Have I missed something?

[Big Jim]

I don't know if I am about to open a can of worms of biblical proportions but what is the fall out between IP Engineering and the 16mm Association all about?
I have heard rumours that they are stopping production of 16mm stuff. There is a small mention in Garden Rail this month and IP's advert states that they won't be attending the 16mm show in april.
Its bad enough that there are issues with boiler inspections between various bodies/publications/individuals/federations.
The last thing that we as a hobby need is a mass fall out.

Standing by for flying rocks with 'mind yer own business' written on them.

[steamie1]

I'm all for peace and harmony especially when hobbies are the fun thing in life. Add money and the line becomes blurred. What were are bad about in this country is over egging the pudding. Safety with boilers is important but turning into a dogged regulation is not good. Balance and getting life in perspective.............

[sstjc]

It would be interesting to know what, if any, progress is being made toward stopping the need to test boilers under 3 barlitres. The people I know in model engineering societies don't actually want to test these but feel compelled to do so. It bad form when there are respected members of the 16mm fraternity telling people to avoid model engineering societies. And yet many societies now have very good 132mm and 45mm tracks. Seems to me that common sense should prevail within the rule makers and insurancers.

[Keith S]

I do hope Mr. Prior doesn't stop making rolling stock kits. There are other manufacturers with more expensive and detailed kits, but the IP rolling stock I have is nice looking and sturdy and I intend to buy more, especially those nice little 4-plank wagons.

[laalratty]

This is a matter I, and I expect others, have tried to keep off this forum, if only because of just how heated the arguments have become elsewhere. Basically, IP expressed concerns about the H&S aspects of loading the loco visiting from the Ffestiniog Railway at the end of the 2012 show (it was done whilst many traders were still packing up their stands). It appears he was ignored, and the same circumstance happened again at the end of the 2013 show. IP appears to have got angry, having seen his stand and stock nearly damaged, and another person nearly run over and said stuff he possibly shouldn't have said to stewards and board members.
This has lead to him not being invited to the 2014 show. HOWEVER, this is just a basic summery, the arguments and counter arguments go much greater then this, with accusations flying both ways, and is truly a sorry affair where people have not covered themselves in glory.

[Big Jim]

I apologise if I have brought up a sensitive subject.
As I said in my original post the last thing we need is a mass fall out.

[sstjc]

If you wish to know more go here https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/16mmngm/info
if you are not already a member join. Its a good group.
Do a search for IP engineering and i'm sure you won't miss it but be prepared to do a lot of reading.
What you do need to be aware of is the result, regardless of the rights and wrongs, is we are losing this major supplier from 16mm so if you get a chance buy now.

[pauly]

This is a matter I, and I expect others, have tried to keep off this forum, if only because of just how heated the arguments have become elsewhere. Basically, IP expressed concerns about the H&S aspects of loading the loco visiting from the Ffestiniog Railway at the end of the 2012 show (it was done whilst many traders were still packing up their stands). It appears he was ignored, and the same circumstance happened again at the end of the 2013 show. IP appears to have got angry, having seen his stand and stock nearly damaged, and another person nearly run over and said stuff he possibly shouldn't have said to stewards and board members.
This has lead to him not being invited to the 2014 show. HOWEVER, this is just a basic summery, the arguments and counter arguments go much greater then this, with accusations flying both ways, and is truly a sorry affair where people have not covered themselves in glory.

Nice to finally have someone say it, Iv heard all the rumbling but haven't known what was going on and everyone I asked either didn't want to talk or knew as little as I did
honestly if your not on the 16MM email thing (and Id rather jump off a cliff than sign up for that again) you'll just get left in the dust on topics that should be talked about and discussed to help forward their conclusion hopefully a positive one
all this whispering behind each others hands is just a breeding ground for rumors and misinformation and that only makes things worse, if everyone was just clear on whats going on stupid rumors wouldn't start (Iv heard all sorts of rumors about this)