NHY 581

3 minutes ago, PaulRhB said:

Quite right! I’m already enjoying my trip to the show 😁

 

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

33 minutes ago, Siberian Snooper said:

I saw the layout yesterday, the modelling is quite outstanding, but I think that the lighting is way too bright and spoils the overall ambience.

 

 

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

9 hours ago, Moonraking Red said:

Admit to last attending this show “pre-Covid”, and found myself rather underwhelmed today. Yes, the mega layouts were fab. The standard of all layouts present was really good.  I had plenty of very good traders to choose from, but…

I did feel sorry for the exhibitors in Hall 4, a very isolated location.

 

It was the variety of layouts that seemed to be lacking, whether to encourage the youngsters into the hobby, or more narrow gauge or continental, or just layouts of a size that I think I would be able to emulate.

I preferred the old catering arrangement (in what is now Hall 4). This also used the spectator seating to provide a relaxation zone where you could sit quietly and ‘people-watch’ whilst having some refreshments. The overflow to the cafeteria today was a dark circulation ‘corridor’, doubling as a route to the WCs.

 

I suppose I have been spoiled by the breadth and depth of the layouts popping up on RMWeb, and expected to see similar variety at a large regional show.

 

Perhaps best I not mention the demographic spread of the Friday’s attendance, or question how kids can afford entry into our hobby these days.

 

Reaching for my flak jacket & helmet! (Sorry, to appear a bit grumpy - must be the hangover from my footy team being cr*p this season).

 

Thanks, by the way, to all you Warners folk for looking after us.

 

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

4 hours ago, queensquare said:

James at Bill Hudson books should have them - Simon has had his delivery. I’m hoping to get one soon although I’ve already read it several times! 😊

 

Jerry

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

Rob

1 hour ago, jjb1970 said:

The fundamental difference between RTR and a kit is consistency. While you can get a faulty RTR model it can be returned and you know what you're getting whereas a kit can be a bit of a lottery and the final model depends on the skill of the builder and painter.

"few kits will be built to a standard approaching RTR. That may not matter if it's about the pleasure of building a kit and the satisfaction that goes with it but if people want a well finished, operating model then I  suspect that for most of the people most of the time RTR will provide a better model.

There's also the point that RTR includes factory built brass and white metal. 

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

Just now, Mallard60022 said:

You at Brizzle then dude?

Phil

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

1 hour ago, SDJR7F88 said:

A bit late, but better than never. Here's my video from the weekends event. Cracking show as ever, welldone to all involved.

 

28th April 2024 saw the RMweb South West Area Group (SWAG) host their annual members day held at Staplegrove Village Hall, Taunton, Somerset.
The show featured no less than 10 visiting layouts and dioramas in a variety of gauges and scales, as well as the famous 'bring & buy' stand, plus a good selection of other traders and demonstration stands . 
Layouts as featured;
OLD PARROCK - 4mm
CROPPER STREET SIDINGS - OO
PAYNESTOWN - N
ST.OSWALDS - 0-16.5
KYLE OF LOCHALSH - 2mm Finescale
RUYTON ROAD - P4
MIDDLETON TOP - 4mm
OSNEY TOWN - 7mm
UPBECH ST. MARY - 4mm
LYDBROOK DEAN - 4mm
Hope you enjoy!

 

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. 

Wake Me Up When September Ends-Green Day..

Tidy. 

See you there !