Subject:
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Re: Train Shows
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.loc.uk
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Date:
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Sat, 26 Aug 2000 14:32:38 GMT
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Viewed:
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533 times
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Lawrence,
It's nice to know that someone else is interested in Lego train shows.
I have been doing them for some years. I started collecting Lego trains in
1985 then lost interest as no new (12v trains) were being released in the late
1980's then I started again when the 9v series came out.
I have been interested in model railways for some time and go to the
occasional model railway exhibition but my model railways never turned out as
good as the ones at exhibitions. Then I went to one and there was a Lego
train display - and I thought I could do better than that, as there were
signs saying 'do not touch' and the layout was just concentric circles with no
points or crossovers.
So I invited myself to my local model railway exhibition in MIlton Keynes and
had a very big layout with 12v & 9v trains with me operating it but then
realised it was more fun letting the children control the trains and I could
chat to the visitors. I also enjoy planning an event making a new train and
wondering if the children will want to drive it (I've just modified the snow
plough for the next show) and planning the layout using the Track Designer and
some bits on the floor - but spare room is not big enough. Its always a
compromise between making something exciting with lots of trains, points &
crossovers and something managable and getting as much as possible on the
tables that are being provided.
After that I used to go to one regularly at Northampton model railway club &
Milton Keynes Museum (where I brought out my 4.5 & 12v trains) every year.
The highlight was the Lego club day in Milton Keynes shopping centre - before
Legoland Windsor was built - with thousands of children and their parents. I
was the only 'non LEGO' person doing anything and I felt my bit made the day
more exciting. It was the only exhibition where I lost a few pieces - partly
because it was so busy and people didn't realise it was my own collection
rather than belonging to Lego.
I invited my self to the NEC- then I moved to Scotland so it is harder to
attend and also I lost my contacts with Model railway clubs in the area that
were growing.
Since moving here I have done one at Dunfermline and at our village festival,
and I am booked for Dunde & the NEC. I met up with some people from a local
model railway club who are exhibiting at the NEC and they kindly offered to
share transport with me and also to help exhibiting as it is exhausting on
your own. The people who are organising it are paying for transport and
accommodation so I won't be out of pocket.
Sometimes you get expences paid sometimes not, sometimes you get a letter
saying thank you, sometimes not. But I enjoy it, its nice to be able to lay
out 'all' your track and chat to people. It is normally covered by insurance
but what value do you put on it? I always ask then to provide tables - but
the standard 'dinner table' tables have raised edges which cause problems.
I have always thought it would be nice to have a Lego train club in the UK
like they have in the US but whenever I have posted a notice about a show I
have had more response from the US than from the UK. It was nice the other
week to meet Scott A , the first person to have responded to one of my
postings.
My shows are different to the ones in the US as I let the children drive the
trains and I don't have wonderful buildings etc as I only collect trains.
About a year ago I posted a notice about about the forthcomimg NEC exhibition
to see if anyone was interested and only got one response which I did not
think was enough to follow up. I do wonder if I will get invited back again
next year (2001) and if more peple would be interested to be involved. Seeing
the trains at one of the Legofest's shows there could be some interest?
Reaction at a model railway exhibition is very favourable as I often get
invited back, the most common comment is 'I never knew Lego did trains', the
children and their parents love it and you get the few children who don't want
to leave. I always feel the true model railway enthousiast doesn't approve,
but the more enlightened ones realise that Lego trains are a good intrduction
to the hobby - they are more suited to children than Hornby trains which are
too fiddly.
It is too late to do too much for the NEC this year as I have given up my free
exhibitors passes to the people who are providing transport but you could come
and visit (the admision charge is a bit expensive ), bring some trains,
rolling stock, buildings or something if you want and help man the layout. I
have already said how big a table I want so we cann't break the PNLTC record
this year!
Sorry I got a bit carried away but I hope this has answers your questions.
Regards,
David
In lugnet.loc.uk, Lawrence Wilkes writes:
> This is probably targetted at David Graham, though anyone else is of course
> free to chip in!
>
> What reaction is there to Lego at regular train shows?
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> I notice that David is exhibiting at a big NEC one in November.
>
> What does this cost and entail?
>
> I wonder if anyone else would be interested in doing a joint lego train layout
> there. I was thinking along the lines of this PNLTC stuff I keep seeing.
> Could be interesting to do a UK event like that.
>
> Is it too late for NEC this year?
>
> regards
> lawrence
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Message has 1 Reply:
 | | Re: Train Shows
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| (...) Yes - I'm all ears David (...) You seem to be the exception - most LEGO train fans like the LEGO product for it's flexibility although I for one look at each element with an eye to it's potential in a 'model railway' situation. My personal (...) (24 years ago, 1-Sep-00, to lugnet.loc.uk)
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Message is in Reply To:
| | Train Shows
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| This is probably targetted at David Graham, though anyone else is of course free to chip in! What reaction is there to Lego at regular train shows? I notice that David is exhibiting at a big NEC one in November. What does this cost and entail? I (...) (24 years ago, 24-Aug-00, to lugnet.loc.uk)
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