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Exhibition Manager Information
Below you will find all the basic information required by an exhibition manager. If you need more please ask!
Layout sizes and expense information.
Expenses
We do not usually charge to attend local exhibitions / events (under 30 miles) although Tea/Coffee (some insist on Decaf!) and lunchtime snack and/or a donation towards this is always appreciated! Currently layouts and operator(s) travel in ONE or TWO vehicles, possibly one vehicle and a trailer (secure parking will be required for this).
For exhibitions that are generally more than 1 hour/ 50 miles from home, overnight accommodation may be required on Friday and Saturday night with early breakfast Saturday and Sunday morning. Depending on the operators, that would be one/two twin rooms or one twin/double and one family room.
Please be aware that I am disabled and will require parking close to the venue for unloading, setting up and exhibition (and accommodation if any).
One hotel we were booked into used a car park 800 metres from the actual hotel, which also added £6 per day or paert of to our costs. Please bear this in mind as I am currently unable to walk half that distance.
We currently request 25p per mile [as at 13-3-2026] from our base on the Western edge of Bournemouth, Dorset. (E.g. an event 50 miles away would be a round trip of 100 miles = £25.00) If travelling each day that would be £25 per day plus parking charges. I do not charge for mileage to and from a hotel if used unless it is a significant distance from the venue. As fuel prices have risen by over 20% since the beginning of March '26 this may, unfortunately, have to be adjusted so please confirm!
Please note insurance values are quoted/correct at the time of writing and would be confirmed with exhibition managers as part of the booking process.
Set up times varies by venue and location. A Friday afternoon/evening is our preferred option to allow for accidents and any minor repairs that may be necessary/caused during transport.
Just in Case
N gauge
Layout size when ready for display is 1 metre square and is operated from behind. A total footprint depth of 6ft (2 metres) would be ideal but I can manage with just 5ft.
One small (4ft) table or standard 6ft table required. If only 6ft tables are available I can bring another very small layout called Squirrels. Information will be updated when photographs are available.
I am happy to share gangways and rear space with other layouts/traders; as long as they are happy to reciprocate!
Insurance Values
Layout : £500.00
Locos. Rolling Stock & equipment Transformers and handsets etc. £500 (DC) £1000 (DCC)
Summit Else
N gauge
Layout size when ready for display is 2 metres x 0.6 metres and is operated from behind. TABLES are required ONE standard 6ft for the layout and asecond smaller one for stock if available. If this is a problem please let me know and I will bring a camping table; not ideal but easier than trying to work off chairs!
6ft (2 metres) deep would be ideal but I can manage with just 5ft. I am happy to share gangways and rear space with other layouts/traders; as long as they are happy to reciprocate!
Insurance Values
Layout : £1000.00
Locos. Rolling Stock & equipment Transformers and handsets etc. £1000 (DC) £2000 (DCC)
Where's it at?
009 gauge
The layout is 1 metre x 0.6 metres and is operated from the front and left-hand side as viewed. Two small tables would be appreciated.
A space of 6ft (2 metres) would be ideal and I can actually manage with just 3ft total depth but a minimum of 5ft would be appreciated. Because no access is required to the right-hand side ][as viewed] it can be sited against a wall or pillar.
I am happy to share gangways and rear space with other layouts/traders; as long as they are happy to reciprocate!
A single 13amp socket required to run a 4 way block for individual power supplies from 4.5v - 12v DC
Insurance Values
Layout : £750.00
Locos. Rolling Stock & equipment Transformers/controller etc. £1500 (DC)
Around the Park
N Gauge Tram layout
Layout currently under construction.
Predicted to be very compact at approx. 600mm x 300mm actual size.
A single 13 amp socket required.
Insurance Values
Layout : £250.00
Locos. Rolling Stock & equipment Transformers/controller etc. £250 (DC)
LEGO
L Gauge
Built to size suggested minimum of 4 x 6ft tables end to end (All the same height please!). Table covering will be used, maybe boards depending on space in the car!
A full set up will be 6 x 6ft tables giving 18ft length and allowing for a full range of buildings roads cranes etc. Most of the sets are "retired" and so no longer replaceable as new.
One 13 amp socket required to recharge batteries!
Insurance Values
Layout, Locos. Rolling Stock, buildings & equipment £3000
Squirrels
N gauge
Simple very compact "layout diarama" originally approx 300mm circular squirrel (designed as a table centre piece) now extended backwards by 30cm to allow better running with interchangeable scenic section. All wood and some scenic items have come from Brownsea Island to add to the 'vibe'!
One 13 amp socket required
Insurance Values
Layout : £150.00
Locos. Rolling Stock & equipment Transformers/controller etc. £300 (DC)
Possible multi-layout options
"Just in Case" : "Where's It At?" & "Squirrells" in combination, can all be used to fill those awkward gaps at the end of layouts blocks.
Just in Case & Squirrels or Just in Case & Where's It At? can be exhibited together with one (although ideally two) operators.
"Just in Case" : "Where's It At?" & "Squirrells" can all be exhibited (individually) alongside SummitElse with 3 operators.
The tram layout can be fitted in almost anywhere with/alongside any of the above.
Example / suggested layout options can be supplied if required : At a push up all five layouts can currently be transported with two operators in one car!