I'm visiting the UK for a couple of weeks, 16th - 30th October, does anyone know of any railway exhibitions or similar things to do for either of the weekends. I will mainly rely on public transport, trains and buses although my hosts (niece and hubby) may be able to give me a lift if I ask nicely. I am going to be based in Hertford (Herts) so anything within reasonable travelling distance from there although if there was something really good on I might book and overnighter if it is a longer distance.
:thankyousign:
PS Names and addresses of any model shops in Hertfordshire/London would be useful as well. ;)
Unless someone has a subscription copy, there will probably be a substantive answer when the Railway Modeller hits the news stands on Thursday and we can peruse the Events columns...
Or......you could have a quick peruse here http://ukmodelshops.co.uk/events/exhibitions (http://ukmodelshops.co.uk/events/exhibitions)
Regards
Quote from: Caz on September 08, 2014, 04:27:55 PM
I am going to be based in Hertford (Herts) so anything within reasonable travelling distance from there...
I live in Hertfordshire, and so far as model shops go, it's a bit of a desert. But a couple thoughts:
In London, I consider Kent Garden Railways a must-see. It's in the Travelcard zone, very close to St Mary Cray train station (or a bus ride from Orpington to the Nugent Retail Park stop if you want a more frequent and faster train service). KGR is a brilliant shop. Despite the name, has masses of N-gauge stuff, both new and secondhand. One of the things worth looking for in the "N gauge corner" are the boxes of old (often very old) N-scale railway kits including numerous Taylor Precision Model wagons (mostly HAA hoppers, if I recall correctly), Parkside kits (various wagons), Fleetline and P&D Marsh whitemetal kits, even N Gauge Society kits! There are usually at least two boxes of secondhand wagons to rummage through, as well as a couple dozen secondhand locos in the glass cabinet. All this is before you even look at the new ready to run stuff: two whole cupboards full of Farish wagons and coaches, a small cupboard of Dapol wagons, two displays of Farish locos, and a shelf of Dapol locos by the cash register. I can spend an hour here, easy, rummaging about and invariably find a few unexpected gems.
The other good place in London is Wheels of Steel in Gray's Antique Market close to Bond Street tube station. Basically a stall that sells secondhand railway modelling stuff, you never know what you'll find. Sometimes the N gauge stuff is sparse, but other times it's amazing. Prices are very keen, especially given the central London location. If you're in the area, it's always worth popping by.
The Science Museum is pretty poor so far as railway stuff goes. Used to have the Deltic prototype alongside various other bits and pieces, but most of that has gone now (the aircraft gallery though remains great). You would probably find the London Transport Museum a bit more rewarding. But honestly, if you can do a day trip to York, that would be the best. Alternatively, Peterborough isn't so far away, and the Nene Valley Railway is very close to the station (you can see it towards the west as you pull into the station).
Cheers, NeMo
This place isnt to far from us.
http://www.rutlandrailwaymuseum.org.uk/ (http://www.rutlandrailwaymuseum.org.uk/)
Quote from: Caz on September 08, 2014, 04:27:55 PM
PS Names and addresses of any model shops in Hertfordshire/London would be useful as well. ;)
KS Models
19 Middle Row
Stevenage
Herts
T: 01438 901655
Open Thursday to Saturday 9.30-5.00, fair selection of N Gauge stuff but more scenic than stock. Very good for modeling materials such as plastic sheet/strip, brass, components, etc :thumbsup:
If coming by train it's just two stops from Hertford North to Stevenage on a rattly old Class 313, and a short walk from there ;)
Paul
Talisman, that for that but I don't subscribe to RM, only buy it when I visit UK and the calendar is usually for after I've gone back. :(
Joe, thanks for the link, had forgotten about that website, found a couple of options on there, possibly Peterborough the first weekend as it is a big exhibition and I should be able to pick some of the bits and pieces I'm after.
Nemo, Kent Garden Railways sounds a possibly as I may have to visit Sevenoaks. My other interest is in genealogy and I spend most of my UK visits shuffling between the National Archives, Society of Genealogists, Bodleian Library and the Oxford Record Office etc but some of my mother's family details are located in the family history section of Sevenoaks Library.
Mark, Rutland might be a little difficult but I'll bear it in mind.
Thanks Paul, I have visited the shop in Stevenage before and got the impression is was closing down as the guys that ran it were all retiring but if it is still operating I'll definitely make a visit as it seemed a bit of a treasure trove.
Other suggestions most welcome. :)
Quote from: Sprintex on September 08, 2014, 08:43:12 PM
If coming by train it's just two stops from Hertford North to Stevenage on a rattly old Class 313, and a short walk from there ;)
Paul
I know, I use these every time I'm over in the UK to get up to London but now at least I know what I am travelling on. :)
Have been to Wheels of Steel a couple of times and found them very friendly.
If you are in London then a trip from Clapham J to Wandsworth Road is worth doing (goes by Stewarts Lane) and at Wandsworth Road you get a terrific view of the viaduct.
Referring to title of thread... "Visit to UK, any suggestions"...
Yes - avoid my home town at all costs. :D
I'm here on holiday at the moment, I try and get to the UK every year. My daughter lives in London and on my visits I like to spend a day at the Bluebell Railway which is easily accessible by rail. You can buy a ticket from Victoria to East Grinstead and then walk along the platform to the new Bluebell terminus at East Grinstead.
It is a great preserved railway with plenty to see. At this time of the year it's better to go at weekends as there is more in steam. There are some model railway items in the shop at Sheffield Park station but the range is very limited. They do however have lots of railway books and DVDs.
I usually do my model railway shopping off eBay and from the big retailers and get things posted to my daughter's office. This works well because the postage is so good, parcels arrive within a day or two. Having said that there is a one that is causing problems at the moment, a bag of static grass that after two weeks and two emails has yet to make an appearance.
My downfall this year is books and magazines, my suitcase will weigh a ton :o I hope you have a wonderful holiday.
BRM Festival of Railway Modelling is on in Peterborough 18/19th October :) Never been myself but looks like a huge event with around 30 layouts of various gauges.
Paul
Quote from: Sprintex on September 09, 2014, 07:25:43 AM
BRM Festival of Railway Modelling is on in Peterborough 18/19th October :) Never been myself but looks like a huge event with around 30 layouts of various gauges.
Paul
Already got this on the short list and it is only £8.60 return train fare with my senior railcard, not sure how easy it is to get to the showground from the station though.
Went to the Alley Pally version when I visited the UK last year and it was a good exhibition with lots of layouts and traders so hopefully this will be similar.
Thanks Veronica for the Bluebell Railway suggestion, it is one of the ones I have never visited so will try and include that somehow. :thumbsup:
Quote from: Caz on September 09, 2014, 08:38:52 AM
Already got this on the short list and it is only £8.60 return train fare with my senior railcard, not sure how easy it is to get to the showground from the station though.
Free shuttle bus every 30 mins on both days :thumbsup:
https://www.model-railways-live.co.uk/Exhibitions/8-7/The_National_Festival_of_Railway_Modelling/How_To_Reach_Us/ (https://www.model-railways-live.co.uk/Exhibitions/8-7/The_National_Festival_of_Railway_Modelling/How_To_Reach_Us/)
Paul
So you're not going near chez Bealman, then. :'(
Tears not. ;D
George
Quote from: Sprintex on September 09, 2014, 08:52:27 AM
Free shuttle bus every 30 mins on both days :thumbsup:
https://www.model-railways-live.co.uk/Exhibitions/8-7/The_National_Festival_of_Railway_Modelling/How_To_Reach_Us/ (https://www.model-railways-live.co.uk/Exhibitions/8-7/The_National_Festival_of_Railway_Modelling/How_To_Reach_Us/)
Paul
Thanks Paul, think that is going to be a definite then, probably Saturday as trains do funny things on Sundays and turn into buses etc. :)
Notice that the following weekend there is the Hemel Hempstead show at Leverstock Green Village Hall, anyone in the area have any experience of this one?
Same weekend as Peterborough is the Swanage Railway autumn steam gala, Day return from Waterloo to Wareham £21.10 with senior railcard.
Just a bit further afield, and predominantly Southern outline steam. Gala line up not yet published though, likely to have one or two visiting locos.
The Leverstock Green show is very small we went 2years ago might have improved but I think we had seen everything in about half an hour we were abit disappointed.
Bob
visiting UK in October , best bring your welly's , its potato picking season :D
alan
"Thanks Paul, think that is going to be a definite then, probably Saturday as trains do funny things on Sundays and turn into buses etc. :)"
Surely not until midnight.
Kind regards
Geoff
Strangely enough the misses and I are visiting the U.K. in October - but from the 6th to the 14th and staying at my son's house in Chester.
There is a new model railway shop in the City Centre that used to be ModelZone, but are there any events in the area & not too far away that I could visit whilst over?
Chester regularly holds Train Fairs at Northgate Arena, but don't know if there is one whilst I am over - will have to check.
Could also be going to Chorley one day as it is our home town and we still have relatives there.
Regards
If you get over the border into Suffolk , Model Junction in Bury St. Edmunds is good
Ever thought about spending a night in York to visit the National Railway Museum, always worth a visit so much to see in there and only round the corner from York Station.
Quote from: Geoff on September 11, 2014, 07:16:49 AM
Ever thought about spending a night in York to visit the National Railway Museum, always worth a visit so much to see in there and only round the corner from York Station.
Thanks for the suggestion Geoff, I did go there about 6 six ago and don't think I'll get the time this visit to go again but perhaps next time or co-ordinated the visit with the York show might be better. :thumbsup:
Another suggestion from Bealman... avoid my home town. Then you're way ahead.
Ooops old advice :D
Quote from: Bealman on September 11, 2014, 09:16:16 AM
Another suggestion from Bealman... avoid my home town. Then you're way ahead.
Ooops old advice :D
Seems you have fond memories of your old town, where exactly is it then I can avoid it.. :D
Quote from: Geoff on September 11, 2014, 09:41:52 AM
Quote from: Bealman on September 11, 2014, 09:16:16 AM
Another suggestion from Bealman... avoid my home town. Then you're way ahead.
Ooops old advice :D
Seems you have fond memories of your old town, where exactly is it then I can avoid it.. :D
Hear hear. Its no good telling us to avoid somewhere and not telling us where to avoid! :confused2:
Check out the Bealman's Spur of the moment UK adventure thread.... which ain't finished yet, but at least it gets good after a hometown start.
Sounds like the lyrics of a Bruce Springsteen song... :whistle: :thumbsup:
Quote from: Bealman on September 11, 2014, 09:55:58 AM
Check out the Bealman's Spur of the moment UK adventure thread.... which ain't finished yet, but at least it gets good after a hometown start.
Sounds like the lyrics of a Bruce Springsteen song... :whistle: :thumbsup:
Thanks Can you give us a link, have searched but can't find?
Sorry, link here:
http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=22698.0 (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=22698.0)
Looking at this month's RM the nearest I can see to you would be a small show in Hemel Hempstead on the 25th October mentioned earlier in the thread.
9 layouts in various scales + 4 traders.
Leverstock Green Hall, Leverstock Green Road, HP3 8QG