Wales & The West Association Exhibition

[ELTEL]

Exhibition

[mswjr]

I went on friday, it was o k I like o gauge layouts they give me some insperation for my layout,ther were 2 small o gauge layouts that were not the best ive seen, there was a very large very nice oo gauge layout (can not remember the name) and some very nice n gauge layouts seems that n is quite popular but to small for my eyes, i did not think much of it last year so will give it a miss next year and travel further afield.

[ELTEL]

The large OO Guage layout would have been Dorehill St Stephens

[Sidecar Racer]

The large OO Guage layout would have been Dorehill St Stephens

 

It was indeed , a very good layout and well modelled , but sadly the operation , certainly on

Friday was letting it down , nine operators seemed to spend a lot of time looking at each other

and waiting for something to happen , one was seen using the HoG on a stationary loco sat

at a red signal and seemingly puzzled as to why it would not move despite cecking panel settings

several times , then as soon as the signal changed it moved away quite happily .

 

I'm not a great N gauge fan but for me the best layout there was Law Junction , superb modelling

with long trains rolling smoothly all the way round , and frequently too .

 

If I had'nt need some bits from a couple of the traders there I would'nt have gone , I remember when

the show used to be at Cannons Marsh it was a definate ' not to be missed ' , these days I certainly

would not loose any sleep if I did .

[Long Line]

Having attended Bristol as either as a steward exhibitor or demonstrator for the previous five shows, this was the best yet from my viewpoint. The layouts were all of an acceptable and above, standard, with some gems as well.

 

Attendance was busy as usual, but with a noticible increase in modellers- via their questioning of methods used etc..

 

Soar valley put an an excellent display, a belting OO 'one layout show', well presented (shirts and ties) with numerous cameos and aspects of quality modelling.. it rightly deserved the public's best in show award. the operation seemed OK whenever I chanced a glance.

 

Cheers to all who paid us a visit on the NGS 45th anniversary stand, with many interesting debates and ideas put forward.

 

A special thank you to Dave and his team for making our stay an enjoyable one..

 

Mark

[RANGERS]

Paid a visit on Friday whilst in the SW on business, not a bad show but I'd perhaps have been disappointed if I'd travelled a distance specifically for it. Dorehill St Stephens undoubtedly the highlight and even with some apparent running problems early on Friday afternoon, still attracted crowds several deep, how often do you see that at a show nowadays?

 

The rest was all to good standard but no real showstoppers. As shows go, it's not as good as the best of the rest IMHO.

 

Catering still expensive and distinctly average, worth the five minute walk up into Thornbury for some decent food.

[ullypug]

I was on the EM gauge demo stand again this year, along with several of the other area group members and we had a good time. Punter question of the weekend was "so is EM as accurate as TT then?"

Once again we'd been thoughtfully placed by the gents toilets, along with most of the other specialist societies. I noticed the N gauge soc managed to persuade the organisers that they didn't need barriers in the main hall, thus allowing them to actually engage with the punters. Most demonstrators are usually behind barriers, which I've always thought is a bit daft.

Although I enjoy demonstrating, it's a shame the quality of the layouts on show couldn't have been a bit more varied. A lot of OO and N (Law Junction was nice, and it was good to have P4 representation at Bristol courtesy of Llanistr), otherwise not a lot floated my (admittedly finer scale) boat. I can see why a lot of people give it a miss. Same old, same old really.

[Sidecar Racer]

A lot of layouts have problems when set up and then run more or less straight away this is caused by different temperatures ie the layout cold and the room warm.

 

 

Maybe so , but they were still ' having problems ' after five hours , When things were moving it ran very well , it's

just that things did'nt seem to move very often , we came back to it several times and nothing had changed .

 

Watching an operator wondering why a train is not moving , then flicking switch's causing a brake van to be

catapaulted off a set of points does tend to put me off .

[The Stationmaster]

Paid a visit on Friday whilst in the SW on business, not a bad show but I'd perhaps have been disappointed if I'd travelled a distance specifically for it. Dorehill St Stephens undoubtedly the highlight and even with some apparent running problems early on Friday afternoon, still attracted crowds several deep, how often do you see that at a show nowadays?

 

The rest was all to good standard but no real showstoppers. As shows go, it's not as good as the best of the rest IMHO.

 

Catering still expensive and distinctly average, worth the five minute walk up into Thornbury for some decent food.

 

This post probably highlights some of the reasons why I have given up on the Bristol show. It's awkward to get at if you're travelling long distance by public transport although I presume the 'bus service to/from Parkway is still run (which eases the pain to some extent). But I'm afraid - as a past regular attendee for many years - I have simply ceased to find it worth paying to go by car; Trainwest at Melksham is far better value for car miles in my opinion. And with the move to Thornbury Bristol seemed to lose both the buzz and the quality of layouts which it had at Canons Marsh although I appreciate it was not the Association's fault that they could no longer use Canons Marsh.

 

And while beauty is in the eye of the beholder there doesn't seem to be too much in the way of overall rave reviews for the show again this year so it looks as if I might once again have saved myself some time and money by not going. A great shame as it used to be a top rate show at one time.

[Tim V]

I remember when the Bristol show was a must go to, now I can't be bothered to go the few miles to it. I'd rather save my money for a better show.

[Captain Kernow]

Funny, I used to like going on the Friday afternoon, after work, a bit of a social occasion, with fish and chips afterwards.... in fact, I think it was the fish and chips that kept my interest up for so long...

 

This year I'd forgotten it was even on, but then again, I wasn't working out of the Bristol office last Friday...

 

At the risk of getting too misty-eyed and over-nostalgic, I also remember Canons Marsh and even the Victora Rooms before that. Those were good shows, to be sure, much missed.

[Barry Ten]

First year since 2008 that I didn't go; it's a bit of an awkward trek from S.Wales and last year's show was uninspiring enough that I decided I'd give it a miss from now on. There have always been one or two decent layouts and a bit of trade support but not enough to make it an essential day out. I dislike the venue as well - it always feels cramped and sweaty to me. Like the Captain, I'd forgotten it was on until I read these reports. However, I take Mark SG's points - perhaps it was a bit better this year?

[Tim V]

I heard that the organising committee were worrying that the "Bristol Buffer" (the award for the best layout in the show) was always won by the visiting layout, not by a member's layout.

 

Yes I remember the days of the Victoria Rooms, seeing Heckmondwyke, and an embryonic Bodmin. The Studiolith stand. Long Suffren by the Newport group. Good trade support in those days. It was going downhill by the time it went to Cannons Marsh.

 

What happened to the days of the Big Three shows - London, York and Bristol? Used to be a big feature in the Toddler.

[Pugsley]

I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one who's given it a miss this year, last year I decided that there wasn't enough there to bother with travelling to it any more. It sounds like it might have been a bit better this year, but I've still go no regrets!

[Birchwood]

I went along on Saturday and thoroughly enjoyed my time.

 

I hadnt been to the show for a couple of years - coinciding with my time away from the hobby.

 

I found the 00 gauge layout Dorehill St Stephens to be a real gem and worth the entry fee just to see it. Operation of D StS on the Saturday I found slick and the operators with their smart presentation looked a team - at least you knew they were all associated with the layout. The trackwork, rolling stock and buildings may have been proprietory, but its sheer vastness and design - with the central fiddle yard - made for comfortable viewing from all sides and the scenics were convincing. (3 scenic sides were visible but it does have 4).

 

There were some other layouts that caught my eye, including Dent (00) and Bodmin (N).

 

With my lunchtime stroll around the Market Town of Thornbury before going in the exhibition and then catching up with many of my modeling friends it all added to my enjoyment.

 

The 'Bristol' exhibition may not be as good as when it was in Canons Marsh / Vic Rooms but it is still worth the visit - if just for the social banter !!

[kimitrain]

I went on Saturday. Got there at 9.40 left the show at 5.20 good show with some good N Gauge layouts there. I did like the massive 00 layout. I also brought the N Gauge Socitey EWS Queen Mary brake van. On the food side i took my own lunch and drinks makes it a far cheaper that way. Thanks to the people that ran it.

Jaeson

[kimitrain]

A few Pictures from the show.

[ELTEL]

Having started the thread I feel perhaps a few of my own comments to add to others.

 

1. I am really surprised that a thread for the exhibition had not been started by any of the organising team Pre exhibition.

 

2. Why did I have to queue for nearly 15 minutes to get in the bitter wind (lucky it was not raining) only to find one pay desk with two very over worked cashiers. A second desk manned for advance payers doing nothing and at least two staff trying to sell guides or shout advance tickets this way ( they would have been much better employed operating a second cash desk at peak times.

 

3, I do not agree with the comment difficult to get to, very well signposted from the M5 and I understand a bus service from Bristol Parkway station, took me just over a couple of hours from the North Midlands

 

4. It is always difficult when a exhibition is organised by a association but I feel that the balance of layouts was about right, the trade

was also well balenced with a quite a few specialised traders. Shawplan, 247, C&L,

 

Some mention in the thread about exhibitions not what they were!

 

In this day and age the world is a different place and times have moved on so come on support Model Railway exhibitions or all you will be doing is ordering of Internet sites and browsing the RMweb with no exhibitions to go to!

 

All in all a most enjoyable exhibition

 

Eltel

[Sidecar Racer]

 

1. I am really surprised that a thread for the exhibition had not been started by any of the organising team Pre exhibition.

 

Eltel

 

I'm sorry , but when the organisers only update the Web site with what layouts will be there two

weeks prior to the event , the chances of them starting threads anywhere is very unlikely .

[ELTEL]

 

 

I'm sorry , but when the organisers only update the Web site with what layouts will be there two

weeks prior to the event , the chances of them starting threads anywhere is very unlikely .

I meant the organisers

[ianwales]

Hi all

 

My son and I had a very good day, first time for a couple of years we have been to this exhibition, not that fussed with Dorehill myself probably because I felt it was too big, my 2 favorutes were Maidwella and Dent. I don't know if there are any members of the Donyatt Model Railway Group on here, but, if so a big thank you from my son, he was invited behind to help operate Morris End and stayed there for 5 hours happily operating away, didn't even want to stop for lunch, but then, Oliver much prefers operating to watching anyway.

 

Ian

[The Stationmaster]

Some mention in the thread about exhibitions not what they were!

 

In this day and age the world is a different place and times have moved on so come on support Model Railway exhibitions or all you will be doing is ordering of Internet sites and browsing the RMweb with no exhibitions to go to!

Eltel

 

I doubt if any of the folk who have posted in this thread - and most other RMweb members - would argue one little bit with the sentiment that we should support model railway exhibitons; I can't even remember how many I've been to in, say, the past year but it's into double figures.

 

But what some of us have noted is the way - in our view - in which 'the Bristol show' has declined in comparison with its past glories and other shows. That is no doubt as much a subjective view as an objective one but what it does mean is that we have turned our attention (and possibly limited attendance opportunities and funds) elsewhere and to other shows - Melksham/Trainwest having undoubtedly become in recent years a far more attractive proposition for some of us than 'the Bristol show' and in some respects presenting us with very similar costs of getting there etc.

 

And in comparison with 'Bristol' Trainwest presents us with high quality advance information on the 'net so we know exactly what we will be getting for our money. (I quote Trainwest because for me it and 'Bristol' are roughly similar in access costs and are in broadly the same part of the world from my starting point). I would love to see the Bristol show regain some of its past cachet and live up to its old reputation, and i would happily begin to attend once again if it did; but so far it hasn't.

[Taigatrommel]

I went (the first time in a few years, having been out of the area), and I doubt I'll be going next year. Although there weren't many bad layouts (I'm afraid Ottobeck gets a dishonourable mention, what a poor example to have as the only European outline layout) and also had a few very good ones, somehow the overall effect was very much "the same old". It's curious, as on paper it has good trade and good layouts, the overall event was underwhelming. I wish I could put my finger on what was lacking in order to provide some useful feedback to the organisers- the best guess I can make is that the layouts are drawn mainly from WWE association, and as such they don't have the freedom to simply drawn on the best from anywhere or even independent modellers within the area.

[37114]

When there are some excellent layouts to draw on in the area, it is somewhat disapointing that the same old same old comment keeps coming out, when all the organisers need to do is broaden the net beyond WWE association layouts, and make this show as great as it was in the Cannons Marsh days.

[leavesontheline]

I went on the Saturday afternoon and thought the few hours I spent there were well worth the money. I have lived in the area for several years now but somehow always missed the 'Bristol' show so I have no knowledge of its previous incarnations to compare with. Just on its merits though I found it to be a large, busy show with plenty of layout variety and a good mix of traders. There were some very good layouts and one or two not so good ones, but maybe every show needs that variety to allow the good ones to really shine?

 

Highpoint for me was definitely Law Junction. They just seemed to get everything right for an 'exhibition' layout - just the right height to view, constant train movements, superb modelling, lighting and a prime example of why 'less is more' on an exhibition layout! Something some of the other exhibitors could maybe take on board (no pun intended!) - although all should be commended for their achievements in getting a layout to a show (more than I'll ever achieve!). Law Junction, being 'N' gauge, is not my scale but I think if all layouts at a show were 'my' scale and era they would become quite boring to me! I think an important part of any show is variety and they certainly had that at Thornbury.

 

Dorehill St Stephen would have been amazing just on size alone but the quality of the modelling was superb too. The operating staff all looked very smart and when i arrived I couldn't get near the layout due to the number of people watching. When I did get near, and spent a significant amount of time on each side admiring the modelling skills on display, my only slight disappointment was the lack of movement! For all the staff beavering away only a couple of trains trundled past with gaps of minutes until the next one - a little too much realism maybe? I often see this at shows though i.e. the larger the layout and the more operators there are, the less movement you see. The guy operating the diminutive but excellent Cromer layout had me entertained for longer with his loco/train movements and witty banter(!) and this was at about 5:30pm on the Saturday! It must be quite a challenge to keep this going for three days when you've only got a couple of feet of end to end track to play with, particularly compared to a 100 foot loop and endless train combinations!

 

I'd certainly go again next year if I'm able to, and in the unlikely event that it has exactly the same layouts as this year, I'd maybe give it a miss for a year, just like I sometimes do with other shows. Certainly doesn't mean I would stop going altogether!