LWMRSNews

To complete the layout list we have: -

Ryders Green Wharf - OO9

Old Oak - OO9

El Cremallera - Continental N

Weleaton - Association of 16mm Narrow Gauge Modellers

Trowland - S

And for the younger visitors:

Hogsmead for Sodor

Kindly presented by Brian Taylor of the Stafford Railway Circle.

Trade details will be published shortly.

Things are moving steadily forward towards our next event.

Layouts covering the 4mm Scale are include:

Bishops Quay  OO

Market Bosworth P4

Sheep Pasture P4

Shelvington and Rydes Hill P4

Market Bosworth is making its first appearance at an exhibition.

Very much a "work in progress" layout but will offer an extensive sequence of operation.

7mm layouts include :

O Gauge, Aber Emlyn, Wyken Yard and our club layout Kimble.

7mm Narrow gauge: Castle Works and Pyn Valley Railway

Here is a list of the 2mm N Gauge layouts attending our next event.

Abbotsford

Barton Hill

Bear Creek

Haversack Central

South Walton

James Street

Following the cancellation of our Exhibition earlier this year we are pleased to announce the dates for our 44th event.
The event will again be held at the Royal Leamington Spa College, Warwick New Road, Leamington Spa.
Our website is in the process of being updated.
Please visit lwmrs.co.uk for the most up to date details.
Further information will be posted here in the coming days and weeks.

It occurred to me as I wrote that somebody might make that observation.

We did all the work but had to bin the lot at the eleventh hour so the public just didn't get to see our efforts.

It was a finished product so I think we can justifiably claim it as the 43rd exhibition. 

Anybody want one of the thousands of left over show guides before they go in the bin? They will be a rarity for the auction sites in the future! 

I think most RMwebbers would support the decision to call off the show, but is there a chance that it might be put on later in the year?

Sorry cancelled not postponed! The 43rd exhibition is lost to the world.

We will be back in 2019.

No offence taken or criticism seen in any postings so no apologies necessary people.

Just explaining the detail decision making process and the difficulty of making such a decision.

It was a very tough day.

A Winter’s Tale from a Warwickshire Exhibition Manager

Weather forecasts early in the week suggested that the south midlands would miss the worst of the snow and we were confident that the show would be able to go ahead. We carefully monitored the local forecasts throughout Thursday and they changed frequently. A Weather Watch bulletin was posted on our website.

We started to collect information from exhibitors’ and traders about journey prospects. Very rapidly it was obvious that those travelling from the south and west were unlikely to be able to make the trip safely with red and amber alerts posted for that area. Heavy snow was now forecast to fall in south Warwickshire throughout the day on Friday. Withdrawals started to come in and were immediately posted on the web site.

It starting snowing heavily approximately 15:30 Thursday afternoon. Road conditions deteriorated rapidly. We started to receive phone calls and more withdrawals. At about 18:00 the amber alert area extended north to include the south and west midlands and the red zone moved in our direction. A conference call was booked with the key exhibition organisers for 19:30. Heavy snow continued, the list of withdrawals was also growing. The consensus view of exhibition team was that if would be unsafe to continue, but the insurance cover should be checked and senior Board members involved in the final decision. A further conference call involving Board members was booked for 20:30. The Exhibition Manager received notification at 20:15 from the College Estates team that the site would be closed on Friday which confirmed that the decision, already taken to cancel the show. was the right one. The 20:30 conference call was now just a formality to advise the Society Management Board.

The website was immediately updated, e-mail cancellation notices were sent out by 21:45, phone calls were made and text messages sent to ensure all exhibitors were aware of the situation by 22:45.

While all of the above was going on members trying to get to the club on Thursday evening failed and those at the club preparing Kimble for transport the following morning reported severe difficulties with their journeys home. On Friday morning we received a report of 6 foot deep snow drifts blocking all roads around the club. The decision taken purely on safety grounds to cancel the exhibition was clearly the right one.

It's never easy to take such a decision and the safety of all involved over-rules everything else, after all it's only a model railway exhibition! We want to be able to welcome everybody again in 2019.

In fairness to the organisers of that show they had no choice as the school campus they use was closed from Friday until Monday by those that manage it.

 

With regard to Kettering Leisure Village, it would have been interesting to see what happened if the leisure centre had been unable to muster the necessary level of staff to open to the public this morning - although I suppose that would have allowed the Guild to claim redress against the operators and re-coup their costs instead of effectively passing these on to the traders who were unable to attend. Whilst I am aware that traders are a commercial enterprise whose aim is to make a profit, many are cottage industries and any loss will possibly impact on funds available to develop products for modellers,

If only it were as simple as waiting for somebody else to make your mind up for you.

Please read the following summary of the way the decision was made.

A Winter’s Tale from a Warwickshire Exhibition Manager

As the cancellation of Leamington exhibition has been referenced by contributors to this thread without the benefit of the facts here is a brief summary of how we arrived at the decision to cancel.

Weather forecasts early in the week suggested that the south midlands would miss the worst of the snow and we were confident that the show would be able to go ahead. We carefully monitored the local forecasts throughout Thursday and they changed frequently. A Weather Watch bulletin was posted on our website.

We started to collect information from exhibitors’ and traders about journey prospects. Very rapidly it was obvious that those travelling from the south and west were unlikely to be able to make the trip safely with red and amber alerts posted for that area. Heavy snow was now forecast to fall in south Warwickshire throughout the day on Friday. Withdrawals started to come in and were immediately posted on the web site.

It starting snowing heavily approximately 15:30 Thursday afternoon. Road conditions deteriorated rapidly. We started to receive phone calls and more withdrawals. At about 18:00 the amber alert area extended north to include the south and west midlands and the red zone moved in our direction. A conference call was booked with the key exhibition organisers for 19:30. Heavy snow continued, the list of withdrawals was also growing. The consensus view of exhibition team was that if would be unsafe to continue, but the insurance cover should be checked and senior Board members involved in the final decision. A further conference call involving Board members was booked for 20:30. The Exhibition Manager received notification at 20:15 from the College Estates team that the site would be closed on Friday which confirmed that the decision, already taken to cancel the show. was the right one. The 20:30 conference call was now just a formality to advise the Society Management Board.

The website was immediately updated, e-mail cancellation notices were sent out by 21:45, phone calls were made and text messages sent to ensure all exhibitors were aware of the situation by 22:45.

While all of the above was going on members trying to get to the club on Thursday evening failed and those at the club preparing Kimble for transport the following morning reported severe difficulties with their journeys home. On Friday morning we received a report of 6 foot deep snow drifts blocking all roads around the club. The decision taken purely on safety grounds to cancel the exhibition was clearly the right one.

It's never easy to take such a decision and the safety of all involved over-rules everything else, after all it's only a model railway exhibition! We want to be able to welcome everybody again in 2019.

Who's been lumbered with standing at the door to turn folk away? I do sympathise.

Volunteers were called for and some of the local members came forward (including one you know well - not needed!). I believe we had 26 hardy souls turn up during the morning and apologies were offered along with an invitation to come to the club open day on Saturday 17th March 2018.

We will have representatives back there in the morning.

The open day at the club house that follows 2 weeks after the exhibition will continue - weather permitting on Saturday 17th March 2018 from 11am.  

Apologies to anyone arriving at Warwickshire College for the 10am start of our exhibition. Unfortunately we were forced to cancel the exhibition because the college site is closed until Monday due to weather conditions which also stopped exhibitors reaching Leamington Spa safely.

EXHIBITION WEATHER WATCH - EXHIBITION NOW CANCELLED

Thursday 1st March 2018 20:45

With regret we have to confirm the CANCELLATION the 2018 Exhibition.

The weather has deteriorated significantly in south Warwickshire this evening and the forecast has now changed with the Amber warning zone extending in our direction.

Just after 20:15 this evening I was informed by the College Estates team that the Leamington site would be closed tomorrow and therefore it would not be possible to build the show.

We will be in touch with all Exhibitors shortly.

BBC Summary Weather forecast for Royal Leamington Spa

We will continue to update here and on Facebook - /LWMRS and Twitter - @LWMRSNews

Here is the latest update.

​All expecting to attend the Exhibition should check their journey as we can only advise on the situation locally. I have members monitoring conditions further afield as well but have not yet received any adverse reports.

​Only travel if is safe to do so, your safety is our only concern. We want you all to come in 2019.

Exhibition Weather Watch

Thursday 1st March 2018 11:30

Very cold overnight heavy snow showers yesterday leaves minimal cover <10mm where snow lays. Roads are all running clear. Very windy.

BBC Summary Weather forecast for Royal Leamington Spa

• Thursday - Gusty Winds Light Snow
• Friday - Gusty Winds Heavy Snow Showers
• Saturday - Heavy Cloud and Breezy
• Sunday - Light Snow Showers and Breezy

The exhibition will continue regardless of the weather conditions unless we are advised by the college authorities that because of conditions on site it would be dangerous to do so.

Please check back here for the most up to date information before travelling.

We will also post on Facebook - /LWMRS and Twitter - @LWMRSNews

Because of ill health Finishing Touches have been forced to withdraw from the show this year.

The following Society stands will not now be attending the show:

• Friends of the National Railway Museum
• Gauge One MRA

The following trade stands have withdrawn due to weather related travel problems:

• None

The following layouts have withdrawn due to weather related travel problems:

• Chelma Canyon - Chelmsford MRC

Thanks for the good wishes gents. 

Thursday 1st March 2018 11:30

Very cold overnight heavy snow showers yesterday leaves minimal cover <10mm where snow lays. Roads are all running clear. Very windy.

BBC Summary Weather forecast for Royal Leamington Spa

• Thursday - Gusty Winds Light Snow
• Friday - Gusty Winds Heavy Snow Showers
• Saturday - Heavy Cloud and Breezy
• Sunday - Light Snow Showers and Breezy

The exhibition will continue regardless of the weather conditions unless we are advised by the college authorities that because of conditions on site it would be dangerous to do so.

Please check back here for the most up to date information before travelling.

We will also post on Facebook - /LWMRS and Twitter - @LWMRSNews

Because of ill health Finishing Touches have been forced to withdraw from the show this year.

The following Society stands will not now be attending the show:

• Friends of the National Railway Museum
• Gauge One MRA

The following trade stands have withdrawn due to weather related travel problems:

• None

The following layouts have withdrawn due to weather related travel problems:

• Chelma Canyon - Chelmsford MRC

Here is a statement issued by the society treasurer on behalf of the management board earlier today...

“The exhibition will continue regardless of the weather conditions unless we are advised by the college authorities that due to the conditions on site it would be dangerous to do so. Please check before travelling.

The most up to date information will be on our website www.lwmrs.co.uk , Facebook /LWMRS, and Twitter @LWMRSNews .”.

Latest update,

The exhibition pocket guide is now available on our website.

To download it, please go to http://lwmrs.co.uk/index.php/downloads/pocket-guide

Today's updates - final stand and locations for all stands. The show guide and floor plan leaflet has now gone to print, so we can't change any locations.

As usual, we have a wide selection of societies represented at the exhibition. These cover both local modelling societies which may be of interest to local modellers, and railway societies covering historical interests, preservation societies, and various modelling sales and gauges.

Stand 65 should read "Kitmaster Collectors Club"

 

Terry

It does now. Thanks

Traders at our exhibition

You'll recognise many of our regular favourites here this year, but we do have a couple of new traders too, 

Layouts at our exhibition. Now updated with stand/hall locations

This year our featured club layout is Kimble - our massive 40' x 16' O gauge layout. To go with this we've booked a number of other classic 7mm layouts, including the even larger Newchapel Junction.

That doesn't mean we've forgotten other scales though. Our 25 layouts cover the world, from Australia to the UK, from Spain, to Canada, with layouts ranging from 2mm scale narrow gauge up to G gauge. Periods covered extend from the 1920s to the present day.

Caroline Castle                              Santashire, UK. Current Period         2mm/ft scale 6.5mm narrow gauge        Stand 9, Atrium

Barton Hill                                      1985-1992 Modern                            2mm/ft scale, N gauge                           Stand 20, Atrium STEM

Haversham Central                       1960's Steam/Diesel                          2mm/ft scale, N gauge                           Stand 65, Library

Abbotsford                                     BR early 1960's                                  2mm/ft scale, N gauge                           Stand 68, Library

Apa Park                                        Modern Image                                   2mm/ft scale, N gauge                           Stand 5, Atrium

South Walton                                 Australian NSW 1980's                      2mm/ft scale, Continental N gauge        Stand 18, Atrium STEM

Bear Creek                                    Western Canada 1990's                     2mm/ft scale, Continental N gauge        Stand 66, Library

El Cremallera                                 Pyrenees, NE Spain Present Day     2mm/ft scale, Continental N gauge        Stand 53, Balcony 1 M103

Readham                                       Modern Image                                   4mm/ft scale, OO gauge                         Stand 2, Atrium

Bishops Quay                                GWR/LMS                                          4mm/ft scale, OO gauge                        Stand 25, Atrium M002

Clutton                                           Somerset BR-WR, 1952ish                4mm/ft scale, P4 gauge                         Stand 70, Library

Sheep Pasture                              C&HPR 1950/60s                               4mm/ft scale, P4 gauge                          Stand 71, Library

Criancanny                                   Mid 1980's Carlisle Area                     4mm/ft scale, OO gauge Finescale        Stand 72, Library

Ilfracombe East                            Lynton &Barnstable Rly 1930's           4mm/ft scale, OO9 gauge                       Stabd 57, Balcony 1 M104

Holbeach Estates Railway           Lincolnshire Potato Railway 1950's    4mm/ft scale, OO9 gauge                        Stand 50, Balcony 1 M102

Old Oak                                        Early 1950's GWR                              4mm/ft scale, OO9 gauge                        Stand 58, Balcony 1 M104

Hogsmead for Sodor                    Thomas                                              4mm/ft scale                                             Stand 4, Atrium

Aber Emlyn                                  1930's SW Wales                                7mm/ft scale, O gauge                            Stand 45, Sports Hall

Kimble                                         Post Nationalisation in the Midlands    7mm/ft scale, O gauge                            Stand 34, Sports Hall

Newchapel Junction                    Post Grouping in the Yeovil area         7mm/ft scale, O gauge                            Stand 33, Sports Hall

Wyken Yard                                 Industrial                                             7mm/ft scale, O gauge                             Stand 51,Balcony 1 M102

Pyn Valley Railway                      England 1920's                                   7mm/ft scale, O9 narrow gauge               Stand 60, Balcony 1 M105

Chelma Canyon                          American Narrow Gauge                     7mm/ft scale, On30 narrow gauge          Stand 27, Atrium M003

Castle Works                              1930's Private Industrial                      12mm/ft scale n18 narrow gauge             Stand 59, Balcony 1 M105

Weleaton                                    Preservation (Battery and Live Steam)  16/32mm/ft scale, G gauge                   Stand 76, Upper Balcony 2

My take home for today at Warley is to look closely at MERG, there was a 2mm layout under construction using its components which one of the builders explained to me and then I spent some time over at the MERG listening to people explaining it some more, eye opener for me. I spend all day writing code but am a complete Luddite when it comes to my railway

That 2mm layout was Kineton on stand B76 and we are very please to learn you were able to talk at length to the members of Leamington & Warwick MRS N gauge and learn something new. We sent many interested visitors over to the MERG stand at B22 to lean more about MERG, (Model Electronic Rail Group) also celebrating their 50th anniversary this year.