The Flying Scotsman/City of Truro Speed Challenge competition is going into the final stage (entries close May 2)
The main promoter, the Sovereign Shopping Centre, Weston-super-Mare has reported an enormous boost in its facebook engagements.
The plan is to actually build a working model of the junior winner's design based on the Hornby/Triang Space Car (3 experienced model makers have offered assistance) and 'race' it against a Hornby Live Steam Flying Scotsman in a shop unit at the Sovereign Centre during June.
The LS loco will be set going on the inner circuit of the old OOLS circuit at a scale 102 mph. The "Super Truro" will be brought out of its "top secret" loco shed on the outer circuit and driven by the junior competition winner to catch and overtake the FS. Both models have been tested at those speeds on the circuit and perform with no problems.
I confidently expect some good publicity especially TV (based on the TV coverage we had of the Mallard Speed Challenge) for the benefit of the OOLS and other partners.
I would like to invite the OOLS Club to join in this promotion by helping with any or all of the following:-
1. permission to put up a 30" wide banner adjacent to our stand at the Thornbury show this weekend and have entry forms available
2. agreeing to become a "Promotion Partner" with reference to the competition and 'race day' on the Club website and facebook page
3. agreeing to make a small cash contribution to the production of a backdrop banner for use on 'race day' (anticipated £25 to £50). Dapol, GWR and Sovereign have indicated that they will contribute.
4. attending 'race day' (which will probably be 2 or 3 days) with the full OOLS Roadshow.
We already have support from Sovereign Centre, Dapol and Hornby and anticipate support from GWR.
Only point 1 needs a decision before the Thornbury show and can be made 'on the spot' if venue layout/space available is a consideration.
The 30" wide banner can be seen in this picture
Thank you
Thank you Chris.
As you say the small pop-up banner does not imply backing by OOLS and, of course, its use would be subject to available space.
We have just been invited back to the Sovereign Centre Friday 27th May 2022 to set up and take down on Monday 6th June.
They too are confident that it will attract TV publicity.
I have also just been contacted by North Somerset Modellers Group where 5 members would like to convert Dapol City of Truro plastic kits to 'Super Truros' for display over the event. (Dapol are a promotion partner and have given us 25 models for use as prizes/donor projects).
GWR expressed a keen interest verbally and I await their confirmation. Hornby are supporting too and have indicated they will supply a prize. The Sovereign Centre is the project promoter (I am technically working to publicise them) but if other partners' logos are prominent in the TV/press coverage with the possibility of a TV interveiew then it's a win for everyone for little cost and effort.
Even if OOLS did not contribute cash to the big poster I would still like to push the live steam element, add the OOLS logo to the poster and promote OOLS if the opportunity arose. All I would ask is that OOLS promotes the project on its webpage and on facebook.
Realistically I would not expect the full Roadshow to attend (especially as it turns out for the full 9 days) but the invitiation is there.
Adrian when is the event?
Point 1 - As the poster does not mention OO Live Steam or imply club support subject to there being a suitable place to display it I have no objection.
Point 2 - I am not in favour of the the club becoming involved
Point 3 - I am not in favour of the the club becoming involved
Point 4 - I would love to attend . . . the problem is the cost.
Fuel - minimum £80 at today's prices
Hotel & food - 3 or 4 nights will be north of £300
That is just me and the Roadshow transport and the costs will be similar for others. With no club contribution to offset the cost although it is a nice idea as I am sure you can see it is just not practical.