On Sunday January 16th we will be holding our "Spirit of  Meccano" day at the Abbey Pumping Station. Despite the title the event is intended to celebrate all the great creations of Frank Hornby, Meccano, Hornby Gauge O, Hornby Dublo, Dinky Toys, Dinky Builder etc. As part of the celebrations we shall be holding "The Great Corporation Road Locomotive Trials" on the beam floor of the engine house. This will be a lighthearted competition for steam powered "locomotives" constructed from Meccano and powered by Meccano or Mamod steam engines. Entries are invited from all interested persons. Application forms will be mailed with the annual Steam Toys in Action invitations in October and will be included with the nearest issue of STEAM newsletter and the LMTA newsletter. Copies may also be obtained on application to fcrammond@hotmail.com

A link to pages with photos of the 2003 and 2004 events will be found on the main page or by clicking Here

1. Locomotives shall be constructed from Meccano to run on 3¹/₂ inch gauge Hornby Rocket Track.

2. There shall be two classes of Locomotive, those based on the Mamod/Meccano steam engine and those based on other Mamod steam engines.

3. The former engines shall not be modified structurally.

4. All engines shall employ the original, unmodified burners and safety valves.

5. Locomotives must be capable of traversing an approximately 75 foot circuit of track without refuelling or refilling the boiler.

6. There shall be an award for the locomotive completing a circuit in the shortest time.

7. There shall be an award for the locomotive completing a circuit in the longest time.

8. There shall be an award for the most original design.

9. There shall be an award for the most realistic design.

10. There shall be an award for the silliest design.

11. There shall be an award for the biggest disaster.

11. Locomotives derailing during the test circuit will be disqualified.

12. The judges decision will be final.

13. The event will take place during the 2004 Meccano day at the APS.