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  • The Plug Track functions are experimental and still being developed. Some of the earlier pages of this topic are now out-of-date.

    For an updated overview of this project see this topic.   For some practical modelling aspects of using Plug Track see Building 3D Track.

    The assumption is that you have your own machines on which to experiment, or helpful friends with machines. Please do not send Templot files to commercial laser cutting or 3D printing firms while this project is still experimental, because the results are unpredictable and possibly wasteful.

    Some pages of this and other topics include contributions from members who are creating and posting their own CAD designs for 3D printing and laser-cutting. Do not confuse them with Templot's own exported CAD files. All files derived from Templot are © Martin Wynne.
  • The Plug Track functions are experimental and still being developed.

    For an updated overview of this project see this topic.   For some practical modelling aspects of using Plug Track see Building 3D Track.

    The assumption is that you have your own machines on which to experiment, or helpful friends with machines. Please do not send Templot files to commercial laser cutting or 3D printing firms while this project is still experimental, because the results are unpredictable and possibly wasteful.

    Some pages of this and other topics include contributions from members who are creating and posting their own CAD designs for 3D printing and laser-cutting. Do not confuse them with Templot's own exported CAD files. All files derived from Templot are © Martin Wynne.

Guildex show online

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The Gauge O Guild are running an online virtual exhibition all day November 6th, to replace their usual Guildex annual exhibition.

Free admission to all.

https://www.gaugeoguild.com

Available afterwards for the rest of the month (but maybe to members only?).

Martin.
 
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A quirky and intriguing video at the Guild online exhibition today was this one, showing a small layout entirely 3D-printed, both FDM and resin, and including the track:


It's light on detail of the machines and software used, and it's a shame the track includes such nonsenses as the Peco-style bent timbers, but it does show where the hobby is heading.

cheers,

Martin.
 
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I've noticed that nearly all the exhibitions are being cancelled and turned online. Trade and commerce has, finally, woken up from its slumber and businesses are poking their noses out, sniffing the air and finding that they aren't all collectively dropping dead after all. As a result, I have invitations to attend several trade shows next year, and two before Christmas.

So I am wondering now (I am only asking the question and I make no judgement of others for their opinions, so please don't judge me on mine) are model railway enthusiasts more risk averse than anyone else or is this a deeper issue whereby (with one or two notable large groups) shows are generally loss making and finding volunteers to organise is proving hard for many groups. So I wonder if this is going to become the 'new normal' that people keep talking about. Possibly using commercial sponsorship adverts on screen and reverting to mail order.

I for one think this will be a very bad move, kill the social side stone dead and for retailers, those profitable impulse buys will disappear. However, I can see this being the case. Already one political discussion group that also talks a lot of railways (sorry, reverse that) are talking of reducing their three exhibitions to one.

Remember you read it here first.
Derek
 
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So I am wondering now (I am only asking the question and I make no judgement of others for their opinions, so please don't judge me on mine) are model railway enthusiasts more risk averse than anyone else or is this a deeper issue whereby (with one or two notable large groups) shows are generally loss making and finding volunteers to organise is proving hard for many groups. So I wonder if this is going to become the 'new normal' that people keep talking about.
@Derek,

Hi Derek,

As far as model railway shows are concerned, I think it is demographics. This hobby tends to be populated by the not-so-young, who are more vulnerable to Covid and might be worried about attending a crowded exhibition. Generally shows tend to do little more than break even, so if a sizeable chunk of the usual visitor base stays away, there is a real risk of suffering a loss. I know that was the reason the Gauge O Guild decided to have an online show again this year, but have decided to have a real one again next year and are already planning it.

Another factor is the long lead time involved in planning a model railway exhibition. If a real show had taken place today, the layouts and traders would have been invited 18 months ago -- at the height of the pandemic. At that stage none of us knew how events would play out, and few would have been willing to commit to spending a weekend in a crowded exhibition hall.

cheers,

Martin.
 
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It's light on detail of the machines and software used

It seems Paul Gohl did a Zoom meeting about his 3D-printed layout during the show. Recordings of the Zoom sessions are promised in a day or two, so I will post the link here when I know it.

Martin.
 
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Derek, Martin,
I fear that the days of many shows are numbered. I have been travelling to general shows, specialist society events and toy fairs for 30 years and the mood of the stallholders/traders was starting to wane even before the events of the last couple of years. Covid has maybe just accelerated the process. Costs of travel, stall rents and maybe overnight accomodation means traders must turnover a certain amount of stock to make it financially viable. A number of traders I have known for years find it easier and cheaper to stay at home and deal by mail order ( and not have to worry about transport damage, theft of stock and often failing to have the item the customer is after )

I would like to think that people of our age groups would be more sensible about taking precautions ( hands, face, space etc ) given the increased health risks but it very difficult to run a proper show in this way and people easily get put off from attending. many of the stallholders are in this age group too with a few notable exceptions.

I used to spend much of my time at shows chasing the bargains - usually etched kits that had remained unbuilt since the finescale 'revolution' of 30-40 years ago. You only need to look on Ebay to see where they are changing hands these days. Do a completed item search on Ebay for D&S or David Geen or Neep - luckily I have more than I will ever get round to building and the one's I don't build will pay for my funeral.....:eek:

Will I get back to real shows ? Don't know, we shall see. Depressed - no, I just spend more time walking the dogs or fishing after I have done a bit of online ordering of course :D

Rob
P.S. I see there is a 'real' O gauge show here - just hope nobody expects to be buying wheels on the day for all those nice loco kits.
 
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the mood of the stallholders/traders was starting to wane even before the events of the last couple of years. Covid has maybe just accelerated the process. Costs of travel, stall rents and maybe overnight accommodation means traders must turnover a certain amount of stock to make it financially viable. A number of traders I have known for years find it easier and cheaper to stay at home and deal by mail order

Hi Rob,

But there is more to a show than the traders. Layouts, demonstrations, lectures, competitions. Maybe we will have to get used to paying higher ticket prices at exhibitions if there is less trade stall income to cover costs.

cheers,

Martin.
 
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message ref: 3032
I've noticed that nearly all the exhibitions are being cancelled and turned online. Trade and commerce has, finally, woken up from its slumber and businesses are poking their noses out, sniffing the air and finding that they aren't all collectively dropping dead after all. As a result, I have invitations to attend several trade shows next year, and two before Christmas.

So I am wondering now (I am only asking the question and I make no judgement of others for their opinions, so please don't judge me on mine) are model railway enthusiasts more risk averse than anyone else or is this a deeper issue whereby (with one or two notable large groups) shows are generally loss making and finding volunteers to organise is proving hard for many groups. So I wonder if this is going to become the 'new normal' that people keep talking about. Possibly using commercial sponsorship adverts on screen and reverting to mail order.

I for one think this will be a very bad move, kill the social side stone dead and for retailers, those profitable impulse buys will disappear. However, I can see this being the case. Already one political discussion group that also talks a lot of railways (sorry, reverse that) are talking of reducing their three exhibitions to one.

Remember you read it here first.
Derek
Hi Derek

I have the same impression about model railway shows. This weekend (I think) I would have been going to Warley (cancelled), next weekend I’m going to Scale Model World inTelford (not cancelled).

Possibly demographics as has been suggested, but I shall find out the typical ages of attendees to SMW next weekend, although I suspect the average age will be lower than model railway shows. Having said that, I don’t think the average age attending Warley is as high as smaller exhibitions.

Cheers,
Paul
 
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Th Guild had to make a decision about Guildex (at Stafford) in June. Considerations, were financial if deposits were lost, the number of traders who did not want to attend baceause of the continued Covid situation, and also they had to take into account how many members may actually turn up. All three annual shows the Guild runs are already being planned to go ahead in 2022, fingers crossed and a following wind of course.

The Guild will continue to host a Virtual Show online as it benefits members who are unable to get to live shows, as well as Overseas members. In fact, a number of layouts in the current show are from overseas members.

Paul Gohl's zoom session can now be viewed on Youtube:

There are eight live sessions from Saturday now on the Guild Youtube channel.

A quicker link to the show itself is now this one: https://www.gaugeoguild.com/virtualnov21/

Ian
 
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