We are excited to announce that the Bon Accord Steam Engine Club (BASEC) and the Ladies of Steam (LoS) have joined forces through an exclusive international partnership to support our collective interest in the preservation of steam.
The partnership, headed up by our committee member Leanne together with Jen and Nicole of LoS, means that BASEC are to be the only UK based supplier of LoS merchandise. Merchandise will be made, sold and dispatched from the UK meaning quicker turnaround times and reduced postage costs to our UK and European supporters. LoS have had direct input in the choice of suppliers and materials to ensure that the high standard of quality of LoS merchandise is maintained.
Leanne says “This partnership was a no brainer for us, having met up with Jen and Nicole when they were recently in the UK attending the Great Dorset Steam Fair and being keen supporters of their movement and international presence, we knew it was a great fit! LoS are a huge international presence and are committed to their ‘Women teaching women’ events.”
With BASEC’s 50th rally coming up next year, we are really proud that LoS have decided that they want to involve our club in their continued expansion into the steam scene in the UK. It really is an exciting time for both organisations.
BASEC have a large number of female members actively involved in the preservation of steam traction engines and wider efforts to preserve other vintage vehicles such as tractors, commercial vehicles and classic cars. Our very own “quines of steam” are frequently seen at rallies throughout Scotland any beyond. At last year’s Great Dorset Steam Fair, they took part in a group photograph with other UK based female steam enthusiasts and Jen and Nicole of LoS.
Leanne shares her views on women involved in steam preservation “[LoS] for me is the extra push we need to encourage women to really get involved in the preservation movement, understand the workings of traction engines and the basic engineering that went into these beautiful and powerful machines. I like when I see other females with their sleeves rolled up, spanners in hand, truly understanding the vehicles they are driving because after all, for these vehicles to remain in preservation and in road worthy condition, it really does take a village.”
LoS are based in Minnesota in the USA and travel to different rallies facilitating their “women teaching women” event where they offer a basic boiler overview and invite women and children in attendance to get on the footplate to be taught how to run the levers. Jen and Nicole also help with the University of Rollag Steam School which teaches students (approximately 70 per year) how to drive and operate American steam powered traction engines. A portion of proceeds from LoS merchandise sales goes towards scholarships for women attending steam schools throughout the United States. In Minnesota, operators of traction engines must pass a written exam, have a minimum of 25 hours in operation (verified by signed affidavit), and attend the 14-hour classroom instruction before they are allowed to operate them independently. Unlike the UK where there is no formal test to pass beyond a basic car licence with the exception of road rollers.
Merchandise will be sold via defined order windows on the BASEC shop with some exclusive UK designs and styles being created in close collaboration with LoS. Information on ordering and pricing will be available soon!
Check out our Facebook page for up to date information and news www.facebook.com/bonaccordsteamclub/
Keep up to date with Ladies of Steam at www.facebook.com/ladiesofsteam/
Some of our “quines of steam” showing off their Ladies of Steam merchandise