Too Many Forums?

Definitely too many and I for one simply don't have the time to keep up with them all, so such meagre pearls as I have to cast will be found here. Anyway I still find usenet by far the most convenient format - threads are easy to follow, it is bandwidth efficient so great where connection time is precious (eg on PDA), and when I am checking my email at work it is just one tempting click away! Sad to say traffic has fallen off of late, I know a few once regular posters have dropped out as they fear unwelcome elements may be lurking and taking notes, others are upset by the occasional flame wars, but I think the majority simply don't see any topics coming up to which they feel they can usefully contribute which of course becomes a cumulative decline. I guess it will perk up a bit when the rally season kicks off and we all start saying "did you see that so-and-so at such-and-such", though I must admit at the moment I can't get particularly enthusiastic about the prospect of trailing around the same old rallies to see dwindling numbers of the same old engines.
Nick H

Concur. I dropped off the USA perch on a matter of principle & honestly don't miss it. I too miss the chit chat with some who feel they can't contribute here any more, but this is still my only regular electronic contact with the Broad World.
regards,
Kim Siddorn
Teach a child to be polite and courteous and you create an adult that can't merge a car into faster traffic.

Gentlemen,
I think that the Pearls of Wisdom still do there bit here and had it not been for the Forum I don't think I would have so many good friends near and far. I can travel anywhere in this country and know that there will be somebody I can see or visit and that says it all for me. I must admit I restrict myself to three forums this and IF being the most visited, the third I add the odd bit but find the average age to be much younger than me and there is the occasional been there done that attitude otherwise it is ok.
Martin P.

Hi Nick,
It's a bit distressing to read that comment of yours. The "engines" are actually the last reason that I usually go to an engine show. Of far greater interest (and importance) is renewing frendships with mates generally ONLY seen at engine shows. I can't tell you how many years I've exhibited at Portland (the largest engine show in the world by far), and realized that here it was late on Friday (having started on Monday) and I really haven't gone 'round and studied the "engines" that were being shown. I'd been busy and happy from dawn to dark since Monday, but hadn't really gone out and studied "engines." And ya know what, I've been happy as a clam. Baraboo / Portland 2008 will probably be more of the same especially as a whole gaggle of engine mates from Austrailia, England, and Scotland (and the usual rabble from the US & Canada) are likely to be in attendance. As my best engine buddy, Dave Rotigel likes to say, "Life is good."
See ya, Arnie
Arnie Fero Pittsburgh, PA USA fero snipped-for-privacy@city-net.com

Having a Victor Meldrew moment Nick?
For the benefit of our foreign readers, Victor Meldrew is a well known grumpy old man on British TV.
For goodness sake cheer up. There's more than just engines at these shows. Try the sales area (private and trade), cars, tractors, motorbikes, animals, lorries, military, fire engines, steam........ The list goes on. The fact that there's some new and some established exhibits makes a nicely balanced show. Then there's the atmosphere, the buzz of conversation, the banter between friends old and new, to say nothing of the smell (mostly from the engines) of hot oil, smoke, exhaust and steam. The beer tent in the evening with the dodgy music and even worse dancing. The whole place changes chracter then when the public have gone. The engines are put away, the burger vans stay open and the showmens engines strut their stuff all lit up in front of the beer tent.
I'm already looking forward to the season.
John

"hit_n_miss" wrote (snip):- Chacun a son gout, but it is the engines I go for - I'm not really a 'people person'.
Nick H.

"John" wrote (snip):-
Oh I'm firmly into 'Grumpy Old Men' (another and rather excellent British TV series) territory John. Yes, all those things go to make a good rally - but it is engines that are the primary draw for me and it seems that year on year both numbers and variety (I won't say quality as that is a matter of personal taste!) are declining. I think Martin's experience (rallying 2008 thread) is not uncommon - the Northolt club used to have a small display each year at Uxbridge Auto Sunday and recieved a nominal appearance fee which provided a welcome boost to club finances. A couple of years ago this changed and the show organisers informed us that if we wanted to continue to exhibit we would have to pay £10 per engine for the privilege. When this was declined, the retort came back that engines were not really the sort of exhibit they wanted anyway - wonder if they'll have a change of heart when they cast about for something to fill the hole left by the commercial vehicles which are unlikely to attend as the show is within the London Low Emission Zone?
Nick H.

Much as Arnie says, the shows in the USA are very much more a social thing than here in the UK, but as 'outsiders' to the USA clan, we find that the engines hold more interest for us than sitting nattering over a beer :-))
There are a whole load of other factors involved, especially the high price of fuel in the Uk and Europe, and the corresponding high costs of travel of any kind, especially ferries.
Having said that, we still think that including an engine show or two as part of our summer break is more effective and different than going to Europe, although we still want to return to southern Portugal when we get a minute.
Next spring we might do the 'double' and go to Tulare for the spring show, then drive over to Phoenix to see our friends again, then Portland as usual in August. That would take out the October trip which we normally make.
Peter -- Peter A Forbes Prepair Ltd, Rushden, UK snipped-for-privacy@easynet.co.uk

wonder if they'll have a change of heart when They might also find a lack of steam as many of their transport lorries are old and won't comply.
John

Not sure if they have any steamers - I've been going for the last fifteen years or so and never really noticed!
Nick H

Doesn't look as if there are any exemptions either:
Peter -- Peter A Forbes Prepair Ltd, Rushden, UK snipped-for-privacy@easynet.co.uk

"Prepair Ltd" wrote There are a few, see page 19. Those of interest to 'us' are probably agricultural tractors, showmans vehicles "Custom built and permanently fitted with equipment forming part of the show" and the usual pre '73 'historic' class - though one doc says built before 1973 and another registered with DVLA before 1973!
I reckon it will be pretty hard on any shows inside the area which I think includes Enfield and Bromley.
Nick H

Gentlemen,
To be honest the big rally's don't interest me as much as they used to, with the exception of Dorset, two much stuff crammed into to little space with us engine boys stuck in a corner. I would rather do a social rally where I can chat to friends and have a play. I find the public are also more interested as they don't have so much to get round in the day. I also enjoy my Easter weekend at IF for instance because its a very friendly hassle free weekend. I would also suggest John you are more VM than Nick is someone I know to be a quiet, polite chap with a lot of knowledge, VM tends to be a noisy moaner about everything and nothing :-))
Martin P

On Wed, 20 Feb 2008 04:09:54 -0800 (PST), John finished tucking into their plate of fish, chips and mushy peas. Wiping their mouths, they swiggged the last of their cup of tea, paid the bill and wrote::
Isn't there an exemption for vehicles "of a certain age"?
Brian L Dominic
Web Site: Newsgroup readers should note that the reply-to address is NOT read: To email me, please send to brian(dot)dominic(at)tiscali(dot)co(dot)uk

On Wed, 20 Feb 2008 13:49:37 +0000, Prepair Ltd finished tucking into their plate of fish, chips and mushy peas. Wiping their mouths, they swiggged the last of their cup of tea, paid the bill and wrote::
Oh Yes There Are!!
to quote The following vehicles are automatically exempt from the LEZ if registered in Great Britain. These will not need to be registered with TfL and are not subject to the daily charge:
* Vehicles designed and built for mainly off-road use, but which may be used on the road for limited purposes, including: - Agricultural and forestry tractors - Mowing machines - Agricultural and farm machinery and equipment - Mobile cranes - Road and building construction machinery * Historic vehicles (built before 1 January 1973) * Military vehicles
If your vehicle is registered outside Great Britain (including Northern Ireland) you will need to register with TfL for an exemption. Discounts
Certain showman's vehicles are eligible for a 100 per cent discount. This will only apply to vehicles which have been custom built and are permanently fitted with equipment forming part of a show.
You will need to register with TfL to qualify for this discount.
Brian L Dominic
Web Site: Newsgroup readers should note that the reply-to address is NOT read: To email me, please send to brian(dot)dominic(at)tiscali(dot)co(dot)uk