Spokesmann
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Freesteam at Exeter Garden Railway Exhibition 2009First of all pictures will follow this posting, they are uploading as I speak.
Well Freesteam's second visit to this event is another milestone in our existance. We put on a great show between myself John Chapman and James Huntley (Steamyjim). We had a tremendous display from many manufacturers including Mamod, Bowman, Burnac, Cyldon, Wilson, Mersey, SEL, Jensen, Wilesco and more....
The weather was kinder this year with a warm autumnal day ushering in this increasingly popular event, shorts sleeves were the order of the day. It was a fairly early start and we were amongst the first there by 8am or so. Jim and John had the furthest to travel, although John refers to this as his 'local' event!
Once set up John went off for Breakfast of the greasy nature with Mike Newts so I had a coffee and took in the sights and carried on preparing for the days steaming. The Matford centre by 9 ish was a hive of activity with enthusiasts busying themselves preparing their displays, stall and layouts... this is one of the places to come for all your garden railway supplies!
We were able to show a wide variety of steam toys in action and as John and I did last year, and with Jim with us this year between the three of us had at least two engines going all day - no mean feat!! Its the variety and the 'wow are they still going' factor that drew in some pretty impressive crowds to out 6 tables!
A number of visitors were really please to see the boats, Arrow 1 and Arrow 2, a few wanted to buy them. One marine engineer was made up to see steam boats at a railway exhibition and told me all about his own collection and days in the Royal Navy!
We were all very pleased when a gent in his 80s was please to see two Bowman 101s, he remembered getting one when he was a kid in 1929, and was amazed they were still around, yet alone steaming. Truly remarkable, and a wonderful man to get some first hand knowlege of what it was like to run one and get it to steam better... ie drill out the exhaust and inlet ports!!
I should add it was great to meet Mike Newts again as well as some familiar faces on the Bowman Circle stand including Owen Roberts who cam over to chat and see our efforts! It was also very nice to talk to Phil from Forest Classic and chat "Mamod" with a man in the industry. Ill refer to individual engines and displays when the pictures are up.
The Bowman Circle's layout is always a big attraction, this year was no exception, both young and old flocked to the display. There were some pretty impressive layouts in all gauges from SM32, '1' and '0', all kind locos were on show.
All in all the event was another success for the organisers, and another for Freesteam to establish itself amongst the people who really count, we put on a great show, were informed and as informing others and took another step to establishing ourself as The defaco standard for a toy steam forum - no question, and with the smell of Meths still in our nostrils a weary Freesteam team packed up for another year and looking forward to 23rd October 2010 for the next event. Make a note in your diaries!
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Spokesmann
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OK Ill start with the pictures now!
First of all here's the plan...
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Spokesmann
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a brief look at the Freesteam tables overall:
Jims tables:
John's display:
Note excellent, accurate annotations.
My set up:
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Spokesmann
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A closer look at some of the engines we had on display:
The Wylie Harris...
More later on this one! 
A pair of Lovely Burnacs owned by John:
John's cut down M122:
My E101 driving a Mamod brass=wheeled workshop:
Jim's superb period Wilesco D24:
John's Toytown/Harboro Flyer
Jim's nice c1949 MM1 with raised lettering disc crank:
Jim again;
A wonderful, blue decal version of the MM2 with early mazak flywheel:
A blue decal SE1 with early mazak flywheel:
Both are superb unusual to find variations.
Johns wonderful Wilson, which ran smoothly all day and with watch like precision:
Note oiler:
The Wylie Harris proved to be a reluctant steamer, despite the best efforts of John and Jim this engine refused to perform. After nearly an hour of coaxing and cajoling John admitted defeat:
Note the solid build though:
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Spokesmann
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Jims Jensen Turbine proved to be a real crowd puller! Luckily I brought a long externsion lead. I have to say I was mightly impressed by this model.
A kettle amongst Mamod classics!
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Spokesmann
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A few goings on, on my table:
The Cyldon 13/2 steamed OK once it had primed and spluttered as usual:
The M101 had just finished steaming.
Both 101s put in 1-hour plus runs, the E being steamed twice.
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Spokesmann
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More from John:
The M140 just purred along:
Just as well as Johns time was being spent attending to the Harris!
The 1929 Meccano engine ran quietly and smoothly:
John's Mersey 52 put in an appearance too!
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Spokesmann
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A few more overall shots:
John hard at work:
More of Johns engines:
Man and Bowman in harmony:
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Spokesmann
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View from our stand:
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Spokesmann
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Other snippets:
The SE4 put in a rare steaming, 20 minutes +
That Wylie Harris again!
M140:
Jims D24 running on meths! care of my 101 Burner. Bowman to the rescue!
Lovely panel on the early D24, note early Wilesco logo/roundel.
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Spokesmann
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Life on the Bowman Circle stand:
Mikes superb Hobbies Lion, probably the best in the land:
The Lion driving some Bowman goodies:
Snipe and 234:
Derailments added to the fun! (?)
Bowman engines hard at work:
A rare 410:
When I grow up I want to drive a Bowman!
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Spokesmann
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other stuff!
Forest:
Other layouts:
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Spokesmann
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Ill post a few more images and some short films later when I can.
Hope you like the flavour of this event!
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steamyjim
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Excellent photos Mike! Realy enjoyed the day  I shall save the pictures you took of my 95G, they're brillant! Here's for next year!
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John Chapman
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Excellent photos and a super day all round. Thanks for your company gents.
It was a shame the Wylie-Harris was being stubborn, but it does run honest
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newts
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I really like the Mercer Type 2 that Forest had on their display, ticked all the boxes for me 
As i spent most of the day talking the pics are few sadly
The Bowman Circle stand, they managed to keep at least one engine going on the track for the whole day.
The full compliment of Bowman Locos
A visitor to the show brought this fine Snipe for us to drool over & it's taking pride of place for a few minutes.
A Basset Lowke (Enterprise?) with full set of goods wagons
A Bowman 300 managing to keep on track
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Mamod Collector
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Thanks for the pics guys (Mike, Mike, John, and Young Jim)
Looks like you guys had a great day, some lovley engines on display
I was going to try and pick a favourite, but its impossable
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Spokesmann
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Hope to see a few other faces next time....
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Spokesmann
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A few other bits that caught my eye..
Jims Bowman M130, apparently this is not a real Bowman according to some circles... Nonsense!!!!
Two wonderful tools on Johns display, the band saw was picked up by johns wife at an auction for a tenner!! She needs to start get kit for me!
Bowman locos...
John's Gem...
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steamyjim
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I wondered when the M130 pictures would be coming up 
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Spokesmann
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One day it will be mine!!! ALL MINE! 
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steamyjim
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| Spokesmann wrote: | | One day it will be mine!!! ALL MINE! |
And the large whole in your wallet will be mine!!! ALL MINE!
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Spokesmann
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Whatever!
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steam123
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Excellent photos Really enjoyed them 
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Spokesmann
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| steam123 wrote: | | Excellent photos Really enjoyed them |
Glad you liked them!
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steamyjim
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Get any videos Mike?
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Spokesmann
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| steamyjim wrote: | | Get any videos Mike? |
Yes only a few short ones, not uploaded yet....
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steamyjim
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| Spokesmann wrote: | | steamyjim wrote: | | Get any videos Mike? |
Yes only a few short ones, not uploaded yet.... |
Why are you wasting time telling me that! Get to it
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Spokesmann
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Wireless router trouble... BT will be getting a call tomorrow. Its either that or pop over to our other flat and use the PC!
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steamyjim
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| Spokesmann wrote: | | Wireless router trouble... BT will be getting a call tomorrow. Its either that or pop over to our other flat and use the PC! |
Your car has a new exhaust, so the latter option seems okay
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Spokesmann
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its only 5 minutes up the road! Anyway ive had a few pints watching the footy today!
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Spokesmann
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Maybe tomorrow. I concentrated on pics this year!
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steamyjim
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| Spokesmann wrote: | | Maybe tomorrow. I concentrated on pics this year! |
I think I prefer the pictures; generally better quality
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Spokesmann
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Finally here are the videos I took at this years event:
The Freesteam Tables
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Mamod Collector
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Looks like you guys had a busy steam table
Great videos, it was nice to see John's mystery engine in steam (First video)
P.S. Any news on the identity of the engine yet ?
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John Chapman
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| Mamod Collector wrote: | Looks like you guys had a busy steam table
Great videos, it was nice to see John's mystery engine in steam (First video)
P.S. Any news on the identity of the engine yet ? |
Glad you like it, it is a super running engine.
As to the identity nothing positive as yet despite both myself and Peter Webster (who also has one) putting photos in "Toy Steam News" However, a couple of years ago a visitor to S.T.I.A. said he thought is was a Mastrand. Interestingly at Exeter, while I was away from the table, somebody told Mike they thought it was a Mastrand  Now assuming this was not the same guy that is rather an interesting coincidence.
It is recorded that Mastrand made a horizontal boiler stationary engine, but did they make a vertical???
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Mamod Collector
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That would be a good catch John if your mystery engine was a Mastrand
One thing is for sure though, one day a boxed one like yours will turn up on ebay
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