Member postings for Bill Starling

Delighted that someone has remembered Model Engineers' Day at Forncett. I've managed to hand over responsibility for "table top" models to another volunteer - but forgot to ensure he mentioned it on here.

I'm still in charge (?) of the miniature traction engines, who will be going on a run to the Norfolk Tank Museum again.

The weather forecast is excellent - i.e. mild and dry.

If you do make it, please come and say "hello". It's always nice to put faces to names. I'll be the one wearing a badge saying "Bill" - in case I forget who I am too.

Anyone who has visited the Forncett Steam Museum in the last 18 years, up to this summer, may have noticed the dozen historic model engines in the display case in the cafe. They were the residue of a large collection put together by H O Clark in the 1930s. In HO's obituary in The Model Engineer, Percial Marshall described them as "The largest private assembly of the kind in the country." The collection passed to HO's son R H Clark, author of many books on steam on road and rail. RH, a good friend and mentor to me, bequeathed the residue of the collection to me. Sadly I now have to dispose of them. However it does mean you have the chance to look at lots of pictures of them! See page 9, lots 466 onwards, here:-

https://machinerysales.cheffins.co.uk/auctions/info/id/1356/Vintage-sale-Sale-1-Agricultural-Automotive-Literature-Models-Bygones-Steam-Spares-etc-Lots-1-749-etc-to-be-held-at-The-Machiner

Hope they are of interest.

Bill.

Thank you for all the kind comments about the museum and Model Engineers' Day. You inspire me to offer a few photos of the event. Sorry I didn't do better, I really was wandering about in the yard most of the day.

Any resemblance to a regular contributor on here is entirely intentional.

The 1879 beam from Hopwas Pumping Station makes a nice backdrop.

This is a model of an engine in another local museum. The 'castings' are entirely fabricated from strip material.

My favorite shot of the road run to the Norfolk Tank Museum, 1.1 miles away.

Thanks.

Bill.

Thanks Tug and Jason. I should have waved a flag on here myself.

"Table-top" models on display in the museum cafe, plus a dozen miniature traction engines running around in the yard. All being well, they'll have a run up the road to the Norfolk Tank Museum, just over a mile away.

What Tug didn't mention was that he started the whole business off. This is the 28th "Do" so, allowing for covid, that must have been 30 years ago. It won't be the same without you Tug.

(Hope I'm not breaching any data protection laws. If so I'll plead insanity brought on my trying to organise events.)

If anyone on here does come along, please say hello. I should be wandering about in the yard wearing brown overalls.

Best wishes,

Bill.

A little inspiration for anyone contemplating building a miniature fun fair. This amazing exhibit was displayed at the recent open day at The Grange Musical Collection near Diss. There is a Facebook page for "F J Loades Famous Miniature Fun Fair" which includes some videos of it in action.

Bill.

Only a few days now.

17 miniature road locos have entered, as well as all the indoor models.

Come and join us.

Bill.

Only four weeks till Model Engineers' Day at the Forncett Industrial Steam Museum. An excellent range of models and miniature road locos is booked in.

The 6th October is also the National Traction Engine Trust's 'Steam It Sunday'. We shall be doing our bit to support them with the run for miniatures to the Norfolk Tank Museum, just over a mile away.

Come and join us and see - amongst other things - some of the workmanship you have read about here.

Best wishes,

Bill.

Dear Andrew,

I only look at this forum now and again, and then selectively, but I always reckon to read your posts. I greatly appreciate your engineering skills, attention to detail and preparedness to take the trouble to write your posts.

I'm very sorry about the incident that caused the problem, which I didn't see. I'm afraid I agree with Neil about the general lowering of standards of behavior - including amongst politicians! The best way to deal with such things must be to ignore them. Reacting may only encourage them.

Like Keith Rogers 2, I hope to see you at Forncett again. (Unashamed plug for Model Engineers' Day there. See: www.model-engineer.co.uk/forums/postings.asp?th=143393)

All the best,

Bill.

Dear Jon,

I'm in Tivetshall, so can't be far from you. (There's a rather long winded profile on here.)

I'm very involved with the Forncett Steam Museum - see: www.model-engineer.co.uk/forums/postings.asp?th=143393

A number of excellent model engineers regularly come to our Model Engineers' Day. We are mid-way between two clubs: Brandon & District and Halesworth - as you probably know. Many of their members are exhibitors.

Come and see us on 6th October, or call in on a work day (no steam) - every Wednesday and Sunday. (I'm Wednesday's only.)

Best wishes,

Bill.

Brian, sorry you'll be away. I was looking forward to seeing progress with your amazing Burrell-Boydell. How is it coming along? Any recent pictures?

Have a good holiday.

Bill.

P.S. Who will fill Brian's place on the display tables?

My annual reminder and invitation to Model Engineers' Day at the Forncett Industrial Steam Museum (**LINK**). This year's 'Do' will be our 27th and is now near enough for the organiser to start to feel a mix of panic and excited anticipation!

You are invited to join us in South Norfolk on Sunday 6th October, whether as exhibitor or just visitor. We usually have the pleasure of the company of several members of this forum, so it's a good social occasion as well as a chance to see what others have been up to.

'Table Top' models mainly inside the museum and a rally for miniature road steam outside, including a run (optional) for a mile up the road to the Norfolk Tank Museum.

I'll be pleased to send you full details and entry forms if you give me an e-mail address.

Hope to see you in October.

Bill.

Delighted to find someone is thinking about us, especially someone as far away as Rod in Dorset.

Forncett Model Engineers' Day is always on the first Sunday in October. That means this year's 'Do' - our 27th - will be on the 6th.

We have an occasional newsletter, which will include full details of MEs' Day and an invitation during the summer. If you'd like to keep in touch we'd be pleased to add your e-mail address to the newsletter mailing list.

All the best,

Bill.

Exhibitors are welcome to run their engines at the annual Model Engineers' Day at the Forncett Steam Museum. See Emgee's post of 7th October:

www.model-engineer.co.uk/forums/postings.asp?th=137796

More photos of engines running in his drop box link - IC and miniature steam.

If you are interested in coming next year, let me know and I'll make sure you get an invitation.

Bill.

Thanks for posting all those pictures Emgee and for your kind comments Ramon. It was certainly a great day for the museum as well as for all those exhibitors and visitors that I spoke to. If I'd got my head round posting photos, I'd show one of the 12 ins scale Fowler ploughing engine spectacularly filling the road as it set off at the head of the run for the miniatures road engines. For those that haven't been to Forncett yet, do come and join us next year. Distance is no object - note Emgee's pictures of the Bristol and Anzani aero engines that Dennis Snaith had brought over 200 miles from Co Durham. Thanks again Dennis.

Bill.

Only a few days to go now.

We've had a excellent display of models promised, including some new ones. Indoors is pretty well full, but there is room in the yard for a few more miniatures. Please do let me know if you decide to bring something. (Unannounced exhibits - however welcome - are an organiser's nightmare.)

Hope to see you on the 7th.

Bill.

It's nearly here again! Everyone within reach of south Norfolk is invited to this year's event on Sunday 7th October.

As usual, we will have a wide ranging exhibition of model engineering inside the museum and a gathering of miniature road steam outside.

The miniatures - 15 at the last count - will have a run to the Norfolk Tank Museum a mile up the road. (Home of Guy Martin's WWI tank.)

We'd be very pleased to have some new exhibitors. PM me with an e-mail address and I'll send you details.

Hope to see you there. (http://www.forncettsteammuseum.co.uk/index.html)

Bill.

Excellent idea and a fitting tribute.

Bill.

I'm just one of the - probably many - who don't have much to contribute to this forum, but much to gain from the likes of John. I've always looked forward to his posts. We need more real, practical engineers like him.

I'm afraid I can't claim originality for this, but remember that a bodge is a 'Bit Of Damn Good Engineering'.

Get well soon - your country needs you!

Bill.

Yes, all the big engines will be in steam - but not all at once, we'd need a much bigger boiler for that. There should also be a full sized Fowler ploughing engine, a (possibly) unique Marshall traction engine, an Aveling & Porter steam tractor and an early Stanley steam car.

Part size in steam should be 15 miniatures, also the 'traditional' model engineering should include a couple of engines with their own boilers as well as some running on air.

Hope to see you there.

Bill.

Thanks for the plug Emgee. Do come and say hello, so I know who you are.

We've got just about as many exhibits as we can fit in, including some new ones.

[Note to Andrew: now that entries have closed I can start the juggling act of fitting everyone in. Should be about as last year.]

Bill.