Hi
This is only my second post, an it might be a daft question as my layout needs a lot of work, but I recon that you've got to have something toaim at. I'm new to the hobby, but over the past few years I have wondered into theodd model railway show & thought "I would quite like a go at that".
The only thing I have ever entered in any sort of show is my motorbike (1978 GS 1000). That was easy, just ride to the show, get in for free, park up & spend the day looking at other bikes.
but how do you enter a model railway show? I'm sure you don't just turn up in hthe van on the day, so what do you do if you have a layout that you want to exhibit?
Cheers
John
The usual way is to let the show manager know you have a layout you think is worthy, invite the host club to view your efforts and if you are lucky you will be invited to exhibit at the next show and once you have done your first show if others like your work then you may be invited to show at other events.
Hi there and welcome to the forum. Do you have any model railway clubs local to you, even if you do not want to join you get a idea on how to make your layout.
Edit
removed my post as it seems to have raised a controversy,
and I wouldna want to be responsible of an off-topic diversion that cannot be handled in moderation,
would I,
Quote from: MalcolmAL on December 14, 2015, 12:25:42 AM
but it does lead, I fear, to only the bestest, most peer-reviewed, most intimidatingly good layouts being shown, not examples that I could achieve :(
I never understand this as criticism of shows - I go to shows to see good examples of what other people can achieve and to get inspiration (as well to watch trains!). Even if I think I can't match something (or not without lots of practice) I don't feel intimidated but the exact opposite - that such good modelling is possible.
In reply to the OP - if you are not a member of a local club then get in contact with a few local clubs and offer your layout to them. Give their show manager some good photos with details of your layout (size, era, what it is a model of, your contact details etc). Don't be put off by lack of replies or by rejections (many show managers prefer to have seen a layout run before inviting it). If that doesn't work then get involved with a local club and volunteer your layout for their show - the show manager will tell you if he thinks it needs improvements. Failing that get your layout along to something like one of the NGF meetups and hope there are a few show managers present. Make sure you have layout details (a sheet or two of A4 incl photos/trackplan etc) to hand out to them.
Good luck
Mike
There is also the "shop window" of various forums to let people know about your layout.
A friend of mine had an article in the latest Model Rail from such publicity and got some interest in possibly taking it to more shows.
I wasnt sure at all what you were getting at it your first post, I kinda get it now so thanks for helping me understand.
I do think there is a responsibility for show organisers to show the best available to them, showing what can be achieved is a good way to increase interest in the hobby.
The Chiltern Model Railway Association (CMRA) which my club is affiliated to has an on-line register of layouts available to show. I think registering on it might have helped me get an invite to their show. That and the fact I live 5 minutes away so the expenses are nil!
There are many ways. Being a member of a club is useful in two ways.
1. Generally speaking members layouts are usually invited to the clubs own show, whether it be great or not so great. Members layouts do not get travel expenses or need hotels so they are cheap which is good for the show finances. Members layouts which don't break new frontiers of modelling expertise (mine don't) show that a club welcomes ordinary modellers/ newbies and that is good for club membership.
2. Clubs have contacts at other clubs and so invites for layouts are often sent from one club to another along the lines of "what layouts have you got that you could bring to our show?" If you have a reasonable layout it could get put forward as a possible in the reply.
Generally speaking exhibition managers will be wary of unknown people contacting them asking to exhibit a layout. I'm pretty sure all exhibition managers will have suffered people dropping out within weeks of a show and also suffered from layouts that just don't work very well. The exhibition manager therefore wants to feel that the individual is reliable and that the layout will be to the required standard for the show. Inviting a complete unknown would be something of a risk.
Bear in mind that most exhibitions are planned about a year in advance and so most 2016 exhibitions will already know what layouts they are having.
To give you an idea my layouts have definite bookings for February, September and November next year with a probable for October and a possible for August. I also have a pencilled in for March 2017.
Generally the organisers cover fuel costs and van hire (if necessary) and provide sandwiches for lunch. If a layout is from a distance and the show is over two days then the organisers will provide a hotel - usually two to a room. This does vary. The last show I took my layout to was 50 miles away but I didn't ask for any expenses because the proceeds were going to what I felt was a good cause. Some exhibitions, such as the Warley NEC show, provide hot two course meals for lunch but some, such as TINGS provide no lunch at all. Maybe this is because the Warley show is organised by a club for club funds while TINGS is organised by a company who run the show to make a profit for their business.
Generally, I'd agree with the last post.
Once you have exhibited for the first time however, you may well get other show organisers contact you if they feel that your layout is suitable.
Reliability (both in terms of your layout performing well and you turning up as booked) is paramount. Organisers don't want to be let down on the day for obvious reasons.
The area you live in is also important.. Down here in Cornwall for instance organisers are often stuck for new layouts (people being unwilling to travel down here) so would be keen for new blood. In other parts of the country that are more accessible, that may not be the case.
Perhaps, as well as photographs, drawings, etc., a youtube video (other video hosting sites are available) would help potential clubs see your layout running, which might help :)
Thanks for the replies, the layout I have was bought on eBay as being in need of TLC, and I am trying to resurrect it whilst learning something about how to put a layout together. It does however have a number of exhibition plaques/stickers on it, including the 2007 n gauge society AGM , 2004 Colchester exhibition & a handful of others from around 10 years ago.
I'm sure we would all like to see some pictures :photospleasesign: :photospleasesign:
Quote from: paulprice on December 14, 2015, 06:54:12 PM
I'm sure we would all like to see some pictures :photospleasesign: :photospleasesign:
Seconded.
In addition to the above you need to ensure your layout can withstand repeated taking down and setting up.
While it can be time consuming, by taking the layout down, boxing it up for transport and then setting it up again, it will reveal loose track/buildings etc, poor electrical joints and vague baseboard joints. This can save a lot of trouble at your first show.
Prepare some "Exhibition Managers Notes". Mine gives basic details of contact details, layout description, power requirements, number of operators required and a diagram showing the dimensions of the layout, which side it is to be viewed from and a footprint (Layout plus working area).
OK after more than an hour swearing at the computer I still cant work out why some of the pictures are upside down in my album, but I'll try to post a few pics. nd at the moment I'm finding it impossible to put anything from my album into this post, we have 2 machines running one showing the tutorial, the other wrting this, still nothing is working, hey ho, keep trying.
These first pictures show parts of the layout just after I collected it, it was then called "Ramsey Junction" and had be last shown as a modernish Scotrail themed layout with the landscape being "Scottish", however I believe that it had already had at least one change of identity as the buildings etc. seemed very American in style, I guess it was originally intended as a US maybe rocky mountains style layout with a lake, station & timberyard. There were a few holes in the landscape, and quite a few bits of cosmetics to touch up. I also wanted to get rid of any US connotations and have a more UK based theme.
(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/11/thumb_32964.jpg) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=32964) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/11/thumb_32557.jpg) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=32557) Before (one end of the Ramsey Junction Layout)
and After - the same area, buildings still need weathering etc. (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/11/thumb_32969.jpg) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=32969)
:thankyousign:
I like your changes it now definitely looks more British than before :thumbsup:
:greatpicturessign:
Wahay! managed to get some photos posted. so here a few more, this is what the layout looks like today, we spent some time yesterday cutting new bits of board to put the backscene on, hence the plain brown MDF coloured "sky". and there is still the small problem of getting the wiring sorted so that it actually works. We also have quite a few figures to paint, and small Langley kits to make up, so plenty more to do. & we don't have a name for the new version of the Layout yet.
(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/11/thumb_32977.jpg) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=32977)
(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/11/thumb_32980.jpg) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=32980)
(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/11/thumb_32979.jpg) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=32979)
(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/11/thumb_32972.jpg) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=32972)
thanks for your interest John & Diane
Looking good. Hope you manage to get the wiring sorted.
Thanks for persevering and posting the pictures.
Looks nice.
The factory could do with a little careful weathering as it looks too new. With that type of scenery and Great Western stock this must be somewhere in mid Wales.
yes, Diane is in the process of "weathering" the buildings using water colour paints, she has done the station building, lineside huts etc, the factory area is next on the list.
(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/11/thumb_32966.jpg) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=32966)
As a show organiser, I absolutely agree with the several recommendations to approach a local model railway club, but will add don't do it during their exhibition - they will likely be rather busy and papers can easily get lost in the chaos. Better to visit the clubrooms at a later date.
Even better would be to
join a Club which would (a) give the opportunity to see how an exhibition works from the organisers side (there's far more to it than turning up and playing with trains) and (b) give a opportunity to attend an exhibition as an operator either with a club layout or another members layout to gain experience before exhibiting your own layout.
I'll also confirm that most Exhibition Managers will be very wary of inviting a layout unseen except from a known modeller with a known track-record. Invite the Exhibition manager to visit and see the layout in the flesh - this will allow him to see for himself how it runs and how it is presented.
Finally be prepared with all the other information he will need to know:
- How is it transported? - does it fit in your car or need to hire a van?
- How many operators do you need? you will NOT survive a weekend on your own (or if you do you won't want to do it agian!) but don't abuse it as a means to get all your mates in to the show for free.
- How much space do you need in total (it will probably be more than the exact size of the layout)
- What is your total power consumption in Watts (this really matters in some venue that are reliant on temporary supplies) "1 13 amp Plug" is NOT an acceptable answer!!
- Have a brief write-up ready (100-200 words)
- What is the value for insurance purposes. be realistic
Once you are at the first show, if the layout looks presentable and runs well, other invitations should follow...
Thanks PLD,
Do you organise the show at the Costello stadium? If so I went along this year. It really was very helpful for a newbie like me, the soldering workshop especially. I'm Scunthorpe based but work in Hull, we recently joined Scunthorpe Model Railway club, so I have access to some support & advice about getting the layout back to its original standard.
I didn't realise that exhibitors got expenses etc. I was thinking people would just turn up with a camper van / trailer or maybe stop in a B&B, and sort themselves out. They would simply be having fun sharing their hobby and showing what would otherwise be hidden away in a bedroom, garage or club room. That's kind of how it works with motorcycle shows, when I had the bike on the Suzuki Owners Club stand at Stafford Classic Show I got free entry to the event and took my own tent with me, friends who didn't want to camp paid for their own B&B etc, you don't even get a free sandwich, but people still travel hundreds of miles to exhibit and take pride in showing off their two wheeled pride & joy just because they enjoy doing it. Clearly showing a motorcycle is very different to showing a railway layout. I have a lot to learn.
Johnchell
While realising that things will be somewhat different in the UK, might I suggest that, PLD's comment that 'you will NOT survive a weekend on your own' notwithstanding, after doing exactly that for the past eight years, I have to say that it actually CAN be done, but requires a bit of prior-effort on your part.
The key to doing-so is to work on the premise that, in fact, you will actually be totally on your own, will see very little of the Exhibition Manager (EM) and so provide-for yourself accordingly. This is in no way intended to denigrate EM's but simply practical realities; they can be very, very busy, and as a result (and their very-best intentions), can actually 'forget' that you exist - sometimes for an entire day (been there, got the T-shirt; twice!). As a result I have found that it is absolutely essential to at least have a thermos of coffee or tea (or even a simple bottle of water) on hand, since your biggest enemy is dehydration. while mint sweets also help to keep you alert. Food can be problematical (although most events do provide at least a lunch of some sort for the operators) , but, again, go self-prepared 'just in case' with some sort of packed lunch and / or biscuits. And, most importantly, go to the toilet BEFORE the exhibition starts!! This is never mentioned in any discussions on this subject, but if you have a sudden 'need to go', I can assure you finding a temporary replacement for you as operator (should the need arise), can sometimes be a little fraught...
Also, take examples of any medication you may need, just in case the unthinkable happens and you need the medicine in a hurry.
The 'exhibition experience' can be very rewarding but for a first-time display, I would advise that, before attending the venue itself, you check, check and check your layout again, and make very, very sure that everything actually works - and then assume that in fact it DOESN'T!! I would also suggest that you arrive at the venue early and that you take two examples of of such (important) things as transformers (controllers), extension cords, double plugs, and locomotives (the 'important bits'), together with a small phial of denatured alcohol or methylated spirits and a cotton cloth to apply it with. A 'Bright Boy' (track cleaning rubber) is also essential as it is surprising how dirty track can suddenly appear on places where it previously didn't exist.
All of which sounds terribly complicated, but actually is not; it's just intended to make sure that you cover all reasonable possibilities. With time and experience, you will whittle-down what you really need to take, but for the first two or three it is (IMHO) better to err on the side of caution.
Trusting that this is of use, please let us know how you get on.
Thanks.
Quote from: JohnChell on December 15, 2015, 09:19:07 PM
Thanks PLD,
Do you organise the show at the Costello stadium? If so I went along this year. It really was very helpful for a newbie like me, the soldering workshop especially. I'm Scunthorpe based but work in Hull, we recently joined Scunthorpe Model Railway club, so I have access to some support & advice about getting the layout back to its original standard.
Hi John,
The Hull Model Railway Show at the Costello Stadium is a Hull MRS show - very much a team effort, I'm primarily treasurer for that one, but with input to other areas including 'layout spotting'.
The Workshop at the shows grew out of the regular workshop sessions in the clubrooms, and does seem to go down very well.
Good move joining Scunny MRC - from my limited dealings with them, a decent friendly bunch :thumbsup:
Paul