Busy 'Shop

I am presented with this scene on a daily basis and thought I ought to share it with my readers. The Metcalfe's pack under the desk is an N guage two track engine shed awaiting construction, the co-op milk thingy contains the water supply for the Mamod kit and general fire-fighting duties. The axe is so sharp it's used for most jobs from trimming up Airfix mouldings to sharpening pencils. One thing that is missing is the Light Programme on the crystal set which I notice is connected to a coat-hanger antenna. Squirrel and rabbit pelts are in the 'shop for conversion into a hat. On the Meccano No 6 box is the start of the two speed reversing gearbox. The Spitfire's one of those polystyrene electric jobs and is a brilliant flyer, of the two catapults my favourite would have to be the home-made one. Any how much food for thought here m'thinks. Did I miss anything? MORE FETTLING !

Getting up Steam

By far the easiest way to set the dining room ablaze is to fire up some steam power after a big lunch, very seasonal - and the smell of burning meths and furniture is such an evocative stab. This is the 1965 Mamod SE2 out for an airing. This motor has previously powered a sizeable Meccano crane and a ferris wheel but on this ocasion is just having a no-load test run to provide a postprandial soundtrack for my siesta. If you haven't been able to fire up your steam engine yet this Christmas you really ought to get on with it.