Warley Model Railway show 2016

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freelander

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Noticed the above show is due at the end of Nov looked at the web site for the show at the NEC but does not mention about the cost of tickets paying on the door only on line/post. can anyone throw any light on the cost of the ticket. Also I tried to obtain traction tyres for some of my scratch built locos and have come across a product called BULLFROG SNOT which is painted onto the wheels to get extra grip, any one used this product?

regards Freelander
 
It is a victim of its' own success.. Can be a bit of a 'bun-fight' to get to see some of the stands. AND, if travelling by car, you have to add the cost of parking.
I find it useful for the more general bits, and for ideas.. There seems to be less that could stand being outside (accessories and electronics) each year.. Presumably as more general purpose digital kit is being used.
Now not able to get there early due to delivering papers. Still tends to be a 'must go' as more or less last show of the year.
 
Got to be the easiest show to get to by train though Phil, get off, walk through the concourse, and you're there.

Unfortunately I won't be able to go this year.
 
G-force1 said:
Got to be the easiest show to get to by train though Phil, get off, walk through the concourse, and you're there.

Unfortunately I won't be able to go this year.
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Yep.. SW has options of Club55, or senior citizens.. (though I mustn't rub the senior bit in!) :eek::rolleyes:

Either train, or car is a bit more of a pain if I have a number of repairs to return to a certain retailers stand.. :rolleyes:
 
I avoid the front scrum and head to the back first or the layouts I've picked out as probably going to be heaving. I also plan to stay all day and have a long break midday and go and have a sit down. It breaks it up and you can take advantage of the quieter time near the end and it's easier to get out of the car parks ;)
 
freelander said:
Also I tried to obtain traction tyres for some of my scratch built locos and have come across a product called BULLFROG SNOT which is painted onto the wheels to get extra grip, any one used this product?

regards Freelander
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I have not used that product myself but it was highly reccomended to me a while ago by some US modellers on one of the e-groups. I was trying to find out where to obtain traction tyres for some obsolete HO models. In the end I obtained new ones of the type I wanted, so didn't need to go the BullFrog route.

James
 
If you don't want to pay NEC parking charges I recommend parking at one of the nearby stations on the line such as Hampton in Arden or Berkswell. I think parking here is free ( but you should check) and the fare is under £3. You get a train ride and NEC Hall 5 is a short covered walk from Birmingham International station.
Sunday is the best day for seeing layouts as it is always quieter.
The Bachmann seconds sales stand which often causes a crowd is not at the main Bachmann stand. It is at the far end of the hall close to the GRS stand.
 
Large scale at this year's show
Albion Estates - Bill Bateson - 1/12th Scale

Hambleden Valley Railway - Stephen Howard - G Scale

Heywood Celebrations - Paul Towers, Mick Bartleet and Peter Leadley1/24th & 09 Scales

My new N gauge layout will be at this year's show just by the demonstrators. Warley club's new G scale layout will be at the 2017 show if all goes to plan.
 
It is my intention to drive up on Sunday. I just went to see about booking an advance ticket and save some money, being a fully paid up tight-arse. As I shall be on my own (story of my life) I only need one ticket. I see there is a 'Fulfilment Fee' of £1.50 per transaction, therefore saving on advance ticket for me = £0.00. Pay on the day car park = £12.00, advance ticket - £12.00, saving £0.00. I can see why people are put of by shows at the NEC.

David
 
I agree - I cannot travel with out wife -- health thing - £30 fuel 2 tickets-£24 parking £12 ==£64 -- I will not be going //// however we went to an embroidery/craft show, in peter borough arena (show ground ) free entry--- free parking - just a donation - same place the 16mm expo is held - so if they can do it, why is it so expensive if it is railways - -- rant over - thanks for reading
 
whizzo said:
I agree - I cannot travel with out wife -- health thing - £30 fuel 2 tickets-£24 parking £12 ==£64 -- I will not be going //// however we went to an embroidery/craft show, in peter borough arena (show ground ) free entry--- free parking - just a donation - same place the 16mm expo is held - so if they can do it, why is it so expensive if it is railways - -- rant over - thanks for reading
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The car park prices are dictated by the venue, the NEC. Unless things have changed since I helped organise our local Model railway Exhibition, now many years ago, the high cost of putting on a show like this is down to the cost of hiring the venue, the cost of transporting the various layouts from all over the country (van hire, fuel costs, overnight accommodation, etc.), feeding the exhibitors, printing programmes, flyers etc., advertising, plus a thousand and one incidental costs. The wonder is that Warley Club can organise a show as big as this and keep the cost down to what it is. I am in awe of what they accomplish.

David
 
I will be there on Sunday in my capacity as chief heckler of Matthew (GRS) and Mike D (of this parish).;):giggle::giggle::giggle:
 
Mr Duffy need an eye kept on him!:D
 
whizzo said:
so if they can do it, why is it so expensive if it is railways - -- rant over - thanks for reading
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Because all their exhibitors are traders paying to show their stuff so they have money coming in from all stands. Railway shows have to pay expenses and accommodation for the layout exhibitors so their costs are much higher. When I took Sud Harz to Warley it cost them three days van hire, fuel for the van and a car, two nights in a premier inn and two breakfasts and lunches. Now 70 or 80 layouts later you can imagine the costs.
And I have to say when I mentioned to Chris during a chat it had cost us a tad more but I wasn't worried he insisted on covering the cost. I've now exhibited 5 or 6 times there and been the other years as a punter like this year and still enjoying it ;)
 
There will be over 90 layouts at the show thus weekend. The builders of these railways will have invested a lot of time and money in their layouts and will be giving up Friday and their weekend to be at the show. It is normal normal practice at all Model Railway exhibitions for the organisers to cover the cost of fuel and van hire and also provide accommodation to exhibitors who live too far away to be reasonably expected to drive home and back in the morning. My experience is that, despite these expenses, taking my layout to an exhibition still costs me a little.

Traders pay for space and get no expenses from the organisers. If a show was put on without any layouts then admission could possibly be free.

Unlike many other big shows the Warley NEC show is put on by a model railway club for a model railway club. The exhibition is only a success because Warley club members, members of other local clubs ,layout exhibitors, demonstrators and wives/partners all give their time for free. This is not only the weekend of the show; I spend an average of two hours every week doing work which is purely for the show. I'm happy to do this because I think the event is a great showcase for our wonderful hobby. If those of us involved in organising the show charged for our time admission would have to be an awful lot more.
 
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