NickG here from County Durham up in the North East of England.
I've been around on the other 2 forums for a while but am excited about this new adventure!
I've always loved model engines since I was a nippa ... the first way I could get into them was getting cheap stationary engines when I was about 12 or 13. I used to stand and stare for hours on end at steam fairs in model tents and outside mesmorised by the motion of all these different engines. I soon found a local Model Engineering Society when I was 13 which I'm still a member of.
My interest and activity in the hobby died down a lot during university years and a few after having to fend for myself but maybe 5 or 6 years ago once I got properly on my feet I got my finger out and started setting up my workshop again, this time in my own house! Incidentally I studied Mechanical Engineering at University and now work as a senior mechanical design engineer.
I've now got 2 young boys and a wife and a job to contend with so don't have as much time as I'd like in the workshop - that's probably a bit unfair on them as I'm allowed, just too tired most of the time!
For that reason, I've more been into small projects like stationary steam, hot air, flame gulper engines and the like. Like most people I have a list of projects I want to do and some unfinished projects to complete!
I started making a Sweet Pea locomotive when I was 18, have the casting set and professional boiler but those have been sat there ever since ... that's on the bottom of my project list now! I also have a 3 1/2" gauge loco I didn't make that needs renovating ...same as Stew's 'Mabel'. I have a 4 1/2" scale Wallis and Stevens Simplicity Roller which needs renovating ... that was partly done, probably between ages of about 16 and 18. They are the long, long term projects though!
In the near future I need to complete the 7 1/4" electric loco I started for my two sons just to get them on the track ... they've lost interest at the moment but it may spark back up when they get to control something that whizzes around a track! Should be fairly quick to do if I can get my @rse out in the workshop.
After that it's been a lifetime ambition of mine to make an i.c. engine ... it will be a fairly simple one, as I said before, I like to be able to see the finish line in projects at the moment!
Another ambition was to make a beam engine, I just think they are such an elegant engine to look at and watch in motion.
Another big hobby of mine is cars, which seems to get in the way from time to time ... I have a 1989 Escort RS Turbo that is in need of restoration ... I did all the engine because that's the exciting bit but got to do the rest somehow, that's another long long term project though! To fulfil my car needs I've recently bought a BMW M3 which doesn't need any work and I can just drive, the only problem with that being that it takes up room in the garage!
That's me, chapter and verse anyway!
Can't wait to see peoples projects unfold on here and hopefully show a few of my own!
Cheers,
Nick
