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Post by sncf141r on Oct 22, 2014 11:02:20 GMT
Interesting thread about MME2014, when I lived in Europe, I went to the Model Engineer Exhibition (Model Engineer magazine-run) a couple of times, but this was back in the early 1990s.
I understand that the Model Engineer Exhibition has moved to Sandown a few years ago, and is in December, and that the TEE/EIM one is in Ally Pally in January.
Any thoughts on the upcoming Sandown one?
Regards, John.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 22, 2014 12:18:42 GMT
Don't expect the Sandown Park exhibition to be as grand as the ME exhibition was in its heyday, but it's still worth a visit. It's been roundly slagged off in recent years, but the dogged determination of the organisers to keep it going in spite of all, makes me want to keep supporting it.
Ally Pally is great for boats, flying helicopters, radio controlled tanks etc but not of much interest to the loco builder IMHO.
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Post by houstonceng on Oct 22, 2014 14:36:37 GMT
That's a bit misleading about the London MEEx at AliPali. There are, usually, lots of Locos on club stands.
Sandown has its own collections of Aircraft, tanks, robots, IC Engines, etc, etc. Perhaps not as many as Bristol or, in the past, when the Model Engineer Magazine publisher's (the original and initially only) MEEx was at Olympia or Wembley..
The key thing is that the London show in January normally has more suppliers for stuff that loco builders need than Sandown.
Overall, I find the Midland show in October and Harrowgate show in May on a par. Harrowgate, Midlands, Bristol and London are now eons ahead of the current Sandown show. The only thing going for Sandown is the quality of competition models and the number of these has tailed off since I first attended back in the late 1960s.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 22, 2014 18:12:57 GMT
I agree with Andy...London usually has quite a few locomotives on display... yes many on club stands but then that's what makes up a large part of the London show anyway. I haven't been to Sandown so can't really comment but i've not heard many good things about it from friends who have been. I liked the ME most when it was at Wembley... those were my fav times for the show when there were many models on display, hell I even had a part finished model on display myself in the mid 80's. London is of most interest to me these days as my club puts on a stand...in fact i may even display 4472 if they'll have her next year...all depends on how much i get done between now and then...  Pete |
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Post by Roger on Oct 22, 2014 18:24:52 GMT
It's one of those exhibitions that's probably not worth going to if it's a real trek, but it's only just over an hour from me so it's worth a look.
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dscott
Elder Statesman
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Post by dscott on Oct 22, 2014 19:05:06 GMT
The last Sandown Exhibition had greatly improved on the previous years show except you couldn't get in free with a copy of Model engineer!!! This seemed to be a sign of desperation from David Clarke etc.
They had a modern maker area which we both enjoyed, Katie sewed up a soft turtle, met the Editor and Ivan Law. Also drove an electric train with Mike Laws daughter so we are returning this year! Katie wants more bits for her tool box!!!
Bristol I have been to every year and enjoyed as it has expanded now to 4 halls. That is if the 2003 visit of an hour counts due to the first wife giving grief. 5 hours in Cribs Causeway on the same day and scale was just not on!!! With Lily she always has found lots of things interesting! Sandown is just down from some shops to make it a bit more interesting!
I am so pleased that I went to Wembley through the 1980's the show was huge back then and some years got in free with my Blue Peter badge from 1968 or 1969!! I have been making things for so long now!!!
David.
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Post by sncf141r on Oct 22, 2014 19:10:02 GMT
It's one of those exhibitions that's probably not worth going to if it's a real trek, but it's only just over an hour from me so it's worth a look. Gosh - the two good shows "over here" (NAMES and Cabin Fever, neither of which I have not been to) is over 8 hours drive non-stop and no traffic snarls; scheduled flight time to Heathrow is 7 hours 15 minutes, although with good winds, I have had the pleasure of arriving in under 6 hours... And, the beer in the UK is better, too! Hmmm.... ;-) |
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Post by Roger on Oct 22, 2014 19:37:33 GMT
It's one of those exhibitions that's probably not worth going to if it's a real trek, but it's only just over an hour from me so it's worth a look. Gosh - the two good shows "over here" (NAMES and Cabin Fever, neither of which I have not been to) is over 8 hours drive non-stop and no traffic snarls; scheduled flight time to Heathrow is 7 hours 15 minutes, although with good winds, I have had the pleasure of arriving in under 6 hours... And, the beer in the UK is better, too! Hmmm.... ;-) Blimey, that's keen, I really wouldn't bother personally, but then I'm not an enthusiast. I'm interested, but not that interested. |
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Tony K
Elder Statesman
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Post by Tony K on Oct 24, 2014 7:14:13 GMT
That's a bit misleading about the London MEEx at AliPali. There are, usually, lots of Locos on club stands. Sandown has its own collections of Aircraft, tanks, robots, IC Engines, etc., etc. Perhaps not as many as Bristol or, in the past, when the Model Engineer Magazine publisher's (the original and initially only) MEEx was at Olympia or Wembley.. The key thing is that the London show in January normally has more suppliers for stuff that loco builders need than Sandown. Overall, I find the Midland show in October and Harrowgate show in May on a par. Harrogate, Midlands, Bristol and London are now eons ahead of the current Sandown show. The only thing going for Sandown is the quality of competition models and the number of these has tailed off since I first attended back in the late 1960s. This post about sums it up for me although I did not go in the 60s. For me, Sandown is about fifth as far as the show overall is concerned, but first in quality of competition models. All IMHO. I just treat it as a day out - via London for me so a meal and show on the way back. Sandown gives me the impression it has a cult following, rather like the Model Engineer magazine. ..... And, the beer in the UK is better, too! Hmmm.... ;-) Agree with that too! |
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jasonb
Elder Statesman
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Post by jasonb on Oct 24, 2014 14:43:14 GMT
I'd say the same that Sandown has the better models to look at and possibly a wider variety of subjects, Ally Pally a few more specialist ME suppliers and not bulked up by the "pound land" tools stalls quite so much.
So long as every branch of the model hobby has its own shows around the country you will never get it like it used to be at Wembly. At the time MAP published 99% of model magazines so it made sence to cover all disaplines under one roof and thats why you had Model Engineering, RC cars and planes, Model figures, more model boats, etc. Maybe it will need less shows to make those that are left better for both the traders and public rather than overstretching a limited market.
J
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