Scaleforum 2011

[gordon s]

I can only reiterate what Paul says. It's a very good show indeed, certainly one of the best I have attended in the last few years. If I wasn't committed to other things today, I'd probably go back again this morning.

[Jon020]

I just want to mention, that I was made to feel very welcome at this show; I consider that joining S4 will be very benefical, and everyone I spoke to was very accomodating, happy to explain their particular aspect from that resin engine unit for the Thumper right up to aspects of construction on New Street (thanks Jim). Had a good look underneath Elcot rd... and a really nice chat with all involved. Spoke a few times with Terry Bendall who started showing me some of the Elcot Rd aspects with Simon. Time for me to give some of this a go. All on the S4 stand were very welcoming.

The BnB stand was busy... I'm sure that's what some people go there for.... I took a quick look... but just to see what was there. A lot even by mid afternoon, but it all seemed to be doing good business. Despite it being busy, its position at the end of the upper level doesn't impact any other exhibitor (as far as I could tell) and the crowds would nto be in the way; well placed I'd say... but yes it's popular!

Really taken by the Ouse valley viaduct... only part of what will be a 137' display (wow!) So far - very impressive. A nice Chat with all.... and thanks Tim, it was great to sit down ... and I thank you for your P4 advice. Time to give it a go. Len was very helpful on the P4 Track Co stand. Thank you.

I was surprised to read that there was an incident of abusive behavour - I didn't see it. Although I suppose any show can attract "all sorts".

[Penrhos1920]

Got home about 10.15pm last night absolutely knackered. Thankfully Grand Central were able to get past the broken down train on the ECML and make up most of the time by Eaglescliffe.

 

I thought the B&B stand had better stuff on it than in previous years, even at 1pm when I got to it. If I'd been in the car I could easily have spent £200 or more on the B&B alone. As it was I spent much too much at the show. Plenty on small purchases.

 

Having seen Balcombe viaduct I now can't decide whether to build Walnut Tree viaduct (1548ft long) or Llanbradach (2400ft long). Mind you it won't be until Awrhyllgwami and Penrhos viaducts are completed so I've plenty of time to decide.

 

 

Birmingham New St reminded me of a few particular days in June / July 1989.

[multivac]

I enjoyed Scaleforum with some high lights (IMHO) being

Birmingham New St - with an interesting display of period road vehicles set out on the crossroads with familiar models from RMWEB posts.

The viaduct - finally found a source of foam sheet to use on the layout and the method and materials used during construction

Elcot Rd - with umpteen different rail fastenings used

S7 guest layout - well it was a Midland prototype!

 

On reflection I feel I should mention a few negatives.

Crowded near the entrance, the arrangement of stands with viewers frequently causing a blockage to free movement to the rest of the exhibition. The waiting did allow me to purchase a Fowler 2-6-4T conversion kit from Judith Edge Models though. I thought the old stand plan to be more relaxing with the demos near the cafe and even better would be to spread out into the Mole Barn with an increase in trade and layouts.

 

The Bring-and-Buy did seem very busy. I gave up and returned much later and found a purchase or two.

[Chris Nevard]

Just back from a nice chatty hours at S4erm. Bumped into quite a few merry souls from here. Balcombe is very impressive!

 

 

Some geeza demonstrating.....

 

[ChrisR]

I returned from my first visit to Scaleforum today (and got stuck on the M23 accident at the Gatwick Aitport turnoff for an hour - similar to my very extended train journey home on Friday...) and must say I thoroughly enjoyed it. I joined up as well. The Traders behind all the stands were very pleasant and seemed quite disposed to having a chat whilst I was attempting to purchase an item or two, freely giving their knowledge to help me in making my choice of purchase. All very useful and interesting to gain further knowledge. I did like the number of Trade stands vs layouts: very useful to have virtually all aspects of the hobby in one place where you could browse and then select the most appropriate item to purchase.

 

I didn't buy anything from the B&B as there was nothing that captured my attention. It did take me a while to get to the front of each of the three sections I looked at, but at least there was no pushing or shoving, nor bad language. The Ouse Valley viaduct is impressive, especially with a BIL/HAL combination 'passing'.

 

My only 'adverse' comment would be the spacing between stands. At times I was held up due to people in front of me suddenly stopping and reversing and I had nowhere to sidestep to without bumping into others (or even stands).

[Western Stalwart]

I too enjoyed a few hours at the S4erm. Nice to see Mr. Nevard, Rod C, Cap'n Birdseye, Chris F, Tim Venton with the very impressive Clutton. 'The viaduct' was mind blowing. Enjoyed a chat with one of the operaters of Longcarse while the others were away retriveing a car. Spent too much as well.

Was it me, or was it very quiet at the show this year?

I must comment about activities on the BnB stand have helped man it a couple of time about 4-5 years ago. There was a well known secondhand dealer (who wasn't there this year) who would always be at the stand before opening time picking over the cream of the crop so to speak. The item were then handed to us a put on his 'tab' to be payed for and collected later. I tended to stand at the other end of the stand lest I opened my mouth as it used to wind me up seeing him take all the good stuff before the public were in the show. To be honest though he wasn't the only trader doing it and indeed other exhibitors took advantage to. One year there was an item I wanted but would not take it off the stand until it was announced the show was open. I was praying that no one would take it and I was lucky.

Best wishes, Mark

[fursty]

Hi All

 

Just wanted to say a big thankyou to all the organisers officials and exhibitors, a thoroughly enjoyable show. Particular special thanks to the guys with Croft Depot for giving my son the opertunity to operate for a while, he thoroughly enjoyed it. Found the scratch built hopper wagons with deliberatley functioning brake gear very nice, I hope you managed to win some official acclaim from the judges.

Also thank you to the creator of Maindee east engine shed, there were always a good few infront of the layout and no suprise, also liked the touch of the viewing point at the end of the layout.

On the feed back front I was quite happy with the trade / exhibit balance as i'm a gluton for picking bits and bobs, no shortage for such opertunities.

Succeeded in finding three good purchases on the second hand this was after lunch on Sunday, one being a brass chimney for my Pug project so thanks to the person that wanted rid of that, its gone to a good and caring home.

Sorry only one criticism, as said previously the floor plan upstairs did cause some traffic jams, mind you its not suprising Maindee east was the first layout encountered and was sure to hold attention.

 

Thanks again

 

Regards

Martin

[Wizard of the Moor]

Waterloo Street is now home and settling back into derelict obscurity after a hectic, but extremely enjoyable weekend.

 

Many thanks to all the Scaleforum team for putting on an excellent show. Alistair and I had a great time chatting to all and sundry. Even taking an emergency shift operating Longcarse West added to the fun.

 

Roll on next year...

 

 

 

[Highlandman]

Had a great day at Scaleforum and was able to chat with very friendly layout owners and stall holders. Sorry to hear about somebodies run iin with the mindless minority, hope it didn't spoil the day to much or put them off the modelling fraternity. Many thanks to th eowners of Croft Depot for letting me operate their layout, if only for a short time. It was fun guys. Anyway here are some pictures. I hope to have more shortly.

 

CROFT DEPOT

 

 

 

 

 

 

EVENSTOW

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MAINDEE EAST

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Porcy Mane]

Particular special thanks to the guys with Croft Depot for giving my son the opertunity to operate for a while, he thoroughly enjoyed it. Found the scratch built hopper wagons with deliberatley functioning brake gear very nice, I hope you managed to win some official acclaim from the judges.

 

Thanks for your kind comments. Glad he enjoyed it. It's part of the Crock Croft Depot philosophy to let anybody have a go. Although we never took a count, there will have been well upwards of thirty different operators over the two days of the show, the vast majority of those been unknown to us prior to this weekend.

Next appearance is the Newcastle show so anybody who fancies a play with our train set come and make yourselves known

 

The Hopper wagon which was built by the layouts builder/owner (not I btw.) was lucky enough to be the recipient of the Eileen’s emporium award for best scratch build item in the show. I say, “Lucky” as the model making seen at the show was to such a high standard everybody deserved to win something.

Admission Time…

The working brakes happened by quite by chance… The hoppers were always planned to be built with working brake levers but on completion late Thursday night, it was found that on pushing the brake levers down this introduced an accidental twist across the clasp brake locking the wheel. Amazingly on lifting the lever the twist disappears and frees the wheel.

 

I’ll second your thanks to the organisers. From our point of view as exhibitors every base was covered and it allowed us to enjoy an excellent show with a very friendly and welcoming atmosphere.

 

Finally the Croft Branch weight restriction was temporarily lifted on Sunday afternoon to allow Mr Bradwells Q6 to come down and collect some hoppers. Very nice it looked too.

 

 

Thanks Porcy

[Chris Nevard]

Croft is one of the neatest little micro layouts I've seen to date, great presentation with a nice high wrap around backscene for photographers and the viewer

Did anyone else notice the realistic whiff off occasional oil on Maindee East? At first I thought it what the aroma of one of the members of the audience who messed about with live steam normally, but then spotted the tiny fans behind the lighting pelmet/proscenium arch - very clever

[ColinW]

A great show, went on the Saturday, which was busy. All the layouts on display (including the ones under construction) were of the highest degree of modelling. Agree about Crofton Depot and thanks to the operators for allowing me to have a play with it.

 

Colin

[Guest oldlugger]

Does anyone have more photos of the show? I've seen all the excellent ones above, but as I live too far away to visit the show I rely on the eyes of others so to speak. There are no model railway exhibitions where I live, sadly, so I always look forward to seeing photos of the UK shows here. I'd love to see more of Croft depot that looks very nice and Elcot Road... and anything else of course!

 

Simon

[Mallard60022]

Good heavens. Maindee East looks absolutely superb and comes with smelleffect as well. Just wish I could find the opportunity to come down for this Show. Maybe next year.

Thanks for posting these great pics everyone.

Phil @ 36E.

[Highlandman]

I have some more pictures of a great weekend at Scaleforum.

 

LONGCARSE WEST

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OUSE VALLEY VIADUCT

with a couple of abstract photographs

 

 

 

 

 

 

CLUTTON

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope you enjoy them as much as I did. Thanks for a great show and I look forward to next year. Please note that Tolworth Showtrain is shown in Scaleforum News as 5th and 6th of November. It is actually on the weekend of 12th and 13th November.

[Portchullin Tatty]

I was kn*ckered and poor when I got home last night.

 

That has got to mean it was a good show wasn't it?

[skipepsi]

I was kn*ckered and poor when I got home last night.

 

That has got to mean it was a good show wasn't it?

 

No I am knackered and poor every night show or no show

[Guest oldlugger]

Very nice photos Andy; thanks for posting them.

 

Cheers

Simon

[Enterprisingwestern]

Those pictures can't have been of Longcarse, the owner was behind it

 

Edited for the pedants;

 

"owner whilst it was at S4UM"

[Andy M]

Another superb show and my heartiest thanks go out to all concerned, organising team, stewards, traders and operators.

 

As predicted I hammered the 'Wants List' but had the unexpected bonus of obtaining a D&S 15 Ton Cowans Sheldon Crane kit. I've been seeking one without having to sell a kidney for some time, so I was well pleased.

 

For me the must attend show of the modelling calendar, roll on 2012!

 

Regards,

 

Andy.

[Re6/6]

The OVV team returned from Leatherhead tired but very happy with the reception we got for the viaduct. Thanks to all RMwebbers who made themselves known to us and all the kind words and encouragement that we got. It was surprising that so many of the general public know of it (drive past it regularly etc..) that it something of a 'national monument'.

 

The next stage will be dismantling it all to properly finish it and change some of the hurriedly applied cladding and add much more detail.

 

Many thanks to Terry Bendall and all his helpers who made it such an enjoyable experience. Particular thanks to Keith Norgrove who helped us put it all up and take it down.

[Chris Nevard]

Good to see that you and the other members of the South Devon P4 mafia got back safely after your convoluted west-east-west-east-west pack up yesterday. Even my wife knows of Balcombe Viaduct, that amazed me yesterday when I was telling her about the show.

[10800]

Thanks to all the RMwebbers and others who stopped by to chat and say nice things about the viaduct, it was very encouraging when it was only fully assembled for the first time last Thursday. Highlandman, you have managed to get some great shots of the view through the piers, thanks for posting them (and the others show how much more detailing there is to do!).

 

I'll come back to this tomorrow when I've recovered a bit from a long but very rewarding weekend. The rest of the show looked great, unfortunately we didn't get much chance to see it, but there certainly seemed to be a happy relaxed atmosphere.

[Jol Wilkinson]

I hope there was not too much damage to the new grass from the exhibitionist vehicles etc as the new management was very touchy over this and as this was their first major event in the revamped venue.

 

I was surprised that the venue management hadn't given a bit more thought to access to the hall for exhibitors.

 

Venues designed for shows, etc. always seem to understand the benefits of ramps at doors, wide tarmac footpaths, access roads, etc. Sports venues want the business, but don't think about providing the acces or other facitities needed. Whilst the exterior doors were locked and "alarmed" over night, the interior doors into the main hall relied on a piece of chain through the door handles and a padlock.

 

As the Leatherhead facility has just been refurbished, this shows a complete lack of fore thought by the site owners and facility designers.