The Wylie-Mitchell Air Cadet Hall was animated, this past weekend, with a medley of machinery and pet projects, whirring, spinning and moving like chaotic clockwork. This year’s model engineering show was the 29th consecutive one that has taken place since its beginning in the Estevan Shoppers Mall.
The show, which ran on Oct. 15 and 16, attracted hobbyists, professionals and guests from a gamut of locations all across Canada and the U.S., who brought an assortment of projects from small engines and functional miniature tractors, to tools and guitars crafted out of sheet metal. Many of the creations were miniature replicas of larger industrial machines, such as cranes, or vehicles. One of the most common sights at the show was the large array of small model engines that exhibitors crafted to function just like their larger, historical counterparts.
Kelly Tytlandsvik, curator of the show, said there were a total of 42 exhibitors, showcasing 237 engines in the hall. He added the show he hosts in Estevan is the oldest continuous model engineering show in North America.
“There are bigger shows, but they’re in places like Detroit, and no matter where the show is taking place, you see the same thing—people helping each other out,” he said.
Tytlandsvik described the dynamic of model engineering shows as one of collaboration among people who build the assorted engines and gadgets, swapping stories of how they made a component work or what sort of parts they used to build their projects, often swapping or selling items at the event.
Richard James, an exhibitor who travelled from Valemount, B.C., was present at the show for the second time, and he had a number of small gas-powered engines set up at his table.
“The last time I was here was two years ago. I sometimes go to other shows, and this one is always a good outing, so I thought I’d come again,” said James. “It usually takes me a winter to build one of these engines. About five to six months for an engine, and for the tractor, it took me about two years.”
Tytlandsvik said he is pleased that the show has become a place where people often make connections, bonding over their common love of the hobby.
“There was a group of guys that used to do casting. They never met, but they were determined they were going to come here to meet,” said Tytlandsvik, describing the type of fellowship and networking that takes place at model engineering shows. “They came here about 15 years ago, met and have been coming ever since.”
This year, Tytlandsvik said he gained three new exhibitors, adding that with every addition there are a few losses. What that amounts to is a steady crowd of people with a passion for model engineering attending every year.
“It’s exciting to see new people showing interest, because it’s a unique hobby. You can’t go to Walmart and get the materials you need to do it, there. A guy will find a source and tells people or there’s trading,” said Tytlandsvik. “Not everyone comes every year, but people do come back other years. The show’s all about getting people into the hobby.”
In addition to the exhibitors, Tytlandsvik said there was a steady flow of guests, curious to check out what was on display. The busiest time, he noted, was when the hall was packed with guests, around lunch on Saturday.
Tytlandsvik expressed gratitude to the locals who helped set up tables at the show, adding that out of all the tables set up that weekend, there was only one left empty in the corner of the hall.
He said, “There’s always a connection here. You can always find something unique at these shows.”
