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Exhibition Report

Warley 2004
If you have never been to the Warley Exhibition in the NEC, you need to make your booking for 2005. It is one of the most prestigious exhibitions in the country. With nearly 400 exhibitors, trade stands and demonstrators it is certainly the biggest. We were located, as last year, in the demonstrators aisle amidst model makers of locos, rolling stock and trackwork.

Just prior to opening, with fellow exhibitors looking on - 250787, Saddletank, Digman and Ianmacmillan. Seasons Greetings to all our visitors. Discussing the finer points - Ianmacmillan, Digman, Saddletank, Alan2 behind Saddletank and 250787. A stalwart of numerous exhibitions 60008 (Nathan).

Over the course of the weekend we were joined by literally hundreds of UKTS members, a number of whom demonstrated with us. Saddletank, Digman, 250787, 60008, Alan2, Ianmacmillan, Lad491, Jason (he of the huge 60037 fame). The help was much appreciated as this is one hectic exhibition. After we got back home, we counted up what we had left and were not surprised to find that several thousand leaflets - MSTS Basic Controls, How to drive a DMU, How to drive a Steam Engine (AI fireman), buying a new computer - had almost all gone, leaving us just a few to count up. Over 500 CD's were given away out of the 700 we took with us.

Houghton Colliery - Gauge 1. Babergh - 7mm Narrow Gauge. Babergh - 7mm Narrow Gauge. Babergh - 7mm Narrow Gauge.

The standard of modelmaking on the layouts at this exhibition is superb. The time and effort spent in making the layout, the buildings, the trackwork, the locos and rolling stock is immeasurable. Unfortunately the most evident comment we heard whilst walking round and looking at these superb layouts was "There doesn't seem to be much going on!". The effort to finish the layout and stock has been such that the effort required to make a layout interesting to watch appears to have been lost somewhere along the way.
Another thing very much in evidence at this exhibition was the variety of control methods being used. Standard DC control, DCC control, Live Steam via HOG and Radio Control of electric powered and steam powered locos.

Glenbarrie in 7mm. Pete Boggs Garden Railway in 16mm. Pete Boggs Garden Railway in 16mm. Pete Boggs Garden Railway Shed in 16mm.

Routes demonstrated included MidEast, Thames Mersey, Scottish Central, Highworth, London South East, Severn Valley Railway, Cambrian, North Akansas, LeHigh Valley, Bala Hub V4, Cannock Chase, North West England, Talyllyn and Ballyshannon. Visitors to the stand were in awe of what they were seeing, many of whom were of the firm belief that this must be MSTS Version 2, because it wasn't anything like the one they had. Many went away with a renewed interest in MSTS and a free CD.

Hampton End in G gauge. Hampton End in G gauge. Llanmarth - Pant Mawr Yard in 4mm. Llanmarth - Pant Mawr Yard in 4mm.

We also had the opportunity over the weekend to see a Work In Progress on the Nottingham Express Transit (NET) route that Doug Kightley is in the process of building. Doug brought his route along with him and it was duly loaded and tested. Tram people are going to love this one. It is coming along nicely and great progress is being made towards completion. Doug wouldn't make any promises as to a release date, but keep an eye out in the Trams Forums for future progress on this tram route.

Southern layout in 4mm featuring a 4DD unit. Modelling at its best, you could even believe the water was for real. Radio Controlled Model Railways. Another shot taken from Houghton Colliery in gauge 1.

Saddletank, 250787, Lad491, Digman and Neutronic. London South East gets its first showing with Digman and Neutronic. Yet another oustanding piece of modelmaking. More superb models in 4mm.

Our very many thanks to UKTS members who came along and gave their time to demonstrate. Our thanks to all the UKTS members who dropped by for a chat. Finally our thanks to Nick Tilston (Demonstrations Organiser) and the Warley MRC for the invitation and refreshments.
Please note that UKTrainSimLive WILL NOT be appearing at Warley 2005. Most demonstrators are invited on a year on, year off basis. We have been fortunate enough to get two bites of the cherry (2003/2004) so will not be attending 2005. We sincerely hope that we will receive an invite to 2006 by which time there may well be 2 or even 3 new simulators to demonstrate.