Potential 3 1/2" Rally in Southampton

[Midland]

Hi
We have a new committee in Southampton and we are trying to put together and interesting programme for members and guests alike.
We are contemplating a 3½” rally as these lovely little engines rarely seem to get a day out and if we ban the 5” passenger haulers for the day we could let the 3½” have their day. Our rally will be dependent on interest so if you would like to come to Southampton on Saturday 2 August for a special day, please let us know. We even have a 3 1/2" Brit as a club loco that I have never seen run.
Contact me by PM or on [e-mail]
Cheers
David Goyder
Chairman

[steamcoal]

David.

It is great to hear that your club is wanting to encourage the running of "sub-gauge" engines as I refer to them, as opposed to the 7 1/4" engines which seem to be ever increasing in there popularity.

I agree that too many fine little engines do not see much use these days but if given time and a track to themselves should provide as much enjoyment for there owner as anything else.

I have purchased a 3 1/2" 'Maisie" Atlantic and look forward to running it on our club track and the new private track we plan, just for 5" and 3.5" engines.

Hope the event gets support.

[Midland]

Thanks for that, will you come and see us?
Cheers David

[sncf141r]

Hi David;

Good for you and your group for organizing this. I'm a dyed in the wool 3-1/2" gauger; to me, anything bigger is just a hassle. (up to full size - I used to find full size steam a lot of fun, but you don't have to cart it home at the end of the day!)

FYI, the Montreal Live Steamers have fairly recently formed an informal sub-group who have restarted focusing on 3-1/2 and (some) 4-3/4" gauge stuff.

I wish more people would look at the benefits, not just the weight, of their workshop projects.

JohnS.

[Midland]

John
Are you from Montreal? I grew up in Hudson!
Cheers David

[gingerneer]

Hi David

I did try and send you a pm, i don't think its worked. But i am up for coming along. I have spread the word at Bournemouth club and hopeful there will be a couple of us wanting to attend. Most of the guys at the club know don't like to travel, but we are trying to be more sociable! We are also arranging "play days" for the smaller engines outside side of the passenger running days. You would be more welcome to come along.

Thanks

Will

[steamcoal]

David.

I would love to come but I live in new Zealand.

We have just bought two 3 1/2" Maisie's to ship to New Zealand and really look forward to running them along with other members engines of various sizes.

We have counted about 20 engines for our new gathering, all steam and look forward to getting back to the roots of model locomotive engineering. We have had enough of birthday parties and on demand passenger hauling so now want to do our own thing at our own time and enjoy this hobby.

I will in the years to come look out for some more 3 1/2" gauge engines to run, there are many fine examples.

Good luck with promoting the small gauge engines.

Hayden