Ill add more later, but a successful day at TIMS at Blists Hill Victorian Town today, with another day to go tomorrow. I only had a quick look around the main displays very late on, but did manage to video most of the models that I hadnt seen before. Many questions and chat with the public at my display about Meccano and Mamod steam engines, and some rather surprising observations. Early on a couple of young teenagers were quite taken by my small Eiffel Tower model, which I thought was unusual, as it doesnt do anything. They described it as cool! The multimodels motorbike and buggy drew interest from younger folk, as indeed, did the Rabbids models. Folk of all ages liked these. Oddly, the washing machine seemed to be a favourite with blokes, which is a little odd, as using myself as an example, I dont really know what a washing machine looks like :D! On the whole, most of the Meccano models on my display drew quite a bit of interest, as indeed did the Mamod steam engines. My Mamod TE1a traction engine (fitted with Meccano steering) did sterling work for much of the day on the rolling road, with the Mamod Showmans Special Traction Engine first running the new Meccano Multimodels 20 model set flying chairs fairground ride off the engines dynamo very easily. Later on I tried the latest creation from the Meccano 8257 fairground set, the twin swingboats ride. I didnt think the Showmans Special and its dynamo would be up to this as the boats are a fair weight to keep moving. When tested on batteries its a bit of a struggle, and the gears needed some adjustment. However, the Showmans, whilst having to work hard to overcome the weight of the boats, proved to be well up to the task and ran them successfully for quite some time. More work is needed on the ride to make it run smoother, but for now it works well, albeit the plastic gears on the ride need a tweak now and again as I dont think the plastic worm gear runs quite as true as it should. A rather sensible lady liked, err, no, really, really liked my Mamod TE1AK kit traction engine fitted with my Meccano ploughing drum winch. Another unusual observation. You sort of expect such responses from gentlemen of varying ages, but this was the first time Id noticed such enthusiasm from a ladys point of view. Still, nowt wrong with that. The MEC1 compact workshop with Meccano saw bench and Meccano two speed lathe ran brilliantly. I can confirm that the 1974 no.6 Meccano set bailer has been completed, and althought it hasnt been driven off a Mamod traction engine yet, it does work, but will require some tweaks here and there. The latest Meccano 25 model Multimodels set lorry tractor unit ran very well, even on 3v, but this is where its reduction gearing came into its own. I must try to come up with something for the Land Rover 101. Talking of the 101, it ran well, and faster than the above mentioned tractor unit and the old 20 model set Ariel Atom, but does need reduction gearing. That said, although slightly down hill at the time, it did venture off road for about a yard and as yet nothing has fallen off! More updates and video later. In the meantime, below is a photo that will help keep the burglars away! Whod have thought I couldnt look more of a plank than I did, but then Ralph gave me that hat to wear. We were told that 800+ folk had attended the museum today, which by all accounts iant bad with the V Festival taking place reasonably near by. P.S. The fish and chips cooked in beef dripping were fantastic. Guess what Im having for dinner tomorrow! Mind you Im told the pork pies are rather good too! Chris.
Posted on: Sat, 16 Aug 2014 22:33:23 +0000