Raising Steam 1993 Vol.7 No.4

EDITOR

STEAM APPRENTICECLUB MAGAZINE

Steph Gillett, 93 Devon Road, Easton, Bristol BS5 6ED.

CHAIR,STEAMAPPRENTICECLUB

Sylvia Dudley, 12 Hillway, Woburn Sands, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire MKl 7 8UL

MEMBERSHIPSECRETARY

John Cook, Dolfarni, Church Lane, Kirby la Thorpe, Sleaford, Lincolnshire NG34 9NU

The Editor welcomes any contributions of articles, shorter items or photographs for inclusion in future issues. All material submitted is voluntary and payment cannot be made for any material published. The opinions expressed in the magazine, with the exception of Club announcements, are those of the contributors and do not indicate the views of the Club as a whole. All items are held copyright by the contributor and the NTET.

Please send your contributions to the Editor at least five weeks before publication. Typed articles are preferred but not essential. If handwritten put any names of PEOPLE, PLACES or ENGINES in BLOCK CAPITALS. If you require any part of your article (eg. photoa) J·eturning please say so and enclose a stamped addressed envelope. Enclose your name, address and (if an Apprentice) age with any contribution.

The Editor reHm·veAthe right t,oamend or refuse contributions, and will attempt to correct spelling nndgrnmmar!

The Magazine iHnonna1lypublisheddutingthe early part of January,April,July and October.

The Steam Apprnntico Club is a aoction of the National Traction Engine Trust. N'rb.~ is a Regiotor~d Chnrity, No.291578. Registered in England No.1302197. Registered Offico: Forum Hou,.~e,1-6 Millmead, Middlesex TW18 4UQ

TypesettingbyTilsetServices,22Prestbury,Yate,BristolB8174LB.Tel:0454314279. PrintedbyEconomicPrintingCompany,245StapletonRoad,Bristol.

FROM THE EDITOR

SORRY, THANK YOU and PLEASE! Apologies first of all to James Ettle of Eastleigh for changing his name to Joanne in the Membership List, just goes to show that I can't read my own writing! I hope there weren't any other mistakes, but please let me know of any errors or omissions. Apologies also to younger readers who are following the· adventures of Grace and Jamie, there just hasn't been enough time to write the next episode. More about them and the Emperor in the next issue.

Secondly, grateful thanks to everyone who responded to my appeal for articles, some of which appear in this edition, keep them coming! Thanks also to everyone who took part in the Colouring and Photographic Competitions. In my haste to return all your entries I forgot to make a note of the names of everyone who took part, but well done to you all. I look forward to next year's competitions.

Thanks also to Mamod, who are to put a leaflet publicising the SAC with every model steam engine they sell. It will be interesting to see if this results in a rush of new members. If you know somewhere we could publicise the SAC or sell copies of Raising Steam, tell me and I will follow it up.

Finally, some more requests. I thought it was time to ask you again for your comments on the magazine, and also for ideas about SAC activities. Please complete and return the enclosed 1993 Membership Survey questionnaire.ha national club we need more adults and older members to help organise and run events and activities for the members, please let me know if you would like to help in some way. Lots of ral1ies offer us the opportunity to run an SAC activity at their event but we just don't have enough volunteers to do so at them all.

I have received an invitation from the Severn Valley Railway to take a party booking on one of their steam trains at special reduced rates. It is too late to organise anything for this year, but if you like the idea of an SAC outing, or two, next year, to this or other railways, etc. please let me know.

By the time you receive this the rally season will be over and engine owners and their volunteers will be starting the winter reprurs, rebuilds and cleaning. Why not use one of these dark evenings to drop me a line with news about your winter activities, or a description of your favourite rally of the summer? I hope you all had a safe and enjoyable season and that the adu.1ts running the events set a good example for you to follow. I witnessed some very stupid and dangerous things at one or two rallies, and it didn't seem to matter whether it was NTET authorised or not. At one event I watched in horror as a child on a toy tractor was towed by a Field Marshall around the site, I do hope the youngster gets to know better. h this will be the last magazine of 1993, I'll finish by wishing you a very happy Christmas and hope that you enjoy this and any other festival you may be eel ebra ting • between now and January.

Steph Gillett September 1993

RALLY ROUND

Other commitments this year, (not the least having a small baby around!), meant that I have not visited some of my regular haunts. Hence no reports of the North Nibley, Bath, Upton-on-Severn, Bishops Lydeard or Yesterday's Farming events, nor did I get to the new Wincanton rally. However, some enjoyable events were included in my pers9nal calendar, including some I have not been to before.

Very clqse to home towards the end of June was the Bristol Leisure and Motor Show on Durdham Down. Glorious sunshine on the Sunday greeted the engine line-up arranged by Nick Baker, who was also showing his Pilgrim Railway. Road rollers were represented by a Wallis & Steevens Advance type and two by Aveling & Porter. Variety was provided by the Burrell crane engine 3197 (AB8904) Old Tim, a Fowler K7 ploughing engine, a Sentinel wagon and the Garrett Suffolk Punch tractor 33180 (BJ4483) The Joker.

Gjving rides around the outside of the event was the Grenville Steam Carriage of 1875. This 'engine', not listed in the Traction Engine Register, its narrow wheels having proved too much for the soft ground on site, is owned by Bristol Museum and I hope to feature an article about it in a future edition of Raising Steam.

Another Bristol event, and one of my favourites, not just because it's free, is the Steam Festival held in the City Docks in July; perhaps 'around' rather than 'in' would be more accurate. In addition to steam tugs and launches, a steam crane and

The Grenville Steam Carriage of 1875 takes to the highway during the Bristol Leisure and Motor Show.

Avonside steam locomotive, this event mustered ten steam road vehicles, six of them road rollers. Most were local engines, many of which had already been out and about earHer in the season. All engines took to the roads of Bristol on the Sunday morning, including ex-Dingles Aveling 12 ton roller 8548 (AF4442) Britannia of 1915 from Abergavenny, Garrett Suffolk Punch tractor The Joker, Foden wagon 11850 (MB9404) Superior, Burrell show tractor 3631 (OR2729) Kathleen and the Grenville Steam carriage.

Elsewhere is an article by Kate Leamon on the Somerset Steam Spectacular at Low Ham, so I won't go into details here. Just to say that I got the impression that Kate and her brother Rupert, Stephen and Jason Brackstone, James Duncombe and Ben Sutton, the Steam Apprentices who joined us on the Saturday, all seemed to enjoy themselves thoroughly. Francis and I took advantage of a ride in the cab of Foden steam wagon Superior, noisy but warmer than riding in the back. There were thirtyone full-size engines, plus a White steam car and several miniatures. A photo feature of the rally will appear in the next magazine.

2

Fowler road locomotive heavy haulage at the Pickering Rally. Left to Right: No.8920 (SG4713) The Great North of 1901, No.15323 (HR3697) Excelsior of 1918 and No.17106 (KD2826) Duke of York of 1928.

Lythgoe super-power at the Pickering Event! Showman's road locomotive Burrell No.3093 Dreadnought hauls Burrell No.4030 Dolphin, Fowler No.19783 King Carnival II, McLaren No.1623 Goliath, Foden No.2104 Prospector, Burrell No.3118 Dreadnought and Clayton & Shuttleworth No.48385 Wold Ranger.

A week's holiday in the North Yorkshire Moors provided us all with the opportunity to visit the 40th Anniversary Pickering Traction Engine Rally. This is the largest quality steam event in the North of England, according to their very nice programme, which however had several errors and omissions in the engine details . It was a smashing show, but sadly not on the Free Rally List for SAC members, although Sylvia pudley was present with the National sales stand. I counted 56 engines, many of which were working threshing machines or saw benches, spread across a very large site:

But for me the most impressive aspect was the Grand Parade of Showman's Road Locomotives and Tractors, some twenty of them, which finished with Frank Lythgoe's 8NHP Burrell 3093 (AY9682) Dreadnought of 1909 hauling Burrell 4030 Dolphin, Fowler 19783 King Carnival II, McLaren 1623 Goliath, Foden 2104 Prospector, Burrell 31i8 alsoDreadnought, and Clayton &Shuttleworth48385 Wold Ranger. Six engines, a total load of around 90 tons, all adding up to a very dramatic performance with plenty of smoke, steam and smuts!

Sadly the otherwise excellent event was marred by a complete lack of car park marshalling at the end of the day, causing a huge traffic jam, many bad tempers and the usual crop of thoughtless, selfish drivers leapfrogging the many queues. This was a great shame, and an otherwise thoroughly enjoyable day was spoilt by sitting for an hour in the car, something hungry four month old babies are not very good at doing!

Another 'Anniversary' this year was the Fairford Traction Engine Rally & Show, celebrating its Silver Jubilee after 25 years, but the first time I had attended. I've obviously been missing out, as a friendlier more interesting rally would be hard to

find. We had been invited to hold an SAC 'Training Event' on the Sunday morning, so Francis and I went up early to make any necessary arrangements. The organisers were very accommodating and we were introduced to all the engine owners, most of whom were very happy to have an Apprentice join them. Things got a bit behind the original schedule, and it wasn't until later in the day that we announced the opportunity for SAC members to take part. It turned out that the only Steam Apprentices present were already members of engine crews, and it was good to meet up with Simon Preston and Steven Wyatt from Oxfordshire. We also had a demonstration of the driving and steering skills of Matthew Honeybun from Lymington, Hampshire, when Francis and I were kindly allowed a ride on the family road roller, Wallis & Steevens 7724 (CR6315) Clausentum, during the ring parade. But what a shame that there weren't more SAC members present, we had about

Close-up of the scarifier on the award winning Burrell road roller No.3956 (HT8219) of 1923 at Fairford.

fifty engines lined up for you! Our thanks anyway to the organisers, especially Tim Yells, for their efforts on our behalf.

It would be interesting to know which rallies SAC members do go to and whether the Free Rally List is being used. Please take a little time to fill in and return the enclosed questionnaire.

I won't try and list all the traction engines I noted at the Great Dorset Stearn Fair, yet another 'Anniversary Show', it would take up most of the magazine if I did! Those who have been to the Dorset Show, (I don't think we can call it a rally these days), will know that you need a lot of time and energy, a good sense of direction and some luck, to see every engine. In the limited time I had to look around this year I concentrated on the ploughing engines and the heavy haulage section. One year I would like to see the steam wagon and tractor exhibits but these seem to be in the habit of hiding in the camping areas or disappearing over the horizon as soon as I get to the field. I didn't even get as far as the special Aveling Porter exhibition.

RAISING STEAM AT LOW HAM

ByKateLeamon Aged15

AB in accordance with the last thirty-seven years, the third weekend in July signifies the Somerset Steam Spectacular, or the Langport Steam Rally.

This year my brother and I were asked if we would like to help with some of the engines, t.o which we readily agreed. We arrived at ·the unusually quiet field at nine thirty to be introduced to the owners who were busily preparing their engines. I worked on a Fodens steam lorry No.11850 Superior owned by Colin Wait, while my brother worked on a Showmans Burrell No.3631 Kathleen owned by Kevin Gamlen.

At once, I was given the job of polishing brass, which wasn't nearly as boring as it is when I have to do it at home! After checking I could see my face in everything I had polished, I had the job of removing the bras so or "clean dirt" as it's called off my hands. Whilst doing this I observed how to clean out the ash pan and fire and then how to get the fire going by pouring paraffin onto a rag and igniting it.

Whilst waiting for the lorry to reach its correct pressure, five of us had a very interesting lesson on how the forward and reverse mechanisms work, given by Alan Whjte, owner ofNo.16134 Progress. After that, we had a chance to enjoy the rest of the show, browsing around the sta11s and scrutinising the other engines before parading around the arena and giving a version of the regal wave to the crowds. Al1 in all, it was definitely a very educational and enjoyable day out and I hope to see some more of you there next year!

WEETING SILVER ANNIVE'RSARY

PaulDavis

Age16.

Back in 1968, 28 local engines attended the first Weeting Steam Engine Rally. This event came about after engines had appeared in the Wee ting village fete and carnival in previous years. Twenty five years on, in July 1993, the same site at Weeting, near Brandon, Suffolk, played host to the largest steam engine rally yet held in the area.

Just over 100 engines attended the event, these ranging from the oldest surviving Burrell traction engine Century, (incidentally owned by the organiser, Mr. Richard Parrott), right through to an immaculate 1934 Sentinel steam wagon. Agricultural engines are always well represented at this rally and 1993 was no exception. Many of these were Burrells, having been built, at nearby Thetford. Most of these were local, regularly attending the rally, such as l909Princess but others had come from further afield. One of these was a 5NIIP 'Devonshire 1 type called Little Mac which had come down from Congleton in Cheshire. Another visitor to East Anglia was Daphne owned by Mr Nick Baker which had travelled up from Dorset.

Two of the seven sm•viyjng Fowell engines were present, these being No. 91 built in 1903, and No. 93 built in 1905. The latter engine has just undergone a major rebuild and is now in superb condition. Another make of engine with few survivors

Burrell engine Princess was at Weeting this year. This engine has recently been rebuilt.

is Davey Paxman of Colchester. A shining example attended the rally, this being No. 13073 Victoria. This engine has recently been repainted in its original livery of dark blue.

Other makes of general purpose engine included Fowler, Marshall, Ruston Proctor (and Ruston Hornsby) and Wallis & Steevens.

Steam rollers were well represented and there were examples to be found by Aveling & Porter (surprise, surprise!), Burrell, Fowler, Marshall and Wallis & Steevens. One Burrell roller was at work on a road making display. No. 3993 is a compound 8 tonner and has been based in the Thetford area all its life.

Among the many steam tractors present was a Garrett 4CD (N o.31633, built 1913), called Mr. Potter. This engine was driven to the event from Stanstead in Essex. It was rescued from a playground many years ago in an incomplete state. It was then repaired using what was left from another totally derelict Garrett diesel conversion. The remains were successfully amalgamated and the result was a good engine, fast on the road.

Not many McLaren tractors are still with us, but one of the few survivors was at Weeting. Bluebell was one of the last engines built by McLarens of Leeds in 1936. It had to be completely rebuilt following an accident whilst roading the engine home on the Al a few years ago It was classed as a total 'write-off but was running again fairly soon.

An unusual tractor was Tasker 'Little Giant' crane No.1833. This engine was built in 1921 as a roller and was converted later. It is fitted with a front mounted crane and looks smart in its plain black livery.

Talking of crane engines, Weeting was host to a special gathering, possibly the first in preservation years. All four remaining Burrell crane engines were at the rally. These were Old Tim owned by Dave Allen, (still carrying its original paintwork after

Tasker B2 Class crane tractor No.1833 (MD5864) The Fox of .1921joins the engine line at Weeting.

Fowler BNHP Showman's engine No.9475 (BS8015) Duke of Rutland was at Weeting.

83 years!), crane conversion Lord Derby owned by Richard Parrott, His Majesty owned by L.J. Searle, and the last crane built by Burrells, The Lark, belonging to R. Crawford. This quartet of engines was lined up in the arena a couple of times to allow photographers to record this rare sight.

1993 saw the largest number of showman's engines ever to have been at the rally. Some of these had come a long way such as 8NHP Burrell Princess Mary from Dorset, and4NHPFowlertractorD.C.

VerfromNottinghamshire.Dr.J.Middlernissbrought his 1914 5NHP Burrell The Busy Bee from Huntingdon, whilst his son, Mr. J.W. Middlemiss exhibited another 5NHP Burrell, this being his 1915 builtNero. This fine engine is usually based near Norwich and is a regular attender at this rally.

Fowler showman's Duke Of Rutland was also at the rally. Thie engine started life as an 8NHP road loco and was exported to Australia. A rarer showman's engine present was the Brown & May General Buller. This 1912 engine was built at Devizes in Wiltshire and is the only remaining showman's engine of twelve built.

Weeting always has a good variety of working displays with many engines being employed on threshing and wood sawing demonstrations. A large field was being used for steam ploughing, this display using two pairs of Fowler engines and the now unique pair ofBurrells. The latter pair of engines can usually be found at the Museum of East Anglian Life at Stowmarket, Suffolk.

The view from Garrett tractor No.33295 (NH5567) Princess Royal of 1918, the engine which Paul worked on at Weeting.

Add to this huge array of steam engines a large selection of tractors, vintage cars, commercial vehicles, motorcycles, a large Fairground and hundreds of stalls and you will get some idea of the size of the show.

The rally always starts on the Friday, making it three days long, although not all the exhibits get there by Friday morning. We were fortunate in having good weather

for most of the rally apart from a few light (some of them not so light!) showers of rain on the Friday. Fortunately the ground there is very sandy so the site never gets waterlogged.

There were so many new things to see this year, I wish I had been given more time to look around, but as I was working on Garrett tractor 33295 Princess Royal it was hard to see everything and look after an engine at the same time.

Probably the most celebrated exhibit there this year was the replica Rocket on loan from the National Railway Museum at York. This highly accurate copy of Stephenson's famous-engine was in steam and running on a specially laid track.

The Saturday evening saw a special opening of the Charles Burrell Museum at Thetford; and many people went along. Some of the faster engines also took a road run to nearby Brandon. Just before it got dark, most of the showman's engines drove up to the Fair. As soon as darkness fell the engines were all generating and the sight of all these showman's engines lit up at night was something worth remembering. This went on until about 11.45pm. We could still hear engines clattering back to their parking spaces at about 12.15am.

The Sunday morning dawned bright and clear and the day passed well like the others. The 'Engine Owners Tug-of-War' was quite good with about fifty engine owners and crew on one end of the rope, and a Garrett steam tractor on the other. Both sides took up the strain when the rope suddenly broke and fifty people landed in a big heap on the ground! This happened twice before they gave up. I think a stronger rope will-be among the items on the shopping list for next year's rally!

We had good weather on the Sunday, and large crowds turned up. All too soon, however, it was time to load the engines up ih readiness for their journey home and for everyone to go their separate ways until next year. It was a great three days and I hope to see this rally still going strong at its 50th anniversary in 2018!

PS. The 26th Weeting Rally will take place in the middle of July again next year, so if you haven't been before, it's we11worth a visit. If you go, I feel sure you'll want to be there again the year after!

STEAM APPRENTICE CLUB AT DORSET STEAM FAIR

As in previous years, members of the Steam Apprentice Club took part in a variety of events and activities at the Dorset Steam Fair, commencing with 'Breakfast on a Shovel' on the Saturday morning.

Some twenty Apprentices gathered round the prepared traction engines; Burrell road locomotive 3917 Triumph, 1873 Fowler ploughing engine 2013Noreen, Marshall general purpose engine 51025 Margaret, McLaren 757 Loyalty and the half-size model of Burrell single crank compound No.2644, Little George, built in 1975.. It was not 1ong before everyone was tucking in to plates of sausages, bacon and eggs, all cooked to varying degrees of crispness in the fireboxes of the five engines. Also available for the interest of Apprentices was a half-size replica Fowler l0NHP Ploughing Engine, built in 1870 and rebuilt by John Allen of Oxford in 1917.

Saturday afternoon began with the annual meeting of the SAC in the hospitality tent of the NTET. A special feature was the announcement of the winners of the Photographic and Colouring Competitions. For the second year running members competed for the Dorset Trophy shield, donated to the Club by NTETmember Stuart Pryke. The winners were as follows:

Photographic Competition

Up to 15 Years Old:

FIRST PRIZE James Duncombe, aged 13, of Gillingham, Dorset

SECOND PRIZE Russell McKee, aged 13, of Ripley, Derbyshire

THIRD PRIZE Paul Coupland, aged 12 of Skegness, Lincolnshire

16 Years and Over: ,

FIRST PRIZE

Anthony Coulls, aged 19, of Leamington Spa, Warwickshire

SECOND PRIZE Graham Avery, aged 20, of Cranleigh, Surrey

THIRD PRIZE Ann Collier, aged 20, of Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire

Overall Winner

James Duncombe

James takes over the Dorset Trophy from last year's winner, Anthony Coulls, and keeps the shield until next time. Thanks to NTET members John Cook and Dick Blenk.insop who joined Sylvia and I as judges.

Colouring Competition

FIRST PRIZE

JemmaDowey, aged 9, ofBarnsley, Yorkshire

SECOND PRIZE

Gary Bainbridge, aged 8, of Nottingham

THIRD PRIZE

Ian Kennedy, aged 7, of Poole, Dorset •

Judging was by artist Christine Wells, who drew the original outline of a Fowler road roller, Paul Appleton of Old Glory, with Sylvia and myself again. An extra prize was awarded to Ashley Crane, aged 2½, of Cotgrave, Nottinghamshire, whose colourful entry was HIGHLY COMMENDED. Congratulations to everyone, whether a winner or not, for your entries. The standard in both the colouring and photographic competitions was very high and I look forward to next year's entries. A selection of the winning photos are shown on pages 12 to 14. Following the prize giving, Dr. Alan White explained some of the principles behind a steam engine using his model of Stephenson's Valve Gear. Finally Apprentices had the opportunity to look at, ride on and steer a number of traction engines, ploughing engines and road rollers, thanks to the efforts of Steve Parrott, Robert Oliver of the Steam Plough Club, the Road Roller Association, and all the engine owners and crews who once again demonstrated their willingness to encourage younger enthusiasts.

Stuck in the Mud - 1 '

One of James Dunscombe's prize-winning entries. Fowler 16NHP BB ploughing An engine No.15452 (SD9377) Dread.nought extracts itself from the mire at Farmer No

Gile's farmstead at Teff ont, Wiltshire, in June. trac, ,Au~

G.

<:=-5.~ s photos! thi 6Nl Ma j

One o/\J tractiol• No.97( was ph, Coupla. 16's) at Steam, Cornwc

Little "n' Large! thony Coulls' winning photo of Burrell .2336 (E5113) Stanley Monarch BNHP tion engine of 1900 at Bishop's Castle in rust 1992, with a miniature of the same engine.

raham Avery got up at 10am to take one of his :econd Prize (over 16's) This is a little later in :! day, showing Burrell lP agricultural engine No.2933 (CF3507) lrmaduke at the Chase r.JospitalRally in May.

:,nly seven Fawell i engines to survive, c=:> CE7893) Black Prince otographed by Paul nd (3rd Prize under the 10th Trevithick Day 'Parade in Camborne, ill, April 1993

Russell McKee, 13, took Second Prize in his age group with an entry including this shot of Fowler No.14406 (CJ4338) Pandora of 1917 at this year's Rother Valley event.

Stuck in the Mud - 2 Fowler 22NHP Z7 ploughing engine No.15670 of 1922 taken at Waddesdon Working Steam Rally in September 1992 by Ann Collier, who took Third Prize in the over 16's class.

A selection of the Photographic and Colouring Competition Prizes

_MAILBAG

Dear Steph,

What an interesting article about threshing. I found it very informative and clear. As a result I looked up threshing in Harold Bonnett's book Farming With Steam. -No wonder that ~team threshing caused social unrest and anxiety among farm labourers. - Quoting from the book, "Whereas a good flailman (some one who threshes grain by a hand implement) could thresh just under two sacks a day, the steam outfit with nine men and a boy produced about seventy sacks of betterdressed grain in the same time."

Best Wishes

Vicky Marshall Shapwick, Bridgwater, Somerset

Dear Steph,

Further to the letter from member Graham Avery, in the Summer '93 edition of Raising Steam, announcing his acquisition of a Sisson's marine engine.

Graham's engine is one of a marine type manufactured by W. Sisson and Son, Gloucester, rated at between 4 & 5NHP depending on boiler working pressure. They were used in providingpowerfor auxiliaries aboard ship i.e. generating and pumping air and water.

Sisson became part of Bellis & Morcom, Birmingham who were later taken over by Broom-W ade/Compair and Rolls Royce. Engines of similar outward design were built by Reader of Nottingham, and Marshall of Gainsborough. From the photograph, Graham's engine was built for driving machines. It is still complete with its barringmechanism and slotted flywheel. This is used to move the engine onto stroke so that as soon as steam at between 160-lS0psi is applied, the engine will start smoothly and run up to speed. Some were fitted with speed governors for generating, but for pumping only a rev. counter would be required and speed would be controlled by the main steam valve. In the photo the gauge at the bottom right-hand of the crankcase is the rev. counter, belt driven from the crankshaft pulley. The upper gauge is the oil pressure gauge.

The pressure can be adjusted for different working conditions. The cylinders were mounted on pedestals above the crank case to keep the reciprocating parts in the crankcase becoming contaminated with condensate from the cylinder glands. The top of the crankcase is recessed and channels have been cast-in to take away condensate to a common drain. Special non-emulsifying oils would be used to maintain good lubrication.

Sisson developed this design to create an instructional steam engine for use in Technical Colleges when these were introduced in the 1930s. They had a modified slide valve fitted with adjustable cut-off, and piped and cocked for taking Indicator diagrams. This is a machine that plots the work being done in the cylinder. With a static load-test rig the engine could be run loaded, to demonstrate the efficiency of steam at varying cut-offs. When standing they should be left with all drain cocks open to avoid frost damage. Similarly take off the crankcase door and remove any condensate.

I happen to be the custodian of a Sisson's instructional and can testify to the excellent workmanship of this type. They run as quietly as the proverbial sewing machine.

I wish Graham lots of good fun in his restoration, and would advise him to ensure the engine stands on a good firm base before running under steam. Any traction engine or roller boiler is suitable for providing the steam through suitable high pressure steam piping.

Yours faithfully, Trevor R. Daw Beausale, Warwick.

Dear Steph,

Reference your request in the latest Steaming magazine for steam apprenticeships.

I currently own and rally an 1898 single cylinder agricultural engine which I have rebuilt from a 'kit of parts' so hopefully can be classed as having some working knowledge.

The engine is used for working demonstrations where possible. I also have an interest in steam ploughing and participate where possible by driving one of a pair of Fowlers owned by a colleague.

If there is anyone reasonably local to the Hythe/Sellindge area perhaps I can be of help.

Yours sincerely, A.M. Slingsby

Hythe,

Kent.

Please let me know if' you are interested and live in this area. Ed.

NEW MEMBERS

A warm welcome to the following who have recently joined the Steam Apprentice Club. We hope they enjoy their membership and find plenty of interest.

MarkWinter,Havenstreet,IsleofWight MichaelBrown,Newport,IsleofWight PhilipStinton,Newport,IsleofWight JamieSayer,Strumpshaw,Norfolk NiallEdwards,NorthHarrow,Middlesex JodieSquire,Hull,HumbersideLauraBulpitt,Salisbury,Wiltshire BenThompson,WestBridgford,NottinghamCliveEastwood,Warminster,Wiltshire ZoeThompson,WestBridgford,NottinghamSamllberry,Cutslowe,Oxford EmmaCreasey,Keyworth,NottinghamGemmaBateman,Dunstable,Bedfordshire HeatherBayliss,Wakefield,YorkshirePeterCook,Stonehouse,Gloucestershire LouiseHeal,Hayle,CornwallAndrewMossom,Bournemouth,Dorset PeterSimmons,Redruth,CornwallChristopherCowling,Bournemouth,Dorset MarkRideout,Truro,CornwallPeterButterworth,Bournemouth,Dorset MichaelFulton,Danesmoor,DerbyshireDavidCheater,Swindon,Wiltshire VictoriaElse,Matlock,DerbyshireStevenColes,Shaftesbury,Dorset PaulWatts,Boroughbridge,YorkshireJackGiles,Calbourne,IsleofWight DavidJohnston,Spondon,DerbyshireAndreaArmour,Antrim,Co.Antrim,N.Ireland KateLeamon,Taunton,SomersetAnneStrutt,Matlock,Derbyshire GavinHaverson,Dereham,NorfolkBenjaminWard,Newport,IsleofWight GeorgeCushing,Dereham,NorfolkNeilJames,Brixham,Devon JonathanWills,St.ColumbMajor,CornwallStephenHelm,Blackpool,Lancashire KeithDunderdale,Barnsley,YorkshireRobertYoung,Highbridge,Somerset KerrieDunderdale,Barnsley,Yorkshire GeoffreyYoung,Highbridge,Somerset KarlBulpitt,Salisbury,WiltshireAdamHigginbottom,Sheffield,Yorkshire

The Membership List from July needs correcting. Joanne Ettle, Eastleigh, Hampshire, should read JAMES, my apologies. If you would like a copy of the latest Membership List please send me a stamped addressed envelope and a note of your Membership Number.

WHAT'S IN A NAME?

Many thanks to everyone who contributed to our search for a name for the magazjne, I hope you all approve of Raising Steam. There were ten votes for this name compared to just four for Simmering.

Thanks to the following who all sent in suggestions or votes -Ian Cummings, Mark Frazer, Mark Fellows, Tom Middlemiss, Mark Harris, Sheona Forecast, Iain Forecast, Christopher Oakley, Dean Burr, Aubrey Tummon, Michael Pugh, Anthony Ashton, Vicky Marshall, Clrure McKee, Daniel Green, David Main, Chris Sheppard, Graham Avery, Alison Green, Jaime Hyland, Jemma Dowey, Anthony Hooker, Malcolm Hooker, Paul Hooker, Jason Hooker, Sarah Saunders, Ann Collier and Ben Cockayne. As no one suggested the final name, it being Sylvia Dudley's idea, we put all the names in a hat and pulled out Michael Pugh of Leicester to win a small prize.

PENFRIENDS SCHEME

A reminder of the Penfriends Scheme we launched earlier this year and an appeal for some letters! The scheme exists to help put members in touch with each other and we hope that lasting friendships can develop from Steam Apprentices writing to each other. But so far I haven't had any letters to pass on!

Would you like the opportunity to make friends jn other parts of the UK? Well, the following SAC members would, and want to hear from Apprentices willing to write to them. They have agreed to reply at least once to everyone who sends them a reply.

Eve Newland is 19 and lives in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. She is particularly interested in road rollers, enjoys music and likes animals.

Nicholas Alderson is 13 and lives in Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire. He likes all steam engines, computers and watching videos.

Claire McKee is 11 and lives in Ripley, Derbyshire. She likes miniature and full-sized engines and also drawing, music and wildlife.

Full details about Eve, Nicholas and Claire appeared in Vol. 7 No. 3. .

David Johnston is aged 9 and lives in Spondon, Derby, his membership number is 2151. He would like to write to anyone aged between 9 and 10. David is interested in traction engines and road rollers, especially minjatures. His other interests are models, railways and music.

If you would like to write to Eve, Nicholas, Claire or David, send your letter with their name on it to me and I will pass them on. Please include your membership number and get your parent or guardian to sign if you are under 14 years o1d.

Go On -Don't Be Shy!!

STEAM APPRENTICESHIPS

The Steam Apprentice Club tries to put those members that wish in touch vvith a traction engine owner near them, so that they can learn more about engines from people who actually run them. This depends on wi1ling engine owners and where the Apprentice lives. This activity is, of course, more suitable for older members, but we wi11do our best to place with an engine a11Apprentices that ask. If you would like to work on an engine you need to complete and return the blue form. We will only try and arrange <Apprenticeships' for members who have sent in a form, so if you have written before but not filled in a form please do so. Spare forms are available from the Editor.

HUNSLET HUNDRED STEAM GALA

Anthony Coulls

The main purpose of the gala from 1st to 3rd May was to celebrate the centenary of Ffestiniog Railway locomotives Linda and Blanche but this was an excuse to gather together a large number of engines -mainly ofHunslet origin, along with other i terns of steam interest. Thus there were eighteen working steam locos, several others which were static, plus model railways, steam boats and of course traction engines. Of these there were four - the well known Fowler Showman's engine Repulse ( 15652 of 1921), Burrell tractor Tinkerbell (4072 of 1927), Avelingroller Lady Hesketh (9264 of 1920) and Burrell road loco Janet (3937 of 1922).

The Aveling was of particular interest to me as it was formerly No.1 in the Aberystwyth Rural District Council fleet. All four engines began the day in Minffordd yard, but as time passed, the Fowler and Burrell road engines made their way to Porthmadog harbour station, where the Fowler sat generating electricity-though I didn't see if it was actually powering the organ outside the station.

The weekend was an outstanding success, the railway carrying around 12,000 fare paying passengers. I could go on for pages about the railway, but I shan't as this is a traction engine magazine and I could get into trouble if I did!

Aveling & Porter 8 ton compound road roller No.9264 (EJ966) Lady Hesketh of 1922 at Minffordd. (Photo by Anthony Coulls)

FOWLER - ROLLER AND TRACTION ENGINE

Simon Prf!fd,nn

Agod I~

My d11d'11 t n1ployer hon ju11t bought a Fow101·Road Roller. On the 26th May we went to look at it cold, and on the 5th June we went to look at it in steam and went off ,,, up the road on it before buying it and bringing it home.

It is A Fowler single cyllndtir claHs DN 192 l, 1,ho works numlmt 111 Ih088, Reg. No.All HH02 und iL iH

Muttley-June 1993 callocl M11ttl,·v.'l'ho woight ia 8 tons but with a scarifier and bunker full of coal and water 11,woul<l w,1111,h 11bout I O tons. We are in the process of looking for a scarifier but no I 1wky,,L,wn }wvoju"'t boon to look at a 3-tine Fowler scarifier. The Roller came with nll l he p, upo1 f111lo fihcm!,t\,Ithas got a little short cab.

I hove J1rnt naulo II h11c-kpin, u block and a scraper for scraping the fire. I am going to be t1Lo•11 ,11111111 011 I.ho naw Roller.

The colotll' nl' Chu Roller it-1Ureat Weatern Railway green. On the front it has the owls bttL my du d'1:1om ployer itt going to put the proper Fowler name, they have just had the cnl1 ,,iu-n wriLt.nn.

Also my dud\1 omployorhas a Fowler Agricultural Traction Engine. Itis sti11in its original pn111Lworkund firebox. Itis a Fowler class R single cylinder 1909, the works number•~ 11699, Reg. No.AS 9028. Its name is The Pride Of Hanley Castle.

SMALL ADS

Small advertisements relating to traction engines and your hobby are free of charge to SAC and NTETmembers. Advertisements should be written clearly and concisely, must be accompanied by your membership number, name and address, and sent to the Editor before the copy date for the next issue.

FOR SALE

Steam Apprentice Club BADGES £1.00 direct from the Chairperson, Sylvia Dudley (address in front of magazine). Please enclose a First Class stamped addressed envelope and a cheque or postal order, not cash, payable to 'NTET'.

MAKESUREYOUSTANDOUTFROMTHE CROWD- WEARAN SACBADGE!

Ii, Ii, Ii, ii, ii

MAGAZINE BACK NUMBERS

Copies of SAC magazine back numbers are available from the Editor (address inside front cover), for £1.00 each including postage. Please send cheque or postal order, not cash, payable to 'NTET'. The following issues only are available:

Volume 3 Number 4 Winter 1989/90 only a handful of this early issue.

Volume 6 Number 1 Spring 1992 only a few left.

Volume 6 Number 2 Summer 1992.

Volume 6 Number 3 Autumn 1992.

Volume 7 Number 1 Winter 1993.

Volume 7 Number 2 Spring 1993.

Volume 7 Number 3 Summer 1993

Special discount for all 7 - £5-50 including postage.

NEXT ISSUE

In the next issue we ask Doctor Steam to find out about Lubricators, there's an article about the Steam Car Club's tour of Wales, and the return, we hope, of Return of the Emperor.

The next magazine is due out in January. Please send any items, articles, photo- graphs or other contributions to the Editor by 26th November.

STEAM APPRENTICE CLUB

MembershipApplication

lwouldliketojointheSteamApprenticeClub

1·oreni:\me(s) (Block Capitals)

Address Surname ----------------------------------

Postcode

Dateof 13itth -------

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Please help us to mnko the Club more interesting to you by answering these quoatlona:

1.Whyoroyouinl•llOGtedrnJoiningtheSteamApprenticeClub?

2.Wh,t,,c11v1t1m;wouldyouparticularlyliketheClubtoprovide?

3.DoyouHlro11dyh,woaccesstoatractionengine?(Ifyes,whichone?)

Then send this form, with the G!':00 su.bscription to:

The Membership Secretary, NTET, John Cook, Dolfarni, Church Lane, Kirby la Thorpe, Sleaford, Lincolnshire NG34 9NU

NOTE:Pleasedonotsendmoneybypost.Achequeorpostalorderismuch saferandshouldbemadepayabletothe"NationalTractionEngineTrust".

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THE STEAMAPPRENTICECLUB

The Club was formed for young people under the age of Twenty-One who are interested in Steam Traction Engines in 1979 by the then National Traction Engine Club. Today it is the young person's branch of the National Traction Engine Trust, a registered educational charity.

Many people watch engines at rallies, but few of them know how an engine works, and even fewer have the chance to be shown over one by the owner, to talk about the work it used to do, or even help with the engine's maintenance. The Club publishes this magazine with many of the articles being written by Club members.

We have a scheme which allows Cluh members into most Traction Engine rallies free of charge. Also we will try and put you in touch with a local engine owner near you, so that you can learn more about engines from people who actually run them, in addition to our special training sessions and schemes.

If you enjoy rallies, photographing and recording engines, collecting pictures or books about engines, talking about steam or if you just wish to learn more, the Steam Apprentice Club is for you.

Membership-What You Get.

1. A quarterly Magazine.

2. A membership card.

3. Free admission to most NTET approved Traction Engine Rallies.

4. A Free copy of NTET approved Rally List, each Spring.

5. A chance to buy books, magazines (including "Steaming") and other items sold by the NTEC (1984) Ltd. Taking advantage of any special discounts and offers available to NTET members.

6. Special club visits, events and training weekends.

7. Special Insurance considerations in connection with Traction Engines.

8. Many other items are advertised in our club magazine.

What You Pay 3

Our annual subscription is just ¥,00. Membership runs to the nearest quarter.

Join us NOW: Just fill in the membership application form inside the back cover. Then send it to the membership secretary with your subscription or hand it into any NTET or NTEC (1984) Ltd. Rally Stand.

If you wish to keep your magazine intact, you may photocopy the membership application form, or copy the details onto another sheet of paper.