Freesteam

Spokesmann

First 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!
_________________

Spokesmann · Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 12:24 pm Post subject:

OK Ill start with the pictures now!

First of all here's the plan...

_________________

Spokesmann · Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 12:26 pm Post subject:

a brief look at the Freesteam tables overall:

Jims tables:

John's display:

Note excellent, accurate annotations.

My set up:

_________________

Spokesmann · Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 12:36 pm Post subject:

A closer look at some of the engines we had on display:

The Wylie Harris...

More later on this one! Wink

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:

_________________

Spokesmann · Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 12:41 pm Post subject:

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!

_________________

Spokesmann · Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 12:44 pm Post subject:

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.

_________________

Spokesmann · Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 12:46 pm Post subject:

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!

_________________

Spokesmann · Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 12:49 pm Post subject:

A few more overall shots:

John hard at work:

More of Johns engines:

Man and Bowman in harmony:

_________________

	Freesteam Forum Index -> Rally around . . .	All times are GMT Page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Next
Page 1 of 5

Welcome To Freesteam "Guest" We Hope You Enjoy Your Stay With Us