Meccanuity 2015: the Word's Still Spreading!

By Chris Instone • Published on Sunday 10 May 2015, 7:06am

Meccano as a hobby has a very small following in these modern times, when compared to its golden period of the mid 1920's, 1930's & 1950's, and it is very difficult to bring new blood into the hobby when there's an infinite number of other hobbies, interests, sports and even digital devices that are so much more varied than computer games and games consoles, these days, that are all in competition for the available spare time of younger folk, and indeed the rest of their families, so it's good to spread the word, and the Internet and indeed the new TIMS website has made spreading the word so much more easy.

As an example of spreading the word, just a day or so ago I received an email from the editor of the newsletter of the Leyland National Group, a preservation and interest group to help keep alive the Leyland National single-decker bus and it's derivatives.

He had come across the model of a Leyland National recently built by TIMS member David Bradley, and showed for the first time at Meccanuity 2015, just over a week ago, and has enquired about the model and build, to be included in a feature in the Leyland National Group newsletter.

Thanks to West London Meccano Society Chairman Matt Goodman for the use of his photographs, not only for this upcoming newsletter, but also for his many photographs he has kindly agreed to be used in the gallery for this year's show, and, of course, information to be provided by the builder himself, David Bradley.

Leyland National Bus, built by David Bradley (right). Photo' courtesy of Matt Goodman

The editor of the Leyland National Group's newsletter has also asked if I know of any other Meccano models of Leyland Nationals. Unfortunately, I don't know of any, but if you do, please contact me at chris.instone@tims.org.uk

For more photos of David's Leyland National and many more models from Meccanuity 2015, take a look at the Meccanuity 2015 gallery album. The video of this years show will be posted in a few days time.