The Unofficial Mamod and Other Steam Forum The Original Unofficial Toy Steam Forum Established 2006 The biggest, most popular global steam forum around! Accept NO imitations! We have a growing community of regular posting members who chat about all aspects of toy and model steam.
Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 10:18 pm Post subject: why? Dorset steam rally is just.........?
Remember when steam rallies where just about steam engine? they would drive them around to demostrate them?
well at Dorset they appear to have adopted the use of stupid, stupid stunts!
do they do this every year? is it a tradition?
they ran an old working piano over with a steam roller, why?
are those who go to the Dorset steam rally so imature the only way the day could be a good 1 is if something is crushed?
are steam rollers so boring to the general public that they need to do this?
and I know you could say that its all just a bit of fun but its just really silly and it makes it all look so unprofessional.
I mean what is the point? to prove that steam rollers are heavy? where steam roller ever used in the commercial crushing of pianos? no, then why the hell do it!
I mean whats next? steam car demolition derbies?
or dropping unrestored steam rollers from a great height to see if it survives?
I dont no I really dont _________________ The Woodrow story
http://modelsteam.myfreeforum.org/ftopic10347-0.php
Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 10:44 pm Post subject: Re: why? Dorset steam rally is just.........?
[quote="pauly"Remember when steam rallies where just about steam engine? they would drive them around to demostrate them?
[/quote]
Not so, at lots of rallies I have been to they have engine games. Things like driving around to get as many barrels as you can pick up off the floor, driving as fast as you can without nocking things off and obstacles courses etc. I have also seen rugs attached to the backs of engines with a person stood on it trying to maintain their balance in a race.
Also, don't forget, the first traction engine rallys were essentially races. Look up Arthur Napper and his Marshall traction engine; Old Timer. This is generally considered as the starting point of the traction engine movement. _________________
"Teaching boys to bake cakes? That's no way to maintain an industrial empire." Dr Fred Dibnah MBE
total waste of time, why it was even filmed is beyond me?? _________________ Not only have I got a bad case of Bowmanitis I think I'm also heading towards Jensenitis too, is there a cure??
website www.mini-steam.co.uk
I know that in the late 1800s the biggest draw at many fairs was an intentional head on crash with two steam Locomotives, Boilers did explode and people did get hurt and killed. But each time it was the attraction that got the biggest crowd. I suppose that stunts etc are done to both draw a bigger crowd, and to let people "let some steam off". _________________ Non Impedite Raditioni Cogitationis
steam rallies are about having fun! Yes all well and good show them as where for the public but I can tell you sat there all day looking "traditional" is bloody boring!
Theres no point in bitching and moaning as at the end of the day that was their roller. their minatures and their piano. It is theres to do as they wish!!
The dorset steam fair is the biggest social event for the steam boys and often the only time of the year they meet with certain friends and aquainences, so having a good laugh is high on the agenda.
Along with the fun im sure that for the hardcore enthusiast there was enough what you would call "real steam action" going on for you to watch..
Saying its pointless is untrue, it was a bloody good laugh and a break from what is essentially performing all week for the public, to take a break for 10 minutes to do somthing off the wall and silly I would say is completly acceptable!
Rant over! _________________ http://will15.photobook.org.uk/
Last edited by made-in-england on Sat Oct 17, 2009 9:47 am; edited 3 times in total
Early steam ralleys used to involve various stunts. Tug-of-wars and races were quite popular. Owners soon realised that they were risking damage to their engines so they went out of fashion. By their very nature, fashions come and go. _________________ Regards
Roly Williams
"The weather is always weird somewhere" (Gregg Easterbrook)
I was lucky to go to a fair few steam ralleys in the 1970s, even have a few programmes somewhere in the attic. As Jim says, there were usually races, tug of wars and other things going on.
Our roller was usually the looser in all races other than the loudest whistle competition
Suppose each to their own. It does show the weight and power of these things pretty well
EDIT- posted at the same time as Roly, funny the same things mentioned _________________ You cant get an engine for that anymore unless you are lucky
Personally the piano crushing was a little bit daft, Pianos aren't particularly sturdy structures so it obviously wouldn't offer much of a challenge. It's a bit like how they always get tanks to crush cars at WW2 re-enactments and shows. _________________
well the last steam thing we went to the had a tug of war between us versus a steam roller and we won !! admittedly a roller has problems getting traction in the wet
I like a bit of fun, I like stupid stunts and I like a bit of competetiveness.
What I don't like is that we now are in a society where we are so flush with material goods that we can afford to wantonly destroy them for the amusement of crowds. Gladiators, anyone? _________________ Nid wy’n gofyn bywyd moethus,
Aur y byd na’i berlau mân:
Gofyn wyf am galon hapus,
Calon onest, calon lân.
Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 6:19 pm Post subject: Re: why? Dorset steam rally is just.........?
steamyjim wrote:
pauly wrote:
Remember when steam rallies where just about steam engine? they would drive them around to demostrate them?
Not so, at lots of rallies I have been to they have engine games. Things like driving around to get as many barrels as you can pick up off the floor, driving as fast as you can without nocking things off and obstacles courses etc. I have also seen rugs attached to the backs of engines with a person stood on it trying to maintain their balance in a race.
Also, don't forget, the first traction engine rallys were essentially races. Look up Arthur Napper and his Marshall traction engine; Old Timer. This is generally considered as the starting point of the traction engine movement.
It the same at Gala days at preserved railways, Its something different for the operating staff and fun! Epescially the in the pub after the last day _________________ Dan
the best thing I've ever seen was a steam waggon race in an event arena. By golly Fodens are fast.
The best thing I've ever DONE road steam wise was go into a slip road with a tight bend on a Super Sentinel at 40 mph!
Its all good fun at the end of the day. I'd rather be mucking around like that than chuff past the commentary box with a very solemn look on my face having all the engines specs read out by a bloke like you get at the Thames Traditional Boat Ralley! _________________ burning fingers since 1989!
I like a bit of fun, I like stupid stunts and I like a bit of competetiveness.
What I don't like is that we now are in a society where we are so flush with material goods that we can afford to wantonly destroy them for the amusement of crowds. Gladiators, anyone?
There is a certain comedy factor from elderly upright pianos coming to an untimely end though, I think it's from all those years of watching slapstick comedy from the likes of Laurel and Hardy... _________________
the best thing I've ever seen was a steam waggon race in an event arena. By golly Fodens are fast.
The best thing I've ever DONE road steam wise was go into a slip road with a tight bend on a Super Sentinel at 40 mph!
Its all good fun at the end of the day. I'd rather be mucking around like that than chuff past the commentary box with a very solemn look on my face having all the engines specs read out by a bloke like you get at the Thames Traditional Boat Ralley!
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Welcome to The Unofficial Mamod & Other Steam Forum!
Welcome. We're a friendly place to share knowledge & chat about this great hobby. Since our July 06 startup, we have grown to over 550 members, who have posted over a four hundred thousand posts. We can answer most toy steam questions, basic or complex. Our multi-national members enjoy sharing photos & videos of engines by Mamod, Wilesco, Jensen, Bowman, SEL, Doll, Bing, Scorpion, Renown & more. All collectors are welcome & if you are just starting out in the hobby, we can suggest some ideal engines. Our forum is ad free & costs nothing to be a member.
Press the 'Join' button at the top of the page, to be part of the largest toy steam forum on the internet.
Questions? Email the forum's Administrator: Chantry_James at yahoo.co.uk
Engine of the Month March Redryder's
Stuart Compound Launch Engine
2008-2009
Click picture to enlarge
)