Freesteam

Spokesmann · Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 3:10 pm Post subject: STIA 2008 by Spokesmann

Just to let members know Ill be back with a full report of STIA this week. Im in Brum at the moment in an internet cafe!

Watch this space, hope all that attended enjoyed the event - I certainly did!

Mike
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Spokesmann · Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 10:15 pm Post subject:

Well I have been back about an hour. Ill post images and videos tomorrow as well as a full report.

I would like to say it was very gratifying to meet Ian (of MF Steam Fame), Wilescoman, John Chapman, Mooseman, Steamyjim, Steamgirl, MC MC, Mnior 1 and so on!!

I should say I had a wonderful conversation with Colin Laker regarding Bowman boxes . . . . look forward to the signed book Colin!

I had a number of members of the other forum come up and say hello which was very nice indeed. Overall STIA 2008 was a great success (Aren't they all!). I tried to get as many videos and images covering as much as possible . . . Zahra (my partner) took a few good vids too - the long years of training are finally paying off!! Laughing

Watch this space.

Mike
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John Chapman · Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 9:00 am Post subject:

Spokesmann · Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 9:41 am Post subject:

I agree totally John!
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Spokesmann · Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 4:11 pm Post subject:

My report of the days events...

Steam Toys in Action, Abbey Pumping Station, Corporation Road Leicester

Well the weather forecast didn’t look good, but nothing was going to stop me attending the 18th Steam Toys in Action on Sunday 3 February! Snow, ice or rain! Setting off from Plymouth at 8am with the car fully loaded, I aimed to get to Leicester by 1pm. I planned my route this year with a little more precision, entering Leicester from the North via the M1 – this would ensure that I would have none of the shenanigans of last time, negotiating Leicester’s one way system.

I got to the outskirts of Leicester about 12.30pm and took the A6 into the City, eventually I spied the red-brick chimney of the pumping house – I was nearly there and a kind of boyish excitement took over ( a bit like when it was Christmas as a child) realising that tomorrow would be the big day in the big shed.

Saturday afternoon was spent shopping with Zahra and in the evening after a good meal at the hotel – a relaxing evening spent watching TV. The next day I was up early, the weather forecast was rain, but looking out of the hotel window things looked pretty clear. I went into town to get a paper and when I got back checked that I had all my gear ready – including making sure the camera was fully charged.

I ensured that my large flask was fully loaded with hot water – making light work of raising steam quickly!, checked the car was OK and its valuable load. By 10.25 it was time to leave, the sun had come out, the sky was blue and I was looking forward to meeting a few old acquaintances again and getting in a full day of steaming!

On arriving at the pumping station and couldn’t wait to get started. The big shed was already thronging with exhibitors and the buzz which this wonderful event exudes was starting to get me really excited! (What a kid!). I spied Fred flitting here and there attending to things and generally showing the kind of energy of a man 40 years younger. I commandeered a trolley (from Wilescoman) and carefully unloaded the car, making sure that nothing fell off on the short journey from car to big shed.

Once I had located my two tables I unloaded the trolley, I was next to John Chapman, Moose and Paul. With the car was parked around the back of the pumping house, I started to carefully unpack, whilst doing so Ian Grantham (MFsteam) came up and introduced himself as well as Wilescoman – really great to see them at last. Setting out the Freesteam display took longer than I expected – too much going on all the time, with exhibitors and their endless assortment of boxes and engines turning up all the time – wonderful distractions indeed.

Once I have my display up and ready I take the first of many videos and pictures to attempt the capture the special atmosphere that this very special event exudes. Mooseman and John Chapman come along a little later and again its wonderful to meet them, by now the whole big shed is buzzing and the first sound of steam whistles punctuates the late morning work of the many setting up.

By 12.30 I’m ready to steam my first engine, I started with the Bowman M135 – always a good performer and a nice way of easing into the days steaming fun! The E158, M140, SE$ and Mamod workshop would all take their turn in steam during the day. Whilst steaming the Bowman, a gent comes up and starts to talk about some of my engines, he comments of the fine display and that at last he finally sees a Mamod ME2, and goes onto say that it has really made his day. We chat about various steam engines and the relative merits of safety valves and so on, he is the first of many friendly faces who just come up and love to chew over the fat about all things toy steam related! It was great to talk to a senior gent who was partly remaking his M122, which he first had as a small boy in the 1930s. The exchange of information and knowledge makes this event invaluable to all toy steamers alike. I take the first of my sweeps of the shed, photographing and videoing all that is of interest to me and also to Freesteam members. By now its near 2.00pm and the general public is streaming in and the shed starts to throng with interested dads and children eager to see at close hand a whole manner of toy steam engines, the rare and not so rare doing what they were designed to do – STEAM!

Various members of other forums come by and talk over things with me, this is a day of getting on with the job in hand and putting aside any differences. I have a good chat with Sandy and MM for the other forum, as well as Steely, Mike Sleigh, Minor JPG and Steamyjim. Some are conspicuous by their lack of communication but the important ones all take some time to say hello and talk about ‘things’.

By mid-afternoon the air is thick with the smell of burning meths, the noise of the crowds is only exceeded by the sound of many steam whistles enthusiastically sounding. My ‘other half’ Zahra appears in the afternoon and comments on the noise and smells – its strange how quickly we all get used to these wonderful experiences on the senses!! Now that Z is on my display, I am able to take a longer expedition to see the rest of the wonderful displays Mamods are everywhere, so are Wilescos and Bowmans. Mixed in with all these engines I spy Cyldons, Luton Bowmans, Marklins, Bings and many, many more – this is such a golden opportunity to gather in this visual feast of toy steam. Luckily my camera is sporting two large memory cards, so I’m able to shoot at anything, Ill do the sorting later – just get it on camera first!!

Later in the afternoon I have a visit from Colin Laker, who shares some of his vast Bowman knowledge with me! We have a wonderful talk about Bowman boxes and I genuinely find his enthusiasm for the subject a joy to listen to. I get some first hand information of the forthcoming Bowman book too. I make another sweep of the big shed and finally find something I have been looking for, for sometime – a ‘Luton’ Bowman PW202 overtype – unfortunately its not for sale, however the two gents on this stall – doing very brisk business indeed, have another. That will do nicely sir! This rare engine has now joined my collection, and a bargain to boot!

I go outside for a last look at things – the STIA boating pond is doing well with a wonderful assortment of Hobbies and Bowman steam boats elegantly cruising around. What a great idea – I must get in on this steam boat malarkey next year, that’s for sure. All too soon STIA 2008 is over and as the light fades and the crowds dwindle, the sound of engines taking their last breath for the day and the sounds of escaping steam from whistles is replaced by the rumble of trollies and the rattle of car engines as engines are put away and cars loaded up with their valuable cargoes.

I’m already planning my display for the nineteenth Steam Toys in Action next year, the feel and the atmosphere of this event is infectious, and as hands are shook and friends say cheerio for another year, everyone is fully pleased at this years event and all that it has brung, which all that leaves me to say is a big ‘thank you’ to Fred and his dedicated staff at the pumping station and bid the Abbey Pumping Station farewell for the time being!

Mike Jane
Freesteam
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Spokesmann · Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 4:15 pm Post subject:

A few of the many videos I shot on the day . . . .

Setting up, before the crowds:

MFs superb display:

My display, along with Moose, JC and Paul:

STIA in full swing:

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Spokesmann · Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 4:18 pm Post subject:

Mobiles:

a Wells:

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Spokesmann · Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 4:22 pm Post subject:

Beautiful boats, by Hobbies and Bowman and Luton Bowman...

Mooseman's Arrow:

John sets up his Luton Boat with precision, surrounded by all the essentials needed by a jobbing toy steamer!

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