The National Festival of Railway Modelling - NEC 23/24 November 2024

[AY Mod]

We are pleased to announce the launch of a new railway modelling exhibition at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham. The National Festival of Railway Modelling will take place over the weekend of November 23 & 24, 2024.

 

 

The new show is being organised by Warners Group Publications which has a rich history in producing the UK’s best model railway shows. The company already organises The London Festival of Railway Modelling at Alexandra Palace, The Festival of British Railway Modelling in Doncaster and the Bristol Model Railway Exhibition.

 

As well as the three leading shows, the company also publishes British Railway Modelling magazine (BRM), Narrow Gauge World, Garden Rail and Traction plus websites World-of-Railways.co.uk and RMweb.co.uk.

 

Details are still being confirmed but the team organising The National Festival of Railway Modelling are promising a vast selection of the UK’s finest model railways covering all gauges and scales, plus a mix of trade including major manufacturers, the UK’s best retailers and a mass of specialist traders selling everything a railway modeller could possibly need. The show will be one of the hobby’s biggest shopping events of the year. Visitors can also expect demonstrations from expert modellers as well as a selection of societies and model railway clubs.

 

Steve Cole, publisher of Warners’ railways portfolio, had this to say about the new show: “Railway modelling needs a national exhibition to showcase the hobby. We have a proven track record of putting on amazing shows and know the new NEC show will be our biggest and best yet!

 

“Attendance to our own shows is growing, our magazine copy sales are on the increase and traffic to RMweb.co.uk is over 129,000 modellers per month. The hobby is thriving! We promise to put on an amazing two-day exhibition. Our team are immersed in the hobby and will hand-pick the best model railways and demonstrations to produce a great weekend for all the family.”

 

Richard Mann, New Business Director for the NEC, said: “We’re really excited to be welcoming The National Festival of Railway Modelling to our venue in November, in what will be a celebration of all things model railways.

 

“We know there are many enthusiasts that have a real passion for the sector, so we’re thrilled to be welcoming specialist traders and some of the UK’s major manufacturers to the show. We know the two-day exhibition will give visitors a weekend to remember.”

 

More information will be revealed in the coming weeks including a list of layouts, traders and ticket prices.

[Redkiterail]

good luck with it all and with the regular complaints that are mostly out for Warners control. with regard to specialist trade if we as consumers don't support them at exhibitions they want come and also for a two day event for most of the specialist trade that is a day before and an after show that is also taken out because of packing and unpacking so I will not be surprised if they decided to miss this one

[AY Mod]

1 minute ago, Redkiterail said:

for most of the specialist trade that is a day before and an after show that is also taken out because of packing and unpacking so I will not be surprised if they decided to miss this one

 

That applies to any show (unless it's on a traders' doorstep), not just this. The NEC does benefit from being reasonably central and accessible for most of the country, the trade and the visitors. The comments I've had from the trade are enthusiastic and supportive so please don't presume what will happen from a detached position.

[PaulRhB]

54 minutes ago, Redkiterail said:

most of the specialist trade that is a day before and an after show that is also taken out because of packing and unpacking

Slightly odd comment on giving it a miss as that applies to all exhibitors, trade and layouts so no different to any existing shows, in fact for many a near whole day travelling to get there for setup Friday means it’s a a 5 or 6 day process from loading to packed safely away 😉

[RANGERS]

Best of luck with this and I really do hope the business case for it is as strong as is hoped, I've never been a fan of the NEC per se, its location and transport links are exceptional but it comes at a premium cost and loss of control of many aspects of their events that organisers would like to have more of a handle on, and I speak as an former exhibitor at major trade shows there for over 20 years.

 

Warley's legacy has set a high bar and expectations are equally high that what follows will be even better. Stepping into the shoes of any highly regarded institution is a serious challenge and with I and thousands of others looking forward to it, there's no pressure guys!

 

 

 

[AY Mod]

35 minutes ago, RANGERS said:

there's no pressure guys!

 

A walk in the park. 😰

[montyburns56]

Are they going to call it the Warnley Exhibition?

[Redkiterail]

Firstly sorry Andy y was just trying to head off the regular comment about large shows. My intention was not to offend apologies if I did so.

 

Secondly I hope to visit the show as warley shows had a good selection of layouts from outside England which is very nice to see how they model I personally hope that happens again.

[Neil]

[pedant mode on] .... producing some of the UK's best model railway shows .... [pedant mode off]

 

This is good news. I could be tempted to take a day trip from home here on the Costa Cambria to the NEC particularly if some of the less agreeable features of the Warley show (I'm thinking insufficient seating, particularly at lunchtime) can be dialled out at the planning stage.  

[Robert Shrives]

1 hour ago, Neil said:

[pedant mode on] .... producing some of the UK's best model railway shows .... [pedant mode off]

 

This is good news. I could be tempted to take a day trip from home here on the Costa Cambria to the NEC particularly if some of the less agreeable features of the Warley show (I'm thinking insufficient seating, particularly at lunchtime) can be dialled out at the planning stage.  

Hi  At previous shows I organised 350 resting seats and NEC catering contractors supplied  twice as many.  It was a shame that folk hogged seats with belongings on  the resting chairs , NEC seats are based on catering contracts let and show numbers and at other shows seem to do the same, I think NEC did not grasp the ageing profile and act suitably - but then no profit in that.  I really hope the Warnley show catches on and margins work to see it have a long life, 30 years? 

Robert  

[Craig1989]

Glad to see warners taking on the show albeit in a new way and wonder if it will be in hall 5 again? 
 

cheers Craig 

[ardbealach]

Delighted to read formally that Warners have picked up the NEC baton. (Alisdair)

[Mikkel]

Action speaks louder than words, well done.

[SteveCole]

1 hour ago, Craig1989 said:

Glad to see warners taking on the show albeit in a new way and wonder if it will be in hall 5 again? 
 

cheers Craig 

Hi Craig. Yes, it will be in Hall 5.

[hammy]

How do exhibition layouts apply to be at the show

[PaulRhB]

1 minute ago, hammy said:

How do exhibition layouts apply to be at the show

 
Normally invited via other shows, mutual acquaintances or an online thread these days. You can send an unsolicited email offering your layout, it’s best to include a youtube link or a good selection of photos for their consideration but don’t expect instant invites as it may be similar to others on their want list.
If you’re new to exhibiting try smaller shows first as the bigger shows tend to invite known layouts, often from forums too, and only those with an established record blind 😉

[AY Mod]

38 minutes ago, hammy said:

How do exhibition layouts apply to be at the show

 

You can always drop me a message with the information Paul has mentioned above.

[St Enodoc]

19 hours ago, AY Mod said:

We are pleased to announce the launch of a new railway modelling exhibition at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham. The National Festival of Railway Modelling will take place over the weekend of November 23 & 24, 2024.

 

The new show is being organised by Warners Group Publications which has a rich history in producing the UK’s best model railway shows. The company already organises The London Festival of Railway Modelling at Alexandra Palace, The Festival of British Railway Modelling in Doncaster and the Bristol Model Railway Exhibition.

 

As well as the three leading shows, the company also publishes British Railway Modelling magazine (BRM), Narrow Gauge World, Garden Rail and Traction plus websites World-of-Railways.co.uk and RMweb.co.uk.

 

Details are still being confirmed but the team organising The National Festival of Railway Modelling are promising a vast selection of the UK’s finest model railways covering all gauges and scales, plus a mix of trade including major manufacturers, the UK’s best retailers and a mass of specialist traders selling everything a railway modeller could possibly need. The show will be one of the hobby’s biggest shopping events of the year. Visitors can also expect demonstrations from expert modellers as well as a selection of societies and model railway clubs.

 

Steve Cole, publisher of Warners’ railways portfolio, had this to say about the new show: “Railway modelling needs a national exhibition to showcase the hobby. We have a proven track record of putting on amazing shows and know the new NEC show will be our biggest and best yet!

 

“Attendance to our own shows is growing, our magazine copy sales are on the increase and traffic to RMweb.co.uk is over 129,000 modellers per month. The hobby is thriving! We promise to put on an amazing two-day exhibition. Our team are immersed in the hobby and will hand-pick the best model railways and demonstrations to produce a great weekend for all the family.”

 

Richard Mann, New Business Director for the NEC, said: “We’re really excited to be welcoming The National Festival of Railway Modelling to our venue in November, in what will be a celebration of all things model railways.

 

“We know there are many enthusiasts that have a real passion for the sector, so we’re thrilled to be welcoming specialist traders and some of the UK’s major manufacturers to the show. We know the two-day exhibition will give visitors a weekend to remember.”

 

More information will be revealed in the coming weeks including a list of layouts, traders and ticket prices.

Good news Andy. It might be nice to mention somewhere that this is the successor to the Warley National show.

[AY Mod]

53 minutes ago, St Enodoc said:

Good news Andy. It might be nice to mention somewhere that this is the successor to the Warley National show.

 

We're trying to be clear it's a new event and that we've not taken over Warley's event as they may well be wanting to do something else at some point and that's their name.

[bourneagain]

17 hours ago, Robert Shrives said:

Hi  At previous shows I organised 350 resting seats and NEC catering contractors supplied  twice as many.  It was a shame that folk hogged seats with belongings on  the resting chairs , NEC seats are based on catering contracts let and show numbers and at other shows seem to do the same, I think NEC did not grasp the ageing profile and act suitably - but then no profit in that.  I really hope the Warnley show catches on and margins work to see it have a long life, 30 years? 

Robert  

No matter how many chairs are provided, there’s always going to be moans that’s there’s not enough!

[PaulRhB]

7 minutes ago, bourneagain said:

No matter how many chairs are provided, there’s always going to be moans that’s there’s not enough!

Ironically they could advertise hundreds and thousands of chairs . . . 

©️Neith-Nabu

 

But they are quite small. 

[Neil]

19 hours ago, Robert Shrives said:

... I think NEC did not grasp the ageing profile and act suitably - ...

 

Ah yes; twenty years ago I'd be happy to be on my feet all day, these days I can manage it but it's not comfortable and in ten years time ..... ?

[rab]

23 hours ago, Redkiterail said:

good luck with it all and with the regular complaints that are mostly out for Warners control. with regard to specialist trade if we as consumers don't support them at exhibitions they want come and also for a two day event for most of the specialist trade that is a day before and an after show that is also taken out because of packing and unpacking so I will not be surprised if they decided to miss this one

Good ro see the first response is a positive one :)

[Phatbob]

23 hours ago, montyburns56 said:

Are they going to call it the Warnley Exhibition?

I doubt that Warners would do this is,  but for RMwebbers it's now "The Warnley Show". 😉

[John M Upton]

Curious how this show which is not for another eight months is generating healthy debate and yet the Ally Pally show (same organisers) which is now less than four weeks away has no thread for it at all.

 

As someone firmly planted on the south coast, the NEC is just that bit too far a trek so for me the Ally Pally show is my main one.  I do hope that the new Warnley does not replace any of the other shows in Warners line up like Bristol did replacing Peterborough a couple of years back.