expoEM 2015 - 16/17 May 2015, Bracknell

[Pacific231G]

I thought it was a particularly good show this year. It was great to see Leighton Buzzard again but there were enough other inspiring layouts to keep me there for longer than I'd planned and there were also some very good demonstrators.

It's interesting that even when they're theoretically not relevant to my own activities (H0 and H0m) I often find specialist exhibitions like this more interesting and enjoyable than general shows. I wonder if that's  because people have more time to talk with less emphasis on keeping something moving all the time.

 

Thanks to all concerned for putting on such a good event.

[Godders]

Got back at around 10.30pm last night after an excellent weekend.

 

Leighton Buzzard station behaved quite well but once again the fiddle yard took a few steps down the road to a major rebuild!

 

It is really very rewarding when people say such lovely things about the old layout and it is also surprising how many were recounting stories of seeing Buckingham upwards of 50 years ago. One chap took a long hard look at Stephen Denny (just retired) and recognised him from having last seen him when Stephen was still at school! 

 

I thought that it was not just the best EXPO event I have been to but one of the best exhibitions full stop. Once you get over the idea that everything is 4mm scale and either EM or P4, the mix and the quality of the layouts and trade was superb.

 

Many congratulations to Graeme and also many thanks to the Greyscroft lads for their help at the side of the motorway!

 

Tony

 

Hi Tony,

 

 

I'm that chap who "took a long hard look at Stephen Denny (just retired)" and am I glad I went to EXPO.

 

 

I was in two minds whether to go or not; what with all those chaps from the North grumbling about the travelling. They don't know what it's like to live down in the South East where it's hot and dry all the time, a/c bills for the railway room are horrendous!

I, myself had to drive 45 mins in an air conditioned car to get there, life is not easy for us.

 

I can only second the people who said it was the best exhibition they'd been to . All the exhibits were absolutely first class visually and operationally, the operators were also first class, happily answering all sorts of daft questions.

 

The demonstrators that I spent time with were helpful and nice with it.

 

In fact I was so impressed that I became a member, although Phil Tattersal did threaten me what would happen if I didn't.

 

Pity the next one is a year away.

 

Godders

[pete55]

 

 

Pity the next one is a year away.

 

Godders

 

Come up North and visit ExpoEM North in September.....last years was equally as good as this weekend was down South!

[Porcy Mane]

Come up North and visit ExpoEM North in September.....last years was equally as good as this weekend down South!

Even the Oop North AGM was quite sexy.

 

P

[pete55]

Even the Oop North AGM was quite sexy.

 

P

 

That depends on your definition of "sexy"!!

[Porcy Mane]

That depends on your definition of "sexy"!!

Hmmm! (Scratching chin and glancing skywards)

To prevent backing myself into a corner I would have to say:

The Modelling.

The Cakes.

I stress, not as someone said on another thread, the demonstrators!

 

Looks like it was a good weekend...

 

P

[Darwinian]

I missed this show last year but made it again this time. It's only 20 minutes from my Dad's by car so a good chance to catch up with him (and I used to play Badminton in the hall here when I were a lad) although he is three hours drive from my home in Norfolk

 

Anyway well worth the trip on both counts and I'd like to say thanks to all who made it possible and to all the friendly and helpful exhibitors and traders. Picked up a few bits and pieces that I intended to get but resisted temptation otherwise. I was only able to stay for a couple of hours but could eassily have stayed a lot longer. fantastic layouts and loved the little cameo's on several that were just nice observations of everyday events.

 

Looking forward to next year already.

 

Darwinian

[ullypug]

Thanks to Graeme and all his minions for a rather splendid show. One of the best I can remember.

Every layout was an example of top quality modelling. My only gripe is being on a demo I didn't have as long as I'd have liked to have a good look round. Managed to dispose of a couple of items on the bring and but meaning I went home with a couple of Cambrian kits and a few bits and pieces.

 

Managed to take a few photos. Apologies to those I missed out.

Edit-corrected predictive text guff.

[Enterprisingwestern]

 

Many congratulations to Graeme and also many thanks to the Greyscroft lads for their help at the side of the motorway!

 

 

Have you seen your wallet since?

 

Mike.

[Worsdell forever]

Have you seen your wallet since?

 

Mike.

 

Ha, Ha, Ha, laughing so hard my sides are splitting...     

[alfsboy]

It was a good exhibition .I realised I was 5 miles away in Lightwater,  looking after my pregnant daughter and my 4 year old  grandson  while dad was away at Pau GP. What do they feed kids on these days ,they have so much energy .He needs a bit of junk food to slow him down ,clog his veins up etc.I'm knackered .I looked in at the exhibition mainly to catch up with a few people I needed to see  work wise and didnt get much chance to look hard at anything .I model USA H0  mainly but these specialist exhibitions  really are great and such a high standard of workmanship all round .I like Scaleforum  and Expo EM much better than the more general coverage exhibitions .

I soon had to wizz off back to Norfolk but pleased I went and team daddy won so happiness all round

[Waterloo]

Thank you to all involved in putting on an excellent expoEM.

[Not Jeremy]

That was the first time that I'd ever visited an Expo EM and I definitely picked a vintage year.

 

Great layouts, great modelling and great company, thank you very much to all the organisers and participants, it was hugely enjoyable.

 

I was also very impressed with the hotel, my expectations were exceeded.

 

They say people like pictures so here's a snap of Kevin and David on the Wild Swan Books stand - thanks very much chaps!

 

 

Simon

[Kenton]

 

My only gripe is the location, there's nowhere perfect but it's a shame it isn't the easiest of places to get to

For some of us it couldn't be much easier. It is pretty good for most as well being right on the M4 with A34 going north/south and the M25, not to mention the M3. It eats Watford with ease. I thought there was an EM North for those in north land. (Manchester and the 'real' north. Which is about as inaccessible for me as EM South must be for you.

 

The trouble is there is nowhere that will please everyone.

 

Another voice of tanks to the organisers and the layout operators.

 

I had to go round twice because it seemed like every layout failed as soon as I came near it. Many operators scratching heads under layouts or giving their locos a gentle nudge. All much better second time round and anyway time to enjoy some spectacular modelling. Trade always good but having to keep the powder dry for Railex - besides I forgot to pre-order this year and a few items were sold out!

 

Next year's already in the calendar and hopefully I can get some track built for the EM project - ha! no hope of progress there. Still reading the manual.

[Kelly]

Bit late in remembering to post here, but just wanted to say quickly that I rather enjoyed the first visit this month to expoEM (made even nicer due to the emgs member price ).

 

Will definitely look to return next year (and looking into going to expoEM North too this year).

 

Thanks to all involved for a great show