GMES 2017

[Jo]

Today is the first day of the Guildford Model Engineer's Show.

I am not allowed to go  but I am hoping that some of the other members might and they will post some pictures of what I am missing  .

Jo

[Jasonb]

Just look back through my previous years albums as it was mostly the same will upload a few pics later, PB willing.

You will have to wait 'til later as I have so many casting kits that were at such a bargain price to unload from the car

[Jo]

 

[Tennessee Whiskey]

Hope all attending have a great time and send pictures if you can. That's funny JB, I recieved some castings in the mail just yesterday 

Cletus

[Jasonb]

Was it that engien we were talking about? Got a short video of Tony Boxhall's one running to upload too.

[Jo]

That's funny JB, I recieved some castings in the mail just yesterday 

Words do not a model engine make 

Jo

[Dave Otto]

That's funny JB, I recieved some castings in the mail just yesterday 

Words do not a model engine make 

Jo

Model engine? who said anything about engine castings. 

[Tennessee Whiskey]

Exactly what I was thinking Dave 

Cletus

[Jasonb]

Hope you have not started on that slippery slope of buying castings to make tools that will never get used or that you could just as easily manage without

[Jasonb]

Video is going to have to wait until tomorrow. I had been taking some photos with the camera held for portrate shots and also took the video the same way round so I'm sure you all don't want to be standing your monitors up on end.

Get these while Photobucket are still being nice to its paying customers will take some more tomorrow when not weighed down with iron.

Anthony Boxhall's latest engine, runs very nicely as do all his engines that were on the video, I was luck enough to be allowed to please myself with the air manifolds and ran them all





Think this one could do with some gaskets to fill those gaps







This is the type of workshop Gnome Jo really needs



Doubled up Whittle V8





J

[Jo]

Thank J for those,

  Where you not exhibiting any models.

Jo

[Jasonb]

I was, but too busy playing with demonstrating Tony's engines to take pics of mine. Will get some this afternoon when it quietens down a bit. Also had a fondle of some rather nicely shaped billets of ali that took the form of Merc cylinder heads

[Jo]

That table does not over filled with stationary engines 

Jo

[Jasonb]

Thats because some one (not you) did not turn up

The other end was rather jam packed so probably should have spread things out a bit

[Jo]

I fear they might use it as an excuse to reduce the number of tables for stationary engines again 

They do seem to like showing the same old, same old, year in year out 

Jo

[Jasonb]

Suppose they can only show what people are willing to bring along, they are not all as prolific as me.

Could you not have got someone like Eric to bring a few of your models to the show and drop them back at some time?

[Jo]

Suppose they can only show what people are willing to bring along,

For the last few years I was told they were restricting the number of tables for stationary engines and I was told the same again this year I would have brought along more engines last year if they had allowed more space.

I made the mistake of letting someone else take my models to a show on one occasion - never again  and as for getting Eric to return the R&B 

Jo

[Gas_mantle]

Some nice engines there :-)

Jason do you have any idea what that largish horizontal engine is that is partly seen to the left of the Whittle V8 ?  It looks like a decent size and quite attractive from the bit I can see.

[Ye-Ole Steam Dude]

That Whittle V8 is gorgeous - gorgeous, sure would like to see and hear it run.

[Jo]

Jason do you have any idea what that largish horizontal engine is that is partly seen to the left of the Whittle V8 ?  It looks like a decent size and quite attractive from the bit I can see.

Looks like a Westbury Centaur Gas Engine

Jo

[Alyn Foundry]

Jason do you have any idea what that largish horizontal engine is that is partly seen to the left of the Whittle V8 ?  It looks like a decent size and quite attractive from the bit I can see.

Looks like a Westbury Centaur Gas Engine

Jo

I concur.

Was there any of mine there Jason?

[Jasonb]

Yes it was a Centaur.

Graham unless you include my CHUCK then unfortunately there were none of your offerings there, as Jo has hinted the amount of stationary and IC engines at the show is quite limited 

Some more pics to follow shortly but in the meantime can you guess what this is Jo, its not got your name on it

[Jo]

A....nice casting,  B..... beautiful casting,  C...... Completely desirable casting

I'm waiting for the sting in this tail... 

Jo

[Jasonb]

Looking along the table the quantity and quality goes up as you get to the far end, not that the marine engines were low quality.





Does anyone know where this "Henry" design was published, looks to be all fabricated.



My motly collection - Muncasters simple entablature engine, 1/3rd scale Ruston Hornsby BPR, Jowit Jnr, Thompston's workshop engine and CHUKY.



Nice Hired Man



Small Swiss watchmakers lathe rescued from the local tip







Some of Tony Boxhall's collection, mostly reduced size Anthony Mount designs









A couple for JL











cont'd

[b.lindsey]

Thanks for the pictures Jason. Looks like it was a nice show with some very nice looking models!!

Bill

[Jasonb]

Very Nice six column beam on the SMEE stand



An engineer who looked a bit Muddled



Wonder if Jo fancies doing a little and large version of her tripples



Small E&A grasshopper, casting scan be had from Canadian Models



What Vixen has been upto in his den





Jo would not be happy with out a few of these



The other side of that casting



Flat 4 gear train



J

[Gas_mantle]

Jason do you have any idea what that largish horizontal engine is that is partly seen to the left of the Whittle V8 ?  It looks like a decent size and quite attractive from the bit I can see.

Looks like a Westbury Centaur Gas Engine

Jo

Ok thanks 

[Art K]

Jason,
That flat 4 gear train is quite impressive. What is that flat twin aero engine?
Art

[Jasonb]

It's a freelance design by the builder.

[Vixen]

Jason, Art
The flat four is a the freelance design. The flat twin is a 1/3 scale ABC Scorpion.
Mike

[Jo]

I found another view of that casting set

Jo

[Jo]

And the Engine 





Jo

[Jasonb]

I found another view of that casting set

Jo

But who's name is on it

[Jo]

 

[Jasonb]

I meant that it has NOT got YOUR name on it from what I was told yesterday and that big ? confirms it

[Jo]

 

[J.L.]

Hi Jason,
Very thoughtful of you to take and share these photos for the enjoyment of all.
Thanks for the two shots of the Stuart beam.
John

[Jo]

I understand that the GMES rally this year is to be the last 

Typical, the one year I couldn't make it and they make it the last     

Jo

[Jasonb]

Tha'ts a bit of a bummer, any particular reason?

Probably a bit of a downward spiral as trade stands get less then the less model engineers go to buy then the remaining traders find there are less customers so don't come the year after. The numbers of public seemed quite good no doubt due to the nice weather so I would have thought money through the gate was a lot better than in previous wet years. Or is it just a case of nobody wants to organize it?

J

[Vixen]

If it true about no more Guildford shows, it's not a bummer, it's a disaster!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have attended every Guildford show for the last thirty years and have displayed engines for about 25 of them.

Not many shows left in the South of England now. Bristol in July is a good one, but that other one in Ally Pally in January is for London clubs only.

Not much point in building engines anymore, if there is nowhere left to display them, run them and talk about them.

Oh deep gloom

Mike

[Jasonb]

We might get a MEX in 2018 at Brooklands again but can't really run stuff there.

[Jo]

I am waiting for a reply from the Treasurer (Chris Philips) but my Supplier tells me the tent hire and other cost have gone up so they are not making much money and can make as much playing Choo-choo with out all the agro of running the show  .

I had been wondering about re-joining once I retire and have more time but I never liked the moaning about not joining in helping them run the railway and I seemed to be the last member interested in making engines they had the odd one making Locos... Maybe join Basingstoke 

Does not sound like there will be a Brooklands either 

Jo

[Vixen]

Neil from Model Engineer magazine hinted that they might be doing something special and different for the  2018 MEX, but refused to be drawn any further but implied it was not at Brooklands again.

Gloom and more gloom

Mike

[Jasonb]

Might have to resort to a private "you show me yours and I'll show you mine"

That's to Jo not you Mike

[Vixen]

Sounds like a very private 'one to one'

[Jo]

I'm holding one of his castings to ransom Mike 

Jo

[Stuart]

We don’t want any casting couches here thank you very much 

Had enough hearing about willystien in the USA 


Shame about the shows it not good to hear

Stuart

[Jasonb]

I'm holding one of his castings to ransom Mike 

Jo

Well I'm hoping that you the time you let me have the casting all your fondling will have worn the rust off of it

[Jo]

Don't fear I won't be fondling anything of yours  I have my own castings which don't have a protective coating  .

jo

[wirralcnc]

That is one nice looking engine/castings. Who do I have to see or bribe to get my hands on a set....

[Jo]

The same MEM member who supplies three types of Anzani engine castings and the go large Gnome castings 

Jo

[mikecole7]

  I have just started taking my engines to these shows and I really enjoy meeting people and talking about the engines and  now the shows are packing up, I hope it's not me. I agree with Vixen it's a disaster. I only hope the Bristol show continues.

[Jo]

For me the only reason to go to shows now a days is to see old friends and talk to people and try to spread the joy of making model engines 

Sadly, while I know the traders do not make much money (or make a loss) it is only by these type of shows going on that people even realise that it is possible to make swarf at home.


The only other option is to hold private events like the Southern Counties Traction Engine Group where we all get together 3 times a year, bring along what ever we have been making, enjoy a presentation and share some nice goodies to eat   

Running engines at Old Warden is fun but it is a bit far for me - But again there are not many of us  .

Jo

[steam guy willy]

In the old days the London MEX used to send a truck round the country to pick up models ......!!
Willy

[Jo]

I had a response back from the GMES Treasurer:

Hi Jo,
I was unaware that you were undergoing surgery, how are you now?

Are you still at *!* or have you managed to “escape”?

Contrary to what you have heard, GMES are not dropping the Rally, however we are "Re-Branding” it as the Gala and making changes to make it fit better with the needs & wants of our stakeholders.

Entry will now be free & we are cutting out some of the large fixed costs to make this sustainable.

We will still have traders & the exhibitions. Hopefully we will see you there on the 7th/8th July.

Kind Regards

CP

no sure what re-branding means I recall the large fixed costs were: The marquee, Toilets, Insurance for exhibits  , car parking, Other council legal requirements like Emergency medical cover.... It would be rather different with out the display tent 

And they are holding it on the same weekend as the F1 again 

Jo

P.S. Did I ever mention I am still hopeful to find someone to take me to Silverstone for the F1   

[Vixen]

Mmmmmmmmmmmmm

Doesn't sound too hopeful does it.

Sounds like it will be a typical summer garden fete, gala, open day etc etc with the usual cake stalls, brick-a-brack and cho-cho rides for the kids.

No admission fee, no expenditure on a marquee etc equals no model engineering exhibition, just somewhere else for parents to take the kids.

Gloom and doom

Mike

[Alyn Foundry]

Hello Mike.

Well, to me it sounds like the traditional Stationary engine rallies that I exhibited at, year after year.

I can understand that the owners of brightly polished bare metal models would hate to get them wet but for me, seeing running exhibits is far more interesting than the, dare I say, sterile motionless shows we have here in the UK?

The N.A.M.E.S. exhibition I visited 17 years ago was amazing, virtually every model was running, a whole new dimension, the public stood and watched for ages.

As exhibitors we were obliged to have our own public liability insurance, I personally never heard of a claim in the North Western circuit in all the time I was rallying.

You never know, this change might actually be better, just have to wait and see.

Cheers Graham.

[Jo]

Hi Graham,

Commercial Hit and Miss type stationary engines are designed to sit outside in the rain. Engines like Mike's fine scale Bristols are not

We used to do IC engine running at the Guildford club: They (or was it the council  ) required this to be behind 6ft high steel mesh fences and for us to be a good few feet behind those fence while running - the club grounds are rented from the council so the local council makes the rules = they require the club to insure any running engines on its grounds. Private grounds may have different insurance requirements.

Jo

[Alyn Foundry]

Indeed Jo.

Probably the wrong venue for a pair of wet Bristol’s! 

The six foot mesh fence sounds a bit OTT though. At the 1000 Engine rally the public is separated by stakes and plastic mesh at about three feet high. I know that safety is paramount but I sometimes wonder if our “ Nanny state “ has got a little out of control?

Cheers Graham.

[Vixen]

Ha ha Graham,

I think you may be confusing the Guildford venue with a "Miss Wet Teashirt" contest. 

Mike

[crueby]

Quite different rules at the logging museum when driving the Lombard around, the loop went in front of the visitor center and through the parking lot, was great when a car came around the corner towards the Hauler, driver's eyes would get really big as they found a spot to pull off onto the side out of the way of a 20 ton steamer, tracks going by a foot from their side window!

[Jasonb]

I think Graham may have heard about the mud wrestling that has gone on in the bottom field in previous years

The site fencing is not a bad idea around the IC engines particularly if one decides to part company with it's prop as happened to Malcom Stride a few years ago

[Vixen]

Mud wrestling!!!  That has happened several times in recent years. The bottom field (traction engines and stationary engines) becomes flooded after days of continual rain. Everyone was very grateful that there was a marquee to run and shelter in. I am sure even Graham would have taken advantage of the Model Engineering Display Tent.

Mike

[Alyn Foundry]

Mud wrestling!   

A case of “ Horses for courses “ though.... I’d agree with you regarding propeller’s.

A story that came to mind was back in the late 70’s in the days when folk could afford to rally really big engines. A majestic single flywheel Crossley was ticking over slowly and not being properly levelled removed its flywheel from the crankshaft. The flywheel then proceeded to run along the grass between the fence and engines on display. Several yards later a slightly forward Bentall Pioneer stopped its progress abruptly. The only casualty was the Bentall, an unusually constructed engine built by bolting two halves together, it broke in half.

Cheers Graham.

[crueby]

Mud wrestling!   

A case of “ Horses for courses “ though.... I’d agree with you regarding propeller’s.

A story that came to mind was back in the late 70’s in the days when folk could afford to rally really big engines. A majestic single flywheel Crossley was ticking over slowly and not being properly levelled removed its flywheel from the crankshaft. The flywheel then proceeded to run along the grass between the fence and engines on display. Several yards later a slightly forward Bentall Pioneer stopped its progress abruptly. The only casualty was the Bentall, an unusually constructed engine built by bolting two halves together, it broke in half.

Cheers Graham.

Ouch!

Sounds like the problem they had at the place one of my parents old neighbors had at work - they had a test stand for airplane props/engines, one day a prop came loose, wound up making a large irregular hole in the shop wall (fortunately no one was in the way!)

[Jo]

More news on the Guildford Rally, they put out an Email the other day which reads:

Another way of looking at it, is to describe it as a two day public running event where we invite all our friends and other societies to run their trains, traction engines and boats. We also want to reduce the financial risks of the Rally and cut our costs, therefore the main casualty will be the big marquee which incurs both the hire cost, and also insurance costs for the exhibits therein, plus the overnight security guard for the Friday and Saturday nights. We are working on securing a series of smaller tents and gazebos to house various other exhibits

Which sounds like: no big tent to display our models and to chat to the other model makers/visitors in, displaying our models at our own risk  I guess the answer would be to not take as many to display and take them home at the end of the day 

So I am

Jo

[Vixen]

I guess the answer would be to not take as many to display and take them home at the end of the day 

I guess we have known that decision was coming for a while, but it does not make the announcement any easier.

We have got to make the best of it if we still want to display our models and to chat to the other model makers/visitors.

I can live without the insurance and I would be happy to take my display home at the end of each day. So Jo, as you are a member of the Guildford Club (and any other club members) can you start canvasing the committee to provide us die-hards with a number of open air display benches and even some garden gazebos to keep the damp stuff away. That way we can maintain the spirit of the show and who knows what may happen in the future.

Mike

[Jo]

I can live without the insurance and I would be happy to take my display home at the end of each day. So Jo, as you are a member of the Guildford Club (and any other club members) can you start canvasing the committee to provide us die-hards with a number of open air display benches and even some garden gazebos to keep the damp stuff away. That way we can maintain the spirit of the show and who knows what may happen in the future.

I am not a member any more  I decided that there was little point in paying them £50 a year to subsidise them playing choochoo trains and have them forever whinging at me for not wanting to muck up my Sunday helping them. I originally joined hoping to find other model engineers who made things about my age (and possibly a boyfriend    ) There are only a couple of the old folks members who actually make anything any more   

Jo

[b.lindsey]

Not just a UK or Jo. The little show that tried to get started in South Carolina the past three years will not be held this year, the organizer cited show expenses as just too much to continue....venue, insurance, etc.

Bill