The Sandown Park Model Engineer Exhibtion 2011

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The Sandown Park Model Engineer Exhibtion 2011

This topic has 37 replies, 26 voices, and was last updated 14 January 2012 at 22:54 by Gray62.

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7 December 2011 at 11:27 #79388
David Clark 13
Participant
@davidclark13
Hi There

I shall be leaving for the Exhibition in the next couple of hours.

This year’s Exhibition looks like being the best one for a long time.

It has taken a while but we are back on the map.

There are over 150 loan and competition entries, some from Europe as well as all over the UK.

There are about 40 club stands, also packed with models, for your pleasure.

The trade is well supported, even Myford/RDG are attending.

The Gas Turbine people are there and they will be demonstrating during the show.

All your favourites will be attending including the SMEE and the Stirling Engine Society.

Ray McMahon is bringing his Darjeeling locomotive as well as his diorama, a pannier tank and a GWR autocoach.

Mick Knights his bringing his doubled up Eric Whittle V8 engine and Stewart Hart will be showing his overcrank and other engines.

I hope to see you there.

regards David

PS Don’t forget, you can use one of the free Sunday tickets that have been printed in recent issues of MEW and ME.
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7 December 2011 at 11:27 #4403
David Clark 13
Participant
@davidclark13
7 December 2011 at 13:57 #79392
Chris Trice
Participant
@christrice43267
Despite the magazine ticket, I’m probably heading there Friday. Will come and say hello.
8 December 2011 at 11:37 #79465
David Clark 13
Participant
@davidclark13
Hi There

Exhibition is being set up now.

Had a quick count up for insurance purposes.

There is over two and a quarter million pounds worth of models on display,

yes, £2,250,000 of superb models.

Definitely worth a visit this year.

Take advantage of the free ticket in in ME and MEW for Sunday.

regards David
8 December 2011 at 18:03 #79483
JasonB
Moderator
@jasonb
Just got back from dropping off my Fowler and Minnie, will be wandering around on Friday morning and on the SMEE Road Steam stand on Sunday so say Hi if you are passing.

Little teaser for you.

Jason
9 December 2011 at 05:13 #79530
Springbok
Participant
@springbok
Will be there sunday with the Bristol SMEE coach

Bob
10 December 2011 at 07:20 #79616
David Clark 13
Participant
@davidclark13
Hi There

Great Exhibition.

Best for several years.

Lots of visitors, 50% up on recent years.

Lots of money being spent.

Come along and enjoy yourself.

regards David
10 December 2011 at 09:25 #79623
Stewart Hart
Participant
@stewarthart90345
Posted by David Clark 1 on 10/12/2011 07:20:27:

Hi There

Great Exhibition.

Best for several years.

Lots of visitors, 50% up on recent years.

Lots of money being spent.

Come along and enjoy yourself.

regards David

Strewth

I hope they don’t sell out before Sunday.

I’ve got a shopping list as long as your arm.

Stew

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10 December 2011 at 11:09 #79632
SteveW
Participant
@stevew54046
Great show!! I bought, planned and schemed…

Any chance that next year there could be a few (more) chairs? It would have been great to relax a bit and take in some of the skills shown in the models.

It would also mean that the chairs in the cafe area were not as precious. And not occupied by those eating their own food or ‘resting their eyes’…

SteveW
10 December 2011 at 12:08 #79637
Stovepipe
Participant
@stovepipe
It is a very good show. I spent two hours walking round just looking, and I don’t think I saw everything I could have done. If you haven’t been already, get yer “bus pass” off that chair and get it down there, it is well worth it. There were a terrific range of models there, and traders are looking fer yer money, with some special offers. Not sorry in the least that I went, and the vintage bus from Esher station is a great help.

(PS – can someone make sure that the escalator to the upper floor is working all day. Some people have great difficulty with those stairs and the lift is not well signposted.)

Dennis

Edited By Stovepipe on 10/12/2011 12:10:21

Edited By Stovepipe on 10/12/2011 12:11:43
10 December 2011 at 17:37 #79644
David Clark 13
Participant
@davidclark13
Hi Stovepipe

Will have a word about the escalator tomorrow.

Almost as many through the door as yesterday.

Tomorrow will either be dead or manic.

I suspect the later because of the free tickets.

Use your ticket tomorrow.

If we get enough people through the door they might let me offer a free ticket next year.

Cherry Hill won the Duke Of Edinburgh trophy.

Took 7 judges two days to come to a decision, the quality of 3 DOE entries was really superb.

Last chance to see Cherry’s model as it will probably go to the Society of Mechanical Engineers an never be seen in public again.

Also, Cherry has set up a DVD showing her model running on compressed air.

Yes, it runs extremely well, they are not just decorative models.

Come and see the model and the video tomorrow, (Sunday) use your free ticket.

regards David
10 December 2011 at 22:18 #79673
Nicholas Farr
Participant
@nicholasfarr14254
Hi, I went today, (only been back home no more than an hour) I think the exhibition layout this year was much improved. A lot of very fine models on display, including Jason’s and Stewart’s, although I must admit I didn’t buy as much this time round, just a few hand tools and a used 1984 book on The science and practice of Welding, which I should know about, as I took C&G technicians back in the 70’s but you can always learn something new or refresh ones memory.

However, talking about memory, as I left and got to my car I put my Casio compact digital camera on top of my car while I fumbled about getting my keys out of my pocket and putting my SLR camera and my small amount of items that I did buy in the back, and then stopping for a coffee break at Bishops Stortford along the M11, the thought came to my mine as to whether I’d picked it up again or not, and I really could not remember all the rest of the way home. Luckily, when I got home a had a proper look I found it, Phew!

Good exhibition as always,

Regards Nick.
10 December 2011 at 23:49 #79680
S.D.L.
Participant
@s-d-l
Was the best show for several years.

Thought it was better with the competition models at the end and the club stands upstairs.

really enjoyed it.

Steve Larner
11 December 2011 at 00:12 #79681
Billy Mills
Participant
@billymills
Went Saturday, spent a very enjoyable 5 hours looking and learning. Nice to meet DC1 in person and had some very interesting chats with some of the guys on the SMEE stands.

The Cherry Hill works of art have to be seen as do all of the other displays-some of which are a little hidden.

Great Show-well done.

Billy.
11 December 2011 at 07:59 #79687
JasonB
Moderator
@jasonb
I also thought it was a better layout than before, having commented elsewhere that the comp/loan area looked a bit small it did seem to work with the models packed a little tighter together and helped by the large mirrors around the room.

It must be hard for the judges to decide, although Cherry’s models are fabulous it’s hard to compare a “showcase” model with something like Harry’s ploughing engine which can be seen in steam on rally fields up and down the country.

Anyway I’m heading off to Sandown again shortly and should be in the Road Steam area most of the day so say Hi, its tucked around the corner at the left of the stairs as you enter.

I’d also like to say a thanks to all those individual and clubs who have taken the time to bring there models to the show on the Thursday, attend the show (especially those that have had to stay away from home for the length of the show) and return again today to collect their models. Having now done that I can appreciate the effort put in for free and without them it would just be a trade show which may not survive.

Jason
11 December 2011 at 19:13 #79719
John Thorne
Participant
@johnthorne49048
I spent Saturday at the show. Really enjoyed it. The standard of workmanship was very high. Better than last year. Also nice to see so many trade stands.Its a good time to see what machine tools and handtools there are, just need a bigger pocket. I did buy a milling vice and a QC toolpost, with 6 spare holders for my lathe. A big thankyou to ME/MEW and all the exhibitors and helpers Well done.Looking forward to next year

John
11 December 2011 at 20:08 #79723
Ompa Ompa
Participant
@ompaompa11814
Not long returned home from the exhibition. Many thanks and congratulations MUST go to the many Traders and especially the Cub Members that, without a doubt, made the show what it was, overall very good. The enthusiasm, particulalry of the many club members there during the weekend, at their respective club stands, makes this exhibition what it is, a good friendly place to meet and talk with like members and the general public alike.

A couple of aspects that really did cause some consternation at the end was the beligerent attitude of SOME members of the staff of Sandown Park, particularly regarding the use of the central lift, the one between the two upper rooms, which was effectively closed off for use at breakdown time. We were told that that lift was a ‘FOOD LIFT’ and was used for that use only. Well, in this day of all of the health & safety regulations, if that was a FOOD LIFT then it should have been closed down and condemned, it was filthy and covered in grease and a stale smell. The OTHER issue was the distinct lack of seating around the whole exhibition hall, people DO NEED to take a break, especially when you saw the large numbers of ‘older’ people shuffling around. All in all the members from my own club enjoyed being there again but, due to ongoing age and health issues, it does make it more difficult to convince them that we should consider taking part again. Come on organisers, consider every aspect of a show such as this, get and digest feedback from those that help you make it what it is, and above all, organise the handling of the models to make our life a little easier on the day.

Oh, and another thing, isn’t it normal practice to make an announcement of which of the club stands has been awarded the award for being the ‘Best Club Stand’, to my own knowledge that did not take place, who was the winner by the way?????
11 December 2011 at 21:04 #79729
Gray62
Participant
@gray62
I went on Saturday and thoroughly enjoyed it.

I felt it was a well organised event and probably the best one yet, I was there until the end and I have never stayed that long in the past!

The SMEE presence was exceptional this year and it was great to catch up and make new acquaintances.

The standard of models presented once again was excellent although I thought that having this in the downstairs area was not as good as the upstairs area used in previous years.

The layout of the exhibitors area was generally very good and there was sufficient room around the stands to be able to move freely without colliding with others.

I must say, I think I had my blinkers on as I did not see the MyHobbyStore stand, I have missed this in previous years and maybe there needs to be a more ‘prominent’ presence, ( or just a sign for those of us with tunnel vision for bargains LOL ).

Al in all a good show and an improvement on previous years.

Well done to all involved.

Graeme
12 December 2011 at 07:15 #79748
modeng2000
Participant
@modeng2000
Some of the trade stands didn’t have anything to say who they were. I was looking for a particular outlet but ended up randomly searching ’till I found what I was after.

The atmosphere got a bit fuggy for me so couldn’t stay as long as I’d hoped. Otherwise a successful show.

John
12 December 2011 at 09:06 #79749
Peter Wood 5
Participant
@peterwood5
Excellent show. It did not feel as crowded on Friday despite the increased attendance. Much easier to browse the trade stands so I came back with an empty wallet and damaged plastic card. Shame that one or two big traders were not present though

Highlight was a long a long chat with Ashley Best about his superb trams and his encyclopaedic knowledge of the Manchester network. Also, thanks to the SMEE people for tolerating a beginners questions, particularly the gentleman demonstrating screw cutting. I might now have the confidence to have a go.

Peter
12 December 2011 at 19:50 #79768
AndyB
Participant
@andyb47186
Hi all,

We both enjoyed the excellent exhibition!

Nice to meet you Jason, sorry I had to run off and didn’t get back to you.

I have to agree about the shortage of seats. There were many attending who had to use crutches or walking sticks; we don’t, but we had to go outside in order to take the weight off, even for just a few minutes.

Andy
13 December 2011 at 12:05 #79787
Simplyloco
Participant
@simplyloco
I had my little part-built Brit on the LBSC Memorial stand for Saturday and Sunday. I met a lot of nice people, might have inspired a few, and there were no rivet counters!

JB
13 December 2011 at 17:43 #79798
Skarven
Participant
@skarven
I was there on Friday and again on Sunday, and I must say I have never seen anything like this exhibition. So many nice and interesting models. I also got a lot of pictures of Stewart Harts Overkrank Engine, which I intend to build some day. It was really nice!

I went home to Norway with about 30kg of new tools for my workshop, and many new ideas.

I must also say that the whole exhibition had a very friendly atmosphere, where a beginner could ask questions. Everything was fine. I’ll be back next year.
13 December 2011 at 19:19 #79800
Stewart Hart
Participant
@stewarthart90345
We made it down their on the Sunday.

I was overwhelmed by the range and quality of models on display, they quite put my efforts in the shade.

Spent a little money on some kit and watched the presentation of prizes in the Royal Box, very impresive.

Made it back home up North in good time, despite the heavy trafic on the M25 if thats what its like on a Sunday night I hate to think what its like on a week day.

A good day well worth the effort of attending.

Stew
13 December 2011 at 22:34 #79808
DMB
Participant
@dmb
I really enjoyed the Exhibition. Very good. Miss Myfords. Think 1/2 of Worthing club must have been there on the Friday.

Stewart H, now you know why the M25 has been nick-named the world`s largest carpark!

David, can we please have some seats somewhere or perhaps small groups of seats in a number of locations for “The Wearies”?
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