Enstone pics

I've seen similar kicks in activity after flagging something on NG. It is a bit puzzling - are there really that many lurkers and, if so, are we really so scary that they don't feel able to join in?

Nick H

Thanks for the photos Mike.

I missed Nick, saw Dan and Martin - I think we spend too much time with our heads down! I was actively looking for Roland only to hear he had handed in a sick note - ah well .........

I liked the ST aircooled, but it wasn't complete & was priced at double my estimate of its value. Lister D's were holding their (expensive) end up but a Kelvin twin cylinder marine engine on a trolley complete and ready to go was sold before the sale opened for £125. He also had a Petter M & A.N. Other engine, all bearing a bit of masking tape & "sold" at 8.05am. I was a bit tempted by a Hartop vertical, but resisted.

I bought a couple of half frame cameras, a WD rotary converter in a box, a nice nickel plated time/revs recorder and the bare bones of a board & dials for a Scott engined generator. I also bought a double pointy ended petrol tank mounted on some substantial steel brackets that is just the thing for a flat twin! It appeared to be a good buy as he was pestered after I'd put it at the back - seems to be off a rotorvator or somesuch.

I hate "me too" posts, but postings I make indicating photos on Webshots always produce 350 - 500 hits in a few days, lots more over a week. It must be cross postings that do it as I suspect there are perhaps 150 lurkers, semi active & active souls here.

Does anyone know?

I don't think we are scarey exactly, but we are pretty authoritative. I've felt for some time that many newcomers or 'leaves' as my mate calls them may feel they have little to contribute which is a pity as there is always something to be learned.

Regards,

Kim Siddorn

One of the 'advantages' of Webshots is that hits are directly recorded, for want of a better word, while a website with multiple pages only registers hits where the bit of HTML code that records it is located.

Thus, we have 92 folders in our own website, and most times that I refer someone or list a url, it is directly to that folder and item, missing the registering software.

We get a recorded 20,000 or so visits a year, returning viewers are also recorded.

The most prolific visitor is me, as I have to visit and check new additions etc etc.

The location of viewers and their choice of hardware/OS/location is also recorded, as is the site they were referred from.

I haven't a clue how many actual visits are made per day, that could only be done by either putting the HTML code on every folder, or forcing people to go through the front page, neither of which I am inclined to do.

As far as other visitors go, the use of Yahoo and Google searches must increase the volume of hits enormously, to any site with stationary and engine in it.

Peter

-- Peter A Forbes Prepair Ltd, Rushden, UK snipped-for-privacy@easynet.co.uk

"Kim Siddorn" wrote (snip):-

Did you notice the carburettor? The K is the only application I have seen of an updraught S-T carb so perhaps that it where your mystery unit originates - although the throttle linkage has been modified somewhat. As you said, interesting (and rare) but somehow doesn't tick enough boxes to justify the asking price in my book. That particular vendor often comes up with interesting stuff though - remember the Levis flat twin he was hawking around a couple of years ago?

The FE? I asked, and was quoted £350 which I found pretty resistable.

Bofors gun jobbie again?

Nick H

I don't think the genny bits are Bofors - I'll get some photos up.

He likes the sum of £400. The Levis was £400 like the ST model K.

I was sorry to miss the Duggie at Cheffins. Unavoidable as I was driving across the Rockies at the time ;o))

Regards,

J. Kim Siddorn,

"Kim Siddorn" wrote (snip):-

Now I'm excited - Scott genset that's not Bofors!

Nick H

I must admit I'm a lurker but haven't yet enough knowledge to contribute, very pleased with the speed my first question was answered, so scary no. I'm just in the process of buying three engines from a friend of mine I have one a Blackstone 6hp petrol paraffin vertical that I'm just in the process of doing the cylinder head gasket and cleaning up, also a Blackstone 5hp petrol vertical that is already complete just needs a bit of polishing. The all things old what ever it be steam train car or stationary engine has been a fascination from child hood but its only now at 46 I have had the opportunity to get involved my self, my pall wants me to show them locally, but I'm a bit of grump to pull that one off probably :-)

Lurker here too, have been for a while here and on the other .org.uk ng.

Like many have only got room for a small number of engines and they are fairly common ones at that, like to work with the running ones and try and progress the one in bits. I don't rally because I have neither the trailer or the inclination, although enjoying the odd rally (as a paying visitor), jumble and occasional auction. No club membership just enjoy myself tinkering weekends. Always enjoy reading the various goings on of people far more active, with more room, more rare/bigger engines, bigger wallets :-), more time - it's a quick and easy way to, sort of at least, join in.

Think you are always going to get 10 people obviously 'doing' and 100 either spectating or taking part in a more passive way with anything even if it's just looking at pictures, with all sport hobbies etc. and not everyone has great knowledge and wisdom to impart. It is indicative the hobby must be healthy if all these people are looking/ lurking.

Ken

"Kenneth_John_Russell" wrote :-

Well, there's a couple outed then - well done lads! I note that neither of you actually rally engines - apart from the odd club crank-up I'm to be found on that side of the ropes too. This has sometimes lead to accusations of not supporting the hobby. But remember it is just that, a hobby, and as soon as you find yourself being pressured to do more than pleases you, the whole point is lost - anyway, someone has to pay the gate money!

Nick H.

Having more than one hobby, I tend to just do Astle Park & then only for one day. But I do my best to attend and exhibit at my club's crank ups and annual rallies. They are low key and require little commitment of time - go in the morning and pack up by four - and you get to meet lots of fellow enthusiasts that are local to you.

I notice that in the 7 years I've been doing this, smaller engines have got a lot more expensive. This is partly a reflection of our aging community not being as willing to deal with several intractable hundredweights of cast iron, but also - I suspect - an unwillingness to tow a gurt trailer about when you don't have to as fuel gets ever more expensive. £1.50 a gallon currently in the USA and (equivalently) $7 in the UK. It can't last, go thou forth and drive!

I forgot to say how well attended it was. The place was heaving when I got there at dead on 8.00am. They filled both sides of the runway then the middle, ran out of space & perhaps a dozen vehicles were sent further on up the runway. One bloke I could not fathom out set up a number of tables at the side of his white Tranny van - then vanished! The tables were still empty & the van deserted when I left around 10.00am.

The weather was fine with the occasional misting of drizzle but not as cold as I've known it. The catering greasy spoon van made a welcome return after sudden illness stopped them attending last spring.

Regards,

Kim Siddorn,

Maybe he forgot to bring the stuff he was selling ;-) Then went off to look around and hide his head in shame by the food vans. I once saw a family arrive at a site, put up the frame for their frame tent, search frantically through the boot of the car, and then shout at each other when they realised they'd left the canvas behind at their last stopping place... Not the funniest thing I've ever seen, but close.

Gyppo

Some friends of ours stopped at a motorway services on holiday. arrived with 3 children in the car and left with 2.

When my second son started nursery, I dutifully delivered him and his brother in the morning. That evening, after work, I collected the eldeset but forgot the youngest until I was half way home. It took many weeks before I built up enough courage to tell his mother about it.

John

I saw a couple meet outside a busy department store on a Saturday before Christmas, they had a child apiece by the hand. Together they said -

"Where's John???"

They then headed back into the store, the husband muttering "I told you this would happen if you let them outnumber us". !

Regards, Kim