Exhibitions

[PostModN66]

THOSE are the ones who bother me the most, and after its all over for the day, I do tend to ask myself 'Did I help 'somehow', without ever knowing the answer.  No doubt you have experienced similar situations.

I can speak as one of the quiet ones.  As a beginner, I am a little wary of asking stupid questions.  Also, I am at the stage where I learn a lot simply by "standing and staring" - seeing how the modelling is done.  So, if someone is watching the layout, rather than quickly moving away, then you almost certainly are helping.

Hi Steve,

I wouldn't worry about the stupid questions too much.....you get plenty of them from members of the general public anyway, so as a modeller you would be ahead of the pack!  I would hope to be able to gauge level of (model)railway knowledge and give an accordingly helpful answer.

As you are in Welwyn you might well attend an exhibition where (Neal) Cooper or I are exhibiting one of our three layouts - please say "hello", it's great to put a face to a name (You might already have done so.....if so, I hope we were friendly!)

I am always open to people getting involved in operation too to some degree; ironically though it is generally those with less knowledge that are most up for helping!

Cheers  Jon 

[Calnefoxile]

I can speak as one of the quiet ones.  As a beginner, I am a little wary of asking stupid questions.  Also, I am at the stage where I learn a lot simply by "standing and staring" - seeing how the modelling is done.  So, if someone is watching the layout, rather than quickly moving away, then you almost certainly are helping.

Steve,

There is no such thing as a 'stupid question' if you don't know the answer to it. I'm sure none of us mind answering the same question again and again, as long as it's not coming from the same person time after time 

You should be able to ask the Layout Operators any question you like and, hopefully, you'll get an answer. Well you will from me any way.

So don't be afraid to ask any question you like, remember we all started in the same position you are now and have probably asked the very same question you are afraid to ask.

Regards

Neal.

[CarriageShed]

I can speak as one of the quiet ones.  As a beginner, I am a little wary of asking stupid questions.  Also, I am at the stage where I learn a lot simply by "standing and staring" - seeing how the modelling is done.  So, if someone is watching the layout, rather than quickly moving away, then you almost certainly are helping.

Or like me (another quiet one) you can ask all your stupid questions here instead. Goodness knows I've certainly done that enough times over the past two years.

[Steve Brassett]

As you are in Welwyn you might well attend an exhibition where (Neal) Cooper or I are exhibiting one of our three layouts - please say "hello", it's great to put a face to a name (You might already have done so.....if so, I hope we were friendly!)

I went to the De Havilland exhibition in April and had a chat with the operator of Masbury, and he was very friendly.  I think I'll have the courage to ask more next time.

[D1042 Western Princess]

As a beginner, I am a little wary of asking stupid questions.

Steve, even the most expert of us (and I don't for a second consider myself amongst their number) were at one time a raw 'beginner asking stupid questions'. Remember, there are no stupid questions, only stupid replies.
Any hobby/job where you can learn it all in a week probably isn't worth the trouble of learning it.
Good luck with your new layout.

Greg.

[Newportnobby]

The 'local' exhibition schedule is getting a bit frantic.......

Sept 5/6th Blackburn
Sept 19/20th Blackpool
Sept 20th Macron Stadium Toy & Train fair
Sept 26/27th Leigh
Oct 3/4th Wigan
Oct 17th Bamber Bridge Meet Up 
Oct 18th Warrington
Oct 24/25th Hazel Grove
Nov 1st Macron Stadium Toy & Train fair
Nov 7/8th Southport
Nov 14/15th Colne

At this rate I'll wear out the replacement hip I had last year

[port perran]

That is a bit frantic. Will you be attending them all Mick?
We get about 7 a year within a 60 mile radius !

[simong]

Just been to the Andover show with my five year old.  He was given the chance to run trains on three layouts and the exhibitors we are very chatty.  Good family show.  Saw true excellent Seen Models stand too, they look brilliant. Also met some other n gauge society members so a good trip and worth a visit if your are free.

[Newportnobby]

That is a bit frantic. Will you be attending them all Mick?

That's the intention, Martin. I did them all last year and always try to support our local shows (within a 40-50 mile radius) with some longer distance ones thrown in. This calendar congestion is one of the reasons for me not going to TINGS, though

[paulprice]

That is a bit frantic. Will you be attending them all Mick?

That's the intention, Martin. I did them all last year and always try to support our local shows (within a 40-50 mile radius) with some longer distance ones thrown in. This calendar congestion is one of the reasons for me not going to TINGS, though

I think I may go to Leigh, not sure about Wigan though

[Newportnobby]

That is a bit frantic. Will you be attending them all Mick?

That's the intention, Martin. I did them all last year and always try to support our local shows (within a 40-50 mile radius) with some longer distance ones thrown in. This calendar congestion is one of the reasons for me not going to TINGS, though

I think I may go to Leigh, not sure about Wigan though

Wigan is the largest show in the area and this year will feature (N Gauge) Burghead, Norgate, Bodmin, Collerton and The Circle Line with the excellent 2mmFS Fence Houses as well

[paulprice]

I know but parking is not cheap at Wigan, its bad enough when I go to watch the mighty Warriors

[Newportnobby]

I know but parking is not cheap at Wigan, its bad enough when I go to watch the mighty Warriors

OK - I always get there early by buying my ticket in advance but I've never had a problem parking for free opposite the venue

[Newportnobby]

I posted this in a show review but not everyone reads them so, on the subject of whether you can get a bargain at a show, how about this.................



Yep - £450. No, it's not DCC and full sound fitted. According to the guy on the trade stand involved "That's what everybody sells them for"
I hope he still has it on the day he retires

[Les1952]

Having been out of the forum for some weeks following computer problems I've just come to this thread.  To put me in context,  I'm a regular punter at most local and some regional shows, a Warley competition judge, an exhibitor with two award-winning N-gauge layouts (Hawthorn Dene, Railway Modeller August 2015, and Furtwangen Ost), and most recently exhibition manager for the South Notts show (next one April 16/17 next year at Cotgrave Welfare, Notts).

Taking a layout to a show needs three consecutive full days (four for a three-day show) for the show itself including getting loaded, getting there and getting set up.  It takes two hours just to put the trains on Hawthorn dene and make sure they run once round without derailing.  It will also involve at least two days making sure that the locos for the layout are in tip-top condition and all rolling stock wheels are clean- plus time and expense on any locos that are casualties during the show.  Each loco runs about half to three-quarters of a mile over a weekend.  Furtwangen's trams do more.  The expenses I ask for almost cover my fuel, less-so as I pay for any operators who need to use their cars or the train out of that.

For much of the time both my layouts have someone out front specifically to talk to people.  Indeed people who have seen us before run a mile to avoid Jim's guided tour (joking). I operate from the end of the layout as far as possible as it is easier to talk round than over the layout.

From a show manager's point of view I'm aware that our club needs to make some money from the show in order to keep subs down to a level members can afford.  We are lucky that our hall will cost us less than £500 next year- that is the first 100 paying punters to cover the venue.   Ours is cheaper than most.  There are medium-sized shows paying TEN TIMES that and more for their halls.  Free shows, no chance.  Someone has to pay the hall hire.

Our traders all made a loss last year- think of that.  Despite the loss all are supporting us next year.  You ask why small shows don't get much in the way of specialists.  Until I have DOUBLED our footfall I doubt if most of the specialists I would love to invite would make enough to cover their fuel, let alone pay their staff.  Despite that we have next year Book Law publications, local shops Sherwood Models, Malc's Models and Brickyard Models, with newly added Access Models of Newark majoring on paints, glues, and the sort of bits we all need to get the layout moving, and three local specialist traders. 

For a local show the selection of layouts isn't always easy.  There are some superb layouts out there we just can't afford.  Yet we have next year a new layout with scenics by Trevor Webster and team, the sequel to Lagganmoor, two new OO layouts and 13 others in O, OO, N and two different narrow gauges.  There is also an interactive war gaming demo.

Please don't ignore those shows you can do in a half-day.  Clubs need you to be there to support their traders and to help the club continue. 

Les

PS
I've reduced our admission to £5 this year, and had 8000 fliers printed, each with a voucher for another £1 off.  There will be a house-to-house leaflet drop of these.  I want those extra specialist traders, and am trying my hardest to get the footfall up so they can afford us.

PPS sorry about the blatant plug