gazzaday Posted January 13 Share Posted January 13 (edited) RAILEX 2024 25th & 26th May 2024 Stoke Mandeville Stadium Stadium Approach Aylesbury Buckinghamshire HP21 9PP www.railex.org.uk R&DMRC Facebook Railex 2024 Saturday 10.00-17.30 Sunday 10.00-16.30 Layouts Attending: 7mm Scale Alexandra Sidings - 1970s Blue Diesel parcels operation, based in NW England Midland in Tewkesbury - Midland Railway C1907 4mm Scale Brighton East - Circa 2000 Southern Region 3rd Rail. Canada Street - BR Docklands shunting yard 1960-1979 Lowburn Park - North Eastern Railway, period about 1910 Market Bosworth - Period - 1908. Market Bosworth station and goods yard. Ashby & Nuneaton Joint Railway (MR and LNWR) Mostyn - BR North Wales Coast main line in Summer 1977 Trerice - China Clay working 2mm Scale Exchange Sidings - Early Manchester-Sheffield-Wath (Woodhead Line) electrics and steam locomotives. Fictional set of steam/electric loco exchange sidings. James Street - BR steam & green diesels Lighterman’s Yard - South East London in the late 1950's early 1960s HO Scale Beijiao - Accurate depiction of China In 2001 Pottendorf - DB - West Germany Era 3 / 4 (1950’s/60’s) Traders 247 Developments Alan Gibson Artmaster (Brushes for models) Bill Hudson Books Cambrian Model Rail C&L Finescale Cheltenham Model Centre CSP Models Dart Castings DE Video/Legomanbiffo Dingo Servo Mounts Golden Arrow Productions Intentio Isinglass Models Judith Edge Kits London Road Models Minerva Model Railways PenBits Model Railways Petite Properties Prickley Pear Products Roger Carpenter Photographs Roxey Mouldings Severn Models Squires/South Eastern Finecast/Greenscene Stoneybridge Structures Sunningwell Command Control Ltd: Digitrax Soundtraxx Tim Horn Lasercut Baseboards Demonstrations/Societies The 2mm Scale Association Gauge O Guild Missenden Abbey Railway Modellers Paul Bambrick Dioramas & Backscenes Pendon Museum Scalefour Society The Scale Seven Group Edited April 5 by gazzaday Additional Traders added 9 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Gilbert Posted January 13 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 13 What a cracking line up.... 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Oldddudders Posted January 13 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 13 1 minute ago, Gilbert said: What a cracking line up.... No change there! 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete the Elaner Posted January 13 Share Posted January 13 48 minutes ago, Oldddudders said: No change there! True. Always a good show. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Siberian Snooper Posted January 13 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 13 In the diary, I now have to work out the logistics. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold bcnPete Posted January 13 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 13 Fab line up - always a great show... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Nile Posted January 13 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 13 Some good news at last. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkSG Posted January 13 Share Posted January 13 Is it going to be in the bowls hall again this year, or are you back in the main hall? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazzaday Posted January 13 Author Share Posted January 13 33 minutes ago, MarkSG said: Is it going to be in the bowls hall again this year, or are you back in the main hall? Yes, it is in the Bowls Hall again. Unfortunately, we could not get the Main Hall, as the stadium were concerned about damaging the new floor. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mozzer models Posted January 13 Share Posted January 13 2 hours ago, gazzaday said: Yes, it is in the Bowls Hall again. Unfortunately, we could not get the Main Hall, as the stadium were concerned about damaging the new floor. what is been done about the Heat as last year it was way to hot as a trader we could not take a brake to recover i may have to think about atteding if notting is been done 2 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkSG Posted January 13 Share Posted January 13 4 hours ago, gazzaday said: Yes, it is in the Bowls Hall again. Unfortunately, we could not get the Main Hall, as the stadium were concerned about damaging the new floor. OK, thanks. That's a bit disappointing, to be honest. I appreciate that it's beyond your control and it's too late to do anything about it now for this year. But if the stadium is going to continue being unhelpful, then maybe the time has come to look at a new venue altogether for 2025. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazzaday Posted January 14 Author Share Posted January 14 16 hours ago, mozzer models said: what is been done about the Heat as last year it was way to hot as a trader we could not take a brake to recover i may have to think about atteding if notting is been done We too share your concerns about potential heat issues. We are working with the Stadium to ensure that ventilation system is operational in the event of hot weather. 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazzaday Posted January 14 Author Share Posted January 14 13 hours ago, MarkSG said: OK, thanks. That's a bit disappointing, to be honest. I appreciate that it's beyond your control and it's too late to do anything about it now for this year. But if the stadium is going to continue being unhelpful, then maybe the time has come to look at a new venue altogether for 2025. We have looked locally to source alternative venues of comparable size and competitive cost, but to no avail thus far. If anyone has any suggestions, we will gladly investigate. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Nelson Posted January 21 Share Posted January 21 The bowling hall actually has some advantages. The raised outer walkway makes it’s easier to see the layouts around the edge of the hall. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jol Wilkinson Posted January 25 Share Posted January 25 Having attended as a trader's assistant for a number of years, I found the Bowls Hall a poor substitute for the main hall last year. This seems to be another example of a sports venue failing to respect the value of one of its regular customers. 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Gilbert Posted January 25 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 25 2 minutes ago, Jol Wilkinson said: Having attended as a trader's assistant for a number of years, I found the Bowls Hall a poor substitute for the main hall last year. This seems to be another example of a sports venue failing to respect the value of one of its regular customers. If its that or nothing I know what I'd go for....well done to the organisers for perservering... Chris H 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robertcwp Posted February 2 Share Posted February 2 On 25/01/2024 at 20:59, Gilbert said: If its that or nothing I know what I'd go for....well done to the organisers for perservering... Chris H I agree. I would rather the show were in the bowls hall than not have it at all. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RANGERS Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 3 hours ago, robertcwp said: I agree. I would rather the show were in the bowls hall than not have it at all. Generally, I’d agree but the heat last year made it almost unbearable in there and caused us to shorten our visit significantly. If similar conditions prevail this year then we probably wouldn't go, the time we were able to spend at the show didn’t justify the 200+ mile round trip. I can understand the reluctance of traders, even exhibitors, to commit when they risk having to endure that kind of heat for a couple of days. Hopefully the ventilation system will be able to maintain a more comfortable environment for them, it’s still a key show on the calendar and it would be a real shame if it was another one that was lost for the want of a suitable venue. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkSG Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 9 hours ago, RANGERS said: Generally, I’d agree but the heat last year made it almost unbearable in there and caused us to shorten our visit significantly. If similar conditions prevail this year then we probably wouldn't go, the time we were able to spend at the show didn’t justify the 200+ mile round trip. Yes, I feel much the same. I don't want this to come across as critical of the organisers, because I know this situation isn't of their making and they're still doing their best to put on a great show in less than ideal circumstances. But the reality is that the bowls hall isn't as good a venue as the sports hall, not just because of the heat but also because it's smaller. One of the things I like about Railex is that it's always gone for quality over quantity, so the show doesn't feel cramped and you can spend plenty of time at each layout and still see them all, making for a good day out. But the bowls hall loses that, it feels cramped, so you feel less like lingering longer over the layouts. And even with the organisers' best efforts there have to be fewer layouts present. So it doesn't feel like a "whole day" show in that environment - last year, we ended up leaving a good two or three hours earlier than previously, because we just felt that we'd done everything in that time. But if I'm not going to spend all day there, then Aylesbury is a bit too far to justify the travel time. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grovenor Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 Y'all do your best now to discourage people from visiting. It's still going to be a good show and worth a visit. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Gilbert Posted February 3 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 3 5 minutes ago, Grovenor said: It's still going to be a good show and worth a visit. and let's hope the organisers continue their good work. .... I was there for a whole day in 2023 on a stand and although I enjoyed my al fresco lunch it was tolerable all day at least visitors had the option of popping out to enjoy the late Spring sunshine - however in view of the prevailing conditions at the time I did wear shorts....as I do to Railwells (and quite a few the venues these days) whatever the weather forecast..... My Railex 2023 album is here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/103471893@N02/albums/72177720308616327/ Chris H 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazzaday Posted February 5 Author Share Posted February 5 There have been a number of comments on this post regarding the proposed venue for this year's Railex. While the Bowl's Hall is not the Club's preferred first choice, in area, it is only slightly smaller than the Sports Hall. The issues last year caused by the hot weather have been taken on board and we are working with the Stadium to ensure that there is adequate ventilation in the event of hot weather. This is in addition to advising traders and layout owners regarding appropriate clothing and providing additional standalone electric fans to make the event more comfortable. And to be absolutely clear - there are no alternative affordable venues available. For next year we are hoping to be back in the Sports Hall if a cost-effective solution can be found to protecting the recently refurbished flooring. Whilst we welcome comments on this thread to improve the show, we sincerely request that this is not tempered with unfounded scaremongering about what may or may not happen. The confirmed layouts and traders for 2024 speak for themselves http://www.railex.org.uk. And, whilst we already have plenty of trader and layout owner confirmations for 2025, we are also aware of the need for continued support for this event from traders, layout owners and attendees alike. Without this support, Railex like Warley will no longer be a feature in the model railway calendar. Successive RMWeb surveys show that Railex is considered one of the best independent model railway shows in the country. Unlike other large shows, we do not have big trade names to support our event, for which the operating margins are narrow, and the effort put in by Club members is considerable. As far as this year is concerned, there will be a stellar line up of traders and quality layouts that you have come to expect from this event. We look forward to seeing you there. 7 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jol Wilkinson Posted February 5 Share Posted February 5 I have attended Railex for many years, both as an exhibitor and a trader's assistant. It remains one of my few "go to" shows despite the advancing years and a round trip of over 240 miles to get there. Last year the conditions in the Bowls Hall were not ideal owing to the weather. I also missed the spacious feel and relaxed atmosphere of the main hall. Sadly, we are poorly served for good exhibition accommodation in this country. Few venues combine a comfortable venue, ease of access, good catering, good HVAC, adequate parking, easy access by public transport, etc. Railex achieved this with the main hall (although the catering is somewhat restricted) but the Bowls Hall was a let down last year. Hopefully the weather will be more moderate this year and conditions will be more comfortable for visitor, exhibitors and traders. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian G Posted February 5 Share Posted February 5 I have been a member of Risborough MRC for a little bit longer than Railex, yes the main hall is better than the bowls hall but only just for it height, both suffer from heat, big tin roof on main hall, lower roof on bowls hall. Unlike some shows that are on different levels ours being on an accessible for all level is better for all. I am normally on car park duties some years it has been extremely hot others totally wet, the weather is for ever changing. Catering has been an issue for many years depending on catering staff availability, it is a sports hall for others as well. Please support the exhibition team lots of hard work goes into trying to keep every one happy, but you cant please every one. Ian G 3 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jol Wilkinson Posted February 6 Share Posted February 6 Ian, no one is, as far as I can see, criticising RMRC and the organising team, who do a great job. My criticism is aimed at those venue owners/operators who provide poor facilities for the revenues they receive. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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