expoEM 2010 bracknell 15-16 May 2010

[fursty]

Many thanks to the organisers a great show yet again. Thankyou as well to the demostrators, your time to allow me to ask my questions is much appreciated. Last but not least the layouts were a of a high standard as per previous years so thankyou for showing your wares.

I highly recommend a visit tommorow. BTW if you fancy a look at the second hand stand take your patients with you. Two or three deep most of the time so I guess the biggest thanks should be to the guys doing the less thankfull tasks, your efforts are very much appreciated

[Flymo748]

Saturday's meet roster:

...

I was too busy gassing to keep better records.

 

The show? Very good - well up to the expected standard. However the aisles were noticably narrower and hence the crush more noticable. Pix later.

 

Very good to meet folks there as well. I hope that you all had as good a time at the show, and as smooth a run home, as I did. I'm just sitting around and unpacking the various purchases ;-)

 

As a Great Eastern modeller, the layout of the show for me was undoubtedly East Lynn, with a superb variety of GER locomotives and some beautifully observed details.

 

Close behind was (the ubiquitous and eponymous) Penlan, with lots of wonderful pre-grouping rolling stock running through in fixed rakes, and Lee-On-Solent, which is set in a landscape that has been excellently observed if you compare it with the prototype photos on display, and showed some faultless shunting taking place.

 

There were also a couple of really good demonstrations, headed by a storming lecture performance from John Brighton on chassis building, with or without the use of the Chassis2 jig that he is so passionate about. In the words of JFB, "it's what works for you"...

 

A grand day out!

Flymo

[Kenton]

... and there was me thinking it was quiet this year

turned up at 10:45 - plenty of places to choose from in the main car park - so much so I was beginning to think I had the wrong day.

No queue at the door - a bit of a desperate "welcome to the show"

No pushing or shoving (except at the High Level stand)

 

As usual credit to the organisers and the exhibitors. (my only slight niggle was the rows of empty demonstration seats - but then I hardly find them of much interest - just a personal note) I guess the isles did seem a bit narrow in places but wide open in others.

 

The extension to East Lynn ... outstanding work - but then the whole layout is in my view one of the best around ... it is now even better .... but just 2 operators ! doesn't show it to its best

 

Also really liked the detail on Sutton Dock (but then I'm a fan of small layouts) I was glad to see it in real life as either the colours on my VDU need changing or the greens showing in the photos are exaggerated. It looks even better live.

 

Lots of other great layouts made this, as always, one of the top 3 shows I frequent.

[Coombe Barton]

OK, some Pix. I didn't get every layout - neither did I set out to. Some had too many crowds at the time I was passing and with the narrower aisles didn't want to interrupt the traffic.

 

We'll start off with the S gauge East Lynn and Nunstanton. This is striking. Very carefuly and thoughtfully modelled and captures the "Wide East Anglian Skies" of John Betjeman. Debates alongside that I heard included the scaling of prototype to imperial measures. Flymo has already nominated this as his star.

 

 

Merthyr Riverside - the almost monochrome, dank backscene with the muted colours of the grass and the slightly greying sheep of the coal mining areas of South Wales. Local colour also with the Tin Chapel placed on an otherwise unwanted piece of ground.

 

 

Apologies to the owner of this shunting plank as I cannot find his name nor the name of the layout. Thanks to josh993 I now know this as Saxlingham by Dave Tailby. I've included it because it was characterised by smooth running.

 

 

In the demo stands, Plasticard Modeling by Geoff Kent - this Congregationalist Chapel, based on a propotype in Ruabon, was very carefully modelled. It's now out of use as a chapel and is now commercial premises.

 

 

Lee On The Solent is small but has a load of fascinating operations possible. The level of scenic detail is incredible - you can almost hear the cry of the gulls.

 

 

!959s style BR(W) Roadwater. An interesting variety of stock and plenty of shunting.

 

 

An RMWeb member's layout, Penlan is period and detail abundant. It's worth looking at the long view as it shows the long sweeping curves and the amount and variety of stock necessary to keep this on the exhibition circuit.

 

 

 

Thanks to all who took the time to talk and answer questions.

[josh993]

That unnamed plank would be Saxlingham by Dave Tailby

[Buckjumper]

East Lynn... but just 2 operators ! doesn't show it to its best

 

 

Yep, completely agree, but we were five operators stymied by only two lunch slots...that and the fact the two of us were stitched up good & proper by the other three who left us with a clogged-up terminus; a couple of passenger trains (both needing the pilot), a parcels train and enough wagons filling the sidings to send out three goods trains (but only two brake vans in the sidings), plus a couple of spare locos clogging up the shed. It took until the end of that lunch period to get things back to normal.

 

Had never been to Expo EM before; good show, good venue, and decent exhibition food.

[Kenton]

That unnamed plank would be Saxlingham by Dave Tailby

and while I was watching, the attempt to run BR Blue was a total failure (appropriately) glad to hear the teething troubles were cleared up by going Green

[Penlan]

Just back, OK I did stop at Cartgate serivces (A303) for a bacon sardie, and in Newlyn to pick up a chinese take-a-way....

 

Enjoyed the weekend, will have to scroll through and see the comments, but first, eat chinese, then unload the van... then open a gottle o' gear.

 

Penlan

[Andy C]

Excellent weekend, good show, good journey back, many thanks to the organising team and Grahame in particular.

 

Shame about Bracknell itself though!!

[Highlandman]

Had a good day at ExpoEm today. It was good to see the more specialist traders you do not normaly get to see at club shows. Great selection of layouts, especially like Penlan and Nunstanton. I will add some pictures later.

 

Penlan: Just back, OK I did stop at Cartgate serivces (A303) for a bacon sardie, and in Newlyn to pick up a chinese take-a-way....

 

Best bacon butties on the A303 at Cartgate, stop there every time i go to Plymouth.

[Penlan]

.....Best bacon butties on the A303 at Cartgate, stop there every time i go to Plymouth.

And I got HGV drivers discount as well, so even better

 

Andy C - agree, Bracknell centre what a (negative) place in the evening, apart from the Chinese (better decor, but higher prices than Jumbo's in York) and those thighs in Wetherspoons , but it has confirmed why I live in West Cornwall.

 

Right, now to carry the layout up into the attic - 2 floors up!!!!!

 

Penlan

[Andy C]

And heres DerekEM8 nattering behind New Hey when he was supposed to be demo'ing!

 

 

and a few of the layout taken at the show:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Gee Vee]

Guys

Thanks for so many positive comments and thanks to all RMWebbers that supported the show be it as exhibitors, traders, lecturers, stewards or of course visitors. From an organisers perspective things did go very well and numbers through the door increased again on the previous year - yes Bracknell town centre is a monument to 1960/70s architecture (ok its a dump!) but the leisure centre is an excellent venue and the staff are extremely supportive.

 

Those of you attending on the Saturday would have seen the presentation to Society stalwart Doug Fairhurst who after nearly 40 years has decided to "retire" from his role as our publications manager and trade officer. His successors certainly have a hard act to follow.

 

Those on Sunday will have seen Stainmore Summit win the Best layout award. Congrats to Richard and all associated with the layout.

 

I take the comment about the aisles - they were narrower than I was happy with and we'll improve things next year. Pre sale of tickets before the show opened certainly meant queuing was kept to a minimum during the intial rush. Glad the parking was sufficient and the catering was ok.

 

One piece of feedback I'd really like is on the variety of trade. We had some new traders attend this year including Engine Shed for r-t-r and general stuff like Ratio, Slaters etc.

But thinking ahead is there any other specialist finescale traders or product ranges that you'd like to see represented at expoEM in the future?

 

Graeme Vickery (Gee Vee)

ExpoEM Manager

[Vulcan]

And heres DerekEM8 nattering behind New Hey when he was supposed to be demo'ing!

 

 

 

Oi, where's the pic of mi son of Red Bank parcels that I worked hard to create?

[Andy C]

Wot, this one?

 

 

 

[Pixie]

Andy C - agree, Bracknell centre what a (negative) place in the evening, apart from the Chinese (better decor, but higher prices than Jumbo's in York) and those thighs in Wetherspoons , but it has confirmed why I live in West Cornwall.

 

As a born and bred Bracknellian part of me feels that I should defend my little home but I can't help agree the centre is a complete urban wasteland, especially after about 6pm. The saving grace of the town is it's adjacenet areas - head a little north and you've got places like Waltham St. Lawrence which are very pretty, going east there's Virgina Water and there's the dense Queensland Forest to the South.

 

Whilst I know this information is a week late - I think the best bet for evening beer/food would be to either jump on the train up to Wokingham (I've always thought that what Bracknell could have been if it hadn't been rebuilt in the 60's) which has got some decent watering holes (Broad Street Tavern springs to mind) and food places or nominate a designated driver and go out towards Twyford way. If wishing to stay in Bracknell itself the Horse and Groom, on the same road up from the sports centre, is an option even if it is a little soul-less. The Passage to India is a little hidden gem but it still leaves the issue of finding a pint afterwards.

 

As sad as it is to say, The Manor is about as good as beer gets in Bracknell. If anyone dared enter The Bull or Red Lion then you're a braver man than I...

 

Pix

[Vulcan]

Wot, this one?

 

 

 

 

Whey Hey!!! :icon_thumbsup2:

[Leander]

Pixie wrote

If anyone dared enter The Bull ...

 

The New Hey crew darkened its doors as first stop on the Saturday night to find the barman chatting to two mates (one of whom may also have 'worked' there, and an under-employed chef. The London Pride was reported as being rather so-so but the Skinners was ok. We high tailed it to the Manor and saved 65p per pint in the process. If The Manor had been hit by an asteroid on Saturday evening, it would have not only have destroyed Bracknell town centre's sole redeeming feature but also wiped out most of the EMGS into the bargain.

 

Vulcan, AndyC obviously missed the SoRB parcels double headed by the 8F and Crab late on Sunday afternoon. The effect was quickly lost as vehicles got taken out until I was left with a light engine 48151.

 

Great weekend though (despite Bracknell itself) thanks to Gee Vee and his team for the organisation and to Andy C for building the layout for us to play with.

[Penlan]

.......As sad as it is to say, The Manor is about as good as beer gets in Bracknell. If anyone dared enter The Bull or Red Lion then you're a braver man than I...Pix

I drank in both on the Friday (and had a look at The Goose), and yes they leave something (a lot) to be desired - even with 'London Pride' at £2.30 a pint (and I didn't fancy mine, let alone yours.. - no, not the beer..) and this from somebody (me) where one of my local's 'The Swordfish, Newlyn' (which I use) was described by Sky One's documentary as one of England's "Toughest Pubs". There has been the odd murder etc., the women are worse than the men, and all hell breaks out when visiting Scottish Crabber boats land a decent catch in Newlyn..

 

Of course The Manor at Bracknell had some nice brews under £2.

[Penlan]

......I take the comment about the aisles - they were narrower than I was happy with and we'll improve things next year. ...........One piece of feedback I'd really like is on the variety of trade. We had some new traders attend this year including Engine Shed for r-t-r and general stuff like Ratio, Slaters etc......... (Gee Vee)

The Aisles? I did ask one of the Stewards on Friday when setting up if the marked area was a barrier line, as I didn't think there was that much area between us and the book vender opposite, but told no, '..that's front o' layout lad..' (or something like that), we did move back about 6" though!!!!!

 

Re. Traders, I'm not a RTR buyer, but I thought there was a nice balance of traders and presumably if they want to come back next year, they did OK too. I so rarely get to exhibitions that I don't know what specialists traders there are out there on the circuit anyway. Also of course they pay the Society to be there, thus further income to make the show viable - I don't want to know any details - and I wouldn't want any more non-specialist traders either.

 

Well done to the team on the Society Sales Stand up stairs too, frequently visited - to get some coffee of course

 

Finally (you wish) The offer on the accommodation for visitors at the Grand Bracknell, great, couple of friends took advantage of that -

I think RMWebber ChrisF was there too, I shall thus visit next year... if the offers on again.

[Penlan]

Most annoying thing on Penlan - apart from me.... earlier last week I had some visitors to see the layout, one had rolled cuffs on his shirt, warned him, but he caught the up starter and broke it, for some unknown reason I could not get the linkage to work properly after that, to much time was taken up trying to sort it before packing up the layout (again, it was ready packed two weeks ago) when one or two other aspects would have benefited from some attention.

 

The other problem was buckled track from the heat in the fiddle yards, aware of the problem last Easter at York (2009), I should have done something then.....

[Sidecar Racer]

Guys

 

 

One piece of feedback I'd really like is on the variety of trade. We had some new traders attend this year including Engine Shed for r-t-r and general stuff like Ratio, Slaters etc.

But thinking ahead is there any other specialist finescale traders or product ranges that you'd like to see represented at expoEM in the future?

 

Graeme Vickery (Gee Vee)

ExpoEM Manager

 

Firstly a big thanks and well done to the organisers and stewards for putting on this event .

 

Spent a very enjoyable day on Saturday as a first time visitor to this event , I found the whole experience to

be first class , I found the trade side to be about right for balance of specialist and general , it was really nice to see some of the non web or magazine people there , ABS springs to mind , all of the stand teams were most helpful even when asked to the most basic questions , and were more than happy to chat about their products with enthusiasm .

 

The layouts were great , real quality displays of modelling and working , I could not find one that did not deserve

to be there , shame all exhibitions are not like that .

 

The catering was another plus point , a good selection of food and drinks , friendly staff and plenty of seating made this a complete change from the last sports centre venue I was at .

 

So for me it was a 10 out of 10 day . Looking forward to next year now , it was well worth the trip

from Somerset .

[Sugar Palm 60526]

As exhibitors, with Stainmore Summit, we thoroughly enjoyed the exhibition. None of us got a lot of time to go round the show but i think we all felt the balance of traders and ratio of traders to exhibitors were about right. One of the gripes at some shows, the ease of egress for loading up, wasn't a problem - except for the rain but that can't be helped.

 

Winning the trophy was a real thrill for us all and particularly for Richard who built the layout to revive vivid childhood memories. He used to pass the abandoned site in the family car on the journey to the Lake District for days out and holidays. I think that being made such an award, judged by one's peers, is just that little bit more of an honour than one judged by the visiting public.

 

The hotel accomodation was excellent. We enjoyed a meal in the Chinese restaurant and drank in the Manor. The trek home to the North East was a bit tiresome - but no complaints really. Thanks everybody!

[chrisf]

I too will make use of the accommodation offer next year. The tower block called the Grange is more up-market than I would choose for myself. Ideally I would go for a farmhouse b&B but in that part of the world?

 

Pixie: thanks for your intelligence on the supply of ale, which I shall try to remember for next year. I was also in the Manor on Saturday night and understand I enjoyed it. One day you must tell me how you don't get dizzy circumnavigating the shopping clump endlessly in ever-decreasing concentric circles 'cos I did and that was before going to the Manor.

 

RMWeb meets - 8 of us all told [but not all at once] on Saturday, pleased to meet Coombe Barton and Pannier Tank for the first time. Sunday was less social with just me and iL Dottore in the appointed place at 1 pm. At least three other RMWebbers were visible from where we were but with their backs to us (how rude!). Mind you, it was daft of me to suggest 1 pm having forgotten that I was going to the DCC lecture at 1.15.

 

The show - well worth spending two days there. I had some useful conversations with demonstrators and traders and was impressed by the variety of layouts. To mention just two: Stainmore Summit was a worthy winner of best layout and I continue to admire the representation of bleakness that is the backscene on Merthyr Riverside.

 

Chris

[Penlan]

........The show - well worth spending two days there. I had some useful conversations with demonstrators and traders and was impressed by the variety of layouts. To mention just two: Stainmore Summit was a worthy winner of best layout and I continue to admire the representation of bleakness that is the backscene on Merthyr Riverside. Chris

Agree with Chris, and that dark and bleak backscene on Merthyr R. a joy and even some sleet/rain on the LH side.