MODEL RAIL SCOTLAND 2011

[Steve Hewitt]

Well that's it for another year!

Great social day out.

Met lots of fellow modellers, chatted for hours, spent enough money.

 

Everyone enjoyed their Fish Supper, with time afterwards for a pint in the Station Bar before the bendy, leany train back to Preston.

 

We asked the "train manager" to convey our thanks and appreciation to Mr. Branson for the on-board entertainment.

This was enthusiastically provided by a party of fifteen or more young ladies who were en-route to a hen party in Manchester.

 

Now its off to bed for me, and up early to get to Bolton for the ALSRM event where I'll have some signals to demonstrate.

 

See you there?

 

Steve.

[Mark 37]

Hi,

 

Well I took the wee yin to the show today. If you were an exhibiter and you had lots of derailments, then sorry. Every layout we went to in the first three hours had wagons and coaches going in all directions (I swear we were the jinx to all). We did get to see some loco's running and the layouts alone were stunning. To keep Braedens interest we had a game of spot the police car on the layouts, we found three with working lights and counted six in total. Can any one do better (the stand selling them does not count).

 

Due to the amount of technical issues on layouts it was hard to keep a four year olds attention, we left after only a few hours. I would have liked to have asked more questions and say hello to a few people (it's nice to put faces to names). We wish you all well and luck over the rest of the weekend. I won't make it due to other commitments so I'll have to just look forward to next year instead.

 

All the best,

 

Mark

[65243]

Just off to the SECC - I'm looking forward to seeing Haston Nomad amongst others.

[Lawrence]

Went through yesterday with my Dad and two friends, it was our first visit to this show and will be our last.

 

Overpriced, overcrowded, rip off prices for cold 'hot' food and car parking (which resembled a bomb site).

 

As I started to head out one of the doors, I had a hand put on my chest and was told the Exit is down there!

 

I also cannot believe how rude some of my fellow modellers are, my friend on asking very politely, if he could squeeze in, take a quick picture and leave again was met with a rather curt, if you must.

 

Another friend who travelled through with his wife also bemoaned the state of the car park and also the BO in the hall, he asked me last night if they had any air con in the hall to be honest I had a cold and didn't notice it so much.

 

Some great layouts there though (when you could get in to see them) and some really disappointing stuff, meeting up with old friends and making some new ones eased the day a little.

 

Can't wait for the Perth show in June an altogether better event

[Mark 37]

Overpriced, overcrowded, rip off prices for cold 'hot' food and car parking (which resembled a bomb site).

 

As I started to head out one of the doors, I had a hand put on my chest and was told the Exit is down there!

 

I also cannot believe how rude some of my fellow modellers are,

 

Too be honest I must concur. In did not go into detail in my post above but here goes.............I new one of the traiders there and asked why the prices (RRP on every thing). He said that it was done so all traiders were not undercutting each other. Easy solved I came home and ordered items that were half the show prices (unlucky traiders, I still spent £300 that you could have had).

 

I had the same experience with door staff. I had been looking at my 4 year old trailling behind me to ensure he was with me and was stopped in my tracks by some one. I thought I bumped into them and apologised only to turn around and see some yellow jacket ###### infront of me. I showed the stamp on my hand and he still gave the responce you recieved. If I were ever stopped by anyone like that not infront of my 4 year old they would have had every bone in thier arm broken.

 

As for rude modellers, my son was knocked to the ground 3 times in two hours and not a single appology offered. If I did not have to attend him then I can assure you I would have been escorted from the show. Unbeleivable the mind numbing ignorance of the older generation of modeller. I have to add though, every single person we encountered under the age of thirty had perfect manners and moved to allow us to see and pass whilst walking around the event. If you read this and are over forty, take heed and learn some manners from the younger generation!!!!!

 

Between all the above and teathing problems with layouts it was a bit of an anti climax that was looked forward to for months.

 

Mark

[stirlingsheep]

Went yesterday as well. Mixed bag to be honest. Arrived off train at 10.53, twenty minute wait to get in, will purchase advanced tickets next time around.

 

Until about 1.30pm everything was packed, traders, layouts, coffee bar, so I wandered around and went for lunch after about an hour. After about 1 o'clock it started to calm down a bit, and it was far easier to view everything.

 

I'd also agree that it seemed to be the older generation that caused problems viewing things, lost count of the times I was barged out the road by someone with grey/greying hair. Though it was good engaging in conversation with people my age in railway discussion, likes/dislikes, what we're working on at the moment etc.

 

Overall for me it was a good day, though I was disappointed that everything was RRP, though did pick up an un-boxed Flying Scotsman and 2 LNER coaches for £60, like others my money will probably go to Hattons or Modelzone etc.

[Mac]

Too be honest I must concur. In did not go into detail in my post above but here goes.............I new one of the traiders then and asked why the prices (RRP on every thing). He said that it was done so all traiders were not undercutting each other. Easy solved I came home and ordered items that were half the show prices (unlucky traiders, I still spent £300 that you could have had).

 

I had the same experience with door staff. I had been looking at my 4 year old trailling behind me to ensure he was with me and was stopped in my tracks by some one. I thought I bumped into them and apologised only to turn around and see some yellow jacket ###### infront of me. I showed the stamp on my hand and he still gave the responce you recieved. If I were ever stopped by anyone like that not infront of my 4 year old they would have had every bone in thier arm broken.

 

As for rude modellers, my son was knocked to the ground 3 times in two hours and not a single appology offered. If I did not have to attend him then I can assure you I would have been escorted from the show. Unbeleivable the mind numbing ignorance of the older generation of modeller. I have to add though, every single person we encountered under the age of thirty had perfect manners and moved to allow us to see and pass whilst walking around the event. If you read this and are over forty, take heed and learn some manners from the younger generation!!!!!

 

Between all the above and teathing problems with layouts it was a bit of an anti climax that was looked forward to for months.

 

Mark

 

Mark.

 

I read Lawrence's and your own account with interest. Sorry to hear you had a rotten time on the Friday.

Re' your son being knocked over and not getting an apology..that's out of order.

 

Re' the door staff, I can only assume you both encountered the local jobs-worth. Did you notice if he was official SECC staff

or one of the AMRSS 'helpers ?

I believe two doorways led into the Hall. One of them might have been used solely for entrance only; though I never noticed when I

went out to see the Tall Ship (Glenlee) at lunchtime.

 

I was at the Show from 10.30 - 5.30pm..three hours spent manning a Society Stand (never again). I got the impression most of

the aisles were wide enough to walk in but some on the perimeter resembled the Black Hole of Calcutta.

 

Re' the 'smelly/ ignorant ones' who grace every show by their presence, you're going to get the same percentage no matter which

show you go to . I'm sure Perth will be no exception.

One thing I did notice was the amount of well dressed old boys walking around in sartorial elegance. I even spotted a couple of kilts.

 

I never got the books I was after( Amazon: come on down!) and spent less than a tenner. Best buy was the DVD of the Thurston layout.

Highly recommended: I don't know why more clubs don't do this to supplement their income.

 

My favourite layouts were the two Irish ones and Thurston.

 

Mac.

 

 

 

[caradoc]

I also had an unpeasant encounter with the door staff. Having gone to the door nearest to my route home (ie Exhibition Centre station) I was then told that there was no exit, and had to walk to the other door, then back past the door I had initially attempted to leave by. I did not see any signs advising which doors were which, and anyway what difference does it make ? I realise that the people staffing the doors may be volunteers doing this in their spare time, but why make things difficult for the paying public ?

Overall, I thought there were some excellent layouts (especially the Dutch Group), but the trade stands were disappointing, in particular the lack of book sellers.

[Nobby (John)]

Just a short note to say that most layout exhibitors including ourselves suffered from poor running on Friday morning. Mainly due to the fact that most of us set up at about 3 degrees centigrade on Thursday afternoon/evening and arrived at the hall on Friday to about 30 degrees ( it was like a sauna)

[Dr Al]

I new one of the traiders then and asked why the prices (RRP on every thing). He said that it was done so all traiders were not undercutting each other.

 

 

Surely that's bordering on not being legal?????

 

And clearly it wasn't fully adhered to - Modelzone had a sole Farish B1 on sale at £64.99, other stands at anything from £80 to £109.

 

Needless to say I snapped it up!

 

Cheers,

Alan

[Dr Al]

Overall, I thought there were some excellent layouts (especially the Dutch Group)

 

The Dutch layout was by far the best and most professionally presented, complete with their own fencing with steps for kids to stand on. Well thought out, running well, no derailments.

 

Sadly, some of the homegrown layouts looked poor by comparison - one was running ancient 1970s HO Lima class 33s, and when I say running, not even very successfully!

 

Cheers,

Alan

[david12345]

Have to agree, the Dutch Layout was the best and the operators were the only ones that could give me an anwer to a Lenz DCC problem that I`ve had for a few month including the agents for Lenz. Very friendly guys and professional.

 

At one point I was contemplating giving up modelling and taking up golf or fishing after a couple of clowns tried to push my 4 year old trying to get a 'must have photo' of a bog standard Bachmann 37 pulling a rake of bog standard wagons, just capture the image from the Hattons web site guys it looked the same, but speaking to the Dutch guys has settled me!

 

Have to admit though only spent £60 had a lot more but nothing was tempting me. Seemed a lot of the usual traders were absent.

[Mark 37]

I have to many hobbies as it is. the wife wishes I would give some up.

 

On the plus side to the day Braeden got to see Gordon on a layout (Falkirks Thomas layout, I think). If I didn't keep him away from traders I think we would have had a Thomas and Gordon added to our fleet along with anything else he wanted (I can't ever say no to him).

 

Mac,

 

Sorry I did not notice who policed the door.

 

Mark

[class 126]

it would be a mix of AMRSS volunteers and secc crew on the doors, havent been able to attend this year due to work but can sympathise with the crews about the hall conditions on the thursday compared to friday, with the 3 doors open it is freezing but when they are closed the heat does build up. That is why you can get access from about 8am on friday morning for tweaking and tinkering

 

the secc as a venue has a lot of faults from the pricing to the lunar landscapes in the carparks but the sad thing is that there is nowhere else to take the show so the secc has modelrail along with all exhibitions by the balls. hope all the crews have a good breakdown tomorrow night

[jbg06003]

On a more positive note, I thoroughly enjoyed the show. Mark's experience is very regrettable but in my experience inconsiderate behaviour at shows can happen anywhere and is usually perpitrated a very small minority who are probably too ignorant to even realise that they are doing it.

 

I thought the layout standard was extremely good, the Dutch layout has already had well deserved plaudits but there were some very good local layouts as well. From reading the guide, the British HO layout did not claim to offer high standards, it was simply an attempt to show something different - a 'might have been' so to speak.

 

The days where off the shelf bargains can be had at shows are likely long gone; the cost of attending coupled with the increasing ease of using the box-shifters means that prices will always be higher. Selling at RRP seems to have taken it too far though - I guess market forces will eventually prevail.

 

In summary, still a very worthwhile show to attend. There is plenty of good advice and chat to be had and loads of people willing to give it. Best to aim to get there slightly later tho and miss the queues.

 

Bruce

[caradoc]

There were bargains to be had, if you were lucky; I picked up a Bachmann Mark 2a BSO for £9.99 from Modelzone, and there were some other special offers on their stand. The range of DVDs on the 2 specialist stands was amazing, and there was a huge selection of scenic items on the Gaugemaster stand, although it was difficult to have a good look without blocking the way through for others.

There are not many places with the variety of items of railway interest, both model and full size, as Model Rail.

[Dunmar]

Hi,

Sadly I have to agree with some of the comments made about the 'Premier Show in Scotland' ModelRail- I attended on the Friday my usual is to visit the trade stands and then spend time viewing the layouts. There are certainly no bargains to be found that's properly down to the high cost to the trader for his 3-4 days at the SECC. The layouts last year were below standard - this year they were even worse. Don't get me wrong there were a handful of really good layouts but others were poor in quality and 'badly' operated. The layout from Aberdeen was unfinished-unatractive- and simply should not have been there!

You may recall Pete Waterman (sorry Sir!) wrote a piece some time back with his thoughts on where and how model railway shows are going and sad to say he is right!

If we want to encourage newcomers into the hobby-especially the younger generation we need to present the show with the right ingredients.

I appreciate that the organization is predominately 'voluntary' but please do not use that as an excuse!

I have watched this event grow over the years as it has climbed the charts in popularity but sad to say the skids are definately apparent and that cracks are beginning to appear.

For what it's worth George Woodcock (Georgmas Junction) had plenty time to chat to those enquiring about his layout as did some others I spoke to!

Will be interesting to hear more feed back on what was once an excellent event.

Bill.

[Guest tony graham]

Had a great day out today with a few fellows from my local club here in Carlisle.

 

Spending was kept to a minimum (less than £30) but ideas were sought and gained, peolpe were introduced and talked to. many thanks to Eddie from the Inverness MRC for letting me behind the scenes on Rockfield Road.

 

Finally managed to sign up as a member to DEMU, had a good chat to the folks at DCC supplies and many others, while there I visited DCC Supplies stand and sought advice. I run NCE equipment and use TCS M1 decoders in 90% of my N Gauge stock. However I had one blow, odd I thought so I took it along and the nice chap there just took it off me and handed me another. No questions asked, not a sausage. I was well pleased and made a further purchase of an ESU Decoder tester. I also quizzed him on the ESU ECoS system as I have used and like the system, apart from the price tag so I am holding back just now. I also asked about Lenz as we use this system in out local club and likewise I like the system.

 

Any way, I had a Lenz chip that was not working in one of my HO locos so took it along to A & H and they just looked at it, commented that it was an old model about 3 years old and that if I wanted it replaced it would cost me £8. I thought these things had a lifetime warranty? I did hear the man moaning to another about the cost of the stand, the size of the stand and how much he would have to make over the weekend to cover costs etc so was this a reason for charging for a replacement.

 

I was impressed by the number of good quality layouts, and the number of 2mm ones that I have an interest in. In HO Emsland - Moortrack was my most favoured continental layout and there were a few other various N gauge layouts that I

liked for various reasons - Rockfield Road, Loch Oran and Wansbeck Road.

 

Likewise I will agree that there were not many bargains to be had, I also had my foot stamped on twice by an old grey haired gent who knew what he was doing, I politely turned and told him that twice I accept but a 3rd time I wouldn't. I also had someone pull me out of the way so they could get to the front of a layout simply to take a photo.

 

As for the people with hygiene problems, well what can I say..... Buy some soap and deodorant, both can be bought for less than a quid

 

All in all I had a very enjoyable day, would make it a second day if she who must be obeyed would let me..

[Pete the Elaner]

Got home from here a few minutes ago.

I had never been to ModelRail Scotland before.

Never even been to Scotland before.

There & back from Milton Keynes in a day was a little mad!

 

I am used to shows in the SE of England so it was nice to see a different variety of layouts & traders.

The journey was great too. It would inspire me to model the WCML...except that I do that already

[Scottish Modeller]

Had a great day out today with a few fellows from my local club here in Carlisle.

 

Hi Tony,

 

Glasd you enjoyed the day!

 

 

Finally managed to sign up as a member to DEMU

 

About time as well!

 

Sooner you get sorted on DEMU Forum - the better.

 

Anyway, good to meet and hear what you had to say.

 

As for the BO!

 

It's not even about the cleanliness....

 

I went fresh from the shower, toiletries and all - yet by midday I felt I was unclean!

 

The temperature in the hall varied from a rather cool 8 degrees to about 21 degrees across the day.

 

Please don't put all the people at the show in the 'great unwashed' category - it just isn't fair.

 

To anyone that I swept by in the pm who thought I smelt...

 

It's because there were thing to do, places to be and the hall was hot which caused the sweatiness.

 

To the rucksack weilding, tote bag wielding visitors...

 

Treat yourself like a wagon with an overhanging load - Check the clearances before turning!

 

As for rude, pushy etc - they come in all sizes and attend all places.

 

It's not like this is something the organisers can control!

 

If there isa staff problem at SECC - no matter whether SECC staff OR AMRSS stewards....

 

Please let the AMRSS know.

 

If they don't know - they have no way to try and resolve.

 

Thanks

 

ps - If you are coming on Sunday - Enjoy the show - It's really very good value entertainment!

[Brush47337]

I am saddened to read so many complaining on here.

 

Most seem to relate to pricing - which I found by and large to be OK.

Surely nobody goes to an exhibition seeking a bargain - unless for second hand or returned stock by Bachmann (who have never done this at Model Rail)

 

For me Trade stands at exhibitions are for the hard to find bits that are difficult to identify by mail order and for specialist stuff - not RTR stock items.

 

Sure some traders were absent - and Model Rail never has the same "huge traders" that Warley attracts - but it has most of the Scottish local shops - and they need to be supported - or they will cease trading and we will only have the box shifters left.

There is also a recession on. Reading the amount of posters on here who went determined not to spend money - and those posting to say they managed - I am not surprised some traders gave it a miss this year.

 

For my tuppence worth - I went 4 hours Friday and again 4 hours Saturday. I thought the quality of layouts was very high and I enjoyed the mix of eras, scales and yes - I even enjoyed the "old tin plate, Thomas and Triang" layouts - the ones not taking themselves too seriously - they get my vote for bringing some fun. Looked to me like the kids were loving them.

 

Spent a few hundred pounds (Don't tell Mrs Brush47337 please) - books, scenic bits and bobs and 5 Presflo's. My pal John got 55 001 with sound fitted for £135 - he has been looking for this on all the usual suspect web sites for months - delighted to find it and we thought this was quite cheap......!

 

Stuart

[Chris Gilbert]

oh dear it sounds as if some people didn't enjoy it.

my first time here and I have had a great time.

 

I've had nothing but praise for my layout Haston at stand 81 and it has been received very well.

 

It has had a number of problems as I hit one of Glasgows many pot holes on the way in on Thursday which shifted everything in the back of the car and something fell onto the layout.

this unfortunately broke a power line on the layout which I managed to make look like a road accident

 

what was worse was the fact two points became unstuck and are now floating giving rise to a number of derailments and anyone who witnessed one of these i can only apologie.

 

I can not repair this until i got home 300 miles away.

as for bargins, come on guys get real and model the railroads in States and buy off the internet..

 

any how i better get up now, take a shower, pack my bags, get breakfast the head back to the SECC for another 8 hours, then pack up and face a 300 mile trip back south.

[Mark 37]

Most seem to relate to pricing - which I found by and large to be OK.

Surely nobody goes to an exhibition seeking a bargain - unless for second hand or returned stock by Bachmann (who have never done this at Model Rail)

 

For me Trade stands at exhibitions are for the hard to find bits that are difficult to identify by mail order and for specialist stuff - not RTR stock items.

 

Sure some traders were absent - and Model Rail never has the same "huge traders" that Warley attracts - but it has most of the Scottish local shops - and they need to be supported - or they will cease trading and we will only have the box shifters left.

There is also a recession on. Reading the amount of posters on here who went determined not to spend money - and those posting to say they managed - I am not surprised some traders gave it a miss this year.

Stuart

 

 

The thing about pricing.............Some traders there were charging RRP, but don't in there shop or web site. I would tend to think this is why people fell ripped off.

 

Regards,

 

Mark

[Mark 37]

As for the BO!

 

It's not even about the cleanliness....

 

I went fresh from the shower, toiletries and all - yet by midday I felt I was unclean!

 

The temperature in the hall varied from a rather cool 8 degrees to about 21 degrees across the day.

 

Please don't put all the people at the show in the 'great unwashed' category - it just isn't fair.

 

 

I can't say I noticed the BO, I was thier for Friday opening time. The thing that did stand out for me was the barriers to hold the public back. After looking at two layouts my hand were the colour of a 20 year old wagons.

 

I also agree with one of the posts about the aberdeen layout not being up to much, but I looked upon it differently. I thought it made me concentrate on the loco's more. It was my first chance to see modern O gauge, if my income didn't cease existance on Monday then I probably would have bought one.

 

The other highlights for me personaly had to be Loch Oran, Manor Lane TMD (always something moving when we stopped to look), Castlebridge, St Ann's Depot and of coarse Emsland-Moortrack which had so many things to look at. More importantly it had provisioned for kids. The first thing I said to the wife was it's not my taste (BR blue man) but it had steps for kids. Due to this fact we must have returned to it 4 or 5 times even if it was just to give my arms a rest, not easy holding the 4 year up to see layouts for three hours you know.

 

Mark

[Shedman5]

I went along on Friday, my second visit to this exhibition, the first being 2009. As then I enjoyed it, I would say it seemed much busier and maybe its my memory but there seemed to be more layouts and trade exhibitors at this one than 2009 yet in the same exhibition hall!

 

I echo the comments about the car park, maybe its left like that that so when it snows or is icy your wheels can get a grip!

 

As for the rucksacks well I echo the comments already made, I saw one individual demolish part of a traders display simply by turning around and his bulky sack caught a display unit and sent it flying.

 

I thought the Dutch layout was excellent and great for those with kids, yes I will most likely go next year but would hope that the feeback on this site and others is taken on board good and bad.