PhilM Posted September 7, 2010 Share Posted September 7, 2010 Which are the best exhibitions in the UK for US layouts and also best supported by the trade? It is actually trade stands that I am most interested in, While you can look at stuff on the web, there is nothing like actually looking at products, and just browsing things that you didnt even know you needed And if anyone knows where Norwich is, is there an exhibition worth going to close enough to get to?? - this is by far the most difficult question as basically no-where is easy to get to! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve1 Posted September 7, 2010 Share Posted September 7, 2010 The Derby show usually has a good US showing but I guess that's a bit far for you? The Trent Valley show (Telford-ish) next June (probably) is US only. There were good traders there this year. steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glorious NSE Posted September 7, 2010 Share Posted September 7, 2010 Also worth keeping an eye on the NMRA-BR website for their meets & events http://www.nmrabr.org.uk/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
298 Posted September 7, 2010 Share Posted September 7, 2010 Ardenrail was about the best you could have got, although a few other NMRA area groups put on a good show, such as the South Shore group http://www.southshore.org.uk/exhibition.html The Trent Valley NAM show has the potential to expend, although i'm not sure the organisers really want any more work...!! North American content at shows tends to be a bit hit and miss in my experience, some shows can have a good year but be sparse the next so it's just a case of seeking out their publicity and making your own choice. I've exhibited my own layout at a few shows and once heard a comment that there was "too much" American there- obviously to some two layouts and a small Lionel display out of a total of 25+ is excessive. Trade tends to be a bit hit and miss, I wouldn't expect in this internet age and after years of having the Walthers catalogue to find a trader with lots of accessories at a show, although I find Model Junction in Slough have good stocks of just about everything you need. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Endacott Posted September 7, 2010 Share Posted September 7, 2010 Trainwest has about 25% American content every other year. Next year's show in Melksham, Wiltshire, on 9 & 10 April will have six American layouts and several US outline traders. Details are at www.trainwest.org.uk . Geoff Endacott Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveB Posted September 7, 2010 Share Posted September 7, 2010 Have a look at the NMRA-BR site for exhibitions in your area , which will be predominantly US. The number of traders is usually determined by the prospective footfall, so a larger exhibition will give more choice. I'll have Kuppla Yard at the Seaboard Southern show at Horsham at the end of this month. http://www.seaboard-southern.org.uk/annual-exhibition Dave Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortliner Posted September 8, 2010 Share Posted September 8, 2010 Ardenrail kas been discontinued and Nicks (Northpoint) TVNAMhas filled the slot - AFAIK he is planning for next year If you feel like a trek to the Highlands in Mid September (18/19) there will be 2 US layouts at Inverness Mine (HO) and 'arry Dodds O gauge layout - No US model traders at Inverness show AFAIK. Other Traders - can recommend McLaren Models in Falkirk, and Mac's models is in Kiriemuir Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nile Posted September 8, 2010 Share Posted September 8, 2010 I could be wrong,but I got the impression (from the horses mouth) that Ardenrail will be back next year.Let's hope so.It's still a long trek from Norwich though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortliner Posted September 8, 2010 Share Posted September 8, 2010 My apologies if I have passed on duff info - I was under the impression that the guy who ran Ardenrail had moved away from the area, and was now too far from there to be organizing it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nile Posted September 8, 2010 Share Posted September 8, 2010 Organising an exhibition and moving house at the same time was a bit too much to do.He's still close enough to organise another show there. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allegheny1600 Posted September 8, 2010 Share Posted September 8, 2010 If you want a REALLY big show full of US content then why not try and get to the NMRA annual convention in Kegworth, Derbyshire on 23/24th October 2010? http://www.nmrabr.or...nual-convention The only thing is, i can't remember if it is a "member only" event or not, sorry! You certainly can come along to the divisional meets, of course! http://www.nmrabr.or...nts/2010/09/08/- These should give you enough of a taster to see if you would like to join up! Cheers, John E. PS Oops, sorry Martyn thats more or less what you posted! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonhall Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 Tolworth Showtrain, has a dedicated American hall. Second weekend of November. I've been away from the club for a few weeks, but I expect to get a list of the layouts to add to the website any day now. www.tolworthshowtrain.co.uk Jon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
298 Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 If you want a REALLY big show full of US content then why not try and get to the NMRA annual convention in Kegworth, Derbyshire on 23/24th October 2010? http://www.nmrabr.or...nual-convention The only thing is, i can't remember if it is a "member only" event or not, sorry! I "think" the public day is on the Sunday, although the powers that be seem to have the view that if you want to go to the convention you must be daft not to join the NMRA, it's almost as if they don't want to attract people through the door and increase their own revenue and make the traders attendance more worthwhile, rather than just a flag waving/loss making trip. I personally would like to see the convention more like the annual DEMU show where it is more of a mainstream event yet still captures the friendly element, the only advantages to the present convention style is only having members means better insurance implications, plus the members right to operate or run their stock on any layout (that'll take some explaining). I did try to make a suggestion to the NMRA but was told "If you want to change anything, get yourself elected onto the Board of Directors first....". Now I know why it's referred to as the "Gentleman's dining club", which is why I won't be going to the convention this year.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Gilbert Posted September 9, 2010 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 9, 2010 I think the NMRA convention is "guests" on Saturday and "public" on Sunday (but I'm not sure for how long as the event normally tends to wind up about lunchtime). If you know anyone in NMRA I should come as a guest on Saturday. Despite the overtones alluded to by 298 (which may well be true) there is normally good US speciallist trade and a high standard of layouts. I know the organisers this year are trying to raise the bar with Pelle Selborg as a guest and sponsorship from Model Junction. I too would like the NMRA in the UK as a much more open organisation Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilM Posted September 10, 2010 Author Share Posted September 10, 2010 Thanks for all the options. Horsham looks interesting but would have to combine it with a weekend away. Shame Norwich is so far from England really:D Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-UnitMad Posted September 10, 2010 Share Posted September 10, 2010 ... Nicks (Northpoint) TVNAM has filled the slot - AFAIK he is planning for next year... The proposed date for next year's Trent Valley North American Modellers Show is Saturday, June 11th; same venue as last year - north of Lichfield, Staffs. B) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-UnitMad Posted September 14, 2010 Share Posted September 14, 2010 The proposed date for next year's Trent Valley North American Modellers Show is Saturday, June 11th; same venue as last year - north of Lichfield, Staffs. B) And now confirmed... http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php/topic/21712-tvnam-2011/page__p__214441__fromsearch__1#entry214441 :) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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