Derby Model Railway Exhibition 2011

[Shawsysan]

I got home last night very tired but happy that we'd had a great weekend showing my layout 'Percy Nook' at Derby. The show was well organised and the layouts were brilliant. I must thank the organisers for doing a really good job. One disappointment for me was that I forgot my camera and couldn't record the occasion. Looking forward to seeing some photographs on here in the next few days.

Regards and thanks again.

Chris Shaw

[Guest baldrick25]

.... Looking forward to seeing some photographs on here in the next few days.

Regards and thanks again.

Chris Shaw

 

A few shots of Percy Nook, just for Shawsysan:-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Ian Fisher]

Had an enjoyable few hours at the show Sunday dinner time....and heard a whisper from one about a new model.

 

 

 

Ian

[Shawsysan]

Many thanks to Baldrick25 for the fantastic photos, they make my layout look better than it really is, and looking at them you wouldn't believe that the scenic section is only five feet long. Thanks again.

Chris

[Mike Bellamy]

. . . heard a whisper from one about a new model.

 

So it wasn't from Charlie Petty of Realtrack Models then . .

[OldSutt]

Happened to be in the neighbourhood on Sunday, so I took the opportunity to visit the show. My complements to the organisers, I felt their organisation was just right with the traders around the walls and the layouts in the centre. Even for a dyed in the wold OO GWR/SR man, I enjoyed the many and varied layouts on display.

The only ruck-sack man noticed was entering as I was leaving and he was not young!

[Ian Fisher]

He said he would kill me....if.. oh....

 

Darent say Mike...

 

And a kettle too....

 

Ian

 

So it wasn't from Charlie Petty of Realtrack Models then . .

[Mike Bellamy]

Good to see that we ticked a few boxes with some of our visitors and would like to hear from more of you - if we don't know what's wrong we can't fix it - and if there's something you like then let us know as well. However please don't mention the sound from the videos or the catering issues - these are things we already know about and will resolve in the future.

 

Mike

[Mike Bellamy]

 

And a kettle too....

 

 

The only time Charlie has anything to do with a kettle is when he makes tea - and if he had whispered then the whole hall would have heard him

 

I'm sure we'll all find out soon enough - glad you enjoyed your visit

 

Mike

[Galtee More]

Went to the Derby show on Saturday, met up there with Great Central, and a couple of other fellow Nottingham MRS members.

 

I thoroughly enjoyed the day out, saw some excellent layouts, in different scales, gauges and eras, and trade stands too. Quite a few layouts took our fancy, not many didn't !

 

For various reasons (mostly connected with the venue and its location) I had stopped going to the Derby exhibition. Since the move to Moorways, however, I have become a convert again and, hopefully, it'll now be an annual vist. Well done to Alex, the Exhibition Manager, his Exhibition Team and all the members of Derby St John's Mickleover MRG for a job well done.

 

Improvements ? Well, maybe, a couple of the more specialist trade exhibitors; see what can be done about the catering - fortunately the weather was fine most of the weekend. It's not the responsibility of Derby (StJM) MRG, but buying you tea, coffee, beer etc in one place and then having to jog across a car park for food doesn't reflect well on Derby City Council, the venue or, sadly, the organisers. Selling filled rolls at the bar, as Mike B suggests, sould not make any difference to the event's public liability insurance - unless the organisers are making them and selling them, I assume that it will be the venue doing that ?

 

Now, the thorny issue of noise. I have no problem with people turning up the volume (steam or diesel, UK or US or whatever), providing I'm in a room for the purpose of watching a DVD. Anywhere else and it can become intrusive. Whilst we were there, it didn't seem to be too bad at first. As we moved nearer to the back wall, the sounds coming from SPV's speakers were noticably far too loud for comfort - it was difficult to hear DCC sound locos or talk to each other. At some point, whilst near to Leaesden and SPV an extremely loud hissing noise was heard. Several visitors were seen looking around and at each other, with puzzled expressions. The sound was so distorted that it didn't sound like a steam locomotive. As we came back down towards DC Kits stand, we discovered that this was what it was. Was there some sort of competition going on between SPV and DC Kits, to see who could crank their sound up the loudest, because I'm sure that SPV turned their volume up even more ?

 

Anyway, rant over ! Despite the headache-inducing racket, we had a good day, we'll be back next year and hope that the Derby show goes from strength to strength.

 

Ian

[D9JEF]

Oulton TMD was superb, I spent a long time watching as there were lots of interesting moves going on, although they did have a number of shorts, so you get the usual halt then all the sound locos play their startup sequence again. Putting that aside, I thought it was really well operated.

 

 

Many thanks for the comments. Oulton TMD has grown significantly over the last few years and Allan (owner and builder) puts his trust in myself and Simon who turn up and 'try our best'. It is a fabulous layout to operate and we try our best to keep it as prototypical as possible. This includes no SPADs, slow speed running and the sound turned right down. Even to the point where onlookers lean over and see if a particular loco has sound.

 

I too thought the video screens wer far too loud. I was there for 2 days and seemed to hear the same sounds over and over and over... you get the picture (or sound).

 

However, overall a very good show. My favourites were:

Leaveden (anyone else notice the 33/1 was on the fuel point for ages... ) as the simple track plan offered brilliant operating potential and the stock was superb.

Loch Tat was a fabulous model of the highlands - the water was modelled brilliantly. I am indifferent to N-guage normally but this is awesome.

Melton Mowbray - On a par with Rowlands Castle as a representation of a location I know well, I don't think I can praise it any higher than that.

 

Finally, many thanks to the gents and ladies on brews and catering - much appreciated.

 

Look forward to visiting as an onlooker next year.

 

Jeff

[Rammy]

Well done guys for another great show. Despite the problem points already raised it still remains a "must see" for me. Lots of great layouts, too numerous to mention.

Oulton TMD looked superb. I could have stood and watched this all day, if only I hadn't brought the kids along who just wanted to keep moving. (Note to self - leave kids at home next year!)

Thanks to Diesel Dayz for the chat whilst looking at Duke Street. It makes such a difference when exhibitors make the effort to talk to visitors. I really like the simplicity and detail of Duke Street.

I somehow managed to return home with most of my money still in my pocket (no 66 sound decoders, and some overpriced locos on sale) so will have to make do with some internet shopping.

 

Looking forward to next years show already, as well as the Mickleover show. Must think about going along to the MMRG sometime too!

 

many thanks

Dave

[Diesel Dayz]

Well done guys for another great show. Despite the problem points already raised it still remains a "must see" for me. Lots of great layouts, too numerous to mention.

Oulton TMD looked superb. I could have stood and watched this all day, if only I hadn't brought the kids along who just wanted to keep moving. (Note to self - leave kids at home next year!)

Thanks to Diesel Dayz for the chat whilst looking at Duke Street. It makes such a difference when exhibitors make the effort to talk to visitors. I really like the simplicity and detail of Duke Street.

I somehow managed to return home with most of my money still in my pocket (no 66 sound decoders, and some overpriced locos on sale) so will have to make do with some internet shopping.

 

Looking forward to next years show already, as well as the Mickleover show. Must think about going along to the MMRG sometime too!

 

many thanks

Dave

 

Thanks Dave. Glad you enjoyed the show. A real pleasure chatting to you. I sold my layout, Duke Street, on the Sunday! (I could have sold it 8 or 9 times!) Funds from the sale going towards my new 0 gauge layout (which will be at Ruddington in August!)

 

Duke Street was bought by a member of MMRG so I might get to 'play' with it again in the future.

 

Cheers

 

Alan.

[Ramrig]

A few more pictures of the Exhibition. Sorry if they all seem to be of New Mills, but it did prove to be a favourite of mine over the weekend.

 

Duke Street

 

A startled spotter grabs his Camera when he spots this at the gates of Duke street Depot. But then cannot find the number in his Ian Allen book?

Nice one Ian (Redgates)

 

More from New Mils

A nice touch on the rear of the train

 

More train movements

 

And a final shot of Leavesden

[Oulton TMD]

Many thanks to MMRG for inviting Oulton TMD to the Derby Model Railway Exhibition 2011 and also for the positive comments posted about the layout. We try our best to run an entertaining layout and hopefully everyone enjoys watching the layout as much as we enjoy operating it!

 

Thanks to Jeff and Simon, the main operators, and Oliver from MMRG who helped out during the weekend.

 

 

Allan

[Cheshire001]

I disagree, it's location now means that I will attend, no way would I have struggled to get into Derby, find a car park, apply for the second mortgage to pay for the parking then the venue was not the best when you got there.

 

Appreciate that those using public transport would prefer a city centre location, but hey, the venue's better now anyway - traders round the outside, layouts in the middle - simples!

 

I'm probably showing up tomorrow afternoon now, I've been advised that a trip to my parents on Sunday is in order ........

 

We have visited Derby nearly every year for 13-14 years, so feel qualified to comment on it.

 

I have to disagree with the above. In the city centre one had the option of travelling in by train. We also found a car park for just £2 on Sundays, a VERY short walk from the Assembly Rooms. In fact it was probably closer than where we parked halfway across the football pitch. My wife suffers with her legs and nearly sat in the car while I went round the show rather than walk back over the field. Very few disabled spaces (5) for such a large venue seems very poor.

 

Unlike the Assembly Rooms there is no seating in the main hall for those who need to rest. In fact we were agreeing with another couple how the Assembly Rooms had far more atmosphere and generally more comfortable surroundings.

I lost count how many times we stumbled over the rubbber power cable conduits.

 

In all fairness, I have to say there were some very good layouts and the entrance fee of £5 was very reasonable. Unlike some recent shows I was pleased to note the restrained sound levels on DCC locos. There is nothing more irritating than listening to a class 20 on the other side of the hall whilst viewing a GWR branch!

 

Finally a special compliment to the Wisconsin Central switching layout, Menasha. The WC is a favourite of mine and if anybody from that layout is online I would be interested in details of the loco covered with a map of Wisconsin. Seen pictures of the real thing, but not a model. Was it a limited edition, set of transfers or...?

[Mike Bellamy]

We have visited Derby nearly every year for 13-14 years, so feel qualified to comment on it.

 

I have to disagree with the above. In the city centre one had the option of travelling in by train. We also found a car park for just £2 on Sundays, a VERY short walk from the Assembly Rooms. In fact it was probably closer than where we parked halfway across the football pitch. My wife suffers with her legs and nearly sat in the car while I went round the show rather than walk back over the field. Very few disabled spaces (5) for such a large venue seems very poor.

 

Unlike the Assembly Rooms there is no seating in the main hall for those who need to rest. In fact we were agreeing with another couple how the Assembly Rooms had far more atmosphere and generally more comfortable surroundings.

I lost count how many times we stumbled over the rubbber power cable conduits.

 

In all fairness, I have to say there were some very good layouts and the entrance fee of £5 was very reasonable. Unlike some recent shows I was pleased to note the restrained sound levels on DCC locos. There is nothing more irritating than listening to a class 20 on the other side of the hall whilst viewing a GWR branch!

 

As part of the organising group for 30 years, I have seen the show develop over the years at the Assembly Rooms and as far as our visitors were concerned, it was a very good venue with carpet, seating and catering. However it is impossible to get away from the fact that we couldn't afford to stay there. We were faced with a 10% increase year on year which means that this year we would have paid almost £11,000 plus 7.5% commission on the total door takings. To prevent us going bankrupt, I would estimate an admission price of at least £10 would be needed to cover our costs.

 

The Sports Centre is a fraction of those costs and means that we have been able to continue holding exhibitions in Derby. You say the admission of £5 is reasonable - we have maintained this for 3 years and it is less than the £6 you would have paid on your last visit to the Assembly Rooms.

 

To answer some of your other specific points

 

I accept that there were no seats actually in the exhibition hall but a lot of seating was available in the bar area.

 

We have no control over the disabled spaces allocated by the City Council but I assume that they comply with offical guidlines based on the size of the car park. We know that some of our visitors have mobility difficulties and there was additional parking reserved at the rear of the building that you could have used. Perhaps our signs need to be more prominent.

 

Visitors by train can use the bus service that leaves from the station and goes past Moorways. You were very lucky to find all day parking for £2 in the City Centre - I can't think where that might have been as you say that it was closer than you parked at Moorways. The car parks operated by the City Council now charge £7 all day Sunday and £9 at the Assembly Rooms. Road side parking is also chargable on Sundays and is limited to 2 hours.

 

Despite these little niggles, I'm pleased that you enjoyed your visit and in particular the choice of layouts. I know that our new exhibition manager has worked hard over the last 3 years to make our new exhibition a great success. We cannot return to the past and must look to the future.

 

Mike

[Poor Old Bruce]

We have visited Derby nearly every year for 13-14 years, so feel qualified to comment on it.

 

I have to disagree with the above. In the city centre one had the option of travelling in by train. We also found a car park for just £2 on Sundays, a VERY short walk from the Assembly Rooms. In fact it was probably closer than where we parked halfway across the football pitch. My wife suffers with her legs and nearly sat in the car while I went round the show rather than walk back over the field. Very few disabled spaces (5) for such a large venue seems very poor.

 

Unlike the Assembly Rooms there is no seating in the main hall for those who need to rest. In fact we were agreeing with another couple how the Assembly Rooms had far more atmosphere and generally more comfortable surroundings.

I lost count how many times we stumbled over the rubbber power cable conduits.

 

In all fairness, I have to say there were some very good layouts and the entrance fee of £5 was very reasonable. Unlike some recent shows I was pleased to note the restrained sound levels on DCC locos. There is nothing more irritating than listening to a class 20 on the other side of the hall whilst viewing a GWR branch!

 

Finally a special compliment to the Wisconsin Central switching layout, Menasha. The WC is a favourite of mine and if anybody from that layout is online I would be interested in details of the loco covered with a map of Wisconsin. Seen pictures of the real thing, but not a model. Was it a limited edition, set of transfers or...?

I am sorry that you were unable to park nearer to the entrance. We (MMRG) accepted that there were very few spaces for disabled parking so allocated the space just outside the rear door of the hall (where exhibitors and traders load/unload their vans) for disabled use during opening hours, although admitedly this was a last-minute decision on Saturday morning so no signs were available. Unless it was pouring with rain, there should have been someone in attendance by the row of cones to allow disabled visitors to park there if you had made yourself known.

 

The Assembly Rooms may have looked a nicer venue from some aspects but it was an absolute pig to get the exhibition in and out with the vast majority of exhibits and trade stands having to use the large lifting stage for access (Which was operated excusively by the Assembly rooms staff) and lots of labouring help from MMRG members. That was from the loading bay which at times decended into chaos on Sunday evenings with empty vans which were trying to get into the bay blocking loaded vans from leaving. Those who had lighter equipment could, if they wished, carry it down the two flights of stairs to the doors. If someone turned up at the main entrance they needed a 'pilot' to take them round the inner ring road to get to the loading bay which was actually about 50 yards away! At Moorways we can load/unload six or seven vehicles at a time on the flat. The hall was cleared of traders and exhibitors in just 1.5 hours on Sunday (with, AFAIK no complaints of bad backs), a feat never achieved at the Assenbly Rooms. Additionally, the cost of the Assembly Rooms was rocketing at 10% per year which the MMRG could not sustain without excessive admission charges, as it is, the admission to Moorways two years ago was actually lower than the Assembly Rooms the previous year and has been held at the same price since. I wonder how many visitors would have paid eight to ten pounds for the percieved better surroundings in town?

 

I will mention the lack of seats in the hall to the organisers but that may be a case of 'seats or exhibits'.

 

The cable covers are, unfortunately, a necessity to power the exhibition. They were marked with red-and-white tape but I must admit I didn't always see that myself.

 

Thank you for visting the show so many times and I hope you and your wife will continue to do so for many years to come.

 

p.s. I don't know from personal experience as I use my 'bus pass to go into Derby (but which I can't use to get to Moorways) but I am guessing that £2 Sunday parking may be a thing of the past. Can anyone else confirm or refute please.

[Cheshire001]

Thank you to the last two contributors for answering my points about the show.

 

Point taken about the prices at the Assembly Rooms. We had heard that the move was due to pricing issues and I can see what they were now!

 

The £2 parking on Sundays was in the Eagle Centre if memory serves me correctly. Not even sure if it's still there as there seemed to be so much building going on - I only ever visited the city centre for the show.

 

Disabled parking. I will agree that you would assume a council run venue would comply with the relevant guidelines (there must be some!) It is ironic to note that the Little Chef where we had dinner on the way home had the same number of disabled spaces! Neither of us picked up that the area around the back was accessible for disabled use; we both understood it to be for traders and "staff". As you say, perhaps some better signage next year.

 

Point taken about 'seats or exhibits'. We sometimes travel with another companion who is a little older and at times he or my wife have enjoyed sitting in the hall at venues such as the Assembly Rooms, Telford O Gauge or even Stockport, usually with a cup of tea and watching nearby layouts. Having said that it is a rare luxury and even in the expanse of the NEC I have sat on the floor to eat lunch.

 

Thank you both for taking the trouble to make detailled replies. I trust my comments will be taken as constructive critisism. I know from helping a small local show there are many things to look after and somebody can always do the job better

 

...and I'm still curious how they did the WC diesel

[Mike Bellamy]

 

Thank you both for taking the trouble to make detailed replies. I trust my comments will be taken as constructive critisism. I know from helping a small local show there are many things to look after and somebody can always do the job better

 

 

Constructive criticism is always welcome - and we know what you mean about those who think they can do better

 

The Eagle Centre has now become Westfield Derby and they have increased their parking charges - for example 4 - 5 hours £5.80 and 5 - 8 hours £8.90

 

For another perspective about the show, have a look here as we were visited by Chris Duffill who is the Digital Editor of British Railway Modelling and Model Railways Live and he has posted a brief show report as well as an interview with Alex Hall.

 

http://www.model-railways-live.co.uk/News/Derby_2011_Model_Railway_Exhibition/

 

http://www.model-railways-live.co.uk/Features/Category/People_Profiles_/30_Second_Interview_-_Alex_Hall/

 

Mike

[Bagpuss]

...and I'm still curious how they did the WC diesel

 

Cheshire, I've added a photo of map unit 3026 and details of how Chris produced it to our Menasha thread here Glad you liked the layout. It's nice to find another WC afficionado. It was quite a railroad.

 

Many thanks to all those at Derby for their hospitality. We had a lot of fun with Menasha and came away with plenty of ideas for improvements.

[class321lover]

lets see some pics!