Crewe Signalling Gala - October 2012

The 'Exeter West Group' are pleased to give advance notice that they will be holding a 'Signalling Gala' at the Crewe Heritage Centre on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th October between 10am and 5pm each day. This special event for the signalling enthusiast will feature many displays, talks and film shows each day, but the principal attractions are expected to be Exeter West Box in full simulated operation using a 'laptop' computer, and the launch of a new range of signalling simulations for the home PC. These simulations feature the finest graphics that have ever been available in such a program.

Normal Heritage Centre admission charges will apply but, as this weekend is a special event, the usual free admission concession for 'Exeter West Group' members will not be allowed. Details of the current admission charges can be found at:

Crewe Heritage Centre >> Admission

It is intended to make the more detailed weekend programme available nearer the time - so watch this space but make a note of the dates NOW!

Peter Jordan

Chairman, Exeter West Group

 

I am now able to give folk some more detail of the 'signalling gala' that we are holding at the Crewe Heritage Centre over the weekend of October 6th and 7th.

The main highlight of the event will be the public launch of a new range of signalling simulations for the home PC. Sold under the brand name 'Block Post Software' these simulations will be of traditional mechanical signal boxes and will feature the finest graphics seen to date in any PC signalling simulations. It is hoped that during the weekend Exeter West will be operational, controlled by a 'Block Post Software' product.

Kidderminster Railway Museum (many of whose supporters are also supporters of Exeter West) will be attending with their photographic archive, and this will allow a vast resource of historic pictures to be searched and prints ordered. They are also bringing a selection of rare signalling instruments from their large collection, and this will provide a rare opportunity to get 'up close and personal' with some rarely-seen items.

There will also be additional displays and stands, including the 'Signalling Record Society' with a range of their signalling-related books and CD's. A film show will be staged at intervals throughout the event, showing some rarely-seen films of signalling interest.
As usual the Centre's three signal boxes (Crewe North Junction, Crewe Station 'A' and Exeter West) will be open to visitors.

This weekend will be a rare opportunity for signalling enthusiasts to attend an event tailored specifically to their interests and, if the support is forthcoming this year, similar events could well be staged in the future.

Peter Jordan

Chairman, Exeter West Group

 

Why Peter, why did you choose a weekend I was working? Will hate to miss this

 

Sorry, Jamie, but I suppose you can't please all of the folk all of the time.

The dates were chosen because that is (hopefully) a time when things are a bit less hectic on our heritage lines, so perhaps their signalmen and S&T staff can get away.


Peter Jordan

Chairman, Exeter West Group

 

I was being lighthearted Peter, and I am trying to find if I can swap the weekend with someone.

 

Just a reminder to everyone that the Signalling Gala organised by the 'Exeter West Group' takes place at Crewe Heritage Centre this weekend, October 6th and 7th, commencing each day at 10am. Among the attractions will be Exeter West operating a full day's timetable from its new computer simulator and the launch of the new 'Block Post Software' signalling simulations. Exhibits and sales stands will also be provided by the 'Signalling Record Society' (among others) and Kidderminster Railway Museum, who will have their extensive photographic archive available for visitors to browse.

Alll proceeds from the Gala will go towards the upkeep of Exeter West, the structure of which reaches its 'official' centenary next year. We look forward to welcoming as many of you as possible over this coming weekend.

Peter Jordan

Chairman, Exeter West Group

 

I thought that folk might be interested in a report of the signalling gala organised by the 'Exeter West Group' at Crewe Heritage Centre last weekend, especially as I would welcome feedback and ideas that might be useful for staging any future event.

Basically the success of the gala was mixed - after a quiet start on the Saturday morning visitor numbers built up very nicely and at the end of the day we were all very pleased with the attendance that had been achieved. The computer simulator working Exeter West behaved impeccably, although the operators did get the job 'round their necks' at one point through too much talking to visitors! Howard Bolton gave an excellent launch presentation of his new 'Block Post Software' programs and everyone was most impressed with the new PC simulation of Exeter West, particularly the graphics.

Sunday, unfortunately, was a very different story, and visitor numbers were most disappointing. At 2pm I presented the advertised film show to just one person! After the event I talked to some of the participants and suggested that, based on this experience, we might perhaps make any future gala a 'one-day' event, but there seemed a reluctance to put in the effort that is required for such an event if it is only to be staged for a single day.

So how we go forward from here is uncertain. We have never intended that such events would become an annual feature of the calendar, but we are left wondering whether it is worthwhile staging any further events at all. It seems a shame that, with so few special events aimed at their particular sphere of interest, signalling enthusiasts can't be more supportive. If anyone has any ideas as to how we could improve things for the future (particularly Sunday attendance) I'd be glad to hear them.

Finally I would just like to say a big 'thank you' to those of you that did come along and support us - we are very grateful for that and trust that you found your visit enjoyable and worthwhile.

Peter Jordan

Chairman, Exeter West Group

 

Attendance would not have been helped by the fact that you held the event on the same weekend as the Great Central and West Somerset steam galas. You could improve attendance by trying to get everyone together to run the event on a weekend when not much else is happening on other railways - or perhaps hold the signalling gala as part of a larger event at the heritage centre.

 

One of the biggest problems these days is trying to choose a weekend when there aren't other events happening elsewhere - October used to be a time when things were quietening down, but that no longer seems to be the case.

We could stage the event as part of a larger event at the Centre but we wanted the signalling enthusiasts to feel that someone was catering specially for them rather than them 'piggybacking' on someone elses event. But it's certainly an idea to consider.

Peter Jordan

Chairman, Exeter West Group