Doncaster open day - what did you think?

anamorph · Post by **anamorph** » Mon Jul 28, 2003 3:53 pm

Well, having been I have to say I don't know if I'd go to another.
I was last at a railfair in 1985 (Perth), which was BIG
I can't blame Wabtec, but the layout was just too cramped (although partly due to the number of punters there) but getting pics was a problem due to the space limitations, and as for the stalls, well, I have to say that
the punters in there are among the most "sod you mate I'm reading/looking at this and you can wait to get to the stall" (while getting jostled about by other people) type of folk I have EVER came across at ANY event. It was just not possible to enjoy the day fully. Also, I suppose the fact that such a vast number of locos have had the chop since 1985, and the limitations on mainline running for steam, meant that there wasn't an awful lot to see.
So, I give it 5/10.

southcoasttrains · Post by **southcoasttrains** » Mon Jul 28, 2003 4:31 pm

I was a bit annoyed that every loco I walked in front of I got told of get out of the way, look around theres 30 people trying to get a perfect photo of a 47 in BR Blue.

All the photos I did had people in them and I don't mind.

As it was my second open day, the last being in Crewe around 1987 i'd give this a 7 / 10. But they could of put more stuff in there, like some multiple units, I would of liked to get in to the two units in the wheel shop.

Ravensthorpe · Post by **Ravensthorpe** » Tue Jul 29, 2003 10:34 am

I don't know what everyone is complaining about, I had a very enjoyable day out. There maybe could have been more locos there but for Â£9.00 you got more than you would at some of the local preservation dos. I didn't find browsing at the stalls difficult and those who found it too crowded clearly don't commute by rail every day like wot I do.

I'm not sure there was a whole weekend's entertainment to be had but it was a bargain for one day.

Only two things took the edge off the day:

1. The food stalls were a bit on the expensive side - only maginally cheaper than on-train prices -

Solution: next time bring sandwiches.

2. The sad misanthopes who expected to get pictures of engines with no people in them in a crowd of 20000 - :snipersmile: Solution: pay no attention to them whatsoever.

jonhewes · Post by **jonhewes** » Tue Jul 29, 2003 11:22 am

I really enjoyed the open day. It was the best railway event I have ever attended. I found the combination of both current and past traction fascinating. Even more to my amazement was that most of the steam locomotives were fired up!

I feel quite sad, knowing that there'll probably be nothing like this for quite some time in the future.

It was rather annoying the way people got in the way when taking pictures, but I found towards the end of the day (4 PM onwards), there were far less people and I managed to get some excellent shots.

southcoasttrains · Post by **southcoasttrains** » Tue Jul 29, 2003 11:39 am

You can see my photos here

http://southernrail.fotopic.net

Just click on Doncaster Open Day.

daveannjon · Post by **daveannjon** » Tue Jul 29, 2003 1:22 pm

I enjoyed it very much on the Sunday, but was told Saturday had been manic. What made it for me was the carriages, there must have been a dozen or so grouping and pre-grouping vehicles there, plus Mk1s. I think Wabtec were to be congratulated for scouring the country to get these and the locos. Agree the catering wasn't up to scratch, the Mallard cafe ran out of food at 1pm! It's always hard to get people free shots of locos, but there was a photographers evening on the Friday, and personally I don't mind people in the shot. Olton Hall was the only blot on the landscape for me.

Dave W

ThinLizzy · Post by **ThinLizzy** » Thu Jul 31, 2003 5:19 pm

Didnt rate it personnaly. I agree with Ed about not being able to get near anything.
There was all those locos there, but you couldnt get inside the cab or anything, and there wasnt anything to say what the significance of them being there was either.
It was very much a please yourself event and i only spent 3 hours there before i had seen everything.

alan2 · Post by **alan2** » Thu Jul 31, 2003 9:49 pm

ThinLizzy wrote:Didnt rate it personnaly. I agree with Ed about not being able to get near anything.
There was all those locos there, but you couldnt get inside the cab or anything, and there wasnt anything to say what the significance of them being there was either.
It was very much a please yourself event and i only spent 3 hours there before i had seen everything.

erm, 2 or 3 times steve, you missed the two or three times.

lol.

well except the radio controlled train (08shunter)

<< was last minute before we left. lol.