andyram

Yes and you can tell the boss it's for charity!

Thanks Kelly.

Not sure what has happened with the last blog entry. It appears to have been uploaded twice.

Thanks. I must admit that I probably haven't quite appreciated yet how much work I have taken on. The November date seems to be so far away that I am probably in blissful ignorance, and think that I have plenty of time. I am sure that things will turn into a blind panic sometime in the future! My plan with Skaleby West is to take a "little and often" approach to the work, ensuring that I am ready to add the scenics during the 6 week summer holiday. That will probably be when the bulk of the work will get done. But as my blog title says...."The best laid plans of mice and men....."

* Not sure what has happened with the last blog entry. It appears to have been posted twice!

Hate to disagree. But I like the green! But I also wonder what it would like with the Ropley totem on the bottom.

Thanks to all for the layout offers I will message you all individually to respond. Things are beginning to take shape now, and in less than a week my stress level has dipped slightly. What a great website RMWeb is. If anyone else has offers of help they will still be very well received!

Now they do look just ready made for a model railway!!!

What are the APA boxes? Just thinking I could also use them as I need to build a portable layout before the end of the year.

The show is at Weston on Trent. I hope to have the final date by the weekend, if not then early next week.

Thanks for all comments so far.

I will contact the model railway mags once the date is finalised. Likewise for the local radio stations etc. The tombola idea is a great one, another thing I will pass onto the Parents Association.

As for road signs, the parish council clerk works at the school so I will contact her first and then highways after if necessary.

Posters and leaflets are in the early design stage, although some for the local area may be placed in the hands of the children in the older classes in the school.

I had thought about the refreshments. This will be passed onto the Parents association again. They are used to catering for our other fundraising events so that shouldn't be a problem. As regards free lunches for the exhibitiors I plan to give them a pass to allow them free stuff from the refreshment stall. Since we plan to have bacon / sausage cobs, crisps, cakes, teas and coffees etc I hope that will cover that.

Thanks for the info. I know what spaces I can use for the show, but have not measured these out yet. I like the idea of using the graph paper to mark out the spaces.

We have used the school hall for Christmas and summer fayres before, and the Parents Association have done a show with lots of pampering stalls for a "Lady's Night" so I, roughly, know how many tables I could fit in for trade stands.

My rough plan is to a "square" of exhibitors with the layouts around the outer edge of the hall so that they are near the plug sockets and thus avoiding wires having to stretch too far. In the middle, facing the layouts, I would then have the bulk of the trade stands. I have two traders committed to attending providing they can make the date,

We also have a couple of long, wide corridors in the school and I would try and get some shelf type layouts to display along these. I plan to then put my, still to be constructed, layout in one of the other rooms which I reckon I can use.

I had not really considered the programme as I thought that the show may be too small to warrant one. But now you mentioned the idea of getting firms to advertise in it I think that would be very sensible. Thanks.

As for advertising. I definitely will advertise on here, and will use the as many other avenues that are financially viable. Like the idea of editorial space in the paper. I had considered trying to get it into the "events diary" of the model magazines as I reckon these would be quite cheap. I also plan to make up leaflets to distribute at other shows and through local railway outlets.

Not thought about who would open it. Nice idea. I wonder if Pete Waterman is free lol!!!!!

Thanks for your comments and ideas, its given me lots to think about. Much appreciated!

PS So far I have one RMWeb blogger who has offerred their layout for the show.. Thanks to them too.

At the moment it is mainly the layouts as I am calling on the school's Parents Association to provide refreshments. But any help and advice that is available will be gratefully received!!!

Will not be going this year ... other commitments prevail. However I view the Allestree show as 90% nostalgia with a large preponderance of older r-t-r models. A couple of years ago the was a display of some fairly rare German Tinplate trains (or were they trams?)The fact that there is almost constant action on the layouts always pleases the local youth. My impression is that most of the layouts are assembled on the day on the church hall tables, by un-remunerated local people..The bacon butties are good value too.It does not pretend to be a model railway exhibition, last years signs outside simply said "trains today". No connection other than as an irregular visitor!

Please don't mis-understand my comments. I enjoyed the show, even if the layouts were not really for me. Like I said it was perfect for those who like to see the older models in action and the constant action does appeal to the youngsters.

I also referred to it as a "Trains Day" rather than an exhibition at the start of my entry. I was simply giving a description of the event for those who could not go.

Totally agree that the bacon sandwiches are excellent value!!!!

Like I said at the end of my entry - the show has given me an idea for running a similar event at my South Derbyshire school to act as a fundraiser. Thinking further on this subject, I think I could convince enough traders to attend. Just need to find those layout owners who would be prepared to attend any such show!

SVC layout has been in the model press... I believe both BRM and RM but not 100% percent sure??? but it's definitely had exposure... but your are correct as it has been around for more than a couple of years (probably nearer 3,4 or 5).Edit - (According to SVC website extant since 2008)

That explains why it looked familiar. I am sure that I saw this at Derby last year. It was a very impressive with so much happening. I loved the scenics too. Many of the buildings seemed to be from the Skaledale range. Just goes to show what is possible with off the shelf products.

I forgot to add a comment in my entry about something that did happen whilst I was at the show today. A tannoy announcement stated that an exhibitor had had a loco stolen from their stand. I do not know whether this was taken off a layout or trade stand. Either way I feel it is sad that there are people within our hobby who would do such a thing. An absolute disgrace!

As a regular visitor to the SVR, and someone who has regularly photographed this location I have to say that I am loving these pictures. The layout looks fantastic.

If you make it to the Syston Show I'll be there with Summat Colliery, come over and say Hi :)Don't forget the Mansfield Show 3rd and 4th March

I'll certainly look out for you if I make the Syston Show. I remember seeing your "Summat Colliery" in the Hornby magazine, and at one of the Derby, Mickleover shows in recent years. I quite liked it and watched it for quite a while. Will certainly say hi!

One thought - perhaps make a plastic cover that folds out from the walls and hangs over? soft plastic with timber holding it on the wall and a weight on the other side of the layout could work? Fold it out of the way when it's rabbit-supervising time and cover the layout afterwards

Like the idea of such a cover. It could be something to consider for the Easter holiday perhaps. In the mean time I had better stick to running the cheaper "Railroad" models on the line. A shame, as I have some nice models just waiting to run, including a Bachmann SDJR 7F, ex GCR 04 and "Sir Lamiel" amongst others!

A fantastic looking layout already. I'm already green with envy at the size of it!!

me neither!

Sounds like the show was a good one. Lots of good layouts from Hornby magazine that I feel disappointed that I have missed it. Not seen Bolsover or Hettle yet!

I like the B12 too. I have many models steam locos, but not a B12 yet. Isn't the Anglian set the one featuring a blue B12?? I always wondered if this was authentic.