The Big St Albans Model Show

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Coming this weekend. September 26/27.
Townsend School, St Albans, AL3 6DR. 10am-5pm.
That’s the northwest corner of the city, near the Batchwood golf course.

Organised by the St Albans Model Engineering Society. A great day out for the family and a gathering point for modellers with several local clubs having stands including model engineering clubs, model boat cubs, model car clubs, and Meccano clubd.

The BIG St Albans Model Show is all about models that move. We show a range of models in action and allow visitors to have a go with many. Free car parking, nearly every activity is free after entry (a couple of necessary exceptions) and stay all day if you like, Street Food Heroes catering plus a cold food cafe indoors.

Steam Locos, Traction engines, stationary steam engines, Boats, yachts, Model Tiger Tank, model jet (real jet engine) aircraft taxiing, free train rides, have-a-go boats, traction engines, slot car racing (Sat only), model railways, tons of Meccano moving models, live steam engines demo, rocket launches.
Tickets on the door or in advance at Ticketsource, just search for The Big St Albans Model Show.
https://stalbansmes.com/

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Busy evening setting things up

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

A busy day.
Multiple G1 locos including the G1MRA Greenly in the back.

[paul1956Participant @paul1956]

An interesting show.

Fantastic for children, I’ll be taking my grandson next year, but maybe not enough proper engineering for me.

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Glad you were able to come along Paul. We try to aim the show at families and the younger generation to encourage modelling of all kinds in children and a gentle introduction to engineering and metalwork but also keep up with the times with a 3D printer being demonstrated.
The Meccano hopefully introduces proper nuts and bolts rather than the all pervading plastic blocks and having such a wide variety of modelling ensures they can find something they will take up with a little encouragement from grandparents.
Our club stand was manned by ‘proper engineers’ who try to engage with more technically advanced visitors. Assuming you are local do come along to our meetings and see what else we do.

[paul1956Participant @paul1956]

The idea of a model show to inspire young people into modelling and engineering is brilliant and it’s a shame it hasn’t been done more widely.

I understand why some people might like the idea of (formally) metal toys like Meccano being part of that idea, but frankly it’s now more of an antique display. Even sixty years ago Meccano seemed to have past it’s prime and appeal.

Instead of four rooms of Meccano, maybe make space for a twentieth century room. You could showcase 3D printing, CAD (Tinkercad ?), robotics etc. The 3D printer was getting a lot of interest from young people, but there wasn’t much on display that it had made. A faster printer would also have been more intriguing. 3D printing along with things like Lego Technic and robotics probably has more appeal for the children of today and can be a gateway into more ‘serious’ engineering.

I also wondered how you could provide more inspiration to the sisters and wives, it seemed a bit of a ‘show for boys’ in some ways.

Yes, I had anteresting chat with someone on the MES stand will try to find the time to attend a meeting soon.

[bernard towersParticipant @bernardtowers37738]

Dont forget its Model Engineers Day at Forncett Steam Museum on Sunday 4th. See you there Noel.

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

The great thing about Meccano is that it is timeless and teaches the fundamentals of engineering and also manual dexterity and which way a screw does up – yes I meet many children and young adults who do not do this as instinctively as their grandparents do. Also trains spatial awareness and should be encouraged as ‘look at picture – make it’ not follow line by line instructions. The multiple rooms were all different models and it has become one of the biggest opportunities in the calendar for the Meccano guys to get together. (people come from abroad for it).
I  think model engineers should not just encourage children to use Meccano but show them how to make it including 3D printing bits.
More than one 3D printer and people just think ‘Oh another one, seen that.’ The one we had mostly made the quick little aeroplanes that kids could see made then take away. Loads went.
It is also a problem to find space and people to demonstrate things, and talk to the public as we know not all modellers are very good at that. Unfortunately I spend most of every show for the last 20 years organising the car park as hardly anyone seems to be able to park properly without lines.

Good idea about er lets say something for people not interested in models. Remember when Ally Pally show had was at the same time as an ?embroidery show before the snooker clashed.

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