I haven't posted anything here for a while, my apologies. I haven't been able to attend any exhibitions recently. I planned to go to a couple but various things conspired against that. We are now entering the quiet time of year for exhibitions in Sydney. Don't know why but there are no shows until Autumn.
During this time I will decide on the future of this report. You can help. Do you want it to continue? I know a few people read it but there are few comments. Would you be willing to send in your own reports? I would post any reports if they are sent to me. What else should this report do?
If there are no suggestions the report may not return in the new year.
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Monday, October 02, 2006
Sydney Model Railway Exhibition
Still can't get used to the fact it has moved, still want to call it Liverpool. This is the first time I have visited Peakhurst. Living on the other side of Sydney it is a fair way to go. The venue is fine, access is not perfect being on a busy intersection. Parking was available on the oval near the hall, fortunately the weather was fine and dry. There could have been better signage leading from the carpark to the hall though. The carpark was half full when I arrived late Sunday morning but seemed nearly empty 2 or 3 hours later. The Thomas ride was down steep stairs from a side door. Must have been fun getting down with a couple of kids.
Noticed this exhibition has been very heavily promoted, even my local paper had an add in it last week. They must have a large advertising budget, wonder if it was worthwhile. There was a queue when I first arrived and to the organisors credit they had 2 tickets booths which kept the queue moving. Well done and important when it was quite warm in the sun outside, would have been worse in wet weather. Entry cost was high, $10 for adults is the highest around as could be expected for the largest exhibition I guess.
The adds mentioned nearly 90 stands, the guide said 77, is that close enough to be nearly? It is more than anywhere else in Sydney that is for sure. The layout of the hall seemed strange, there was plenty of room in some areas including a large open spot near stands 65 to 72 yet it was quite crowded in the corners.
The layouts presented a good variety of prototypes and scales. A couple of exceptional ones were Eskbank, a early era layout and Hope Coast a simple small display with clever and well executed scenery. The only under represented scale was large scale. There were several layouts that were new to me and some old friends too.
The trade stands had a good range of products with a little duplication. There were several good buys for the bargain hunters too. The catering seemed ok but service was a little slow sometimes.
A quality show with a good range of exhibits and worth a visit but will I attend next year? Maybe but more likely every 2 or 3 years not each year.
Noticed this exhibition has been very heavily promoted, even my local paper had an add in it last week. They must have a large advertising budget, wonder if it was worthwhile. There was a queue when I first arrived and to the organisors credit they had 2 tickets booths which kept the queue moving. Well done and important when it was quite warm in the sun outside, would have been worse in wet weather. Entry cost was high, $10 for adults is the highest around as could be expected for the largest exhibition I guess.
The adds mentioned nearly 90 stands, the guide said 77, is that close enough to be nearly? It is more than anywhere else in Sydney that is for sure. The layout of the hall seemed strange, there was plenty of room in some areas including a large open spot near stands 65 to 72 yet it was quite crowded in the corners.
The layouts presented a good variety of prototypes and scales. A couple of exceptional ones were Eskbank, a early era layout and Hope Coast a simple small display with clever and well executed scenery. The only under represented scale was large scale. There were several layouts that were new to me and some old friends too.
The trade stands had a good range of products with a little duplication. There were several good buys for the bargain hunters too. The catering seemed ok but service was a little slow sometimes.
A quality show with a good range of exhibits and worth a visit but will I attend next year? Maybe but more likely every 2 or 3 years not each year.
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Blacktown Model Rail & Hobby Expo
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.
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.
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.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Updates
Just a few comments on a couple of events I couldn't visit. I have spoken to a few people who were at these events and I wish I had been able to be there. I wouldn't normally comment on events I hadn't personally seen but they represent something different to other railway themed events in that they are both model or hobby shows as they include a variety of interests.
Is this the future of shows? Well if they attract more people to shows and if they can encourage people to be involved in model hobbies then they will be a good things. They also may make shows that would not otherwise be viable a going concern.
The first show was the Hawkesbury Model and Hobby Show at Clarendon near Windsor. It was a first event by the organisers TRAK and that showed. There was plenty of room in the hall. The range of exhibits was limited. However those involved seemed to enjoy themselves. There were displays around the hall and rides on heritage buses available too. This event promises to be a great event in the future.
The other event was the Our Towns Model Show at Broadmeadow. It is an old event that has become a must see. I have visited it many times over the years but unfortunately not this year. It was in its third location in as many years but that didn't seem to affect the attendance. In fact I believe it was crowded all weekend. There was a wide variety of exhibits and good coverage in the local press. It proves the acceptance of this type of event.
This type of event may be the future of model shows and while this may disappoint hard core rail fans it will be a positive thing for the general public.
Is this the future of shows? Well if they attract more people to shows and if they can encourage people to be involved in model hobbies then they will be a good things. They also may make shows that would not otherwise be viable a going concern.
The first show was the Hawkesbury Model and Hobby Show at Clarendon near Windsor. It was a first event by the organisers TRAK and that showed. There was plenty of room in the hall. The range of exhibits was limited. However those involved seemed to enjoy themselves. There were displays around the hall and rides on heritage buses available too. This event promises to be a great event in the future.
The other event was the Our Towns Model Show at Broadmeadow. It is an old event that has become a must see. I have visited it many times over the years but unfortunately not this year. It was in its third location in as many years but that didn't seem to affect the attendance. In fact I believe it was crowded all weekend. There was a wide variety of exhibits and good coverage in the local press. It proves the acceptance of this type of event.
This type of event may be the future of model shows and while this may disappoint hard core rail fans it will be a positive thing for the general public.
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Castle Hill Exhibition
The Castle Hill Exhibition is one of the standards of the Sydney Exhibition scene. It has been going for 27 years, I don't remember them all I just copied that off the program. For the last few years it has been held in the Harvey Lowe Pavilion at the Castle Hill Showground but I can remember when it was held in the hall on the former railway station site in the park opposite the shops. Although it was spread over various rooms it seemed to have more space but that may be my memory playing tricks.
It was held last weekend and this year I visited on the Sunday. What a mistake that was! The markets were on and parking was almost none existent. Usually it is a bit crowded but nothing like this.
The hall is well set out but is a bit small for a show of this type. The organisers need to find a larger venue. Some times it was almost impossible to see a layout and you could forget about photos unless you waited for a while and then grabbed your opportunity. Several large prams didn't help either, I felt sorry for a couple of elderly visitors who were trying to get around.
The layouts were of a generally high standard although I had seen most before. The highlight of Epping for me had been the O scale Wydale and here it was displayed with a second section that included a narrow gauge line in O16, a great layout now even better. The logging layout was very popular too.
The refreshment stall didn't seem very busy but had a reasonable range at usual prices.
My only complaint was that I couldn't spend money! The second hand stall had a couple of interesting items but as they didn't take credit cards I couldn't buy anything. I know credit cards are an expensive option for occasional use by a community group so I am not really complaining. If they had had something I couldn't live without I could have asked them to hold it and then gone to a machine somewhere.
When I arrived it was dull and foggy but by the time I left it was clear and sunny. I had traveled over with the heater on and I nearly needed the air conditioner on the way home as the sun coming through the screen was beautiful and warm.
Another enjoyable visit and a weekend that is looked forward to all year.
Saturday, June 10, 2006
Epping Exhibition
The Epping Exhibition has become the thing to do on the June long weekend in Sydney. According to the guide it is the 25th year the exhibtion has run. The experience shows as the organisation appears slick. Everything is happening as you would expect. I would like to hear from any exhibitors if that is the case behind the scenes.There was a good number of people around most of the day despite (or maybe because of) the poor weather. In fact the second hand stall was crowded until after lunch. As well as the main hall there was the aforementioned second hand stall and some traders in a seperate area and rides and refreshments as you walked in from the carpark. The refreshment area is perhaps the one thing that could be improved. With the wet weather there was no where to sit undercover while enjoying the good selection of food and drinks available. The addition of someone selling real coffee was very popular.
The rides were suffering in the rain but many were braving the conditions. A little shower is nothing in comparision to the chance to ride behind everyone's favourite little blue engine.
Of course the layouts are what everyone is there for, after they have grabbed a bargain from the second hand stall anyway. A good variety was on display with all scales but Z represented. The photo shows Wydale which despite being O scale was one of the smallest layouts on display. The quality showed what can be done in a small area, it was busy with something moving all the time and the detailing encouraged you to stay and explore.
Once again a quality exhibition, the Epping club can be proud of their achievements and we look forward to the next 25 years.
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