john parker
New Member
Six years ago Warley filled nearly two Halls this time 2023 it was about two thirds full'' in one Hall i am afraid its sign of the times.
Warley show finished in present form
- Thread starter DavidB
- Start date
Phil O
Western Thunderer
I helped a friend who was exhibiting at Warley in the 80's and we vowed never again, it was a nightmare getting the van to a place where we could load it and then a huge queue to get back out again.
Most of the shows we attended we would be packed up, loaded and on the road in less than 20 minutes and in some cases, with good access 15 minutes and be back in Plymouth for a pint or two, from as far afield as York.
Most of the shows we attended we would be packed up, loaded and on the road in less than 20 minutes and in some cases, with good access 15 minutes and be back in Plymouth for a pint or two, from as far afield as York.
Tim Humphreys ex Mudhen
Western Thunderer
Pretty good going Phil to cover the 375 miles from York to Plymouth from close of show to arrival back home by 22.30
Tim
Tim
Yorkshire Dave
Western Thunderer
And there was less traffic on the roads in the 80s coupled with fewer speed restrictions and roadworks.
Eastsidepilot
Western Thunderer
In my brief time as a motorcycle courier my claim to fame was Southend to Liverpool in about 3 1/4 hrs riding my ex plod Beamer in the 80'sProbably in the good old days when you could do decent distances in reasonable times, before they opened the M25
Bloody knackering and couldn't get away with it now !
Should be on Petrol 'eads thread really.
Eastsidepilot
Western Thunderer
....but getting back to the Warley show etc. maybe the future is for more smaller specialist shows without the box shifters.
Col.
Col.
David Waite
Western Thunderer
What were the admission prices for the last Warley show?
We tend to pay around $15 and there is no discount for Seniors I suppose if the did they would loose money as there are usually more seniors than younger folk at our exhibitions.
David.
We tend to pay around $15 and there is no discount for Seniors I suppose if the did they would loose money as there are usually more seniors than younger folk at our exhibitions.
David.
Chris Veitch
Western Thunderer
Mine was £24.75 last year - around $31 currently. Can't remember if there was a senior discount available.
The Warley show at the NEC was one I am glad to have experienced but it is not one I wished to repeat. There were things there I was unlikely to have seen elsewhere. Car parking was expensive, cheaper at the station. It was enormous, plenty of layouts and demonstrations to see but also a large number of traders who were of no interest at all. It was packed so getting any refreshment, apart from being pricey, was something of an undertaking - easier to take your own.
It was something to experience and fortunately I did so on a trade stand so avoided the entry charge.
I think it nice to get to the smaller, more intimate, local shows again. The big ones like this and the Warner shows have tended to draw people away from the small shows, so I hope we can still find plenty of them to continue supporting, where we can meet up with friends, indulge in the hobby and do so more easily and at less expense.
It was something to experience and fortunately I did so on a trade stand so avoided the entry charge.
I think it nice to get to the smaller, more intimate, local shows again. The big ones like this and the Warner shows have tended to draw people away from the small shows, so I hope we can still find plenty of them to continue supporting, where we can meet up with friends, indulge in the hobby and do so more easily and at less expense.
It's made national news!
www.theguardian.com
‘An aged hobby’: enthusiasts struggle to keep model railway industry on track
Ageing population, rising prices and shrinking living spaces blamed for downturn, but creatives are fighting back
www.theguardian.com
It was in the Independent, too (via Apple News) - as part of the Hattons' closing down story.It's made national news!
‘An aged hobby’: enthusiasts struggle to keep model railway industry on track
Ageing population, rising prices and shrinking living spaces blamed for downturn, but creatives are fighting back
Pencarrow
Western Thunderer
That sums up most media content these days. I find that the reporting on any subject I know about is quite often superficial, misinformed or written to sensationalise the story. Sad state of affairs.
Eltel
Active Member
Eltel
Active Member
Strange statement as the first Warley show was 1992
Pete55
Member
Agree it was never in two Halls, but was in halls other than Hall 5.
Some of the earlier shows were at the opposite end in Hall 17.
simond
Western Thunderer
See, it’s not the end of the world as we know it
www.rmweb.co.uk
The National Festival of Railway Modelling - NEC 23/24 November 2024
We are pleased to announce the launch of a new railway modelling exhibition at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham. The National Festival of Railway Modelling will take place over the weekend of November 23 & 24, 2024. The new show is being organised by Warners Group Publicatio...
www.rmweb.co.uk