Two showman get an outing

Hi.

I am looking for a few Miniature Showman's Engines to form a 'static' display inside 'The Fairground Heritage Trust' Marquee at South Cerney (Cirencester) for the Gloucestershire Steam Extravaganza.

Dates are August 2nd 3rd & 4th.

Anyone that can help out with either a completed or part built machine would be made very welcome.

Please spread the word. Apparently as a new member I am not allowed to post my email address, so please ask any questions you may via have here.

Thanks.

FINISHED

The kits have now been finished and the hard work starts by getting the engines to run.  As the sun was in the sky we thought we would have a steam up before the Leigh Arms next weekend.  Here is a few photos of the two engines finished.

My engine finished but looking like it had not been cleaned for a while







Just got to get the name plate now.

Brian M taking his engine for a run



As he took my engine out I had to give him good old house coal (not the good stuff you understand)  Phil in the background (also building a 6" foden)



a few arty shots









Sorry I had to add this one taken today.  My son wanted to show me the robot he had been building for his school project and when he brought it to me the head fell off

Well, it has to be said, the photos of your engines are dramatic & they undoubtedly look fantastic!!! The sign writing on the canopies really finishes them off....... A beautiful sight indeed!!!
Regards,
Tony

Well done chaps, good to see them both in steam together, Dwain's looks clean again too so that must have took some effort . I like the "Airships" on the canopy now it is on too.

Looking forward to the Leigh Arms this weekend and having a runa round the local lanes with you both. have you got any trailersfor people to ride on yet??

I also had a steam up on Saturday and a party at the house with some family and friends as it was the first time I had the engine back since Onslow Park. There were children's rides first and then the trip up the hill to the Millstone in Mellor again. Starter button was really misbehaving on Saturday and made it akward to stop. When the engine had been working hard and was very hot it took ages to get the engine to stop running by prodding the button. I will be sourcing a stronge spring for it and it will give me the chance to clean out the area around it in case some debris has got in there. Have either of you got yours on now and if so how is it working.

Hi Brian,

To tell the truth, it has not been cleaned from Onslow, photos can tell lies, if you look closely its a right mess, needs a clean before the Leigh Arms.

With regards to the starter valve, I can't get it to work and Brian M has blanked his off after losing the battle.  It's a nightmare I have used additional packing, springs of all shapes and sizes and still it does not work.  Looked at the seating to make sure it sits (ball bearing) etc etc.  I am thinking that the casing tolerances for the body may be too big!!!  I am hoping STW come up with an alternative design/mod as it seems most of us in steam are having the same problem.  Still have the knocking noise I did not have time to get it sorted and I have ordered a mass of sight glasses as I keep breaking them due to getting all giddy when I add the silicon seal and tighten the glands up.  You think I would have learnt after my 3rd one  

Double seat is now ready, back from the coaters and will shortly be assembled, so I should be ready to rock and roll.


Dwain

Well done. Both engines look marvellous!

Question. What's the 2nd oil pot used for to the left of the pressure gauge?

Good to see them both running, there will be lots of engines next year to show off to the disbelievers.

Interesting comments about the start button, mine is fine but the regulator is a bloody nightmare, cant get it to shut off at all, hoping that me and The Coleman can sort something this weekend for a do on the 13th. I can see clearly on the cylinder base where the brass puck isnt seating which is where the problems are. For the start button I just gave the ball a good whack to form a seat and then I have a slightly stronger spring as I lost mine in some long grass on a field   It does work a treat if the LP side is top dead centre and really helps pulling away, unfortunatly the leaking reg can really pressurise the HP side making it impossible to move off easily so it really needs to be sorted.

Lynn what are the results of your trials?? For me unless its a flexible puck it isnt likely to make any improvements.......

Hi Kevin

We are still working on the regulator problem. Been in conversation daily with Steam Traction World.

well done
both engines look very good, I bet your really pleased there both in steam. good to see a green engine, well done   

Hi All,

Thank you all for the kind comments.

lynnr wrote: Question. What's the 2nd oil pot used for to the left of the pressure gauge?

I have added two new pots (the second is out of shot), which feed the primary shaft, saves lifting the lids by the fire doors all the time  

All the best,

Brian

Very smart & elegant engines. How was the canopy lettering done?

Tim

Hi Tim,

The magic is to have a very patient graphic designer, who even came to the house to re-measure the canopy . The lettering is done from cut vinyl, which is then layered on to the canopy. To give it that great finish the boards are then varnished (several times).

Believe me, you can not tell they are not hand painted unless you take a close look...

Let me know if you want the details of the company both Dwain and I used (it is based in the North West).

All the best,

Brian

Would he (she) like a trip to the wilds of Aberdeenshire?..... Or has he(she) any contacts up in this part of the world?
regards,
Tony

Hi Tony,

The company is called Cosign (Web site: http://www.signmakerswinsford.co.uk/).

The have the measurements of the canopy, so maybe they can design the lettering from afar. I would give them a bell.

Good luck!

Brian

Hi All,

Just getting the engine ready for the last outing before Christmas and thought I would post a few pictures of it generating. We had several engines getting together at a local pub a fortnight ago, which was fun . Hopefully, we will have a picture of both mine and Dwain's engine together over the next few weeks.  

ATB,

Brian

I see you have a pencil sharpener hanging form the roof, I have a couple of these!!!!

Those first two pictures are almost impossible to tell from full size with nothing to reference scale, excellent job!! Reminds me of the nights at Dorset this year. Warmer, Happier days......

Now that's a lovely sight to see, a Showmans at its best, fantastic!! Even them road loco guys can't fail to be impressed!!
Where on earth did you get those dinky little Tilly lamps hanging from the roof?
No idea what Brian's comment about pencil sharpeners is all about!!??... Am I missing something?
regards,
Tony

Hi Tony,

They are converted to use LEDs from a pencil sharpener. They only cost £20 each and look the part

I have one spare (if you want one), so PM me your address and I will send you one over, as it will look good on your engine.

ATB,

Brian

Engine looking very good indeed, could be fullsize if you didnt know

Kev

Looks fantastic, I bet you are very pleased with the result. Like the lamp as well, where did you find it?

Hi Rob,

They were made by a chap in the local club I am in. I can ask him if he has any more (or planning on making any, they are about £20 each). Let me know if you want any and I will put him in touch with you.

All the best,

Brian

Pics from today's play of three of the engines, we had a good day and the weather held off until the end. Initially, a small issue with a few bulbs not playing on one of the showman engines (put problem quickly resolved ).

A special thanks has to go to the pub for looking after us all.

Excellent but myself and Crystal are extremely jealous. We dot have a local, other engines less than 80 miles away and freezing conditions.

Very glad the three of you got together for a successful steam day.    

A magnificent sight, thanks for posting photos.
Regards,
Tony