The Great Gathering at York (A4s)

HudsonL · **Joined:** Mon May 24, 2010 10:22 am **Posts:** 548

All the six remaining A4s gathered around the turntable at the National Railway Museum at York.

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.p ... 236&nseq=2

-Hudson

Overmod · **Joined:** Thu May 24, 2012 1:37 pm **Posts:** 2492

You know, I hate to be a Grinch but (before we all chime in on how beautifully the engines were prepared and displayed, and how good it was to see them together) the very prominent Hornby product placement on the 'Great Gathering' signs just made me think -- against my desire to enjoy the event -- that it was turned at least partly into a plug for buying the commemorative models, or the exclusive set "as displayed", coming soon to a dealer near you, or whatever.

I appreciate that Hornby may have put considerable money into making this wonderful event happen, and I'm very glad it did. I don't have a problem with naming rights as a result of that support. I just wish the event hadn't been turned into the "Hornby Great Gathering" (even more uncharitably, perhaps, is there a <r> or <tm> associated quietly with that name now?)

Dave · **Posted:** Sun Jul 14, 2013 3:12 pm

I applaud them for finding the backing necessary to pull off an event like this. Not only is it happening at all, but it seems to have been attractive enough to have pulled the museum itelf out of crisis. If Hornby does well by doing good, it is likely they will sponsor similar events again in the future.

Product placements are now obvious and unintentionally amusing.....naming rights to anything with an audience are for sale. Phil Mickelson is now selling some product - i think eye drops for people who don't blink - on a commercial wearing a visor with the logo of another of his sponsors on it, a finaicial company with no interest in the original sponsor.

I wish the project I am working on now was so popular I could get Duke Power or Bank of America to pay for it, and would have no problem making the credit for their assistance known to all. Custom bib overalls with the corporate logo on them would be negotiable.

dave

sleepermonster · **Joined:** Sat Sep 12, 2009 5:57 pm **Posts:** 100

I was st the "Great Gathering" today, no way to take a photo as good as the one at the head of the thread, the crowds were too dense. NRM reckon to have had 10,000 visitors per day for two weeks; when I left visitors were queuing on a "one out one in" basis.

The Hornby special edition models were all sold before leaving the factory.

Tim

psa188 · **Posted:** Tue Jul 16, 2013 6:05 pm

I read the commentary before clicking the link to the photo and I was prepared for a tacky banner or something. After viewing the photo, I don't find the Hornby "product placement signs that bad, especially considering the fact that someone had to pay for the "Great Gathering" to happen. So, from me, a simple "well done, thanks."

Bobharbison · **Joined:** Fri Dec 03, 2004 9:42 pm **Posts:** 3013

I didn't find the Hornby "ads" offensive in the least.

I'm not well versed in English locos, but I have seen enough photos to know that "headboards" (or whatever the proper name is) were common for events, specials and train names etc.

The style strongly echos the traditional look, the colors are dignified and the actual Hornby part of the logo is fairly small. Rather than being offensive, I thought it was a very nice touch.

sleepermonster · **Joined:** Sat Sep 12, 2009 5:57 pm **Posts:** 100

The headboards were properly rendered, probably highly polished cast steel in the traditional style, except for the Hornby logo, which was minimal - and Hornby earned its reward.

Tim

Nigel Anthony Hewer Day · **Posted:** Thu Jul 18, 2013 7:55 am

I went the other week. It was wonderful. I never had believed that all six A4's would ever be together again. If you get a chance to see them at the next showing later this year it's worth going.

After a bit of waiting I got good pictures so no worries there.
Thank you to every one who helped make it happen.