| Archive for Freesteam For collectors and enthusiasts of all steam engines |
| Spokesmann |
Exeter Garden Rail Show ReportWell I can confirm this show was a resounding success, for everyone involved and Freesteam. It was a bit parky when I arrrived at the Matford Centre, Exeter . . .Humping in some boxes with the help of John Chapman soon got the blood pumping on this crisp Autumnal morning. It was 8.20 and the place was buzzing with traders and exhibitors - some serious layouts in O, 1 and SM32 gauges - they were really putting on a show! Needless to say the Bowman Circle were there with a fine layout (smaller than STIA) but none-the-less it gave the engines space to stretch their legs! Mike (Newts) was on hand to help with the setting up and it was a real pleasure to meet him at last, as well as some highly respected figures from the Bowman Circle. Setting up in our area I was able to take time to lay out my set up, English engines through and through, complimented by Johns superb collection of English, German and American engines. We certainly put on a good spread and this was commented on by many, and rightly so! Many exhibitors and attendees were pleasantly surprised when they came across us and many a question was answered as we literally entertained our spectators with our steam wares! Freesteam can certainly lay claim to be THE home of classic English Toy steam engines - in steam today we had Mamods, Bowmans, Merseys, Cyldons, GEM, Latimer, Luton Bowman, MF Steam as well as some German machinery and Johns superb Jensen 75 (the only one you need!  )
The crowds came in about 10.30 and quickly we were a magnet for the spectators and alike . . . This was the first time I have shown my collection of TEs and SRs and they drew a considerable amount of attention and questions, its never ceases to amaze me what you can learn at these events - very much a two-way process, an experience of immeasurable use to the dedicated toy steamer. John and I took turns to look around and see the wonderful layouts on show Basset-Lowke, scratch built engines, MSS, Bowman 300s, 234s as well as some early German tinplate steam to name but a few! For live railway steamers this event is unmissible! All in all a really worthwhile day indeed and I met some great folk who just came to talk steam and share their knowledge with you as well as test your own! great to meet Jim forum Mod with his grandparents, as well as Alan from Dream Steam, Owen of the Bowman Circle and many more. If you haven't been to a live show yet, long to get out there and show your wares as well as expand your knowledge what are you waiting for??? This is the way to add another dimention to your toy steam hobby, there is a whole world of experts out there grab it and steam in!! |
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| Spokesmann |
Some images from the show. Videos will be up tomorrow as they will take a while to upload overnight.
Firstly our set up . . . 
Classic stuff from JC... 
Cyldon 13/1 
13/4 
John's Latimer L5 (I adore this little engine) 
The L5 steamed better using my PW201 burner, the L5 burner being to powerful and causing some spectacular flame outs! 
The GEM 
Jensen 75... 
My 51 and Johns 52 in steam, both needed a little coaxing!
Mikes 13/3 
Mikes Bowmans Including the exquisite E167 
Bowman stationaries at the Bowman circle layout... 
Mikes E101, steamed but beautifully turned out . . . 
Dream Steam's new engine . . . 
Ill post more tomorrow of the rest of the show! |
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| SillyBilly |
Great Stuff Mike, if you think that was impressive for a Garden Railway show then you should see Stoneleigh, this is the begining and peak of the 16mm scale show season, next year 10 layouts and 70, yes, 70 traders!! www.16mm.org.uk/nationalshow.htm And this is just one scale we're talking about!
That was 2007 at 4 stages during the day, and this was smaller than 2008 which was just massive! |
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| Spokesmann |
Jeez SB - they like a BIG room!! 
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| avenger |
Impressive collection guy's well laid out looks good, great pics thanks | ||||
| Spokesmann |
I have more pics to come H, inc something up your street! |
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| Spokesmann |
Some other images of the show.
Dream Steam... 
Basset-Lowke: 
Something for H. I think its 4"scale: 
Superb scale engineering models. The 1400 is about 2.5' long. 
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| joiner |
Looks like it was a great show pity it was to far away from me to get to. | ||||
| steamyjim |
Was a brilliant day! Was nice to put names to faces 
If i can get 2 table's with you next year can I join you 
Yup they were 4" scale. The single cylinder engine was a Burrell and the compound a Foster
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| newts |
A superb day out & great to meet up with everybody
The organisers were spot on with their positioning of the Bowmancircle, Freesteam & Dream Steam close together as they all complimented each other well. Some seriously expensive engineered stuff on display too (how do they get the detail in such a small scale?). Sadly i only got a few pics as the day went so quickly. I had a quick word with the one organising team at the end & it seems a large amount has also been raised for the Devon Air Ambulance (nominated charity for the day) which adds to the success of the day. |
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| John Chapman |
I can only echo what Mike has already said, the Exeter show was a huge success.
I left home at half past six and had a nice steady drive up the A30 to Exeter. It was great to watch the dawn come up over Dartmoor. I arrived at the Matford Centre shortly before eight, found our table and unloaded the car. Mike (Newts) arrived shortly after me and we helped Mike (Spokesmann) to unload. Once all was set up, a serious cooked breakfast was the order of the day prior to the Show opening at 10:30. Our display was well very received and we had a constant stream of visitors who showed a lot of interest in the engines that were on show. We managed to have at least one engine running for pretty well the whole day, at most times there were three or for in steam. Every thing performed well, except for my Merseys, which were having a bit of a sulk. The 52 ran, but was a bit sluggish (probably because I only have a two wick 51 burner rather than the correct three wick 52 burner) and the 51 did not seem to want to go at all. 
We were next to the Bowman Circle’s layout and so were able to chat to them and enjoy watching them running all day. There had a great selection of vintage Bowman locos and rolling stock on the go, together with a couple of interlopers; a little Bing 0 gauge steam loco and a lovely “Bing for Bassette-Lowke” 4-4-0. Having a wander around, there was some fantastic stuff on display. Lots of excellent 16mm layouts with some great trains running on them. A wonderful gauge 1 layout and vintage 0 gauge in the shape of Hornby, Bassett-Lowke and of course Bowman. There was a fascinating array of dealers present, with a highly tempting range of goodies on offer - I could have spent hundreds! In the end I satisfied myself with a conversion kit for my Edrig steam loco that will turn it into something resembling a 15-inch gauge Heywood loco – watch this space. All in all a most enjoyable day and one which passed all to quickly. It was great to meet up with the two Mikes again and to meet Jim as well. Let’s do it again next year.
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| John Chapman |
That's excellent news Mike. |
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| steamyjim |
That Heywood conversion sounds good...I think I know what kit you mean
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| John Chapman |
This one ....... http://www.back2bay6.net/80415/info.php?p=2 |
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| steamyjim |
Saw one yesterday...damn nice
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| newts |
A calamity on the Matford Line
I caught this as it happened, been trying for three laps to get the loco & carriages on the bend. 
Not quite so clear, but it's still on the rails this time. 
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| Spokesmann |
Where's the breakdown train! 
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| Mamod Collector |
Fantastic display guys and some beautifull engines on show 
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| Minor1PJG |
What a great day. Some lovely images there. It certainly looked well attended The bassett Lowke Locos look VERY nice.
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| Spokesmann |
They were Paul, they look more of a serious model than the Bowmans, but somehow the Bowmans do it for me as they are just so much fun and utterly charming to boot, but then you knew I'd say that! |
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| Spokesmann |
A quick montage of some of the highlights....
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