John of York61

Hi Jon, I take your point; in my defence some of the demonstrators have 'jobs' at the show. One regular, now in his 80s comes up on Thursday to help mark out/ attach the York Show green cloths etc.. Another is also the show Electrician and the N gauge demonstrators on the second Mezzanine are invaluable on Friday and Monday controlling the traffic so their colleagues can set up/leave with as little hassle as possible. I invited two new ones this year: 3D printing and a wagon loads modeller (whose wife I persuaded to help in the Exhibitors' rest room). One has retired this year so I am inclined to find a track specialist for 2025 (any suggestions?) my email address is piloti03@yahoo.co.uk ('piloti' is an architectural term-I was a big fan of Gavin Stamp in Private Eye). Some of the demonstrators are rotated as two had layouts this year and two will be with layouts next year. As show Manager I can't (and won't) tell the demonstrators I've invited to be more engaging! I prefer to let things evolve (a quick look at the show guide from 10 years ago would probably confirm this!). Next year we have a member of the York show team demonstrating Victorian Modelling which I haven't seen at York since the days of Mike Sharman. 2025 will also be my 50th anniversary-in the 1975 show I was one of Mike Cook's team on 'Totnes'. I was particularly chuffed this year in getting 'Trerice' and South Pelaw Junction. For the old hands, I did invite a couple of GWR layouts...did I mention I am a distant relative of Mike Cook?

Yes, we looked at hiring those orange plastic things which adorn road works. Leeds and Normanton clubs were the nearest that were quick to arrange. The great thing about the Warley club barriers is that they'll take them away at the end. Colin and I (plus Liz Marsden) took them back to Leeds and Grimethorpe today. Home by 2pm.......and relax!

Ha ha yes! Gareth Coles on the stairs....

Thanks everyone for the generous comments. It means a great deal when I'm shuffling round to see everyone who passes me smile broadly. It's a squeeze fitting 40+ layouts in a space which took only 37 last year! I particularly echo @queensquare when he said that it still has the feel of a local show. As I have been involved since 1975 and on the committee since 1977 (aged 16!) I will keep it as a 'local' volunteer-run show which happens to be the North's biggest. I try to keep a 50-50 balance between traders and layouts so there'll be something for everyone.

You're right @RichardT I was busy; manged to walk round most floors over the three days. Only 54 weeks to the next one! Nick Freezer sneaked into the Exhibitors' rest room on Sunday....

Thanks, I have emailed Peter Howells who is here this weekend (as usual!) to ask if you can bring a Warley club layout next year...with a van with barriers .....a year to arrange it (fingers crossed)

Sorry to hear you were pining for a pre-privatisation era layout and felt you had been left in the larch. Did you cedar layout Bristol Avon Beech on the second floor? This is only my second year at the elm of the ship! Thank you for aspen.

Just to add my little bit: sorry that we had to borrow the Leeds MRS barriers at short notice (3 weeks!). The Warley barriers (our usual) have far more flexibility and can cope better with long corners. I am glad to have invited South Pelaw Junction. I understand one of the gang is doing a P4 version..... see you at York in 2028?

Mezzanine 1 (pah!)

Setting off tomorrow with Colin Taylor in a big van to fetch the Leeds and Normanton club barriers; none from Warley this year as they don't have a van driver under 70. It's a familiar case; luckily, we can field two-Fred Ellis and the new floor manager, Colin Taylor. What a 'find' he was last year....turned up on Thursday to help for a day and stayed until Monday! He harks back to the Assembly Rooms in the 1970s, one of Bernard Richmond's Barrier crew. Here he is 45 years later.....going to fetch the barriers! For our regulars-we are using gate 5 to enter the yard this year. I have asked for help from Constant Security for extra help marshalling vans/cars etc. If you're setting up on Saturday morning, get here BEFORE 9:30am...we don't want cars milling around with the queue of visitors in the same place! Welcome our new demonstrators: Brian Davis with wagon loads (his wife Susan will be helping the show!) and Thomas Petith with 3D printing. New traders: Model Signs, MMR models and the return of PowerBond adhesives/Graham the Glue man. We will be setting up the memorial stand to Ken Gibbons, Roger Ellis, John Ross and Colin McCallum, who by coincidence is on Steve Flint's video promoting the show. Ah, and Rupert Brown has organised a rolling video to run on the plasma screens in the upper floor bars! For our visitors:- I'm fetching the keys for the gates onto the Knavesmire for the overflow car park (it will be needed on Saturday!) Google Images attached. Me? Edgy, nervous, same as before. If you see me during the show, please make reassuring noises; I'll be wandering around gibbering to myself!

Google Earth images of the Saturday overflow (free) car park which will be signposted and staffed by Constant Security Ltd.

Layout plaques ordered....

Exhibitors, demonstrators, traders and societies.....don't forget this year, the clocks go FORWARD on the night of Saturday 30th!! You will lose an hour's sleep. Here's a gratuitous picture of JS and Floor Manager Colin Taylor checking the downstairs bar.

Just heard today of the passing of Roger Ellis. Roger was a member (with Ian Nuttall I recall) of Grimsby MRS and back in the 70s I remember 'Burdale' an BR steam/diesel layout. Later, Roger became a country member of the 'Butcombe Junction' crowd with Dave Hackling et al.. I for one always looked forward to Roger's arrival at the York show on Good Friday to help set-up/lift the mood when Cookie was chucking his teddy(!) and just to chat when us "young 'uns" were generally ignored by the oldies! Steady away, Rog.

Dear Solihull MRC; sad to hear of John Ross's passing. As some of you know, John helped at the annual York Model Railway show at Easter for many years. Often the first to arrive on the Thursday, he would help with marking out and the welcome packs for exhibitors. We'd like to commemorate John at this Easter's show. John Shaw Manager, York Model Railway Show (piloti03@yahoo.co.uk)