RMweb Premium DLT Posted August 11, 2013 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 11, 2013 Spent most of Saturday at Railwells, and what a superb show it was; one of the best in years (from my point of view, but I wasn't looking for BR diesels!) I liked all the exhibits, but what a treat it was to see Leighton Buzzard, well over forty years old and running superbly. I spent much of the day operating (and admiring) the 2mm scale Tucking Mill; and the regulars must have trusted me, as they left me to it! The signs to the carpark were a bit small, so could have been missed, but they were present and correct. A great show. Dave. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
R A Watson Posted August 11, 2013 Share Posted August 11, 2013 I went yesterday with my father for the first time in about 7 years and thoroughly enjoyed it, like Neal I would like to have seen more UK D&E (I did see the Hymek on Torre!) but the quality of the modelling and the specialist trade more than made up for the lack of Modern content. Will definitely try and get to Wells again next year. I didn't get to Wells this year but did go to the Plymouth show this afternoon, as a result I know where all the diesel layouts were hiding! Wally Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold mudmagnet Posted August 11, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 11, 2013 I visited Railwells today, with my son. We found the signs ok, travelling up from Glastonbury. However, they were quite small and easy to miss, but would add that unless you were lookng for them, you would miss them. Added to that, surely the organisers only want visitors to the exhibition to use the free parking ? Overall, a good show and plenty of traders. In the end I didn't spend too much. A little shame that there was little diesel action (and yes I did see the Hymek on Torre - looks like this will be a cracking layout by the way), but still enjoyed the quality of what was on offer. Hope to post a few photos later. I will be back next year, as always a great show and well worth visiting ... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Dunsignalling Posted August 11, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 11, 2013 Got home from a very enjoyable day out having met lots of large shiny artic tractor units heading away from the Yeovil Festival of Transport en route. Railwells at least equalled its usual very high standard with an eclectic mix of prototypes. I'm usually something of a "little englander" where model railways are concerned but the Australian section was fascinating. One or two layouts had the odd problem with running but Leighton Buzzard showed how a 40-year-old layout can still cut the mustard. Looking through the guide over a cuppa at home, I appear to have missed one layout altogether (Torre). Not quite sure how I managed that, maybe it had people in front of it every time I got near. I shall have to keep a look out for it elsewhere! Up and back from Devon with no hold ups, car averaged over 5mpg better than it has done for ages so it looks like the new exhaust was worth it, even if it did eat into this weekend's budget. John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold mudmagnet Posted August 11, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 11, 2013 A few photos ... Wyebridge - S7 Adlebury Town - P4 Tucking Mill - 2mm Finescale (sorry colour settings not quite right on my camera - the colours in real life are much better!) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisf Posted August 11, 2013 Share Posted August 11, 2013 I agree that the pre-show documentation was a bit opaque as regards car parking. Fortunately the signs were where I expected them to be from previous visits and the show was a useful punctuation sort-of on my way home from holiday. I agree with what others have said about Torre and was also impressed by Cirencester. Maybe my on-board thermostat was working better than in previous years but the vwnue seemed less humid on Saturday. Chris Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PenrithBeacon Posted August 11, 2013 Share Posted August 11, 2013 I went today and thoroughly enjoyed the show. Some photos of Cirencester, more to follow: Regards Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium DLT Posted August 11, 2013 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 11, 2013 I too was very taken with Cirencester; it was their first show and they were having one or two problems; but it was during the first hour on Saturday . Cheers, Dave. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium figworthy Posted August 11, 2013 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 11, 2013 I visited the show this morning, and enjoyed my visit. I think it would be unfair to single out any particular exhibit for praise, as each had its own merits. My thanks to those on the "demo" stands for explaining in detail how they did what they did, and to the organisers for laying on a good show. Regarding the comments about the parking, coming in on the A39 from the north, I spotted the parking signs (nice design), and was able to follow them with no problem. Adrian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PenrithBeacon Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 More of Cirencester: More to follow, Regards Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 As ever, I enjoyed my annual pilgrimmage to Wells - always an excellent show with a fine display of some exceptional modelling (does it really matter that there was a shortage of UK diesel and electric prototypes? I enjoyed the Australian ones on Broadford very much). Thank you for the pictures of Cirencester; it has the makings of an excellent layout but needs (as the operators admitted) a really thorough electro-mechanical shakedown of both track and stock prior to going out again. It looks beautiful, however - I was especially impressed by the working motion on the Dean Goods which must be a triumph of patience and skill on a 4mm loco and given the amount of daylight available under the boiler, well worth doing. That said, Wells is a tough show for a layout on its first time out - but this is probably true of any August show - and yes, I have been there and done that with someone else's layout. Tucking Mill - now with painted stock - was a joy as well though it's unfair to single any one layout out; the standard was exemplary. Adam Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium t-b-g Posted August 12, 2013 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 12, 2013 Back home safe and sound after a cracking good weekend. That was one of those shows that is an excellent reminder to me of why I enjoy this hobby so much. Good modelling, good people, and lovely surroundings. In fact, I don't remember ever enjoying exhibiting at a show more than I enjoyed this one (and that is a lot of shows now!). Many thanks to Chris Challis and the rest if the Wells "gang" and to all the other exhibitors and visitors who made it such a good one. Also, thanks for the kind words about Leighton Buzzard. I still feel highly honoured to be able to take the layout out to let people see some of Peter Denny's work. The layout performed as well as it ever has done and from what some folk were saying, it is clear that Peter's modelling still has a great appeal many years after it appeared in those old magazines. It was lovely having Crispin and Stephen Denny along (and also Judy and Juliana) as operators with Ken and me. Highlights for me were a few youngsters having a go operating the layout. One, Sam, is a bit of a regular now and can work the layout as well as anybody, the others we hadn't met before but they were very good too. Superb weekend and anybody who missed it should be putting the dates for next year in their diaries asap! Tony Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calnefoxile Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 Regarding the comments about the parking, coming in on the A39 from the north, I spotted the parking signs (nice design), and was able to follow them with no problem. Adrian Ahh that may explain it, we came in on the B3139 from Trowbridge. If I can make a suggestion to the organising team, to put up signs in Wells itself to point to any parking arrangements which may be on the main drags into the town, but not on the cross-country routes. Regards Neal. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calnefoxile Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 As ever, I enjoyed my annual pilgrimmage to Wells - always an excellent show with a fine display of some exceptional modelling (does it really matter that there was a shortage of UK diesel and electric prototypes? I enjoyed the Australian ones on Broadford very much). Adam Well actually I think it does, because to the average punter the Finescale show only containing Steam layouts almost depicts that only Steam era layouts can be modelled in Finescale, when it is clearly not the case. Now don't get me wrong I enjoyed the show and the layouts modelled were excellent, but I was just disappointed that there were no Finescale D&E layouts on show, or even non-finescale D&E layouts. Regards Neal. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 There were, however, two excellent Australian prototype layouts and, since Broadford features Victorian Railways modelled to their correct gauge (or as near as dammit - EM track representing the 5' 3" of the prototype next to 16.5mm for the standard gauge; this was really quite noticeable when side by side) surely this is a 'finescale' layout? The very enjoyable N scale Aussie layout was also very definitely diesel operated. I grant you it was not UK prototype, but does that matter? It is not as if RailWells has failed to include excellent finescale diesel-based layouts in the very recent past; the excellent 1/32 Worcester Road last year for example. Most years Chris Challis manages to include something of the British D&E era so it seems a little churlish to complain when BR blue or green diesels (for example) are less noticeable that, say, the North British. Heavens, I model the mid-late '60s but I'm not worried if that period is not represented at an exhibition - it's actually quite refreshing. Adam Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium t-b-g Posted August 12, 2013 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 12, 2013 Well actually I think it does, because to the average punter the Finescale show only containing Steam layouts almost depicts that only Steam era layouts can be modelled in Finescale, when it is clearly not the case. Now don't get me wrong I enjoyed the show and the layouts modelled were excellent, but I was just disappointed that there were no Finescale D&E layouts on show, or even non-finescale D&E layouts. Regards Neal. I can understand how anybody may feel a little disappointed to go to a show and find out that there preferred region/period is not represented but Wells is not a large show by any stretch of the imagination and with only a small number of layouts there are bound to be some gaps. I don't really see that a non finescale D & E layout would fit with what Wells show is about. I also don't recall seeing any Narrow Gauge/Swiss/German/French/Canadian/USA/Scottish layouts either. Was there even anything after nationalisation? There are way too many shows where the vast majority of the modelling is based on RTR items. Nearly all D & E layouts are almost 100% RTR with a few exceptions. I find a show like Wells where we get to look at things that people have made rather than bought is a refreshing change and that is what sets such shows apart from others. Long may it continue. Incidentally, here is a shot of one of our guest operators, Nick Freezer (who has family connections with Buckingham back to the very beginning) entertaining the crowd on Leighton Buzzard. This was at around 3pm on the Sunday, when many a show has all but died! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PenrithBeacon Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 The last of my pictures of 'Cirencester' the sum of 'Oldbury Town'. Regards Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_Miles Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 I find a show like Wells where we get to look at things that people have made rather than bought is a refreshing change and that is what sets such shows apart from others. Long may it continue. There were one or two signs that Wells is becoming less of a serious modeller's show - for example a layout with Peco track and a couple of "box shifter" traders. On the plus side the other traders were excellent and there were some really good layouts such as Rolvenden, Cirencester and Jerry Clifford always produces gems. The parking was verygood and easy to find!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sumo Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 Travelled down from Cambridge on the Friday and visited Saturday morning. Arrived by bus from Bath so no parking issues.... Lovely sunny day, and a market too! Very good show. I think the venue gets a bit overfull for early viewing, but by lunchtime the crowds had thinned out. Lots of good layouts and some very interesting traders that I don't normally see on this side of the country. No objections to box shifters as they are a great way to see new wagons etc. Peco snobbery! Whatever next? I liked Cirencester a lot, and (if only I could work that small) Tucking Mill was inspiring. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PenrithBeacon Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 Some of Rolvenden, a layout that is surely a masterpiece. More to follow ... Regards Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
HSB Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 Looks like I missed a very good show! I was going to go but a couple of days beforehand the friend who was going to come with me dropped out so with no-one to share the cost of petrol with I decided to use my bus pass to go to the Plymouth show instead. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium ullypug Posted August 12, 2013 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted August 12, 2013 Well I think I've just about recovered. Really enjoyed Wells as always though operating Cirencester did have its moments. Haven't felt this tired after a show for a while. As Adam rightly noted above, some of the running was a bit below par on occasions. As with all layouts, the first show always is going to throw up a few gremlins. I'm sure Dave will be sorting these out before its next outing. Didn't really get much of a chance for a prolonged look round but the quality of Wells as ever didn't disappoint. Roll on next year. Anyway, here are a few photos of Cirencester. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PenrithBeacon Posted August 13, 2013 Share Posted August 13, 2013 Some more of 'Rolvenden'. More to follow ... Regards Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PenrithBeacon Posted August 13, 2013 Share Posted August 13, 2013 The last set of 'Rolvenden'. Regards Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PenrithBeacon Posted August 13, 2013 Share Posted August 13, 2013 A set of 'St Juliot'. More to come ... Regards Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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