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 

Quote from: paulprice on December 14, 2015, 06:54:12 PM
I'm sure we would all like to see some pictures 

Seconded.

Quote from: port perran on December 14, 2015, 07:02:00 PM

Quote from: paulprice on December 14, 2015, 06:54:12 PM
I'm sure we would all like to see some pictures 

Seconded.

Double Seconded