Re: new member - Peter

[peeteach]

Hello Everybody,
Let me say how delighted I am to be aboard on such a fine informative site.
I am an ex design/technology teacher retired a few years ago through ill health and finally washed up here on the shores of sunny Thailand - actually a lot of the country is flooded at the moment but its the thought that counts. I felt when I retired that as I had no ties in England I might as well be broke in the sun as stay in England and be cold as well. Its all worked out fairly well really, I would recommend it to anyone.
As regards the modelling I actually used to be quite an avid builder but of (dare I say it here) aircraft, after a while I moved on (grew up some of my modelling buddies said) into powered craft, mainly tugs (dontcha just luv em) and mostly electric power, but then I had to stop for a while...............AND NOW A NEW DAWN well I've decided to start again anyway but in another direction. I've always loved the sight, sound and smell of steam power (too much time spent standing on railway bridges as a small boy I think) so now it's going to be steam for me and definitely paddle wheelers, oh how I remember the beast off Hastings Pier (oh nostalgia just isn't what it used to be) anyway that's my intention - I've looked around and at the moment I'm woefully short of equipment and there does seem to be a shortage of modelling supplies locally (unless your into electric cars) but that's just part of lifes rich pageant.  My other problem is that I know diddley about steam power models - yes I could build the motor etc. but I don't truly understand it. So what I need is a beginners (idiots) guide to steam modelling, so if anyone can suggest anything please (grovel grovel) let me know. I know that there is a huge amount of information available on site but for a beginner it is a bit disjointed and hard to string together coherently as most people here have a pretty good idea what they are talking about - I don't quite frankly. I may have missed this on site, it may already be there, I have looked around but I cant pretend I've read everything so if I have missed it please forgive me.
I think I've probably maundered on more than enough by now, so if any intrepid soul has actually got this far into my post let me say I wish you all very well and if I've managed to spark any interest anywhere I would be delighted to hear from you..
The Very Best Of Regards To All
Peter

[Talisman]

Hi Peter,
Many thanks for the introduction. My Dad was into steam ... unfortunately i didn't ask enough questions .. my loss!

Look forward to having you here and hearing about your projects..
Regards,
Kim

[mogogear]

Well Played Peter ( with an assist from the staff)

Welcome to you!!

[kiwimodeller]

Peter, having played around with various types of models I can assure you that nothing gives as much satisfaction as a steam plant running well and a whisp of vapour coming from a funnel as your pride and joy makes a wake on a still pond. You rapidly forget the frustrations of sorting out teething problems and the burnt fingers mean nothing! I would suggest you start with a kitset steam engine, there are several types available, and a profesionally built boiler. Later you may want to build your own engine and boiler from scratch but to begin with it would, in my opinion, be better to have a set up that you know is going to work well. Feel free to send me a P M or email if you would like some background info. Welcome aboard. Ian.