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Post by Deleted on Jul 20, 2021 13:47:14 GMT
To get back to the Meridiene decision and cancelling MMEX, we all know it was a barely profitable venture and with the prospect of fewer traders, fewer clubs willing, and smaller numbers attending, it all becomes financially non-viable. Yes, Covid has caused the cancellation but it was not an infection risk decision I would suggest. Norm This is my line of thinking too Norm, I also think there's more to this than just the virus. Pete
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Post by doubletop on Jul 21, 2021 5:27:15 GMT
To get back to the Meridiene decision and cancelling MMEX, we all know it was a barely profitable venture and with the prospect of fewer traders, fewer clubs willing, and smaller numbers attending, it all becomes financially non-viable. Yes, Covid has caused the cancellation but it was not an infection risk decision I would suggest. Norm This is my line of thinking too Norm, I also think there's more to this than just the virus. Pete If this turns out to be the case then at least I can add to my CV "Attended the last ever MEX" Pete
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dscott
Elder Statesman
Posts: 2,438
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Post by dscott on Jul 21, 2021 23:35:57 GMT
Well now I can say attended the Second in a wonderfully big space which was slightly gritty and a long walk from the bus station in Leicester Especially carrying stuff including a Unimat 3 under my arm on the way back. Student days from Coventry. It got used many times over the years. And still does on small bits.
The last memorable with getting stuck in some mud. Do We stick up the car mat as a memento with the mud now dried onto it? I may have missed about 3 of them in between!
Managed to get to all the Bristol ones... INCLUDING THE 2002 ONE WHERE THE NOW EX WIFE SAID "YOU HAVE AN HOUR!!!" I then endured 5 hours of shopping in Cribs Causeway. 2003 the paperwork went in for many reasons.
Our Katie loves this story.
David and Lily.
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Midland
Elder Statesman
Posts: 1,870
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Post by Midland on Jul 26, 2021 20:30:22 GMT
Hi Norm Your last comment is key. It is economics quite simply. Why would any trader lug a few tons of product to London and go through the wretched business of setting up when all can be sold very easily with us paying the p & P. Shows are yesterdays business and Meridienne are seeing this. And why would we spend £50 or so getting to and into an exhibition to buy a length of brass that can be shipped to us for a fiver!! The Covid has brought on a change. But where are we to see the wonderful work we all do? That is the question. I will not give you the answer but there is an answer!! Cheers David
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millman
Part of the e-furniture
Posts: 297
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Post by millman on Jul 26, 2021 21:01:32 GMT
Regarding the Ally Pally exhibition the London pollution charge will be the death knell for the exhibition, very soon we will have to pay to go inside the north and south circular roads, I don’t know what the charges will be for a family car but I am led to believe the charges for commercial vehicles will be eye wateringly high, this will impact on all the traders, eating in to their profits. I drive a gas guzzling Land Rover so I would have to pay any charge, on top of the fifty quid it costs me to get from North Hampshire to Alexandra Palace plus my pensioners entry ticket, hoping to pick up a bargain to offset some of the cost, the alternative is the train up to Waterloo and the underground, maybe ok going but not so good coming back with a rucksack full of material. I think the future will be very different, the good days are gone, Sorry to be so glum, but that’s how I see it.
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Post by springcrocus on Jul 26, 2021 21:18:58 GMT
But where are we to see the wonderful work we all do? That is the question. I will not give you the answer but there is an answer!! Cheers David Simple answer: here!
It might only be 2D but better than nothing. Otherwise, support your local MES and also go to the open days of other nearby MES's to see the models in 3D.
However, there appears to be less and less of the self-builders and more of the Silvercrest-style of locos where if you've seen one, you've seen 'em all.
My take on this? Model engineering is, more and more, destined to become a solitary hobby. Conversely, ownership and operating may well stay stable or even increase.
Regards, Steve
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2021 21:40:24 GMT
But where are we to see the wonderful work we all do? That is the question. I will not give you the answer but there is an answer!! Cheers David Hi David I have tried to take 4472 to a few events in the past at my club (NLSME), there's been nothing since 2019 because of covid but a regular event day is back on again next month (8th) and I'm hoping to put 4472 on static display... Transport is all sorted but I'm up against the clock for various reasons to get her ready in time.. I'm trying to though. Pete
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Post by cplmickey on Jul 27, 2021 18:53:07 GMT
Regarding the Ally Pally exhibition the London pollution charge will be the death knell for the exhibition, very soon we will have to pay to go inside the north and south circular roads, I don’t know what the charges will be for a family car but I am led to believe the charges for commercial vehicles will be eye wateringly high, this will impact on all the traders, eating in to their profits. Good point. My Ford Focus with a Euro 6 engine (often no charge in congestion charge areas) would be £12.50 a day. Even sharing with my mate it adds 50% to the cost opf the show. Ian
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oldnorton
Statesman
5" gauge LMS enthusiast
Posts: 693
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Post by oldnorton on Jul 28, 2021 6:30:32 GMT
Once Harrogate had gone, the shows I have enjoyed most were Bristol and Spalding. Both of these put on by just a few local clubs and a few very enthusiastic organisers. Hard work and difficult to sustain for more than a couple of years. This can be the only future after the demise of the big show.
I should have gone down to the recent Maidstone event, judging by the nice photos of one or two engines. I am also looking forward to a few more special open club days like Nottingham's Pacific and Duchess days, if anyone ever wants to try to stage them. Somewhere in the West Country ought to have GWR model open days perhaps.
Meanwhile a couple of GL5 gatherings and RSME Gilling events will have a few nice models to see, and in steam, and pulling lovely wagons. These are the ultimate 'shows' for me.
Norm
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Post by ejparrott on Jul 28, 2021 16:51:48 GMT
But where are we to see the wonderful work we all do? That is the question. I will not give you the answer but there is an answer!! Cheers David Simple answer: here! It might only be 2D but better than nothing. Otherwise, support your local MES and also go to the open days of other nearby MES's to see the models in 3D.
However, there appears to be less and less of the self-builders and more of the Silvercrest-style of locos where if you've seen one, you've seen 'em all. My take on this? Model engineering is, more and more, destined to become a solitary hobby. Conversely, ownership and operating may well stay stable or even increase.
Regards, Steve
You'd be surprised! Now that I run Model Engineers Laser, I see first hand just how many builders there are out there. I'm please to say we send out a new set of loco or tender frames on average every week.
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Post by cplmickey on Jul 28, 2021 18:20:45 GMT
Once Harrogate had gone, the shows I have enjoyed most were Bristol and Spalding. Yes we always went to Spalding too. Shame it finished. We also went to the Manchester show. It was really good when in the Trafford Centre but still really enjoyed it when it moved to Oldham. I'm hoping that being every other year it will continue and be less of a burden on the organisers. Ian
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dscott
Elder Statesman
Posts: 2,438
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Post by dscott on Aug 5, 2021 23:20:55 GMT
Sunday at Oldham was very quiet so we had lots of room to move and no queues for the traders. The turnout of models was SUPERB. And the members who were there on the stands incredibly helpful. We have lots of Photos and of course memories.
David and Lily.
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Post by Jo on Aug 6, 2021 6:15:28 GMT
The turnout of models was SUPERB. We have lots of Photos and of course memories. Looking forward to you sharing the photos with us Jo
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Post by roller on Aug 16, 2021 8:13:34 GMT
Quite a good turnout at Whissendine last Saturday, and at The WaterWorks Museum in Hereford, last Sunday. Yes, pity about the Manchester and Spalding Shows. Spalding,in particular got better each year. I organised the PSME stand each time and we all enjoyed the show and meeting other clubs. But family members moving meant that organising the show was too much for two people.
Because of Covid there have been no shows for a long time (The Committee decided against attending the Garden Railway Show, in June), and it looks as if there will no Model Engineering Shows until at least March 2022. Pity since a Show was a chance to catch up with folk, as well as mseeingb the models, and some impulse buying! But, we live in hopes, next year will a good year to paraphrase Captain, Sir Tom!
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Post by ejparrott on Aug 17, 2021 20:50:33 GMT
As far as I'm aware Large Scale Model Rail is still planned for March 2022, at the time of writing...whether that chances over the next few months is another matter
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