RailExpo 2011

Looks like a pretty big deal. I wish we had a similar expo in Houston. Maybe I should make another trip in November.... AirFrance is having a sale.

Carl, i am staying in the Premier Classe, which i hope is fairly close to the exhibition.

Could everyone post info that they want included in the leaflet as i am going to try and finish it this weekend.

Are you staying at the Premiere Classe, Avenue des 2 lacs, ZA Courteboeuf, Villejust?

I believe Liam is staying there too.

That's about 15-20 mins walk I reckon from the exhibition.

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Could everyone post info that they want included in the leaflet as i am going to try and finish it this weekend.

I assume that only counts for the live diesel models? On October 6 you asked for details on diesel, steam, electric models but the leaflet looks specified to live diesel. Or are there 3 different leaflets and was the live-diesel one just an example?
Dont' get me wrong; if there is only one leaflet and whole about live diesel than that's just OK (I mean live diesel is less common than battery powered electric).
I was only just wondering if I had to post some pictures and info or not.

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They have recently published details of exhibitors and a plan.

The plan and site promise a lot of interesting displays and stands. It's a whole bunch of suppliers (small) fabricants and brands that are not commonly seen on similar events here in my rainy country (were H0-out-of-the-box-ready-build-1000-in-a-jar rules the market and even than 90% Marklin).
So, I'm really looking forward to see all that 'new' stuff what I mostly only see online!!!!

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Maybe I should make another trip in November.... AirFrance is having a sale.

That would be great Bill!! But again a very long way to play with trains

The leaflet is primarily about live diesel because it is such a novelty (especially in France) but with a comparative reference to live steam.

No electric or battery, not because it's unpopular but it is generally well known and needs little explanation.

You will find some very interesting and unusual stands. There is a lot of expensive O gauge (called 'zero' here) but also a fantastic range of HO and HOm from small artisans.
G scale (IIm) is still something of niche market.

Anton I've done a small separate French explanation.

Carl Hibbs wrote:

The leaflet is primarily about live diesel because it is such a novelty (especially in France) but with a comparative reference to live steam.
No electric or battery, not because it's unpopular but it is generally well known and needs little explanation.

OK, no problem!

Yes Carl, thats the place im staying

Who did you think would have wanted to be in the leaflet?

Paulus, Well i had planned for 6 locomotives to be put onto the leaflet, and so far i have 2 on there. I will also add one of Carl, im debating whether it should be the monster on the french loco?

but that only gives me 3. I have asked people to say if they want to be on there, plus give me details on what im including but very few have got back to me...

So i say that it would look a much better leaflet if it was filled up with any sorts of locos, as opposed to being half full, but just with steam and diesel?

I plan to complete it very soon, as im starting to get very busy with work and stuff,

Post a picture or two and give some information about the loco, and if theres room, i will include it.

HI Anton, I'll post a few pics of my diesel progress this evening.

Anton, I will send you some stuff asap after the weekend. It's a bit manic here at the moment with the exhibition going on and visitors from afar coming.

I am making enquiries about printing too.

The Latest.....



Carl, i have added two photos of your locos, but if there is a real interest in this brochure and more people want to be added to it, then i will remove one of them. But they both deserve a place

Also i needs the CGT logo please!

Liam, please please please send me your info and photos

And can anyone else who is coming either post something or PM me ASAP, as i am running out of time i have to spend on this...

Anton, will post some pics and description tomorrow,if the rain here ever stops!!

[img:4d8a]http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff403/dufrok/livedieseloct010.jpg[/img:4d8a]

Anton, progress of the diesel so far.

I dont have it running as yet but the pics should give an idea of what its supposed to do.

Kyosho GX 12 and Torpedo 850 with home made coupling.

I'm going to maybe raise the engine/generator bed to fit the battery an some electrics

underneath. Comments on this idea would be appreciated!

Liam

one thing i would say to you is that you have just bolted the MFA straight to the wood, without any kind of vibration & movement absorption in between. I have used a mouse matt in between mine which allows for slight misalignment and also take some vibration away. Ide recommend trying something, as youl find that you can very easily snap the engine shaft (as i have done).

Just a thought tho...

Are you bringing it to the expo then, or are you taking a different loco?

Thanks Anton, never thought of that.

I wont be taking this one to Expo but will take the chassis of the Guinness loco

if I have it assembled by then.

Without trying to sounds stupid, what a Guinness loco?

To be honest then, theres not much point in me adding this loco to the brochure as it wont be there, especially as there are other people who want to bring locos and im sure wanted to be in the brochure.

I know Paulus wanted to...

But send me photos of this other loco as that can be included if it comes

I AM NOW STARTING TO SEE THAT THERE ARE FAR MORE LOCOS THEN THERE ARE PAGES IN THIS LEAFLET. IM WONDERING IF IT WOULD BE BENEFICIAL TO ADD ANOTHER PAGE?

although it will make printing a nightmare...

Sorry Anton, call me stupid I didnt realise that was the idea

you are quite right leaving space for locos that will be at Expo.

So I will bow out from the brochure.

Anton, I just read your reply on probable empty space in the brochure / posting pictures.

Well, if still on time and if you have indeed some spare room in the brochure than these 2 (or one of them) could be placed:

Freelance railbus (in progress).
Powered by 4,6 volt, 1800 mha battery. Scratbuilded from styrene plastic, using an old Playmobil motorblock and a RC unit from a toy RC boat.
Picture link (1024 px) : https://i.servimg.com/u/f41/15/81/97/29/pict0610.jpg




Mercedes 170 draisine
Build from an Airfix 1/24 scale plastic kit and an electric toy car chassis. Powered by 2 AA cells.
Picture link (1024 px): https://i.servimg.com/u/f41/15/81/97/29/pict0511.jpg



But only when you have some room left in the brochure. If there is no room left than that's no problem at all

Paul

Carl

I know this is probably a pain in the ass but would you be able to give me a rout profile/direction on the easiest and quickest way to get from paris station to the hotel, as i really do not have a clue how i am going to get to it.

No it's not a pain.

Firstly just confirm the time and day you are coming as that will have a bearing on the last part of the journey.


But during the Friday when I think you are coming.

You will arrive at the Gare du nord. at surface platform level. Make your way to the left on exiting the Eurostar platform and look for signs marked RER (suburban train network partly underground but not metro). Take the line B4 (marked on the maps in blue) in the direction of Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse. Get off at Massy-Palaiseau. This is about 35 mins and 18 stops from the Gare nord. No change is required.
When you arrive at Massy Palaiseau there is a special free shuttle bus to the exhibition outside the RER station.

Here is a plan of RER network
RER plan

Be careful only to get off at Massy-Palaiseau.

You will need a ticket zone 1-4. What I can do is buy some tickets and send them to anyone who is coming buy train so you won't have the bother or the French experience. Let me know.

The nearest actual station to the hotel is either Palaiseau-Villebon or Lozere on the same line but both are very long walks of about 3km and the other side of A10 motorway.

There is also a good local bus service newtork operated by Daniel Meyer from Massy-Palaiseau.
There is indeed a bus that goes very near to the hotel this is number DM11C and marked as yellow on the bus maps.
The stop near the hotel is marked as Les Ulis Courtebeouf 7.

Here is the map and timetables
Réseau DM

There is no public transport from the hotel to the exhibition. This is about a 15 minute walk.

I will give you my mobile telephone number and some phrases in French if you need.
The area is quite populated and there are many taxis.

Carl, I dont want you to send me any tickets but what is the easiest way to obtain 2 tickets from Gare du Nord to Massy P and two from Massy P to Austerlitz.

Are there attended ticket office or machines ? Is it easier to buy a carnet ?

In all my trips to France I have never travelled RER.

You could buy your tickets from any ticket office or machine from RATP in Gare du Nord, but more likely from the SNCF the station of the RER B in Gare du Nord belong to the SNCF, the rest of the south of the line is RATP

As you start from Paris and come back, it normally include the use of the tube in Paris.
For the RER, if you go outside Paris tikets are specific to your destination.
Just choose from Paris to Massy Palaisseau, the number you need, they should be valid for the return. If you go to a desk, just specified the return ticket and the amount of it.

If you need to use the bus or tram after the RER, it could be better to buy a carnet of Ticket T, looks for Ticket T only.
It's valid in any bus, tram or tube inside Paris and it's design to be use in any bus outside Paris.
But your previous return ticket will be valid to use the RER or tube inside Paris, the ticket include it normally.

Tickets T are cheapper that way and more expensive from the driver of any bus.

BC, thanks for the info.

Thanks Laurent.

Just to explain a little to those unfamiliar. The transport in and around Paris is mostly run by two public companies the SNCF (national rail) and RATP (Paris transport). The RER (Réseau Express Régional - Ile de France) is operated jointly by both - some lines are badged RATP and others SNCF/Transilien. Ile de France refers to 'greater Paris'.

The RER is what should have happened in London long ago. A fast dedicated network crossing and linking the city.

And it's still expanding in Paris.

Anton:
As an American on his first trip to Paris (many years ago), and without a great deal of French vocabulary, I had absolutely no problem negotiating the RER/Metro system. It's among the best transit systems in the world. The maps are easy to read and understand (very similar to the tube maps in London) and I was always able to find an English-speaking person at the ticket kiosks to assist with ticket purchases, etc.

One very important rule: always begin by asking if they speak English and apologize for our inability to speak French.

Thank you so much for that Carl, that has helped considerably. I am lucky enough to benefit from a mum who speak fluent French and who lived there for over a year picking up the culture.

I would very much appreciete it if you could get hold of some tickets and let me know how much they are please.

Yes i am coming on the friday 25th and leaving saturday 26th late evening.

i hope it will be very straight forward to get from place to place.

Are french taxis expensive..e.i from hotel to exhibition?

And Bill, thanks for that. As the last time i went to Paris, was in 1997 and all i can remember is a double decker underground which amazed me

This is all getting very exciting

I will get some tickets and post them on.

French Taxis are about the same as in England.....expensive!

From the hotel there will be lots of people going to the exhibition as most of the guests will be exhibitors with cars and vans. If you are bold enough you can ask for a lift. I don't believe anyone will refuse.

If you are absolutely stuck I'm sure I can arrange something.