ESTEVAN - The Estevan Model Engineering Show remains a place for people who are fascinated by the hobby to gather, socialize and discuss their projects.
The 35th edition of the event took place Saturday and Sunday at the Wylie-Mitchell Building. Event organizer Kelly Tytlandsvik said they had 32 exhibitors this year, and while some from past years couldn't make it for various reasons, a couple of newcomers showed up and brought a lot to the event.
All aspects of model engineering are invited, including gas and steam engines, locomotives, traction engines, motorcycles and shop-built equipment, among others. Many people from the community dropped by the hall to take a look. Participants came from all three Prairie provinces and the northern mid-west U.S.
"We have a lot of interesting stuff. We got an engine here where the only other one like it is in Germany," said Tytlandsvik.
Another exhibitor located a very rare old engine, and he reproduced it into an operating model. Nobody else ever made them in miniature, Tytlandsvik said. One participant started bringing his late father's equipment, as the father had attended the show for many years. One person had a miniature lathe and milling machine, and two people brought some radio-controlled items.
"It's a nice, eclectic version of all kinds of miniature engines … and there's a little bit of everything," said Tytlandsvik.
Wives of the exhibitors brought a variety of products to display, ranging from quilts to geological rocks.
The show is also a chance for people to socialize and trade ideas on what they're building.
"Guys will bring material for someone else that might be quite a few miles away and looking for some material. One person might have some extra, so he brings it to the show," said Tytlandsvik.
At another show, Tytlandsvik recalled seeing one person having trouble getting an engine to run, a fellow exhibitor came over and helped him out, which led to a friendship that grew over the years.
The Estevan show also provides a boost for the economy, with most participants spending two nights in the local hotels and eating at restaurants. Tytlandsvik doesn't charge anything to the exhibitors, as he has sponsors who support the show, and he is grateful to have their backing.
Dwight Punshon of Buffalo Pound said the Estevan gathering is a very good show. He always sees lots of good engines at the event, and he says he finds lots of unique displays. Punshon brought two engines with him, a Fairbanks Hit and Miss and a 1975 Dodge Colt four cylinder.
He's glad to have an event in Estevan because there aren't a lot of people in the southeast region who are into the hobby.
"We all come from quite a distance to come to this show," said Punshon.
He took up the hobby through his father, who was also into model engineering. He finds it to be very challenging and a rather enjoyable experience.
The show is the oldest event of its kind in North America.
