I hadn't been to the Epping exhibition for quite a few years, or any other other suburban exhibition with the exception of Hurstville for that matter, so when the opportunity presented itself I was not disappointed.
Spread out through the buildings of Epping Boys High it had a very different atmosphere to bigger exhibitions but shared a few similarities as well. The layouts were to a very high standard with a couple of new ones ( to me anyway) 'Brooklyn @ 3am' - a TV set sized layout that depicted suburban/industrial switching (shunting) and 'Bowen Creek' - a larger but similar in style layout depicting a single line country station. The detail in these layouts was outstanding, both have raised the bar in exhibition layouts. Simple in track plan and operation, although Brooklyn was quite innovative, but the attention to detail, which draws the viewer in, was astounding.
The other thing which stood out was the attendance and the hiding that both wallet and plastic appeared to be copping.
I arrived around 8.00am to help the CEO of Eureka Industries set up. The exhibition opened to the public at 10.00am and there were a few keen souls queued up already! At 9.30 the queue was at least 100m long, from the ticket booth to the car park anyway. By 11.00am the main hall was gridlocked - seriously gridlocked, and the armfuls of merchandise being lugged around was unreal.
Whilst not wanting to go into sales estimates I can say that at least two commercial operators underestimated the amount of stock required to meet the demands of punters on the day!
Recession, economic downturn - sorry, no evidence sighted!
Can't wait to see the Liverpool exhibition and the effect that the economic climate has there - or not.
4.6.09
What's in a name ?
Thank you Gents for your positive feedback - mostly!
As expected the name, or it's length, generated some interest. I can only claim credit for it's application, not it's creation. That must go to one who is well known, to those who responded (via email), for his attention to "vocal detail" and "written description" - I think that's a fairly kind and accurate assessment ? What say you Lance D ?
So in keeping true to the originator and in response to that other comment, I have reverted to the original and longer name - so there !
As expected the name, or it's length, generated some interest. I can only claim credit for it's application, not it's creation. That must go to one who is well known, to those who responded (via email), for his attention to "vocal detail" and "written description" - I think that's a fairly kind and accurate assessment ? What say you Lance D ?
So in keeping true to the originator and in response to that other comment, I have reverted to the original and longer name - so there !
2.6.09
Getting out of my comfort zone.
This is intended to be a place to showcase my efforts at the "workshop". Over a period of time I hope to post on current and past projects and hopefully generate a bit of discussion and answer questions, also to encourage others to set up a "workshop". It will also force me to 'up the ante' on my photography skills as well.
It will also be a place to have a bit of a ramble (no, not the Friday night kind), comment on whatever happens to be relevant to the hobby at the time and perhaps quash a rumor or two.
Whilst being a strong supporter of the current RTR climate that has surged through the market place in the last few years I am also a strong proponent of the BYO (Build Your Own) market as well and promoting the skills that go with it. They must be preserved and the kit manufacturers that feed this aspect of the hobby must be supported.
I have gained enormous satisfaction over the years building everything from an S truck to an AD60. I have never built a layout ( but hope to one day), but have been involved in the hobby, in one way or another, for around 35 years. I have made some great mates over the years (one of whom came up with the name for this blog without realising it at the time) and believe that our hobby fosters friendships by it's very nature. I've had the privilege to operate on some iconic layouts, be a part of the exhibition scene (the highs and lows) and contribute to the convention circuit as well. It has been quite a ride, hopefully it's not over yet.
This blog is definitely uncharted territory, I don't like anything I can't fix with a box of tools and computers absolutely come under that umbrella.
If I have a concern, other than my computer letting me down, it would be that this blog takes up valuable modelling time.
Let's see what happens.
It will also be a place to have a bit of a ramble (no, not the Friday night kind), comment on whatever happens to be relevant to the hobby at the time and perhaps quash a rumor or two.
Whilst being a strong supporter of the current RTR climate that has surged through the market place in the last few years I am also a strong proponent of the BYO (Build Your Own) market as well and promoting the skills that go with it. They must be preserved and the kit manufacturers that feed this aspect of the hobby must be supported.
I have gained enormous satisfaction over the years building everything from an S truck to an AD60. I have never built a layout ( but hope to one day), but have been involved in the hobby, in one way or another, for around 35 years. I have made some great mates over the years (one of whom came up with the name for this blog without realising it at the time) and believe that our hobby fosters friendships by it's very nature. I've had the privilege to operate on some iconic layouts, be a part of the exhibition scene (the highs and lows) and contribute to the convention circuit as well. It has been quite a ride, hopefully it's not over yet.
This blog is definitely uncharted territory, I don't like anything I can't fix with a box of tools and computers absolutely come under that umbrella.
If I have a concern, other than my computer letting me down, it would be that this blog takes up valuable modelling time.
Let's see what happens.
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