NHY 581

Breakfast of Champions, Sir !

Oh.....and GER E4 and F5 or F6 please. Asking for a friend........

Thought Rapido's presence at the Bristol show was first class. Corbs, Dan and Chris were really good company and a great advert for Rapido. Knowledgeable, enthusiastic and articulate. Add in the chance to look over the forthcoming Port of Par twins, E1, 01, Fireless etc etc and my day was made. Roll on Maidstone I say !! Top stuff. Rob

Sorry Snoops but cannot agree with you there. I thought the presentation was spot on. I've seen Shwt on a number of occasions and the lighting really compliments the outstanding modelling on show. A subjective view of course but it ticked my boxes. Rob

Just to pick through some of your points here...... Yes, Hall 4 was, in my opinion, a bit of an after thought and frankly, there seemed space to tuck what was there into the other halls ( possibly freed up by exhibits being unable to attend ? ) But I agree, Hall 4 was a tad superfluous. Layouts. Yep, some big one's there but there were a few narrow gauge, a bit of continental and overall, a good selection of layouts of all sizes. My preference is for the smaller cameo type layouts and those that were there were well done. As to the overall standard of the layouts, I thought it was pretty representative of our hobby and all were worthy of their place at the show. Demographic. As Phil @Phil Parker says, what can you expect on a Friday afternoon ? Children are in school and younger adults are in work. I was there all day, until 6 ish and there were families walking around later in the day, obviously after school. I'm at the younger end of the older chap department and I go on a Friday as it's generally less crowded and easier to move around and see things. No drama seeing the layouts or browsing at the traders. I can't comment on the catering as I took my own but I certainly sat up in the gallery overlooking the hall catching up with chums and as @Gilbert demonstrated, had that view. You clearly missed that. What was evident and enjoyable was how light, airy and spacious it all was. And finally, to return to your comment about the affordability of the hobby for children, I work in a model railway retailer. We have no shortage of young customers. It irks me when people go to a show and on seeing few youngsters there on a particular day, assume it's a problem with the hobby. It isn't. The hobby is fine and the sooner we start believing that the better it will be. Sure, other things occupy children these days but there are those who do partake and shows like Bristol, which demonstrate a broad spectrum of layouts are accessible and appealing to them. I don't do big shows. Annual trips to Warley finally put me off. Not my bag. Bristol is now an exception. Warners involvement with the Bristol show is the best thing that could have happened. Pre-Covid, it was dying on it's feet and I had stopped going. I returned last year for the first time in many years, only because of Warners involvement and clearly it is this that has invigorated a rather tired show. So rather than taking a glass half empty view of the show, regard it as a glass half full. Rob.

Yep, have to agree. Overall very good standard of traders and layouts and lots of familiar faces to gossip with. My second show since Warners took over and the difference that's made is evident. Not sure about the upstairs hall though...... BUT..... The car park field is already very boggy and I saw at least one driver having issues trying to escape it's clutches this evening. That said, the forecast for the weekend is not as wet..... Rob

All sorted, Jerry. Picked up a copy from Booklaw........along with a couple of other.....cough........"essential reference items " Rob

I've highlighted a few points here. Over the last few years I've seen quite a few locos built from kits. Some of these have been 'professionally built". Some have been outstanding, some have been excellent, others very good but a significant proprtion of all have been diabolical runners with poorly assembled chassis etc, despite them utilising high quality components. Simply put, the contracted professional builder has contrived to produce a sow's ear out of a silk purse but still charged a premium for their highly priced low standards. RTR these days is now arguably surpassing the abilities of all but the "best " of these professionals at considerably less cost than that which they charge to produce an ultimately poorly running model. So what's the point ? Yes, there will still be prototypes for which there are no RTR models and if it's a must have model then, if you lack the ability to do it yourself ( as I do ) then you have no alternative but trust these individuals. But it's not without risk. I'm happy with my lot and derive my modelling satisfaction from building a background to suit, using careful weathering etc to personalise rtr stock and rtp buildings to produce what I want to see. None of this means I don't appreciate a model of whatever built from a kit or that I think my way is the be all and end all. It's simply me taking advantage of what is now available and using it to the best of my abilities to allow me to model my chosen prototype. Rob

Going later today, Ducky. I see you noting bus stuff on that thread. You flapping south ? Rob

So glad the retro look has been maintained and they do seem to be arriving a bit quicker as of late. Seems to be a good spread of content as well. I'm particulary intrigued by Barry Norman's contribution. Hopefully available at the Bristol show. Rob.

Callum is normally the Angel of Death when he points his camera at my layouts.........and yes, he's indeed a very good editor. Rob

Many thanks, Callum. As ever, a great record of a lovely day. Thank you, Rob.

As per my earlier post, Bachmann are handing us a very good start, if not all that we need to build a nice little narrow gauge Cameo layout. I'm very much looking forward to these landing. A good opportunity to try something new. Rob.

Morning all. Anyone going to the Bristol show tomorrow ? Rob

BRING AND BUY Evening all, An update for those whose items sold in the Bring and Buy. All being well, I'm hoping we can start contacting you over the coming weekend and make arrangements to send over the monies we owe you. Stand by to stand by. Rob.

A shoal of these won't look out of plaice on A Cod to Bream. Rob.

Morning all. Well, with the dust settling on SWAG for this year, I'm hoping that normal service can be resumed shortly. Ewe is out at ExmoorRail on Saturday June 1st so a couple of jobs to do on that. However, main focus is now on getting Project W progressing. Even by my standards, progress to date has been at a molluscesque pace. Though some building has taken place, it is little more than a bare board with track down and wired at present. Mindful that I will be setting this up for Railwells on August 2nd, I really must get going on this. This is where we are currently. J15 was being tested but this will be pre WW1 SE&CR. Fiddle yard is going to be at the other end. Goods yard at the camera end. Water feature to the right will be, as per EWE, at the front of the layout. The game is ahoof.

Wake Me Up When September Ends-Green Day..

Tidy.

Morning all, A date for your diaries. I can confirm that SWAG'25 will be held on..... SUNDAY 6TH APRIL 2025. Please note the shift to the beginning of the month, made for a variety of reasons. Hall is booked and deposit paid. ☆The fact that we can go ahead and do this is entirely due to the success of this year's jolly modellers day out and in particular, the generous donations made to the cause by both our visitors and a few very kind souls, who despite being unable to attend have still contributed.☆ On behalf of all who are involved in SWAG... I thank you. Rob

See you there !

Evening all, A quick note. I hope to announce the date of next year's SWAG by the end of the week. I thank you.

Thank you for posting these and all the images to come, Jamie. The time and effort you put into creating such a wonderful record of the day is very much appreciated by all us. Rob.

Evening all, Well, that seemed to go rather well. My thanks to all who came along today. My impression is that it was busier than last year and I spoke to quite a few people for whom it was their first and hopefully not their last visit to SWAG. Thank you to all our exhibitors who generously brought their layouts along, giving so freely of their time and finances and of our members who demonstrated their dark arts across many modelling activities. And a huge thank you to @Godfrey Glyn, @Graham_Muz and @peter220950 who provided the catering and bring and buy to their usual exemplary standards. Not forgetting Aidan @Culmhead who despite being unable to attend today ( something about being on Portugal !) was fully involved in fine tuning the bring and buy. Special thanks to Nadine, aka Mrs @mozzer models who helped out hugely in the catering department. No mention of the catering department is complete without thanking John Farmer @Re6/6 who, aided and abetted by @Brian Harrap did such a splendid job of ferrying the essential pasties which once again were sourced by our much missed on the day Tim @Captain Kernow So, Can we do this again next year ? Well the sums aren't fully done yet but first impressions are that it's a resounding YES! One reason is the truly astounding amount donated by the visitors today which has provided a rather substantial leg up for next year. THANK YOU.

Mornibg all, Doors are about to open..........