Cabin Fever 2025

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

It is not just magazines that other countries seem to do better. The engine hall at this weekends Cabin Fever Show in the US. Kind of put sour shows to shame.

[bernard towersParticipant @bernardtowers37738]

Come on Jason look at the size of the country and the ease of getting about and yes I have done it.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

But they are willing to travel, 100miles here seems too much for many, they don’t mind 1000miles. Plus the engines are running not static on the table and the builders are there to talk to.

What about these guys, potential metal bashers that could be attracted to home machining when their bit of plant wants repairing or modifying. Also very popular here and in mainland Europe.

And when was the last time you saw the boating pool at MEX? Too much risk of drowning to have one here.

 

 

[larry phelan 1Participant @larryphelan1]

Yes Jason, perhaps you have put your finger on the reason for the fall off in interest in model shows in the Home Country. I mentioned something along those lines long ago. Not many people want to pay just to look at lumps of iron sitting on the table.

Now if they were moving, that might be a different story.

Food for thought ?????

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

The machining on the SMEE stand attracts attention.

Probably preaching to the converted in most cases, but it might be nice if it could be arranged for newbies, or the totally inexperienced, to be able to, have a few minutes, closely supervised, on a lathe.

A “Taster” like that might result in some enthusiasm and and newcomers to the hobby.

Of course, there will need be to be safeguards, insurance etc.

Such a thing might, just produce enough interest that it would be worth, for organisers and suppliers, to resurrect shows like Ally Pally and Doncaster.

Of course, it would also need support from club members to set up and staff the club stands.

Howard

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

I think the basic problem in the UK is that too many people are getting too old and not being replaced with younger enthusiasts. People die off with all their skills accumulated over a lifetime and are not being replaced. Just a fact of life (or not!) unfortunately.

Colin

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

As this thread has reared it’s head again I thought I would mention that the Guys from MEM forum after some negotiations with Avril and her team were this year able to run their engines at this weekend’s show so maybe some more stands can have something running in future.

The videos I have seen are on a closed FB group but if they get posted on Youtube in the coming days I’ll put up a link.

[Richard SimpsonParticipant @richardsimpson88330]

I had a couple of tables of engines at an IPMS show last weekend and I am due to have a couple of tables at a local Steam Toy show on the 1st November, which will be the fourth one of them I do. I also used to put some boats and engines on the model boat club stand at the Harrogate ME show and the Doncaster ME show. I carry a Clarke Shhh! Compressor with me to connect up to a couple of the display items to give them a run and I always sit with the table throughout the show to answer any questions. To me that is what it is all about.

Last year I also ran my steam lorry at the Steam Toy show as they normally run their displays on steam but many shows don’t like the idea of setting fire to gas or meths and playing with live steam in a public space!

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Luckily the MEM boys were able to run on both bottled gas and petrol/colemans. No photo but I hear one of teh Robinson Hot air engines ran for 17hrs during the two days it was on display.

[noel shelleyParticipant @noelshelley55608]

A lot of the time the SMEE stand was to cluttered with it’s own members for the public to get a look in. An army of members couldn’t even finish a small steam engine in 4 days last year ! Far too much of the show is stationary. So many steam locomotives but not one running- the track went years ago ! Noel.

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