David Bigcheeseplant

I decided to drop back on to model of Thame I didn't realise it was nearly 6 months since I last did anything om it.

I was directed to a parking spot by people in high viz, I went to pay and was told by them it was free for people visiting the exhibition. As for the show I did think it was lacking, no if very few specialist traders. Some layout were nice but there was nothing wow that I hadn't seen before. David

Not quite, the Western terminus was originally where the A4 now passes under the Railway at Dumb Bell bridge https://history.networkrail.co.uk/uncategorized/SO_a405f0ca-0957-46d8-8f88-6e183bf63c0a/ The current Maidenhead and Taplow stations were opened in 1872, although I think there was goods facilities at the current Taplow site from the opening of the line. David

The goods shed at Paddington with a photo of the goods shed at Taplow, with the Dutch hip roof I think both buildings are contemporary with each other, or are they they same building relocated?

I went to the show on Saturday, I planned to do Parkrun before in Abingdon (as I wanted to get a nice sweaty smell on me walking round the show) but that was cancelled as well as Didcot, Harcott Hill and Bicester all due to flooding. In my option the venue was not the best but I have never been a fan of colleges or schools for exhibitions. There being quite a few pinch points. There were some nice layouts although I hate to think what the layout expenses/accommodation costs would be for the 40 layouts, as there was not too much trade to offset the costs. I thought the trade was disappointing and didn't have much of the small supplier type I normally use. Having brought a ticket in one building there was no one checking tickets when I walked into the two other buildings so if I had wished probably could have seen two thirds of the show without paying. It was nice chatting to Dawn Quest plus I caught up with other friends for lunch. The photo of Clarringdon on the cover of the programme was out of focus which I thought was a bit odd, also the flyer was a bit uninspiring with Rapido text phots of a unpainted 15XX rather than photos of one of the layouts attending. All in all a good show but I think the balance of trade and layout could be improved plus the setting out of the exhibits in the show to create a better flow. With a new venue and going to days there will always be things not foreseen. David

the only things I add outside of Fusion is the steam and smoke effects everything else is done with the materials function in Fusion. For items that are painted in real life or have a texture like brick I use paper as the material then edit with an image or colour I require this may require scaling to get the bricks right but it works quite well. For locos and coaches I use paint then adjust the colour to the correct RGB scales. You can then adjust the shine or matt finish that you require.

Hi Mike do you draw each building as it’s own model and then bring each one into another assembly as I do or are you drawing the entire thing as one model?

Nice work Mike, I had thoughts of doing a similar thing but it would have been a distraction for me. It is useful that the drawings survive, as you know I have used Fusion to draw up High Wycombe in the broad gauge although I drew the entire site up in 4mm scale. Doing the basics of buildings takes time but adding all small details and textures takes ages. One of the original building at Paddington as seen in the illustrations matches the goods shed at Taplow so I think they are contemporary and are the same. David

Tempted on ordering one, although the late GWR livery I would have to remove the lower bodyside mouldings. Is there any damaged or unpainted models Kernow are willing to part with? as it would be a case of getting the scrappers out to do some body surgery. Also the oversize lamps stick out so I would replace these with modelu items. David

I cant remember what the car parking charges are but are not that high, Tesco is an option but I cant remember what the time limit is there. If you fancy walking a bit further there are side roads that don't have restrictions. David

I will be there doing a demo on 3D design and printing, come and say hello. David

If you are in OO then you probably have the side frames to close if you are modelling prototypical distances. in P4 18.83 gauge the tyres are normally around 2mm wide. So I don't really understand why OO wheels are eating into your side frames. David

Thanks Mikkel on Ian Robinson models. I have now added the small toilet windows and louvres to the gents loo which are 3D printed.

We hope to, I have been in contact with the owner of the bus who is happy to do it, but he needs to arrange his drivers as he doesn't drive the bus himself. So yep we should have green Routemaster. David

Having managed Railex from 2005 to 2019 we had a team at the stadium management who was consistent and knew what we wanted and would go out of the way to help us. Covid found many of the long term staff move on and the centre taken over by Serco, so when we returned last year, we were faced with a whole new management team, so we had to go through all the stuff that had been automatic in the planning stage in previous years. We have look at other venues but there is nothing which is local or affordable. The bowels Hall is on the same site, so we were not starting with a black sheet of paper. Hopefully we will be back in the main hall in 2025. Until you have run at least one show in a new location there is no way all issues that may arise on the day can be planned out. Hopefully this year we can learn and overcome things that happened last year. Tim Peacock the exhibition manager and the rest of the Railex team are putting together a superb show for 2024, So feedback and constructive criticism are fine if it helps to make Railex a better show, although many things including the weather are outside our control. The only way RAILEX will continue if we have enough visitors to cover our costs. So, if you can visit this year, we would love to see you. David