Hi Guys
i was wondering if this size of layout would be okay for a show or is it down to space at shows https://youtu.be/Tbv4MQdGcpY
thanks
Alan
I think pretty much all sizes of layouts are suitable for exhibiting. It will depend of course on the venue, nature of the exhibition and preferences of the exhibition manager.
Layouts that fit into the boot of a car or on the back seat do seem to be popular with individual exhibitors as might be expected. Larger layouts are popular with club exhibitors or other groups of fellow modellers.
Take a look at the member layouts on 009 website. There are good examples there and it looks as if the ones that are available for exhibitions are listed as such.
Something that should help is having a clear diagram of the layout area (baseboard, operator space and other clearances) along with other points that will assist the exhibition organizer. This might include layout height, the layout having its own legs or needing a table, own barriers, lighting and so on. Possibly even things like length of extension cable.
Bearing in mind that you get invited to shows - you can expect the show manger will have seen the layout in some form or other and will have some idea of its size. The documentation you send back to the manger when you get your invitation should contain the layout size, the amount of space your require around it for access etc, and other things. It is then up to the manger and his/her team to fit the layout into the show.
A track plan (with dimensions and labelled as to viewing side) is always a bonus - try to make it as "professional"-looking as you can - it may well be printed in the show guide.
With my exhibition manager's hat on (ok member's day organiser!) it not how big or small a layout is that determines an invite but more if I can get it to fit in and how well it looks and (just as importantly) runs.
Perhaps more important when it comes to deciding how big (or not) to build your own layout are the following factors:
1. How much space do you have to work on building it?
2. Do you have the space to set the whole thing (layout and fiddle yards) up at home to both test the running and your operating sequence (however elaborate or not it is)?
3. How much are you able to carry, both in moving the layout from it's room at home into transport and from transport into the venue? Bear in mind things like door widths (usually 30" minimum), staircases that may have awkward turns in them and the like. Some of the size issues can be overcome by using multiple base boards, but then there is a limit to how many times you want to traipse up and down all those stairs!
4. With any exhibition layout, even the smallest one, it's useful to have a friend able to help out to cover lunch breaks (and comfort breaks) and to allow a bit of time off to see the rest of the show and buy those modelling supplies (and they might want to do the same too). The bigger / more complex the layout, the more 'crew' needed, which might be fine if you are part of a club or local area group, but less so if you are an antisocial loner whose chief talent is alienating others (no names, no pack drill ;) ).
5. How big is the vehicle that will be carrying the layout? If it and the crew will fit in one car (maybe with the layout in a trailer?) that will make things more attractive to an exhibition manager on cost grounds (basically cost of fuel used or mileage for a single car), whereas something needing the hire of a 7.5 toner plus 2 cars for the crew starts to get a bit pricey on the expenses (making an invite to shows less likely, particularly small local ones that may be trying to raise money for charity).
From the quick glance I've had at the video (with the sound off) I think the main issue with that particular baseboard design is the fixed backscene and the plywood construction that could end up being quite heavy and the height may cause transport issues if you didn't have a hatchback / estate car.