Doncaster – National Model Engineering Exhibition

[Thomas StauboParticipant @thomasstaubo12021]

Our one and only model engineering club here in Norway NMDF , is interested in attending the Model Engineering Exhibition at Doncaster 12. – 14. of May.

Some of us have been to Harrogate before, and I would think that it's quite similar.

From the pictures online from 2016, it seems that there's only a bit of 3,5" gauge running indoors. Are there any 5" or 7 1/4" gauge live steam railway at the site?

I would think that there's some steam and traction engines outdoors, as at Harrogate?

Thomas

[Thomas StauboParticipant @thomasstaubo12021]

[J HancockParticipant @jhancock95746]

Just one piece of advice, if you are expecting to buy something big/heavy at the exhibition.

Bring one of those small four wheel 'buggies' in the boot of your car to collect the items.

Why?

Because it may be necessary to cross a main road to the car park and generally, parking is not so close as

at Harrogate.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

There were traction engines running at Doncaster last year.

Stem in tabletop and 3 1/2" only if I recall correctly.

Neil

[Thomas StauboParticipant @thomasstaubo12021]

As I suspected then.

But it would be nice to visit a club railway while we are there. I looked at the events calender here, but have no idea of which events is close.

Preferably the same weekend, and hopefully not too far away from Doncaster/Sheffield would be nice.

I would appreciate any help in finding one.

I found out that the Markham Grange Steam Museum is quite near, only 9km, or half an hour by rail.

That is a must for steam enthusiasts.

[Martin 100Participant @martin100]

Posted by Thomas Staubo on 13/02/2017 13:41:51:

I found out that the Markham Grange Steam Museum is quite near, only 9km, or half an hour by rail.

That is a must for steam enthusiasts.

It's not directly accessible by rail. It's two very short local stops taking around 10 mins total along the railway line from Doncaster towards Wakefield (getting off at Adwick-le-Street) and then a 2km walk, or just a short (8km) taxi ride from Doncaster.

As mentioned last year in a similar thread you also have the National Railway Museum at York, 30 mins further north by rail (book rail tickets online in advance and pick up at the station ticket machine to save LOTS)

Heading North East from York to Pickering (by road, with fast direct buses available) you have the start of the North York Moors Railway that runs to Whitby on the coast .

[Thomas StauboParticipant @thomasstaubo12021]

Ok, thanks for the heads up about that, Martin.

I went to the National Railway Museum last time I visited Harrogate, but my fellows might want to see it.

The North York Moors Railway is a bit too far for a weekend trip. But thanks for the info.

[Anthony KnightsParticipant @anthonyknights16741]

Went to Doncaster last year and was extremely disappointed that there was no disabled parking signposted. Ended up struggling to walk the full length of the stands to get to the entrance to the exhibition. By this time I was too knackered to walk round the exhibition properly. Needless to say, I will not be going this year.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

There's parking spaces for disabled visitors at the main entrance to Doncaster Racecourse, i assume they are available on exhibition days.

Yes I've had this confirmed, disabled parking for Doncaster is directly outside the main exhibition entrance.

Neil

 

Edited By Neil Wyatt on 13/02/2017 19:23:13

[Gavin RexParticipant @gavinrex]

You're right Neil.

Disabled parking is directly outside the Main Entrance to Doncaster Racecourse. Further details can be found via the website at http://www.thedoncastershow.com on the 'Visiting Us' page here.

[Thomas StauboParticipant @thomasstaubo12021]

I don't think we will travel by car. I see that there's a bus transfer from the city centre.

[Matt CParticipant @mattc]

When I went last year, a taxi cost ?6.50 from the station to the exhibition. I walked back to the station afterwards rather than wait for a bus. I went on the Sunday.

[Thomas StauboParticipant @thomasstaubo12021]

I found out that the Sheffield & district SMEE is open on sunday May 14th.

That's not far away from Doncaster. So if we are going to Doncaster, we would certainly visit their railway .

Edited By Thomas Staubo on 14/02/2017 13:39:34

[Anthony KnightsParticipant @anthonyknights16741]

In my last post, I didn't say there was NO disabled parking, but merely that it wasn't sign posted. Re-reading some of the comments from last year, there were several regarding the poor signage of the venue as a whole.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

I've been told they are going to have extra signs this year, but I would have hoped the disabled parking was properly signed as it's used on race days?

Anyway, it's car park A opposite the main stand and you need to have a disabled' person's parking permit.

DON-Disabled-Facilities-Guide-WEB.pdf

Edited By Neil Wyatt on 16/02/2017 13:36:01

[Geoff TheasbyParticipant @geofftheasby]

Thomas,

Catch a bus from Donc interchange, underneath the shopping centre, adjacent to the station. It goes right by the racecourse. If you or anyone wishes to meet me, I'll be there on Saturday, look for my ID badge on a yellow ribbon. tall, bearded, glasses, camera, Bunny Girl,

Geoff

[Martin 100Participant @martin100]

Having some local knowledge the Car park A, 'opposite the main stand' and number 16 on that graphic that Neil provided the link to is a bit misleading as its actually the concreted area of the fire station field / park and ride car park on the corner of the dual carriageway Leger Way with Town Moor Avenue Road which is over the road (google earth confirms the signage)

While there is a pedestrian exit from the car park near that corner there is no pedestrian crossing point of any type across Leger Way on that corner and certainly no dropped kerbs. The only designated crossing point on the dual carriageway is at the far end of the main grandstand building or a lights controlled crossing built since last year immediately in front of the School for the Deaf.

Park in the designated disabled car park and it's around 250 or 350 metres to the crossing points and back towards the entrance. Still less than having to park in the main car park but it might be a bit of a slog for some.

I would have hoped any disabled parking facility would actually be in the car parking areas immediately behind 12 & 13 on the same side as the main buildings which have the advantage of offering flat level access to the main building without any road crossing being required.

[Gavin RexParticipant @gavinrex]

Details of disabled parking as well as the main car park are as follows (details also available on the website **LINK** as per my post above).

Disabled parking is directly outside the Main Entrance to Doncaster Racecourse (also the Main Entrance to the Exhibition). The main car park is just across the road from the Main Entrance.

Many thanks.

[Author]

Posts