Traction Engine frendly clubs

[Julia]

It is difficult for a new comer to identify a Model Engineering Society that caters for Traction Engine/Road Steam enthusiast.

Searching the internet might give the newcomer the mistaken impression that there is only one suitable club in England (MSRVS) however the reality is that many of the general/track based societies have number of road enthusiast. Unfortunately we "hide" as we don't do trains on Sundays.

I found my club (Maidstone) by luck and was fortunate to discover I had landed on my feet. It would be great if the index at www.modeleng.org and/or clubs web pages included details of road steam activity.

The other obvious way of finding a club is by attending a miniature rally as a punter and interrogating the owners. Naively I assumed that all the engines at a societies rally belonged to members of that society when the truth is most don't. Good practice, followed by for example Melton Mowbray MES, is to list the home society in the programme.

I have asked a few exhibitors why they don't have a display board giving details of their home club. The answers I have got are similar to those expressed in the website thread. The belief is that the committee would not approve - I am here as an individual.

My recommendations

Clubs should publish the following:-

• if the boiler testers are prepared to test steel boilers
  
• if the club site has space/facilities to run a traction engine
  
• extent of interest in traction engines within society (eg number of engines)
  

In the case of Maidstone MES it is Yes,Yes,Yes.

Exhibitors at rallies should do more to make their home society known.

Finally to any miniature road steam enthusiast looking for a club - you are probably far closer to a suitable club than you realise - ask around.

[mutley]

Guildford is, but you probably guessed that from the rally each year. Are you going this year?

Andy

[Julia]

As part of my guest for a club I almost joint Guildford a round trip of 180 miles. I would very much like to go to the Guildford rally but unfortunately it clashes with the Kent Show. I don't want to let The county show down as invitations are limited and the Guildford show date has been jumping round of late. Next year I hope to do both as Guildford is one of the better all round Model Engineering rallies.

[mutley]

the Guildford rally date was moved following GuilFest moving their dates around after they had informed GMES of their intentions.

Andy

[alanstepney]

Julia, as I am sure you know, another superb event is the model weekend at Amberley museum.

For anyone who hasnt been there, it is well worth a visit, and the model weekend is a lot of fun with many excellent exhibits.

www.amberleymuseum.co.uk/

[cotswold]

alanstepney said:

Julia, as I am sure you know, another superb event is the model weekend at Amberley museum ...

And don't forget the MRVS rally at Tewkesbury! The grand parade goes into the town and stops all the holiday traffic.

[davek0974]

Anyone know of a traction engine friendly club near Bishops Stortford, Herts.

Dave

[jamienwr]

I will have to double check with the chairman but the chingford and district MEC have/had a memeber (not sure on his status at the moment) that built a 4 inch showmans engine myweb.tiscali.co.uk/cadmec/jbtengin.htm.
Davek0974 once I have a definate answer from the chairman I shall let yourself know through PM if required.

Jamie (secretary of Chingford & District MEC)

[mutley]

Surely any club should welcome you regardless of your particular modeling prefrences?

Andy

[jamienwr]

that is true andy, but it all depends on the space in the club grounds aswell. I know at a few clubs they have plenty of space (that they own/hire), where as they only have enough room for a public railway (canvey club springs to mind, on what I have seen).
As Chingford is based is in a public park I'm not too sure on our current stance on running traction engines. But anyone is welcome to the chingford and district club no mater what your preferance