London MEX at Ally Pally

[the_viffer]

jamienwr said:

I was there today (Friday) with my other half but I'll be going again tomorrow (Saturday) to grab some more bits for my engine.

If anyone see's someone wearing a black fleece with safety 365 on the right sleeve and Network rail on the front, please say hi as it would be nice to put some faces to names.

Hope to see some of you tomorrow
Jamie

I'll keep an eye open for you Jamie. I'm early middle age red fleece top, grey wire rimmed specs. Frau Doktor the_viffer opines also with beer gut. I've never liked her. Hope to see you. As I said I plan to lurk in the bar around midday but it depends a bit how weary my mate who is working nights is. So I may be later but will stick my head round the bar door once in a while

[waggy]

I was there from 1015 until 1400. Spent half an hour in the bar looking for badges, never saw one apart from my own.
Sorry Viffer, must have been a case of mistaken identity when I said we met a couple of years ago. Perhaps I'd seen you on "Crimewatch"?
Never mind, always next time. This was probably the busiest show I've been to, people still queuing to get in at 1300! Most shows have quitened down by that time, this one was packed.
Perhaps we should run a scorecard for how many times we are "rucksacked" out of the way by somebody in a far greater hurry than most folk?

Waggy.

[houstonceng]

waggy wrote "Perhaps we should run a scorecard for how many times we are "rucksacked" out of the way by somebody in a far greater hurry than most folk?"

And - - - - those persons who stopped dead in front of one and started a conversation with a mate about nothing in particular to do with the stand they were beside. Why couldn't they move to the side of the aisle ?

And - - - - there are a few attendees who could do with their old jacket, cardigan, hat, shirt or some other part of their apparal or anatomy being washed. Sometimes the BO was stronger than that which man can survive.

Oh and - - - - nearly all my mates from the club said it was the most crowded they've seen it since the first, one-hall, Picket's Lock show.

[the_viffer]

Andy and Waggy of course you are right (only it was probably the chamber of horrors where waggy saw me) but worth it for the 3.5" class 37 on the Ickenham stand. What a super job. There are some pictures of it here s118.photobucket.com/albums/o97/the_viffer/

[dickdastardly40]

Interesting that it was busy as it had been noted on another forum that I frequent, that the W.Mids exhibition in October was a bit under visited and there were not to many exhibits.

I was unfortunately otherwise engaged so could not attend. Is the next Exhibition in Harrogate in May?

[Myford Matt]

Next one is Model World in Brighton: www.brightonmodelworld.com/

15-17 Feb 2008

It's a bit of a mixed bag, plenty of ME, but also a lot of electric trains, and other similar stands.

There is usually a good collection of the regular sellers: Reeves, Polly etc.

Since it is only a 10min walk from my flat I never miss it, but ME-wise it's not on the scale of Harrogate or Midlands.

Matt

[Nexuas]

Sorry to come to the party late on this one, but have been in hospital since the early hours of Saturday morning after coming back from the MEX. Was a good show, and very busy, last couple of years I had pre ordered tickets and so could walk straight in, but this year had to queue for quite a while. But busy is a good thing. Was not really in the frame of mind for purchasing, but had a nice look at some really fine models, just hard to look close when people come and push you out of the way...

Was due to be exhibiting at Brighton modelworld with the RSME but will sadly be in hospital or if at home not well enough to visit, so will not be there. A good show though recommend a visit to anyone in the area.

[spurley]

Get well soon, Nexuas. Nothing too serious I hope?

Best wishes

Brian

[Nexuas]

spurley said:

Get well soon, Nexuas. Nothing too serious I hope?

Best wishes

Brian

Just been diagnosed with the Big C. (Testicular germ cell cancer) Start Chemotheraphy at 6am tomorrow morning for the next 15 weeks. I have good odds of kicking it, so I will be back out in the workshop as soon as I can, I have a loco to finish!!!

[gilesengineer]

All our very best wishes go with you, and we look forward to getting you back fit and well!

[baggo]

I'll second that

[chris vine]

Get well soon. We need you back with your camera taking more lovely photographs like the ones you put in the pictures section "Welsh Hills"!
Best Wishes
Chris.

[Uzzy]

So no one saw anybody else, I must admit I did not attend after my last fiasco of going my question to those who went, Was it worth it?

[Myford Matt]

Best of luck with your medication, keep positive and keep working on your loco! :-)

Matt

[mutley]

yep , get yourself sorted soon.

Andy

[Tony K]

gilesengineer said:

All our very best wishes go with you, and we look forward to getting you back fit and well!

Nexuas - very much agree - look forward to hearing good news.

Uzzy asked:

So no one saw anybody else, I must admit I did not attend after my last fiasco of going my question to those who went, Was it worth it? ]

I went on Friday. Very busy (good for the hobby) but had to queue for 20mins at 12.30. As always - a nice place but a naff venue for an exhibition. Less models than I had hoped. A good mix of suppliers but some missing e.g. Myford. Warco advertised a smart new lathe - but did not have one there!

One of the club stands had two Pansy locos which I was interested in but the pansies attending the stand were only interested in talking to each other.

Amazed at how rude people were - barging me out of the way - much like it used to be at the Post Office on pension day - does rudeness come with age? I bought a lunch and had to eat it standing up because the seats were filled with people eating the sandwiches they had brought with them!

Was it worth it - probably not - definitely the last time for me. I should have stuck to my previous assessment - the only one worth going to is Harrogate.

[chris vine]

Hi Tony,

I have found people very pushy and rude at exhibitions sometimes. It seems to be worse if there is not enough space around the stands.

Maybe there are too many model engineers with a rather singular (their own) outlook.??!!

I notice that it is always worse around the trade stands than at the models.

Chris.

[Nexuas]

Thanks for the kind words Guys. Much appreicated.