Chris Gilbert Posted June 8, 2013 Share Posted June 8, 2013 The fear is receding I'm now comfortably numb Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supaned Posted June 8, 2013 Share Posted June 8, 2013 Another great job there Chris. I like the billboard... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-UnitMad Posted June 8, 2013 Share Posted June 8, 2013 Another great job there Chris. I like the billboard... Never mind the billboard, look at the loco!!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Rogers Posted June 8, 2013 Share Posted June 8, 2013 I know that a couple of long distancers are staying in Ruegley on Friday night before the show does anyone fancy getting together for a bit to eat / couple of quiet pints ahead of the big day? Dan Hi Dan myself Martyn Mel & Ian are staying in travel lodge and there is a weatherspoons pub couple 100 yds away. thats our plan? cheers Neil Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold roundhouse Posted June 9, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 9, 2013 Never mind the billboard, look at the loco!!! That is soo nice! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
warbonnetuk Posted June 9, 2013 Share Posted June 9, 2013 Hi Dan myself Martyn Mel & Ian are staying in travel lodge and there is a weatherspoons pub couple 100 yds away. thats our plan? cheers Neil Neil Sounds like a winner! Dan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trisonic Posted June 9, 2013 Share Posted June 9, 2013 Pete - If you think that's big - see the email I have just forwarded to you! (GULP!) If anyone else wants to see it let me have your email address Now I'm scared to open it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Best, Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortliner Posted June 9, 2013 Share Posted June 9, 2013 See Your Tag-line! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trisonic Posted June 9, 2013 Share Posted June 9, 2013 Asked for that, didn't I? Best, Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northpoint Posted June 9, 2013 Author Share Posted June 9, 2013 Hi Dan myself Martyn Mel & Ian are staying in travel lodge and there is a weatherspoons pub couple 100 yds away. thats our plan? cheers Neil Which pub is that Neil? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
warbonnetuk Posted June 9, 2013 Share Posted June 9, 2013 Which pub is that Neil? According to the GBG it's the Plaza? Dan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northpoint Posted June 9, 2013 Author Share Posted June 9, 2013 I've just had a sneak preview of the finished North Haston - you've got a treat in store next Saturday! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Williams Posted June 9, 2013 Share Posted June 9, 2013 I've just had a sneak preview of the finished North Haston - you've got a treat in store next Saturday! I'll second that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortliner Posted June 9, 2013 Share Posted June 9, 2013 Thirded! - definitely! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortliner Posted June 9, 2013 Share Posted June 9, 2013 Armitage Village Hall is definitely going to be the place to be next Saturday - for anyone with the slightest interest in US railroads, or railway modelling of any variety........ and please, do talk to the exhibitors - there is nothing more soul-destroying than exhibiting a layout without getting feedback from the visitors Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supaned Posted June 9, 2013 Share Posted June 9, 2013 They'll be sick of the sight of me. Probably. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prof Klyzlr Posted June 10, 2013 Share Posted June 10, 2013 Dear Jack ........ and please, do talk to the exhibitors - there is nothing more soul-destroying than exhibiting a layout without getting feedback from the visitors Um, that cuts both ways. If the layout is sooo "operator-inteaction-intensive" that the operators spend more time:- head-down staring at their DCC handsets working out which button to press next,- at a control-panel working out which turnout to throw,- or at a staging yard working out which train to run,(IE unconsciously or otherwise presenting a bluff unfriendly "...don't interupt me, I'm busy running the train..." attitude to the crowd), rather than being "smiling face forward, out front of the layout" ready, obviously able, and willing to field questions, then it comes as no surprise that "minimal crowd <> operator interaction" (or feedback receipt) is the result. If it's an analog DC "Point-to-point" layout, grab a couple of sillicon diodes, a single DPDT switch (to act as a "auto/manual" mode switch),and a GaugeMaster SS-1 "dumb timer" shuttle unit or similar, and you're ready to go.("Brooklyn" uses such a system, can run up to 3 trains simultaneously, and is but a single toggle-switch throw between "fully auto" and "fully direct-drive manual" operation). If it's a DCC layout, thankfully Tam Valley has heard the screaming need, and has released the "Train Shuttle"http://www.tamvalleydepot.com/products/trainshuttle.html(I have one of these on eval, and am working on some mods to permit similar-to-above "single toggle Auto<>manual" operation.The Train-Shuttle itself has a Speed knob and "direction" switch, but being able to smoothly swap between "auto" and "your fave DCC system" in the same way the analog equivalent can is the aim and goal...) Now, please don't mishear me, I'm not saying that manual-running shouldn't be used at shows,nor as I suggesting that layout owners/builders/modellers shouldn't have the right to "operate" their layouts. (Far from it!) Where I am tilting at is, it's kinda obvious that either: - the layout has enough "crew" available to fill both "operator" and "fronts-person/crowd-interation" staff positions(If the layout is a PnP DCC situation, the ammount of "constant operator attention" required is such that IMHO it's unlikely one person can properly/completely/reliably forfill both roles simultaneously). OR - the layout needs to have some confidence-proven form of basic "keep the trains running" mode, which does not require the constant attention of the single operator/crew/human every 30 seconds (This can not only allow a single-person-crew layout to "work the crowd" without the "show" stopping altogether, but it can save one's sanity......ask me how I know this... ;-) ) Just a thought after acting as a "swing operator" on an 18' long 7mm SG DCC PnP layout yesterday... Happy Modelling,Aim to Improve,Prof Klyzlr Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northpoint Posted June 10, 2013 Author Share Posted June 10, 2013 Meanwhile, back to the show.. My stress levels have been steadily increasing due to being unable to contact the caterers. You know what that means - no bacon sandwiches!! Anyway, all is now well. She has just phoned me and confirmed she will be there at 8 am and will have the grill fired up as quickly as she can. Phew!!!!!!!!!!!!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glorious NSE Posted June 10, 2013 Share Posted June 10, 2013 Disaster averted! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trisonic Posted June 10, 2013 Share Posted June 10, 2013 No pies? Best, Pete. PS Last time I was in London my cousin picked me up at my Hotel (pre-breakfast) he was disgusted that I was really hungering for a hot Sausage Roll - I actually had two large ones at 9:00am............. Best, Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northpoint Posted June 10, 2013 Author Share Posted June 10, 2013 No pies? Best, Pete. PS Last time I was in London my cousin picked me up at my Hotel (pre-breakfast) he was disgusted that I was really hungering for a hot Sausage Roll - I actually had two large ones at 9:00am............. Best, Pete. I'll send you one on Saturday by Fed-Ex, Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
298 Posted June 10, 2013 Share Posted June 10, 2013 Dear Jack Um, that cuts both ways. If the layout is sooo "operator-inteaction-intensive" that the operators spend more time: - head-down staring at their DCC handsets working out which button to press next, - at a control-panel working out which turnout to throw, - or at a staging yard working out which train to run, (IE unconsciously or otherwise presenting a bluff unfriendly "...don't interupt me, I'm busy running the train..." attitude to the crowd), ... Happy Modelling, Aim to Improve, Prof Klyzlr Interesting points, as usual. I'm not sure of your experiences at UK shows, but after the first TVNAM it was noted the show had a "friendly" atmosphere. Although all shows rely on a certain level of trust between the spectators and layout owners and a basic understanding of exhibition etiquette from all, there wasn't the crowds that are generally seen at other shows, where an inpatient mob gathers to wait for a train that might as well be late when they're due for an important business meeting instead of a minature recreation of something that happens thousands of miles away or finished decades ago. One unfair point that I did hear about previous shows was that TVNAM only attracted "one man band" layouts and people expected to see something bigger than they could build at home (I'm not sure why they ignored the other point that shows should be filled with something that is inspirational but attainable, seems you can please the eternal whingers), but obviously this has been addressed for this year at a greater expense. My current layout also fits into the "one man band" category, partly because it's single 6' scenic board means there is no room for passengers in the car, but also because good help is hard to find. Others may have a different view, but in the past I've been known to insist some interested parties have had a turn at operating, but only after I've assessed their suitability. Turning up and saying "gizza go" or engineering the layout to include "press here" animations isn't on... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
298 Posted June 10, 2013 Share Posted June 10, 2013 They'll be sick of the sight of me. Probably. So you're going then, or off to foreign lands again....? (Oh hang on, I've just seen your FB status update). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glorious NSE Posted June 10, 2013 Share Posted June 10, 2013 I think the 'specialism' does help reduce the 'Here we are now, entertain us / would you like fries with that' angles you sometimes see/feel at mainstream shows. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northpoint Posted June 10, 2013 Author Share Posted June 10, 2013 I have consciously avoided any local advertising to prevent the type of people mentioned from being attracted. It also doesn't encourage (preparing for slings and arrows of outrage here) the "Thomas the Tank Engine" brigade so we don't have to worry about whether little Johnny can see or not. However, the result of this course of action is the attendance numbers are lower than they would be for a more genral show aimed at all and sundry which in turn keeps the revenue lower and hinders the overall budget for the show, hence my post several days ago. But hopefully everybody involved would prefer to see a show which has the specialism that Martyn refers to above. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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