After three months of digesting the considerable feedback from the inaugural Tracks Trucks Tractors model show, both from those who attended the show either as stallholders or visitors and equally from those who didn't attend first time round, we can confidently say that for the vast majority of those who were there (Or who now wished they had been!), the show was a real success.

As for the Plant/Earthmoving/Construction model and literature people who attended the 2005 show, on both sides of the tables, virtually everyone bought and/or sold extremely well and the majority of our 2005 stallholders have indicated that they will be re-booking for 2006. Although the minority contingent of tractor model and literature people who took tables patently didn't fare as well as we had hoped. A good proportion have none the less indicated that they will be back for 2006.

We certainly encourage attendance from this corner of the collecting fraternity - some extra advertising in terms of the farm toy angle should help to build this up, furthermore, remember guys you're not going to be competing against anywhere near as many others as you would at one of the specialist farm toy shows and there is quite a large farming fraternity in the south-east... We just need to tap into this.

By any standards, either home or abroad, the selection of models / literature / memorabilia on offer was exceptional with a great mix of UK / Foreign dealers as well as private collectors offering all the new proprietory models, the limited run and custom stuff and a great selection of obsolete models prompting a serious amount of money and models to change hands which, in the current economic climate, was great news as, one of these days seems more often than not to only hear tales of woe, lack of interesing models and declining swapmeet attendances.

The idea of having a separate display hall full of fabulous models and dioramas attracted a very positive response from our visitors and also from those who weren't at the show but who had read the many articles written since. A special thanks to all those who put on a display, your time and trouble was greatly appreciated by all. It gave everyone a chance to see models that are rarely, if ever, seen outside of private collections. Furthermore, a number of new exhibitors have expressed interest in displaying some even more mind blowing and predominantly custom models, including heavy crane and dragline subjects for the 2006 show.

For sure, we have filled a void in the model show / swapmeet scene. We have drummed up a lot of interest thanks in part to all the specialist magazine articles written post-show and we intend to capitalise on this increasing interest by organising a 2006 show for all you boys and girls out there who have kept our phones and emails hot constantly since July in asking if we are going to repeat the show.

Yep, there have been a few whinges mainly in so far as everyone would like the show on their own doorstep and preferably not on the south coast... As a number of people have suggested "...if you guys did the show in the midlands you could really make some money..." sorry guys but making money is not the object of the excersise. Our contention was for the first show, and continues to be simply to put on a quality show which gives everyone a focal point in the UK once a year and as we can't please everybody, we have decided to please ourselves, and i hasten to add, the vast majority of respondents, by sticking to the same format, in Hastings but slightly earlier in the year.

We appreciate that it is difficult for anyone travelling from the far north of from the south-west but many made the effort first time round and have indicated they look forward to coming back in 2006... as a few have said... the trip was a pain in the ass but more than rewarded by having the opportunity to see and buy models not easily available and to meet like minded collectors and old mates for a day, or in most cases, a weekend away.

In talking to the organisers of just about every other model show / swapmeet both here in the UK and in mainland Europe and not wanting to dilute ours or anybody elses show by 'competing', there is one date in mid June that fits the bill nicely....as soon as we have date and price confirmation from the new owners of the Hillcrest Sports Centre together with all the other people we have to deal with in organising a show, we will let you all know by way of the website, flyers and specialist advertising (which we will expand somewhat for the 2006 show.

As many of you will have noticed, we got a large amount of interest from the specialist magazines with great articles in "Classic Plant & Machinery", "Diecast Collector", "Earthmovers Magazine", "Farm & Site Models" and just last week in the "Caterpillar Club" magazine published by the UK chapter of the American "Antique Caterpillar Machinery Owners Club"...can't think of any show, anywhere, anytime that created the amount of interest that our show did, more importantly all those publications mentioned, and a few others besides including the soon to be re-launched "Truck Model World" have said they will support us all the way with news, features etc for upcoming shows, so look out for future issues, support these mags and better still, why not write the odd article yourself - believe me they are all looking to promote our area of collecting interest.

So a big thankyou to everyone, on both sides of the tables, on both sides of the Channel and also to Bob Peterson of "Classic Construction Models" in the US (Who will be back for 2006!), for supporting the inaugural show and thanks for the feedback from those hundreds of collectors / dealers who were not at the 2005 show but who want to attend in 2006... just hope we can fit you all in!

Support your UK Dealers, they're a great bunch of guys, but don't forget the specialist foreign dealers/collectors who attended, they made a big effort to get over here for you. Apologies to anyone who finds Hastings not the ideal location but a lot of people made the effort... and it appears a lot more will be making the effort for the 2006 show. Bear in mind that this show is put on for YOU, not us. Organising a show is no easy task and Brian and I won't ever get a lot out of it as it is more important to us to give you guys a bloody good day out!

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