Bristol Model Railway Exhibition 29th April to 1st May

[deltic56]

43rd ANNUAL BRISTOL MODEL RAILWAY EXHIBITION

Thornbury Leisure Centre, Alveston Hill

Thornbury, BRISTOL, BS35 3JB

 

Friday April 29th 1pm - 7.00pm

Saturday April 30th 10am - 6.30pm

Sunday May 1st 10am - 5pm

 

A chance to escape the Royal Wedding perhaps

[Jules]

Thats my plan! First time I will have visited on a Friday.

[John C]

I think its the first time the Friday has been a Bank Holiday since they moved it from Easter. I am hoping to get there on Sunday.

[Tricky-CRS]

N and 2mm Layouts attending are:

Stand 6 - Barnhill MRC - Chipbury - N gauge - 12ft X 8ft - Period: 1980’s - BR

Stand 16 - Calm Modellers - Coniston Road Depot - N - 7ft 4 inches x 2ft 4 inches - Period 1985 Regional railways (Guest Layout)

Stand 20 - Caverswell Junction - N - 8ft x 7ft - Period: Modern Image (Guest Layout)

Stand 9A - Exverton - N gauge - Period - 1930’s or 1950’s

Nailsea MRC

Stand 21 - Deep Lane - N gauge - Period 2004 (Guest Layout)

Pete Latham

 

Regards

Richard

County Rolling Stock

www.ntasticshop.co.uk

[Coppercap]

It starts today..............

[Barry Ten]

It starts today..............

 

Not according to the website ...? It's friday to sunday, as it usually is.

 

http://www.bristolmodrailex.co.uk/page8.html

 

I'll be going along tomorrow afternoon, with Marc and Roger.

[Sidecar Racer]

Not according to the website ...? It's friday to sunday, as it usually is.

 

http://www.bristolmo...o.uk/page8.html

 

I'll be going along tomorrow afternoon, with Marc and Roger.

 

 

Might see you there then Al , Stu and myself are going tomorrow too .

[Coppercap]

Not according to the website ...? It's friday to sunday, as it usually is.

 

http://www.bristolmodrailex.co.uk/page8.html

 

I'll be going along tomorrow afternoon, with Marc and Roger.

 

Oops, silly me! Keep thinking it's Friday today, as we're off tomorrow.........Forgot about that junket in London is on Friday, same day as the show starts.

[Steadfast]

Will be there tomorrow with DEMU, please say hello if you're passing!

 

jo

[Calnefoxile]

I'm sure I can fire some abuse your way Jo, when I get there ;-);-)

 

Regards

 

Neal

[Stu from EGDL]

I'm sure I can fire some abuse your way Jo, when I get there ;-);-)

 

Regards

 

Neal

 

Hi Guys;

 

Wish I'd known you would both be there today.

A definate opportunity for banter missed!!!!

 

Later;

STU from EGDL

[steveb860]

I'm sure I can fire some abuse your way Jo, when I get there ;-);-)

 

Regards

 

Neal

 

Glad I went Friday, working at Lyneham all weekend has its advantages now and then Lol

 

May see you Tuesday Guys!!

[Barry Ten]

So what was the general consensus? I went along on friday and to be honest I thought it was pretty uninspiring, with no layouts that really had that wow factor, and some stuff that was frankly below par. Even one of the layouts I normally enjoy seeing (it was at the Bristol show only a couple of years ago, too) was starting to look a bit tired and knocked-about in places. On the plus side, they operated it as well as ever, so there was usually something moving.

 

It's always been a mixed bag, and the show appeared as busy as ever, but I can't say it left me rushing to go back next year.

[grahame]

Any pics? Anyone?

 

G.

[Mike G]

So what was the general consensus? I went along on friday and to be honest I thought it was pretty uninspiring, with no layouts that really had that wow factor, and some stuff that was frankly below par. Even one of the layouts I normally enjoy seeing (it was at the Bristol show only a couple of years ago, too) was starting to look a bit tired and knocked-about in places. On the plus side, they operated it as well as ever, so there was usually something moving.

 

It's always been a mixed bag, and the show appeared as busy as ever, but I can't say it left me rushing to go back next year.

 

Yep, I'd agree with that. Hazelhurst was not due to go this year, but we had a phone call asking for us to 'fill space'...most of the layouts I'd seen before and the traders were distinctly below par! Shame, this used to be a 'premier' league show, one not to be missed. Gone are the days when you'd find Gibson, Sharmans wheels, Comet and Perserverance all under one roof! Now you'd be lucky to find an etched kit, of any sort, let alone a motor and gearbox!

 

Mike

[Barry Ten]

No criticism of Hazlehurst intended either, Mike - it's a very impressive model although (obviously) a work in progress. There always seems to be something running on it, which is more than be said for some, and I think the height and presentation are very well arranged.

 

I went with a small shopping list of basic modelling supplies - heat shrink, switches, wires etc - so was able to stock up at one of the stands. Other than 247 and the Parkside and Langley stalls, though, there wasn't too much in the way of kit supplies. Probably a good thing, in view of my every growing EEC unbuilt kit mountain...

[Pugsley]

So what was the general consensus? I went along on friday and to be honest I thought it was pretty uninspiring, with no layouts that really had that wow factor, and some stuff that was frankly below par. Even one of the layouts I normally enjoy seeing (it was at the Bristol show only a couple of years ago, too) was starting to look a bit tired and knocked-about in places. On the plus side, they operated it as well as ever, so there was usually something moving.

 

It's always been a mixed bag, and the show appeared as busy as ever, but I can't say it left me rushing to go back next year.

I'll also agree with that sentiment. I was a bit disappointed last year, but hoped it would have improved this year. Sadly, I was disappointed - it was even worse this year, with pretty much the same layouts as last year and even less trade. I don't know if I'll be going next year.

[Sidecar Racer]

Went on Friday this year , huge crowd waiting to get in and very busy for the first two to three hours then seemed to thin

out a bit , very nearly empty at 6-30 .

 

I'm glad it was'nt just Stu and I who were less than impressed , as Al and Martin have said , there was no 'wow ' factor

layout there .

 

A few good ones , but a lot more not so good depending on your chosen era / scale . One that we usually enjoy watching

seemed to have some new operators who seemed to be struggling a bit , hopefully by the end they had picked it up a bit .

 

Trade seemed similar to last year which was our first visit to this venue since the show left Cannons Marsh , certainly not

the same degree of trade now and the whole experience was nowhere near as good as the old venue .

 

Definatly have to think hard about next year .

[Jules]

I wasn't originally going to post anything, but I can only agree with what has been said. There also appeared to be less layouts than in previous years.

For the last couple of years I have said 'I'll give it a miss next year' - the only reason I go back is because it is only a few miles away.

Compared with the recent Trainwest, this exhibition was very disappointing

[Mike G]

No criticism of Hazlehurst intended either, Mike - it's a very impressive model although (obviously) a work in progress. There always seems to be something running on it, which is more than be said for some, and I think the height and presentation are very well arranged.

 

 

I don't suppose this is the right place for this but...for those who attended what did Hazelhurst appear to be lacking to give that 'WOW' factor. Don't be shy please express yourselves freely.

 

thanks

 

Mike

 

 

[Geoff Endacott]

Compared with the recent Trainwest, this exhibition was very disappointing

So why do more people go to Bristol than come to Trainwest?

 

I am genuinely puzzled. If we got the sort of attendance which Bristol gets I could book even more top-quality layouts and give big discounts to specialist traders.

 

Geoff Endacott

Exhibition Manager, Trainwest

[Sidecar Racer]

I don't suppose this is the right place for this but...for those who attended what did Hazelhurst appear to be lacking to give that 'WOW' factor. Don't be shy please express yourselves freely.

 

thanks

 

Mike

 

 

 

 

I'll stick my head over the wall , first off it is a nice layout and well presented , but on the occasions we stopped you

seemed to be suffering that old problem of stock derailing and the hand in the sky having to descend , also there were

a couple of false moves with one train trying to do a push me pull you in the station area , I fully understand that these are

operational hazards , but sadly on an exhibition layout it it can be a killer from the viewers position , other than that it looks

to be a well built and nicely detailed model .

 

I hope that these were just ' first day hiccups ' , you do have a model to be proud of .

[Barry Ten]

I don't suppose this is the right place for this but...for those who attended what did Hazelhurst appear to be lacking to give that 'WOW' factor. Don't be shy please express yourselves freely.

 

thanks

 

Mike

 

 

 

I suppose it's a bit unfair of me, Mike - I mentally excluded Hazlehurst on the grounds that I'd seen it before, and recently, so didn't spend long looking at it this time. My recollection, which may not be correct, is that it looks like it still has some some additional work to come in terms of detailing and overall finish. That sounds more negative than I intend because the *last* time I saw it I spent a good while plonked in front, enjoying the show.

 

That wow factor is hard to define, of course - I would say it comes from a layout where every aspect of it is just that little bit more accomplished than average, and leaves me fired up with ideas to think about in terms of my own modelling aspirations.

[The Stationmaster]

So why do more people go to Bristol than come to Trainwest?

 

I am genuinely puzzled. If we got the sort of attendance which Bristol gets I could book even more top-quality layouts and give big discounts to specialist traders.

 

Geoff Endacott

Exhibition Manager, Trainwest

 

It might be a matter of reputation and accessibility Geoff. The 'old' Bristol show at Cannons Marsh was one I always rated but it seemed to lose something after the move to Thornbury (I missed the date last year and didn't bother this year as my opinion of it has gradually gone downwards). BUT it does have that big advantage of the association of clubs which while it possibly has a poor influence on layout quality must have an excellent effect in spreading the message about the show over a very wide area - much bigger I think than you could hope to cover?

 

The other thing is what I call 'the Bristle effect' where anything which has the word 'Bristol' in it seems to have some sort of drug-like effect on Bristolians who promptly regard it as their own and as something they must attend. That is probably not the best reason for its attendance figures but being near the M5/M4/Severn bridges and with a generally good and reasonably quick (except in heavy traffic) special 'bus service to a railway station with links spreading as widely as its road network position must play a part - for many people it is a lot easier to get to than Melksham. For example when I was working in London I could take a half-day, hop on a fast train from Paddington and be at Thornbury just as the initial rush through the doors died down on the Friday afternoon - and lots of other folk did a similar sort of thing.

But, as a matter of interest how do Trainwest's day-by-day figures compare with Bristol's - would Trainwest get a nett benefit from opening to the punters on the Friday afternoon or would that just dissipate existing attendees?

[37114]

It might be a matter of reputation and accessibility Geoff. The 'old' Bristol show at Cannons Marsh was one I always rated but it seemed to lose something after the move to Thornbury (I missed the date last year and didn't bother this year as my opinion of it has gradually gone downwards). BUT it does have that big advantage of the association of clubs which while it possibly has a poor influence on layout quality must have an excellent effect in spreading the message about the show over a very wide area - much bigger I think than you could hope to cover?

 

The other thing is what I call 'the Bristle effect' where anything which has the word 'Bristol' in it seems to have some sort of drug-like effect on Bristolians who promptly regard it as their own and as something they must attend. That is probably not the best reason for its attendance figures but being near the M5/M4/Severn bridges and with a generally good and reasonably quick (except in heavy traffic) special 'bus service to a railway station with links spreading as widely as its road network position must play a part - for many people it is a lot easier to get to than Melksham. For example when I was working in London I could take a half-day, hop on a fast train from Paddington and be at Thornbury just as the initial rush through the doors died down on the Friday afternoon - and lots of other folk did a similar sort of thing.

But, as a matter of interest how do Trainwest's day-by-day figures compare with Bristol's - would Trainwest get a nett benefit from opening to the punters on the Friday afternoon or would that just dissipate existing attendees?

 

Mike makes an interesting point, perhaps we should call it "Trainwest Melksham district of Bristol show"!! Joking apart, the proximity of Thornbury to a large population mass than Melksham will have an impact, irrespective of the fact that a bus is organised to allow Public transport access to Trainwest. I also remember the old Cannons marsh shows which were fantastic, I haven't been to Thornbury for many years and my expereience was the same for the last few years I went and is summed up by many on this thread.