that's also helpful for the club as it should help with future layout choices. I would guess that most Mayors aren't railway modellers.

 

Dave