Midlands Model Engineering Exhibition, Thursday 16th to Sunday 19th October 2025

[Nigel Graham 2]

On Nigel Graham 2 Said:

This site is still flaky. It took three atempts to make this reply panel work!

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I was there as a paying visitor on Thursday, helping staff the MSRVS stand on Friday.

Form our stand’s vantage-point on one side of the main hall, there seemed many fewer visitors on Friday. Either that or far more of the attendees arrived early so had seen/done/bought all they wanted, early on. The crowd certainly thinned considerably by mid-afternoon. compared to the previous day.

 

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I had a moment of quiet amusement on Friday, by seeing three of the judges puzzled by a simple folder made for use with a fly-press. After a minute or two of consultation they did realise the heavy-duty brackets holding the punch immoveably above the die was simply an artifice to display the tool’s principle. Amused perhaps, but I also realised from that glimpse that theirs is by no means an easy task.

 

 

Hi Nigel, I can understand why they may have been confused, but I did put in (what used to be called Judges notes) that it was primarily designed for use on a Fly press, whether any one read them or not I don’t know, but I did mean to include a photo of it being used on my Fly press, but by the time I realised I hadn’t, it was too late. I did think of different ways of displaying it, but time was not on my side to make anything too elaborate, and that was my quickest and easiest way to do it from an offcut of a heavy hollow section of steel. I was surprised at getting the award for it though, but that wasn’t the main reason I entered it.

Regards Nick.

[Les RileyParticipant @lesriley75593]

Us outside steamers had a good time. A lot of interest and questions. I managed to give a driving experience to one French and one Dutch visitor too!

Weather was kind to us for all bar later on Sunday.

[Nigel Graham 2Participant @nigelgraham2]

Ooh, Congratulations Nicholas!

I didn’t know the folder is yours, nor that it gained an award!

I would have had no idea the display brackets were a bit of an afterthought, but they show the principle well.

Yes, the label did say “fly-press” and the judges did see it, or recognised the spigot on the top. I happened to be opposite to them at the time, and overheard them comment on that point. (I used a smaller version at work, in the long past, and recently made a simple joggle tool for my own fly-press.)

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Les –

That’s a good idea, giving visitors a chance to drive your engine.

I think the Model Steam Road Vehicle Society used to give visitors a similar opportunity, if any engine-owners were willing, at its annual Rally (now simply an open steam-up weekend). It used the arena when that was clear of anything else; and the opportunity seemed aimed principally at children. Though that may only mean the visiting grown-ups were all too shy!

I can understand engine owners being reluctant to have their prized works in unskilled hands, even though under close supervision, but I think it could work.

[Les RileyParticipant @lesriley75593]

Nigel.

I enjoy it.

I am a member of MSRVS and it is something we encourage.

My engine has advantages here because of the double seat. It lets me just give a passenger ride with a front view. It lets me allow someone to steer whilst I do the steamy bit or it allows full driving with oversight just in case.

If we are going to keep our hobby alive we must make the effort to inspire both young and old to have a go.

[AJBAJBParticipant @ajbajb]

Thank you Ian – the gentleman with the B-L A1 is of course me, and I am most appreciative of your support. I had hoped to visit this event but work and family commitments put paid to that. The lure of bacon butties should secure my attendance next year. Meanwhile, if there is anybody who is able to support the rebuild – particular needs will be boiler, final assembly and painting / lining related – please feel free to contact me as I will have to outsource a fair portion of it.

As for the Gauge 3 stand – thank you for entertaining me at a recent GTG; I recognise that two-tone green ‘duff’, err, sorry, Brush Type 4…I think I may have mentioned my preference for English Electric at the time!

[Martin KyteParticipant @martinkyte99762]

Over the 4 days on the SMEE stand I was very encouraged by the conversations I had with people and particularly the interest shown in our upcoming training opportunities. Generally this was from people getting into the hobby and on the younger side.

One example was a 13 year old lad with his grandfather. He had inherited a Bofors anti aircraft gun model and in need of renovation and he was very keen to learn how to proceed. His grandfather joined SMEE on the day and we look forward to seeing the two of them on our Engine Builders Zoom group to give every assistance and encouragement we can.

Overall I would cautiously say that the level of interest in the hobby is on the rise, certainly we saw an uptick in people wanting to join SMEE.

[bernard towersParticipant @bernardtowers37738]

Dont forget LOWMEX this weekend!!!

[noel shelleyParticipant @noelshelley55608]

Thank you Bernard for the prompt. I have never managed to get there – may be this year. Noel.

[bernard towersParticipant @bernardtowers37738]

LOWMEX really good again more variety than Heinz!

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