This new show had the misfortune to debut on one of the wettest weekends Sydney has seen for a long time. Not that wet weather is necessarily a bad thing for an indoor event. If you want somewhere to go an exhibition is one of the few choices you have.
The show was held in the Blacktown Leisure Centre, a venue I had not visited before. I understand it is used for other shows such as doll shows. The Hall is a reasonable size. Some trade stands were in a separate room too. Why they were not all in one hall is a mystery as there was plenty of room, in fact the main hall seemed rather empty.
Despite being billed as a Model Rail & Hobby Expo it was a model rail show with a few boats, a couple of craft traders and the rest was rail. A better variety would have been nice. No doubt something the organizers will address next time.
The displays varied from the regulars (Hundred Acre Wood ( in what may be one of its last appearances), Moss Vale) through old and average (Campbelltown (which seems to have been around for ages and looks it)) to the new (Dawson's Creek). All in all a reasonable range and the low visitor numbers meant there was plenty of time to look.
The centre has its own food stand with the normal range of food at competitive prices. There is a fair bit of parking but it was pushed with many people parked on grassed areas, not the best idea in wet weather. Entry prices were good, $7, $4 and $15. Probably the cheapest in Sydney.
Overall it was not a bad attempt for a first show and undoubtedly the organizers will learn a lot from the weekend. Worth watching for future developments.
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Saturday, September 02, 2006
Mudgee Model Railway Exhibition
As far as I know this is a new exhibition. It was organised by the Mudgee Miniature Railway. However it was held in the Public School and not at the Railway's site. All proceeds were for the school's Special Education Unit.
The venue was quite OK. Most displays were in the school hall with a few in a classroom nearby. The canteen is adjacent to the hall so food and drink was easily available. There were signs on the main street so the venue was easy to find.
The displays ranged from basic to quite advanced however most had been seen before. Dungog has been around for a while but is always worth seeing. Duck Creek is another quality effort. Most were of Australian prototype but Croft Junction was British and one of the few I haven't previously viewed.
Most of the exhibitors commented on how quiet the morning had been. I don't know how well it was promoted locally, that seems to be essential for a show to succeed. I wonder if a change of emphasis to a hobby show as discussed in the last post would help.
It is a fine show for a small regional effort and deserves to be a success. But was it worth the drive from Sydney? Well not really but I haven't been out that way for a few years and the weather was great so it was an enjoyable day out.
The venue was quite OK. Most displays were in the school hall with a few in a classroom nearby. The canteen is adjacent to the hall so food and drink was easily available. There were signs on the main street so the venue was easy to find.
The displays ranged from basic to quite advanced however most had been seen before. Dungog has been around for a while but is always worth seeing. Duck Creek is another quality effort. Most were of Australian prototype but Croft Junction was British and one of the few I haven't previously viewed.
Most of the exhibitors commented on how quiet the morning had been. I don't know how well it was promoted locally, that seems to be essential for a show to succeed. I wonder if a change of emphasis to a hobby show as discussed in the last post would help.
It is a fine show for a small regional effort and deserves to be a success. But was it worth the drive from Sydney? Well not really but I haven't been out that way for a few years and the weather was great so it was an enjoyable day out.
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