RMweb Premium t-b-g Posted October 15, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 15, 2014 "Once again at the National Festival of Railway Modelling there will be a range of quality exhibitors showcasing their products with a small selection of the items on sale" is a direct quote from the website (with my italics). I know it is nonsense but what impression does that give to somebody browsing the website and wondering whether to go because they wish to buy what they need for their model railways? That wording is quite simply dreadful and does the traders no favours at all. Who writes this stuff? Tony Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Y Posted October 15, 2014 Share Posted October 15, 2014 That wording is quite simply dreadful and does the traders no favours at all. A good point which will be fed back! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators SteveCole Posted October 16, 2014 Administrators Share Posted October 16, 2014 Looking forward to saturday. Will there be books free if we fill in the info slip like last year? Sorry Dan. No free books. You'll get a free DVD when you enter, and we'll be selling a few books and DVDs very, very cheap - pop by the BRM stand to take a gander. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaz Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 Am planning to pop by, don't recognise any of the layouts, which is not a bad thing...new things to see and do . Having done Peterborough before, I know the parking is good, the exhibition hall modern, if it is as good as two years ago (oops forgot it last year) will be very pleased. I daresay I will be taking pictures, but they never reflect how good things are in the 'flesh'. If I can match them to their owners...I will pop them on the threads. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted October 16, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 16, 2014 I shan't be dropping in - very awkward and extended journey from chez Stationmaster (by rail/shuttle 'bus) and in any case it again clashes (heard that word before somewhere) with the Dicot show which isn't too far down the road and theres a nice cafe enroute, and a good pub slightly off route. But have a good show all the same those who do make it and take their layouts etc. (However I do believe it is a rather larger show than the one in Didcot Community Centre although it usually manages a surprising number of [small] layouts 14 this year I see.) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold RedgateModels Posted October 16, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 16, 2014 All packed up, just need to throw some clothes in the overnight bag tomorrow ready for an early start on Saturday. Looks like being a warmer weekend than the last time I did a demo at Peterborough, so hopefully the wind won't be whipping up my trouser legs this time Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Griffin Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 will do. only asked as last year I was given a book by tony wright when I filled a slip in, and a biography of a train drive, read both cover to cover. always a brilliant show. will be good Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gr.king Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 All packed up, just need to throw some clothes in the overnight bag tomorrow ready for an early start on Saturday. Looks like being a warmer weekend than the last time I did a demo at Peterborough, so hopefully the wind won't be whipping up my trouser legs this time But don't assume it's safe to wear your kilt Ian. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandyman Posted October 18, 2014 Share Posted October 18, 2014 For information it is £3.50 for a pint of John Smiths (not exactly "Real Ale") but after three purchases to check consistence, it was passable. Tomorrow I will try and visit the rest of the show! Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian D Posted October 18, 2014 Share Posted October 18, 2014 Enjoyed my visit today. Highlight? It has to be seeing Dave Shakespeare's diorama in the foyer area. Truly inspirational and very moving. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
redspecial Posted October 18, 2014 Share Posted October 18, 2014 What a fantastic show this year, really enjoyed all the talks particularly Andy York, Ben Jones and Tony Wright. Pleased to ask about Little Bytham and a possible future visit on the DVD. I had a good chat with Tony afterwards. I also asked Ben and Andy a question on having a more detailled start to finish, or how to on project builds including videos,comparable to dare I say it Model railroader project bulids such as the Virginian, and was given some good information on future plans. A real buzz being part of this BRM modelling family. I agree , a nice touch to see Part of Tetleys Mills on display. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffers Posted October 19, 2014 Share Posted October 19, 2014 Cor! My feet ached after walking around yesterday. Got there after 10am due to the A47 being closed at Wisbech so had to walk around a bit quicker to see everything. Very enjoyable again and was great to see Fisherton Sarum in the flesh, so to speak, and meet Graham Muz of this parish. Likewise to introduce myself to Mr Andy York, who at the time was fiddling with a camera - "it don't work properly". Hope you got it to work Andy. Was hoping to say hello to Redgate Models but forgot where you would be - sorry. Lord and Butler with their "Dirty Boy" weathering managed to find their way into my wallet again and relieve it of some dosh - thanks Peter. Some great layouts too. And met up with two of my mates Eric (H2Eric) and Keith. Many thanks to all. Now to next year. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Richard E Posted October 19, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 19, 2014 Went yesterday, Tony Wrights' talk in the 'theatre' was brilliant and drew the largest crowd of the day. What a character for a talk, he certainly knows how to involve and entertain the audience. Perhaps a legacy of his profession? He had a few works in progress with him and they are a work of art. Having done some scratchbuilding far too many years ago it is easy to appreciate just whaty goes into these things. Lovely to see the diorama in the foyer from Tetley Mills - I really do hope it finds a good home. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cravensdmufan Posted October 19, 2014 Share Posted October 19, 2014 Great show - spent maximum time there yesterday 09.30 - 17.00. Excellent layouts and trade. So much to see (and buy!). Great lunch facilities - the best of any exhibition I've been! Proper hot meal at a reasonable price and lots of space in the dining area. A fabulous day out! Well done BRM and Market Deeping MRC. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffers Posted October 19, 2014 Share Posted October 19, 2014 Yes - I thought the catering pretty good too. Thumbs up for that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darwinian Posted October 19, 2014 Share Posted October 19, 2014 Well worth the drive over from Mid Norfolk on Saturday morning. My SatNav using the post code took me to a closed set of gates on the wrong side of the site . I was relieved to find the map on the back my ticket and managed to find my way around the block to the entrance. The selection of layouts was great. I was particulaly impressed by Ogden Fold and Dyna Hyfyd although nearly all the other layouts had something of interest. Once again there was only limited specialist trade support, lots of options if RTR is your thing but not so much for finescale model builders. However I guess that's partly the changees in the hobby over recent years. Still it saved my bank balance for a while and I've now got all the bits I need to start on my signals for Cwmhir, just need some time to do them . Sorry I didn't get a chance to introduce myself to anyone, and I missed out on the talks because I was too busy admiring the trains Looking forward to next year. Adrian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteScR Posted October 19, 2014 Share Posted October 19, 2014 Once again there was only limited specialist trade support, lots of options if RTR is your thing but not so much for finescale model builders. However I guess that's partly the changees in the hobby over recent years. Still it saved my bank balance for a while and I've now got all the bits I need to start on my signals for Cwmhir, just need some time to do them . Adrian Unfortunately this is the reason why I and a lot of other serious modellers I know would not attend. Warmers shows are actually not geared up for catering for modellers who need detail parts, wheels and materials etc. they just tend to be RTR traders and OO layouts which suits the masses. They do have a few small traders but they struggle because the Warners shows are not their demographic. Pete Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverlink Posted October 19, 2014 Share Posted October 19, 2014 What a load of poppycock!!! The Warner's shows are no different to any other shows other than possibly been bigger. Yes there are others that are as big or bigger but the Warner's offer good value for money and a wide variety of layouts and traders. Perhaps Pete could enlighten us and tell us which specialist traders where missing compared with other shows we all visit? Ian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold DaveF Posted October 19, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 19, 2014 One of the issues affecting the attendance of small traders at shows is the cost of attending. Obviously there is the stand fee to which you have to add the cost of transport, overnight accommodation and food. If the trader has a shop they also have to pay someone to work in it while they are away. Quite recently a friend who is in the trade told me the actual cost of attending a show, he has to sell an awful lot to break even let alone make a profit. So who organises an exhibition is not always relevant, many specialist traders attend fewer than they did to avoid making a loss.. I would add that I am not a trader in the model railway business. David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darwinian Posted October 19, 2014 Share Posted October 19, 2014 Quite recently a friend who is in the trade told me the actual cost of attending a show, he has to sell an awful lot to break even let alone make a profit. So who organises an exhibition is not always relevant, many specialist traders attend fewer than they did to avoid making a loss.. That makes perfect sense. As I said I still enjoyed the show and some of the modelling on dispay was most inspiring. For my specialist bits and bobs I'll have to keep going to ExpoEM (despite being an 00-gauger) and maybe Railex too after going for the first time this year. Unfortunately both of those are a lot further from home and the wrong side of the M25 (my fault for choosing to live in Norfok I guess ). Adrian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bungus the Fogeyman Posted October 19, 2014 Share Posted October 19, 2014 Might I suggest Darwinian checking your route planning as both the exhibitions you mention are north of the river and outside the M25......mind you theyre still a bit of a schlep from Norfolk.. As for poppycock Silverlink, I would venture that Warners Shows are very different to other shows, purely because they are run as a commercial venture. I realise that clubs, when they put on their annual show, do not aim to lose money but they do get the balance about right. This weekends show I felt was top-heavy trade-wise, with a preponderance of box shifters..I think petes comments are quite valid. And before you question his credibility, he was part of the team who organised the DEMU showcase for a number of years. Very successfully, I may add...... Disgusting of Market Harborough Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Blandford1969 Posted October 19, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 19, 2014 We must have hit the show wrong as it felt like most of the layouts we stopped in front of there was not a lot going on, my friend who is in a scooter could not see up to some of the layouts (which did not help being able to stop and just look) Ogden Fold was good and it was nice to see a pre group L&Y layout and working signals, even if on a couple of occasions the trains went in the wrong direction and had to be rapidly reversed. I thought the trade support was ok, but I was only looking for brass strip. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Graham_Muz Posted October 19, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 19, 2014 My team of operators, thanks to Mum and Dad and fellow members of the High and Wycombe and District MRS, and I had a great weekend with Fisherton Sarum. I hope my ramblings in the theatre were not too boring. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darwinian Posted October 19, 2014 Share Posted October 19, 2014 Might I suggest Darwinian checking your route planning as both the exhibitions you mention are north of the river and outside the M25......mind you theyre still a bit of a schlep from Norfolk.. True but both are West of the capital and I'm East. It is possible to avoid the M25 by going the long way around (some might say as a GWR follower that's more appropriate ). Fortunately Expo EM in Bracknell is close to my Dad's so a trip back to my old home isn't such a hardship. I tried avoiding the M25 going to Aylsebury and hit traffic jam after traffic jam. If you've got a good route lety me know ! I really enjoyed railex, having never been before. Going a bit now I think Adrian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bungus the Fogeyman Posted October 19, 2014 Share Posted October 19, 2014 Depend where you are in Norfolk. ...... Disgusting of Market Harborough Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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