Skip to main content

Do I have any other interests ?

 Meet Stephen Meredith – A Life in Steam, Oil, and Dirty Hands.


I'm Stephen Meredith – that's me on the left, alongside my wife Nina, who keeps me grounded and gently reminds me when it's time to move something (or fix it!).

YouTube Channel Trailer

I'm 52 now, but my passion for steam and engineering began in early childhood – starting with model railways and radio-controlled boats/planes, a shared hobby with my father. Over the years, that interest blossomed into a lifelong commitment to model engineering, vehicle restoration, and anything that steams, spins, or makes a noise.

At 17, I joined my local model railway club and started building layouts for public display around the country. One of my most ambitious projects was recreating Bridgnorth Station on the Severn Valley Railway – first as a fixed home layout, then as a portable version to allow public exhibition. It’s a detailed and faithful reproduction in 1:76 (4mm - 00 scale) to the real thing, incorporating gala day running and up-to-date scenic features. While it’s yet to be exhibited, the layout is still fully operational and continues to evolve and used as a test track. 

My interests didn’t stop with railways. In model boating, I enjoyed both scale models and fast powerboats – until local restrictions clipped my wings. One of my last power boats was retired over 17 years ago but still features on my YouTube channel, with over 3,500+ views and counting. Nowadays, I focus more on electric boats, occasionally attending illuminated night runs with scale models boats that have navigation lights to aid night running.

Kawasaki Model Boat Video. (26cc Flymo engine, water-cooled and put into I believe a Remora Hull).

Then came my foray into live steam engineering.

Trojan Steam Engine- a simple single cylinder double acting engine designed by Edgar T Westbury. A nice model, and since a lot of my fathers petrol engines were to the Westbury design's. I figured it was going to be a well thought out engine, worth making. Intended for a steam launch but this along with its boiler currently sits in my model display section in the garage.

1" Minnie Traction Engine (Video)

1" Minnie Traction Engine- my next build, a miniature masterpiece that took 12 years to complete. It runs perfectly and brings steam power to my own back garden. But as lovely as it is, it was too small for rally fields. So I took the next leap: 3 times bigger.

 3” (Plastow) Burrell- a serious engineering project that has tested my skills and made full use of my workshop tools. COVID lockdowns, oddly enough, gave me uninterrupted time to dive deep into this build – I like to think I’m four years ahead of schedule because of it.

I’m also the proud owner of:

  • BSA B40 motorcycle - Restored to running state and CBT test done, now just thinking...

  • Jensen Healey classic car - Needs Oil change 2 more shows booked this year...

  • Vauxhall Nova GSI - Currently in the garage out of ticked, SORN. (Awaiting next step) 

These vehicles have been regularly shown at classic and steam events – the Jensen in particular makes a perfect dual-purpose showpiece.

Beyond steam and mechanics, I dabble in:

  • Amateur radio (callsign DT-337)

  • Electronics & restoration.

  • Web development and video blogging.

  • Snooker, Golf and Park Running.

  • Playing the Ukulele for 2 band (and learning guitar & repairing/luthier Ing!) The ukulele, less so to concentrate on the Burrell.

Some might call it scattered – I call it thoroughly lived. I aim to pack as much into life as I can, balancing it all with family life and the occasional “Stephen, can you just…” from Nina.


Feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions while reading these blog updates—I'm always happy to reply.

Whether you have a suggestion for a future post, a question about something specific, or simply want to say you’ve found the blog interesting, your feedback is always welcome. It helps guide the direction of future content and is genuinely appreciated.

contact me with the below details to leave some personal feedback or add a public comment on the blog.    meredithstephen1.gmail.com 

Alternatively if you are a member of traction talk, I get notifications from there or simply add a comment via YouTube on one of my many videos of the engines / show reports models or builds. I will receive feedback that way, it all helps to keep blog updates relevant and hopefully interesting.

Finally I moderate the 3" Burrell builder's group on Facebook so actively take an interest in other peoples activity and builds so keep up the good work!  

Until Next month, stay safe, make swarf and be the best you can be.

Yes, can you believe it? My wife is still with me.  

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

1" Minnie Traction Engine By Stephen Meredith   Background Working Progress (Gears) Front End Parts Following the completion of a small marine steam engine "Trojan Engine", I decided to tackle a larger project. Having visited various shows and the model engineers Exhibition, I decided to buy the Construction book for building the popular 1" scale 'Minnie' traction engine. The initial workshop experience was limited but keen to learn, and research has enabled me to get it this far. A s can be seen, this is basically finished well almost, it steams, and runs well a few tweaks are needed but tweaks don’t make piles of swarf. The intention was to show the engine and run it, at rallies but what I really wanted was a capable engine that could pull an adult or (me) on a field. This engine was, therefore, a stepping stone to be able to tackle the engine I wanted. After research, I bought a set of drawings for the Plastow 3” Bur...
Post a Comment
Read more

Bridgnorth Mini-Gala Featuring Traction engines.

 Bridgnorth Mini-Gala Featuring Steam Road Miniatures. (Pictures from Saturday 1/11/25)  Bridgnorth Mini Gala: End of Season Steam Inspiration Bridgnorth once again marked the close of the running season with its Miniature Steam Gala , a compact but characterful gathering of miniature road vehicles, steam lorries, and traction engines . The event has become a highlight for enthusiasts, and this year’s display was every bit as enjoyable as before. My attendance was unplanned — much like the previous year — but that seems to be part of the charm. What began as an impromptu visit quickly turned into another opportunity to watch a fine collection of engines in steam. The station car park was once again transformed into a working yard of miniature traction engines, all hissing, chuffing, and radiating warmth against the chill of early November. It’s a real credit to the owners and crews who take the trouble to bring their engines out at this time of year. Keeping steam up in unp...
Post a Comment
Read more

Penultimate Post this year. (2025)

 Penultimate Post this year. Reversing Lever                                                             Regulator Lever < Left reverser working progress hand modelled by me.  Not a huge amount to show for this month, but I did make a solid start on the reversing bracket and lever. I’ve had the metal for this part for well over 12 months, so it’s satisfying to finally see it taking shape. The plan is for it to eventually be mounted on the tender, but for now—once finished—it can sit on the shelf and look decorative. The regulator lever was part started but is now fully completed.  In my next post I’ll try to put together an end-of-year photo, Year-6 round-up: all the current progress assembled or balanced together for a group photo, similar to last year’s. It’s a useful reminder of how far things have come over the ...
Post a Comment
Read more