Oct. 2017

year at the steam museum in Hamilton. Stu

Brownlow, Ed Spence and his wife, Bruce Mannerow,

Larry Stevens and myself went along to see what was

going on and to take a few pictures.

Our Stand at Hobbyfest

October 2nd

November 13th

December 11th

There is an extensive track layout adjacent to the

museum owned by the GHLS and quite a few

locomotives were being run.

Ed took along Sweet Pea:

My main concern with the cafeteria is the likely

restrictions it will place on show and tell. Static items

should be OK so long as they are clean but I very

much doubt that we will be able to run engines etc.

Anyway, please be careful what you bring along to the

first meeting and we will just have to see how it all

works out.

Events during the Summer

Once again the club had a display at Hobbyfest and

once again I forgot my proper camera but since I have

now updated my cell phone to one that takes pictures

I did manage to get one shot of our stand.

Unfortunately it does not look too impressive and

does not do justice to what was brought along.

A few of us went along to the Southern Ontario Model

Engineers Meet. This is a joint effort organized by the

The Hamilton Museum is quite a good venue because

apart from the tracks there is good parking, a large

open area for running traction engines etc. and a

covered area that is ideal for displaying and running

models. Electrical power is accessible and washroom

facilities are available in the museum. The clubs put

on a BBQ with corn, hamburgers and hot dogs that is

free for those attending

Toronto Society of Model Engineers, the Hamilton

Model Engineering Society and the Golden

Horseshoe Live Steamers. The Richmond Hill Live

Steamers also seem to be involved. It is held each

Here is a picture of the covered area:

Birmingham “Think Tank” (Formerly Science

Museum)

Anson Engine Museum

Lake Coniston Steam Gondola

Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway

Beamish Open Air Museum

I will start to cover these in this First Meeting Notice

then put more information in subsequent newsletters

when I am trying to fill some space. If anyone has a

particular interest in any of the above visits I would be

happy to discuss. I will also burn a couple of CDs

with the more worthwhile photographs.

Starting with the Great Dorset Steam Fair; this is

something I have wanted to go to for some time. It is

held over the last weekend in August (their August

Bank Holiday) at a place called Tarrant Hinton, Dorset

They do get some youngsters involved in running

engines:

which is South of Salisbury (in Wiltshire.) As the

name suggests, the accent is on steam and there are

rows and rows of steam traction engines including

over 60 of the ornate Showman’s type. I did not see a

count but the total must be well over 100 - they

burn~200 tons of steam coal over the 5 days. There

were quite a few steam lorries (trucks) and even a

steam bus. There were also steam plowing displays.

At the other end of the age range here is Bill Huxhold

with some of his intricately detailed steam engines.

In addition to the steam exhibits there was a large

collection of vintage tractors and stationary engines.

There were vintage cars and motorcycles, craft

displays, a large fairground area, a huge beer tent

and numerous food vendors. There was one tent with

models on display, a military vehicles area and a

good WW1 display. As seems to be the case with all

shows there was a large flee market area selling all

sorts of stuff. We were there for just one day and it

was impossible to get to see everything.

Here is a photograph of some showman’s engines.

He makes some amazing models and apparently all

I will continue next time but hope to see everyone at

the first meeting of the new season.

John Lovegrove