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[yogojr]

I'm part of a group called N.A.S.M.A or North American Steam Modelers Association. It was active on the East Coast of the U.S but membership declined to the point that the newsletter was discontinued due to lack of articles contributed by the members. This forum seems very active with some familiar names to me on the board like Nick Monahan and Don Galfur. I'm curious to see how many other folks from the U.S. are members of this forum. If you are "steaming in the U.S" please indicate if you are on the West Coast, East Coast or from the Mid-West.

[The Antipodean]

I live in the US and have a great interest in steam, but where does Tennessee fall into the poll?
At the moment I build small Thames River tugs but have the plans for two large vessels that would suit steam.

[kiwimodeller]

Sorry to hear of the demise of NASMA, I used to post a subscription to Steve and get some very useful newsletters even though I am on the other side of the world. When Tom took over I thought they were going to an email newsletter and a website but I guess it never happened. As usual I guess all the work was left to a few but as I say it is a pity, they seemed to arrange some good events and were always helpful. It seems the steam scene is a little different in the USA to the UK and it is always good the hear what is going on so heres hoping that our US correspondents will keep on posting here on Mayhem. Cheers, Ian.

[yogojr]

Ian,

This is Tom and agree that the demise of NASMA was unfortunate but it came down to lack of interest. The only contributor was Jeff Bennett so the newsletter was becoming an update on just mine and Jeff's projects. The email and website idea went over like water in the firebox as more than 80% of the email addresses I had on file were bad and no one outside of yourself and less than a handful of others responded with current email addresses so the decision was made to fold.

Nick and Don Galfur (Dave G) turned me onto this forum and its great. A boatload of great information here.

We are having a steam regatta at the St. Michael's Maritime Museum this weekend on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. We are expecting about a half dozen boats. I'll post some pictures of the event next week.

[MONAHAN STEAM MODELS]

Hey Tom,

Welcome to the forum! I'm glad to see you on here.

Speaking of steam events in the U.S., we are putting on another all steam model boat event again this August 8th at Speckles Lake in Golden Gate Park which is in San Francisco. We had a great turn out at last years event with many boats both on display as well as being operated, so we have been asked to make this an annual event from now on. Anyone is welcome to bring a boat and participate. Last year we had folks traveling to the Steam Up from as far as 600 miles away. 

[mogogear]

Steaming in Portland Oregon..,

There are only two live steamers in my club

http://www.pmpba.org/

With a third about to join...We have had some members up from San Fransisco club  before, including Ken Valk from Wet Goose, but no steamers have made the trip 

greg

[yogojr]

Antipodean: Crossville TN since its on Eastern time we'll say East Coast. If memory serves me correctly there is a regatta that takes place in Chattanooga on a fairly regular basis - correct? Isn't there are a handful or so of steamers down there? Is the ferry that use to cross the TN River between Dayton and Athens still operating?

Nick: I'm not sure if I'm glad you turned me on to this forum or not! I'm spending too much time on this thing. 

Greg: Thanks for the link. While you said that there are only three steamers the general group looks active. Wish we had that here in the Mid-Atlantic area. The closest active steam group for me is up in South Orange, NJ. Great group of guys but not very computer/internet savvy so no web presence.

[The Antipodean]

Everything you just asked me is news to me. I moved to America ten years ago and don't get to travel too much due to work obligations.
Chattanooga is a little far away for regular outing but we do have a few nice lakes here. Haven't been able to find too many people interested in scale models around here, mostly it is cars and a few planes with a lot of trains thrown in as well. It would seem that being so far away from an actual area with lots of full size vessels there is little to attract attention.
I have been posting on the local forums and at most I get a few responses about how my boats look and where did I buy them.

Maybe I will take a jaunt down to Chattanooga soon and see what there is is.

[kiwimodeller]

Welcome aboard Tom, over the years this forum has got me out of trouble many times so I am sure you will find it useful even if it is addictive!. Not quite the "down home" atmosphere of the NASMA letters but still great reading and I will look forward to seeing pictures of the events you go to. I have just started a River Queen on a Kingston hull with a Gage single cylinder and a WADA variable pitch prop. Got a couple of other projects on the go too so I guess I better get the camera out and keep up my end of the bargain. Cheers, Ian.

[HS93 (RIP)]

Maybe I will take a jaunt down to Chattanooga soon and see what there is is.

Before anybody else says it "would you go by Train"  on the choo choo   

Peter

[yogojr]

Antipodean,

Here's a link to the Chattanooga club but it appears they haven't been active in a while. http://www.vac-u-boat.com/cmbc.htm

Tom

[The Antipodean]

Thanks Tom,
Their forum seems to have been inactive for a while but they do have a 2010 schedule up so I may contact them to see how they handle out of towners turning up for a visit.

Ian

[mogogear]

There are a couple of clubs in Portland--a sailing club and an active tug presence more towards Seattle- and Seattle has a club also. Also a military combat ship group.I am sure there is a hydro / and or fast electric group- but as a steamer that would not include me except as "bait"


We are the "older  modelers" group with many work and tug boats, some Pt Boats and many large scale warships--- with 4 or more 10'-12' + battleships and carriers etc in the club--The Enterprise, Bismarck, New Jersey, Missouri and Titanic and Oregon.

I am fairly active on many forums - mostly steam - but I also found that our club just does not do any forum communication. Most members don't seem to do much on the web except buy parts.

But we have a good time-- maybe 30 members.

Antipodean--Good luck finding someone to share the hobby with ! It sure makes it more fun..

[The Antipodean]

I just did a search for model boat clubs in Tennessee, Chattanooga is the only one I get back each time.
Luckily my wife is very interested in coming out to sail with me, I build them and she will sail them, well, the ones I will let her sail.
Hopefully as the fleet grows not only in number but dimensions there may be some more interest generated.