 |
 |
|
|
 |
©FBI 2001
A quick update, as promised last month, on what's happening on the UK engine
scene. The "Thousand Engine" rally, the biggest engine rally held here, went ahead without difficulty.
We even had plenty of sunshine, which isn't a common sight at our rallies! The show held at our local steam pumping
station to celebrate the opening of Britain's new Space and Science centre was such a success that we've been asked
to help organise another one next year! Finally, as I mentioned, there has now been a wonderful addition to our
collection, because with the help of many friends in the US, I bought my husband a 15HP BD Tillinghast half-breed
oilfield engine for his 40th birthday. Back in the May 2001 issue of GEM there was an article about a 20HP Bessemer
which went to Japan, and the final paragraph mentioned that the author, Bill Tremel, had been asked by friends
to find a similar engine to take to the UK. It nearly blew the surprise, because by the time that article appeared,
work was already well underway to find and restore the perfect engine for this project! stationary-engine@atis.net
As the engine in question is still in the States, I produced a book detailing the history of this type of engine,
and the story of how this particular one was found and restored. This book travelled with us to the recent shows
where it was studied with interest, and we now find ourselves in a position we never expected to be in - having
an extremely unusual engine which generates specific invitations from show organisers. This situation makes the
subject of this month's article particularly relevant to us - "snobbery" at engine shows, either by organisers
who only invite people with rare engines to exhibit, or spectators openly critical of the common engines on display.
The discussion on the Stationary Engine Mailing List, a world-wide group of engine enthusiasts talking via the
internet began with someone talking about a show they had visited:
* This past weekend I was at a pretty nice show although not what you'd
call a big show. I generally consider myself to be an engine snob and only pay attention to engines that I consider
interesting. So I was somewhat disappointed at this show as there were only two engines that were what I considered
to be good engines, a 25hp IHC Giant, and a 10hp Stover Vertical. The rest was pretty much common stuff.
I'm more interested in seeing the engines that the majority of the collectors don't have. I'm not interested in
looking at engines that everyone has. I admit that some people like seeing the common stuff, as it gives them a
chance to see or hear an engine like the one they had on the family farm. But this group is getting smaller each
year as fewer and fewer people have any personal memories of the old family farm engine.
I admit I'm an engine snob, elitist, or whatever. Will anyone else admit to being one too?
* I think that all of us in this hobby can find our "niche" somewhere, and, therefore all of us are "engine
snobs" in various ways.
Myself, I like BIG stationary engines, but see little of value in oil field iron. I have good friends who are into
oil field engines, and while supporting their interests, theirs is NOT mine. Others seem to "get it off"
by collecting S/N-date lists. Again, that's not my thing, but I
support their efforts.
The ONLY "collectors" that I have a problem with are those who claim that MAYTAGS are "engines."
The only GOOD MAYTAG is a MAYTAG with an axe in it!
* What we can or can not afford doesn't really make a difference in what we like. It does make a big difference
in what we have in our collection.
* AMEN to that brother!! What I like and what's in my collection are DEFINITELY on different levels. Don't get
me wrong, I like all the engines that I have. I won't buy one unless it interests me in some way. But I REALLY
like a whole lot of engines that will be forever out of reach for me to own. But that DOES provide for a lot of
enjoyment when I see some of these rare birds at a show or a museum like Coolspring or Kinzers.
I find that I'll stop at the displays that feature an engine that I own or at a display that's interesting in some
way, usually the engine is powering something else that's interesting. And of course I stop to drool over the unique
engines. So at some shows that means a quick walk through of the display area, then spend the rest of my time with
my engines and
with visiting with other engine folks.
And at the "tourist" shows (as opposed to "engine" shows), you have LOADS of folks who not
only didn't grow up with one on the farm, but they haven't a clue as to what it is or what it does. And for them
an IHC M or a FBM Z is as fascinating as a camstopper is to us.
As I was getting into this hobby, I found 'em all interesting. As my tastes change, some are less interesting than
others.
* The shows over here that are selective about entries are in the minority. Of the shows I have attended in England,
the only two shows that select entries are ones that only have a small space for engines. Even these shows have
common engines but only let their own
younger members bring them.
People starting in the hobby should always be allowed to show common engines but anyone who has been to shows for
several years has had many leads to get something better. If you can only afford a cheap engine you can still make
a good display by thinking of something unusual for it to drive.(a water pump supplying water to a home made waterwheel
is cheap to do and attracts as much attention as a rare engine)
The public pay a fairly high admission price to see the show and the least we can do is to try to entertain or
educate them.
* Yes, we've seen the engine snobs. But personally I don't care. We have been laughed at seriously for buying a
Gilson instead of a rare engine, but we really like collecting the Gilsons. Hey we can't all have the very rare
and unusual but it doesn't really count if you don't share your "treasure" and show them at shows etc.
It's only my opinion but I think
the shows teach our young people that these are a great toy and even if it's a common engine ,like Gilson FBM Z
, McD. etc. there are engines for everyone! and they are a lot of fun and gather with them some wonderful people.
* I find the idea of restricting displays to "rare" engines disappointing because to me, a rank beginner
with little knowledge, every engine is a rare engine. I enjoy seeing, learning and talking to the owners of so-called
common engines just as much as a rare one like an Otto. How else can we learn about the hobby and the engines that
made it so over the years?
I can also appreciate the effort a guy has put in to get an engine running again and the pride he has in it, whether
it's a garden variety or some real fancy rare thing.
* There seems to be an implied "collects rare engines = engine snob." While there may be some out there
like that, I've found that some PEOPLE are snobs and some aren't and that you really can't tie it to what they
do or what they collect.
* What I find to be bizarre is the concept of an engine show that tries to EXCLUDE "common engines."
I've heard of some shows here in the US that have told a guy with a nice dirty, rusty old IHC "M" that
he wasn't welcome to exhibit because all he had was a "common engine".
* It would seem to me that if a show tried to limit itself to only the "rare and exotic" that it would
die a swift death from a lack of both exhibitors and spectators.
* When this subject was brought up, everyone threw up their hands in horror and said "not us!" but we
know that most club secretaries try to get the older and more interesting stuff as a matter of principal, and you
cannot help but agree that a show full of Lister D's would be somewhat boring.
* There are a small number of invitation-only rallies that seem to do very well indeed. From what I understand
invitation is based on a subtle blend of you and your engine, and since the criteria aren't published we'll never
know.
* First off let me state I do not feel to be an engine snob. Every engine has its own sound and with a few running
at the same time I can tell which ones are mine. Ever see two of the same engine kind running? They do not fire
the same and will run much different. We have seen engines run so slow you could count spokes as they go by. We
have seen engines bounce off of the ground from running so fast.
About a month ago we where in a barn filled with the sweetest engines you could ever want - like a KC Hay Press,
Field SS, Hour Glass Challenge, Columbus SS, Alamo Flyball Governor and you know what? The chap that owns them
is just as common as the next guy. Very nice guy, he had a barn filled with people that were total strangers to
him but this did not bother him as he was gleaming ear to ear with the pride that people had stopped to see his
toys. Then we sit back and think about the locals that dare step into our little engine shed and think how we feel
proud as geese while showing them our engines. Once again, nothing but common run of the mill items here to see
- but ours. How did the old song go … "If you can't be with the one you love, then love the one you are with."?
* Well, I am one of those people with a common engine (a Kohler Light Plant). I have told people that I take it
to shows because it gets me a good parking place and free admission but the truth is I take it because it is fun.
I have it set up with a row of lights and a familiar wall light switch and I invite people (especially kids) to
flip the switch and watch it start itself up (and shut itself off). People like it, and ask questions, I like it,
it makes noise and gets dirty!
I'm looking for a rare engine (A FBM Z 32 volt light plant). When I find it I will try to be more of a snob but
I don't think I am very good at it.
* Heavens, I didn't even KNOW there were people who looked down on me for bringing my little Stover and F&J
to shows! I must be dense. I thought that stationery engine collections were all fairly rare because not many people
are as interested in them as, say, ceramics or other collectibles. I have yet to see an engine on the Antiques
Roadshow!
* I've been watching this thread and, for me, its people that make an engine show, not engines. I tend to remember
the nice folk I have met, not their motors.
* When I first started going to engine shows after getting on the internet, I was intent on getting pictures of
as many rare or unusual engines as I could, and would often overlook the little old gentleman proudly sitting there
with his little LB or dishpan Fairbanks. Pretty soon, I started talking to the exhibitors more, finding out what
I was really missing before and that was the great people in the hobby. Now I find myself having too little time
at a show no matter how small.
* I have found that the guy with the Geiser or beautiful Ohio sideshaft is just as friendly and accommodating as
the next fellow, and enjoys sharing his pride and joy as much as the kid showing his Grandpa's Economy.
* I do it because I enjoy it and I like my engines. I get more pleasure out of some old timer stopping by to reminisce
about the Fairbanks Z he had on the farm instead of a collector telling me I am coming along nicely!
Own what you want!
Once again, I don't think we actually SOLVED anything during the course of this discussion, but plenty of people
aired their views!
Have fun with your engines, and hopefully, we'll see some of you at Portland!
|
|
|
|
|
©FBI 2001