TCS Member Bob Fleming has sent us this report on the 26th Steam Toys in Action held at Leicester's Abbey Pumping Station Museum on Sunday February 7th
The event was a major success with approximately 1500 visitors recorded, including 200 or so traders, exhibitors and volunteers. As usual, these visitors came from all over the country, the event probably being the biggest devoted to the toy steam engine in Europe.
Railways this year were at ground level, rather than being on the beam floor at the top of the engine house, which made life a lot easier for all parties, and encouraged many more spectators.
Three circuits were set up, one running Gauge 1 pre 1914 trains, one predominantly Mamod,
Mamod train
and one by the Bowman Circle who featured a variety of manufacturers as well as their prime interest.
Mamod slot traction engine trials?
If you missed the event, make a note in your diary for February 5th 2017, for the 27th show!
The photographs, taken by Malcolm Pugh, show a selection of the stock running or on display.
The heading photo is of a large gauge 3 (75mm) SECR 4-4-0 by Schoenner which dates from c1905. Very few were made and this is numbered 13 on all parts. However, saying that, some years ago another was located living not 1 mile away from this engine's home and arrangements were made for both to be taken to the TCS Leicester Show. Incredibly another turned up completely by surprise with the result that there were three of these rare engines on show together! Unfortunately contact has been lost with the other two owners but if anyone has any knowledge of them, we would be delighted to hear.
Among the Mamod items was a double Fairlie based on Mamod chassis
Double Fairlie from Mamod
and a Mamod road traction engine slot running.
Mamod slot traction engine trials?
There were a variety of dribblers running, still awaiting details of exactly what they all were but here is an example.
One of the dribblers
