Raising Steam 1995 Vol.9 No.1

STEAM APPRENTICECLUB MAGAZINE

EDITOR

Steph Gillett, 93 Devon Road, Easton> Uristol B:-35m~n.

Tel: 0272 511399 betweeri 8.00 pm nnd 9.30 p,11 only

CHAIR, STEAM APPRENTICE CLUB

John Bosworth, 74 Main Road, Smalley, Derby DE7 61£11-" Tel: 0332 880405 between 8.00 am and 10 pm only

MEMBERSHIP

SECRETARY

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

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. photos) returning please say so and enclose a stamped addressed envelope. Enclose your name, address and (if an Apprentice) age with any contribution.

The Editor reserves the right to amend or refuse contributions, and will attempt to correct spelling and grammar!

The Magazine is normally published during the earlypartofMt1.rch 1 11un,1, F{p,pf.eml.Jer and December. The Club accepts no liability for failure to me0LinLondcd µ11hlkutio11 dates.

The Steam Apprentice Club i.Ao 1-mcUnnof LlwNnHmH1l 'r, 11rtl1111 l1i11g111~ T1 ""'t. NTET is El ReF{iMIAt·(HiCh1-wiLy,No ~lHh 1/fl Hl-lJrWl!'tl1111ill E11~lm1d Nu 1au:,,1f1/ Registered Offic<':Forum TirnrnH, 1,0 Mtlluwucl. M1tldlMflHX ·rw11141l~

Typosotllngby TilnnlGHIViL1m,J~ Prntilbuty,,eif!§!, Bll~lnll\!1P .tllJ T@IU~fH1H}rn fillnlo~IlJV~wunu1t1lwP1htth1yLt-mtpm;y,!J'1 lc1l€\led~hmFluaili:!fHit ii

FROM THE EDITOR

So, this is it, the last Raising Steam from yours truly! It is just about three years to the day since I put together my first issue of the Steam Apprentice Club magazine and quite a few words have flown through the word processor since then. Mostly I have enjoyed the experience, though it has become increasingly difficult to find time to produce the magazine at all, let alone keep to schedules.

This, I know, has been frustrating for members and NTET officers alike, so the time has come for me to hand over to someone else. At the time of writing this I am not entirely sure who will be taking on the task of editing Raising Steam, but I know that at least three people have offered to help in some way. I wish them well, whoever does so, and hope that you, the members, will continue to send in articles, photographs, letters, etc. If you wish to contribute to the next issue, please don't hesitate to send something in, even ifwe have not been able to say who will be producing it. Articles sent to either John or myself will be forwarded to the new editor.

Now some thank you's. Firstly, and most importantly, thank you to everyone who has ever contributed to Raising Steam however much. Without the input from Steam Apprentices this magazine could not exist. I won't attempt to name everyone who has sent me articles, but it must be obvious to regular readers that Anthony Coulls has been a regular and consistent contributor during the last three years. Thank you Anthony, and good luck with your exams. Mention must also be made of James Duncombe, who not only manages to come out tops in the photo competitions, but is also a dab hand at crosswords! However, it matters not whether you are a regular contributor, or indeed winner, without members' items my job would have been very much harder, if not impossible.

Thanks also to my fellow 'grown-ups' who have helped to keep me to the task: to Sylvia Dudley for all her help, support and guidance, (and, of course, for starting the Club in the first place); to John Cook for supplying address labels at short notice, and then having to wait weeks for spare copies of the magazine; to Gordon Tily for typesetting and Dave Arthur for printing, and to both for doing their best with sometimes less than perfect material; and recently to John Bosworth for doing his best, against heavy odds, to keep me to some sort of time table! Thank you, and good luck for the future.

As this is my last issue I have tried to include all those items I have been promising, but failed to include, and anything else that is waiting to be used. Unfortunately, neither Carol nor I have had the time or creative energies to continue with our stories of Grace and Jamie, but we are sure their adventures are continuing and hope that Napoleon is still steaming well. I am also including some bits and pieces from Ironbridge and hope you find them interesting.

I am doing my best to return everyone's photogrr,plrn, Ht nd everyone their prizes, and reply to everyone's letters. If we havo prom mod to ~end you a prize or you think you should have heard from ue and lrnvnu't.,plnnHo write to me and say so-we have had problems with tho post before now, und ii1HJu1-1ipossible that I have forgotten ... Keep on steaming, and hnve a vHry hoppy, and safe rally season - it's not that far away you know!

81.cphGillett

March 1995

FROM THE CHAIR

It is unfortunate the date of the training weekend is at a different date to the one published in Raising Steam. This is because the North Staffs Club hadn't realised this was the weekend they used the site for their own training weekend when I was having preliminary discussions with them. 15th/16th April is the only date when one can be arranged.

AB the years go by, my weekends are more and more booked up for rallies and RNLI money raising events. Notice the RNLI collecting box on Sprig. 15th/16thApril promises to be an enjoyable weekend. I do hope quite a number of Steam Apprentices will take this opportunity to further their knowledge of steam vehicles. I have sent a request for fine weather by registered post to the Watnall Weather Centre, so, here's hoping. This is a practical week end so do bring STRONG footwear overalls and waterproofs.

A visittotheNRM, York,has been arranged for 17th/18thJune. We will be met by Ray Howel from the engineering Department who I do hope will be able to tell us interesting features about the museum. Cost per person and details in Raising Steam. Put this date in your diary.

MAILBAG

Dear Mr Gillett,

John Bosworth March 1995 I append a few instructions for bigger Appron t,it111H,and ft,1 ijuutllt-11 ones to bear in mind for when they Aro htl{J{( r. Few rally drivers have had Lho benofH of' I 111tin11, ;uu1 JowM1 gflll h!ivt• earned a living at it. Watch Lhmu ulf1d wht•n ttlm,~ a~ th~, 1ut111Hy

should be -on the footplate. Nearly always it's with one hand on the regulator and the other on the steering wheel, when it should be on the reversing lever, to juggle the crank into a starting position. Only after a few revolutions need it come to the steering wheel and the other to the regulator. This movement should be practised. When backing, stand sideways, then the front-lock position and where you are going are both seen at a glance.

When setting to the 'drum' (thrashing machine; only Garretts spelled it with an 'e'), keep the inside of the flywheel in line with the outside of the drum and forget the pulley. The mate should be on the ground with the big belt pulled out to shout 'stop' when level with the rear wheel hub. If not then just right for length, correct it with a part or whole turn of the crank; or the winding jack and a taperblock being kicked up meanwhile. As both drum-pulley and flywheel are cambered you need not be exactly in line - and cannot be, always, on slippery ground - the drum can still be made to hum.

All this drill is necessary when thrashing for a living and impatient men are standing around waiting for a start. 'Too long at it' and the farmer will soon be 'looking for someone else!'

In Vol.8 No. 4 page 3 7; the Mann steam tractor is driving a baler, not a thrasher. With regard to the Engine on the front cover, I have mentioned many times that the hole for the governor belt in the front plate should be lowered, so as to be in-line with the crankshaft.

Yours sincerely, Esmond Kimbell, Boughton, Northampton.

Thanks for your letter and for putting us right about the Mann tractor and baler; I'm not sure that we have anyone anxious to re-draw our front cover at the moment! Ed.

Dear Steph,

We were sorry to read that you are retiring as Editor of Raising Steam. You will be sadly missed but we wish you well. It must involve a lot of work for you, particularly with a young family to contend with as well.

Best wishes, Gill and James Duncombe Gillingham, Dorset.

(Thank you for your kind thoughts, and all your support in the past. Ed.)

IRONBRIDGE AND OTHER

Steph Gillett

TRAVELS

The most extraordinary District in t.he World, so says the pamphlet advertising the Ironbridge Gorge in Shropshire, said to be the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution.

Whether or not this is so, and whether other areas might make an equal claim, makes little or no difference to the fascination of Coalbrookdale and the Ironbridge Gorge Museum. It is here that I am studying, part-time, at the Ironbridge Institute and, as this is my last Raising Steam I thought I would give you a little taste of what it is like. Perhaps you too will be able to visit one day, or even study industrial archaeology there!

In the temporary Iron Mighty exhibition is this beam engine, restored by Ford Apprentices in 1993 and operated by an electric motor.

The Great Warehouse, which housed the original Museum of Iron, is closed at the moment to allow a major restoration project to tahe pla.n• (1.ndthe creation of u 11vw m.u,seum tclli1I/!.th f' sfw 'V oft nm t vorking in r:oa{bnmktlttle Un the left nn• tlw 1, nnbt 1d1,/f'Institute l11u/d,,1e,,

The Iron Bridge, cast in 1779, is the first such iron bridge in the world, and a spectacular advertisement at the time, and now, for the versatile material. It is the focal point for the Gorge and has been a centre of attraction for over two hundred years. The town of Ironbridge developed on the north bank of the Severn from the early 1780s.

Coalbrookdale locomotive

No.5 Iron Mighty exhibition. This standard gauge 0-4-0 saddle tank locomotive was one of six built by the Coalbrookdale Company between 1864 and 1866. No.5 last worked at a quarry in Leicestershire in 1944 and was returned to Coalbrookdale in 1959, two days before the official opening of the museum.

This Wallis & Steevens 4 ton road roller was built in 1903 by the Basingstoke firm. In that year the strict laws governing the use of traction engines on the road were relaxed to allow engines weighing less than 4 tons to be driven at a speed of 5 mph! 2660 (CJ4816) Billy is shown here awaiting a new smoke box. The winter overhaul was also to include the addition of brakes, until now the reverser was the only means of stopping!

To take advantage of the change in the law several engine manufacturers designed new lightweight engines called steam tractors. Billy was originally built as a tractor; but converted by Wallis & Steevens into a roller in the 1920s. Here are its original front wheels.

BARROWS & S'rEWART,

ENGINEERS, BANBURY,

MANUFACTURE

SEMI-PORTABLEAND VERTICAL

STEAMENGINES,

For Pit Sinking, Winding Coal, Pumping, &c.

ALSOCOMBINEDMILLSANDENGINES,

For Grinding Slag, Sand, Mortar, &c.

SPECIFICATIONS AND PRICES ON APPLICATION.

The library at the Ironbridge Institute has some fascinating old books and publications. Here is an advertisement for Barrows & Stewart of Banbury, from the Colliery Guardian of 3rd June 1881, for semi-portable and vertical steam engines.

(Courtesy of lronbridge Institute Library)

RANSOMES,HEAD&JEFFERIES,

ORWELLWORKS,IPSWICH AND LONDON. 9, GRACECHURCHST.

MANUFACTURERSOF PortableEngines, TractionEngines, VerticalEngines, StationaryEngines, ElectricLightEngines. WindingMachinery, SteamBoilers,&c.

Also from the Colliery Guardian, this time 17th June 1881, Ransomes, Head and Jefferies are promoting a range of steam engines and products.

(Courtesy of lronbridge Institute Library)

On 25th March 1881 the Colliery Guardian carried the following advertisement: One first class, 10-hp. Traction Engine, New Fire-box Tubes and Gearing by Clayton £180 Must be sold.

One new 18 H.P. Semi Portable Engine (by Marshall and Sons,) worked a few weeks, price £280. A bargain, first class made Engine. WATERHOUSE, Auctioneer and Valuer, Sherwood-street, Nottingham.

The library also has some original brochures for Sentinel steam waggons. This one shows a fiat platform Sentinel model D. G.6 fitted to carry cement in bags. A general view of the rear bogie (below left) shows the compound spri~gs.

(Courtesy of Ironbridge Institute Library)

A cutaway view of the unique Sentinel vertical boiler (right) from the Spare Parts book for Super Sentinel steam waggons

(Courtesy of lronbridge Institute Library)

A field trip to Shrewsbury provided the opportunity to take this photograph of the main entrance to the former Sentinel works in January, a spot much favoured by present day owners of Sentinel products.

PENFRIENDS

The following Steam Apprentices are interested in writing to someone else in the Club; or to each other?!!

If you would like to become someone's penfriend, please write to them at their box number at the Editor's address, I will pass on all your letters to the appropriate members. You can have as many pen pals as you want. Everyone who has applied to join the Penfriends Scheme has agreed to reply at least once to everyone who writes to them.

GO ON, GIVE IT A TRY!!!

Dear Members,

I have recently joined the SAC. I like steam engines and vintage machinery, I have an old Monrotiller Rotovator which I am entering in the Cumbria Steam Gathering next year. I am also entering my uncle's Royal Enfield push-bike. I have been going to the Cumbria Steam Gathering and the Morecambe Bay (used to be Lancaster) Steam Rally since I have been a small lad.

I have always wanted a full-size steam engine; I have got a small Mamod steam roller, but when I get older I hope to have a full-size one. My other hobbies include off-road motorcycle racing and fishing.

I think the idea ofpenfriends is great, once it kicks off I hope I can have a pen pal. Please let me know if there is any Apprentice work going on round the Cumbria area.

Andrew Bircher age 14.

BoxNo.2290

Dear Members,

I am 13 years old and looking for a pen pal of about the same age, male or female. I have driven a steam roller named White Rose owned by Derek Rayner who comes from York. I became a SAC member towards the end of last year, so I have only been to a couple of rallies so far. I am also in the scouts, and I like camping and hiking.

I have a friend in Darlington called Ian Walley who owns 69 stationary engines and also shows them at rallies.

I live in County Durham and also like music.

10 Scott Fishel age 13

Box No.2402

The following SAC members have also registered under the Penfriends Scheme:

Eve Newland, age 20. Box No.1463 - lives in Cambridgeshire, especially likes road rollers, has a 3" scale Burrell traction engine, enjoys music and likes animals.

Nicholas Alderson, age 14. Box No.1897 -lives in North Yorkshire and likes all steam engines, also interested in computers and watches videos.

Claire McKee, age 12. BoxNo.2064-lives in Derbyshire, likes miniature andfullsize traction engines, also drawing, music and wildlife.

David Johnston, age 10. Box No.2151-interested in traction engines and road rollers, especially miniatures, also likes models, railways and music, lives in Derbyshire.

Anthony Suffolk, age 10. Box No.2201 -lives in Lancashire, likes all steam engines, especially ploughing engines, also stationary engines, railways, biking and walking.

John Banks, age 11. Box No.2206- lives in the West Midlands, likes traction engines and keeping pet animals.

Alastair Hopps, age 12. Box No.2207 - lives in County Durham, likes traction engines, ploughing engines, railways, stationary engines, sports, tractor driving, models, Meccano and reading.

James Cummins, age 10. Box No.2211 -likes traction engines, showmans engines and road rollers, lives in Avon, also interested in railways, models, drawing, writing, sports and music.

Michael Hunt, age 9. BoxNo.2409- likes all types of engines and models and has a live steam model stationary engine, lives in Kent.

(Surely there's someone you would like to write to? I suppose they could all write to each other! Ed.)

SHEFFORD STEAM AND COUNTRY FAVRE

Mark Worbey

Age 12 years

Last year the Bedford Steam Engine Preservation Society held their first rally at Wren Park Shefford Bedfordshire on the 17th and 18th September, after holding their old rally at Roxton Park for 25 years.

The rally had been very successful but had really outgrown the field and so it was time to move to a bigger site. The rally went well with over eighty engines

present and apart from some bad weather on Friday making the field a touch wet, there were no problems.

We own a 6 inch scale Burrell Devonshire traction engine, Fred, which I drive and at Shefford I towed Derek Wheeler's Shand Mason horse drawn fire engine. Our model has towed 14 ton on a tractor pulling sledge, but it had trouble towing the 2 ton fire engine because it only has narrow wheels, causing it to sink as it was towed along.

The Piggott's Burrell No 1522 Old Chap was working hard on Andy Hill's rack sawbench and Marshall engine Jimme B was driving it's owners stone-crusher. Also occupied was Michael Watts's Marshall engine Punch on his threshing drum and trusser. Burrell The Dalesman was shining in the sun outside the Burrell tent and Burrell Lord Kitchener owned by the Saunders collection of Stotfold Beds was also making an appearance.

There was a wide range of models including David Coulson's 4" scale Coulson and Wear engine and Pat N eilsons 6" scale 65 HP Case Traction Engine. Ring events included a sheepdog and geese display as well as the always welcomed grand parade of engines and usual cars, commercials and tractor parades.

Another ring attraction was "Smokebox cuisine" a cooking competition in the smokebox. I cooked a Sausage Casserole in our model. Another new idea at Shefford was winching over an empty water tanker and winching it back up again. Over the weekend engines winching included Jim Rochester's Burrell gold medal tractor Jane Eyre and Paul Harrison's Burrell roller Heather. Overall, Shefford was a good show and well worth going to.

Burrell Fred with Derek Wheeler's fire engine at Manby Steam Sp,1ctacular 1994 (Photo by Mark Worbey)

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.

Jonathan Harry, Hitchin, Herts.

Daniel Garrod, Harlton, Cambridge

Oliver Newman, Cirencester, Glos.

Nicholas Beazer, Malplash, Dorset

Bernd Schmitz, Bielefeld, Germany

Andrew Gavan, Barry, South Wales

Sam Stones, St. Annes, Lanes.

Owen Jones, Denbigh, Clwyd, Wales

Simon Geoffrey, Birmingham, West Midlands

Oliver Gibbon, Gorgonzola, Italy

Paul Keane, Pulborough, West Sussex

John Leach, Heswall, Merseyside

Craig Morris, Cinderford, Glos.

Christopher Butt, Newcastle, Staffs.

Tom Cash, Thorpe Bay, Essex

Thomas White, Exeter, Devon

James Slatford, Binfield, Berks.

Gareth Hood, Rotherham, South Yorkshire

Daren Massey, Coalville, Leics.

Richard Massey, Ashby-de-la-Zmich, Leics.

Brian Elder, Penicuik, Midlothian, Scotland

Carl Perry, Pensnett, West Midlands

Stephen Denton, Northampton

Benjamin Ryan, Weymouth, Dorset

Gary Brown, Newport Brough, North Humberside

Garreth Murphy, Kinsale, Ireland

George Gradon, Portsmouth, Rants.

Benjamin Simmons, Stafford

Neil Gainford, Ashford, Middx.

James Delarre, Ongar, Essex

Cerith Coates, Ammonford, Dyfed, Wales

Roger Hunter, Ballymoney, Co. Antrim, N. Ireland

Mawgan Taylor, Bolingey, Cornwall

Christopher Marriage, Braintree, Essex

Timothy Gale, Stortford, Herts.

Anthony Poxon, Hucknall, Nottingham

Caillan Rider, Redditch, Wores.

Samuel Datta-Paulin, Birmingham, West Midlands

Lee Harper, Hatton, Derbyshire

Steven King, Haywards Heath, Sussex

Steven Marshall, Bristol, Avon

Darren Faczynski, Sandown, Isle of Wight

Damiel Dunstan, Wangaratta, Victoria, Australia

Richard Muxworthy, Woolsington, Newcastle

David Halsall, Wigan, Lanes.

Adrian Dubks, Bulwell, Nottingham

Andrew Richardson, Bradford-on-Avon, Wilts.

Alan McGillivray, Colchester, Essex

Simon Mitchell, Exeter, Devon

James Hodgson, Hi tchin, Herts.

So, a lot of Mamod steam models received this Christmas by the looks of the membership forms!

Now we are truly becoming international....:.welcome one and all, whether from just down the road or across several oceans. How about a pen friend to keep in touch?

THE MUSEUM OF ENGLISH RURAL LIFE

Carol Watson

This museum is at the University of Reading, but it is open to anyone (not only clever clogs) Tuesdays to Saturdays. The museum was set up in 1951 when farming was beginning to change with the introduction of tractors, to make sure that the old tools and ways of life were preserved and recorded.

The museum is very nicely laid out with different sections: 'Farming hand tools', 'Milk, butter and cheese', 'Livestock' (there are pictures but no live bulls), rural crafts, a wagon collection, 'Farming in the industrial age', 'Ox, horse and steam power', 'Agricultural iron founders', 'Barn machinery' and 'Mechanical farming'. Steam exhibits include a portable engine built in 1877 by Clayton & Shuttleworth of Lincoln, (7 NHP single 15635). There are several tractors on display and when we visited, on a very quiet day, Francis (then 5) was allowed to sit on one.

The museum is used a lot by schools, so there are some interesting features for children, including a computer which sets questions. Whilst there's lots packed into a small space, the museum isn't large enough for younger brothers or sisters to get bored with.

Nineteenth century chaff-cutting machines from the exhibition 'Farming in the Industrial Age'.

There is also an example of how steam was used in cultivating fields, rather than driving machinery such as threshing machines. This was more difficult because of the weight of the engines which meant they couldn't pull ploughs. The gear in the museum is from 1855 and is a system powered by a portable engine which used anchors and pulleys to take cables around the field to pull the implement. The museum guide book says that although this version and others like it were produced in small numbers between 1850 and 1900, the system which was most successful was developed by John Fowler. This involved two traction engines, (ploughing engines), on either side of a field hauling an implement on a cable, attached to drums on the engines, backwards and forwards between them.

Thanks to Roy Brigden, Keeper, for permission to reproduce material from the Museum's guide book.

Exhib,,itors of

KEY TO NUMBERS

1.Boiler.2. Firebox.3. Firetubescarryingheatthroughthewaterin theboiler.4. Smokebox. 5. Safetyvalves.6. Cylinders,containingtwopistons - thelargerpistonbeingdrivenbytheexhauststeamfromthesmallerpiston(knownas"compounding").7.Mechanicallubricator.8.Governor,belt· drivenfromthecrankshaftwhengeneratingelectricityin orderto keepconstantspeed.9.Connectingrods.10.Crankshaft.11.Flywheel.12.Valve gear,controllingsteamflowtothepistonsandthedirectionofrotationofthecrankshaft.13.Forward/reverselever.14.Regulatorhandlesforcontrolling thespee<Iof theengine.15.Gearchangeleversandlockingdevice.16.Three-speedgearing.17.Compensatinggear(differential).18.Finaldrive gears(onbothsidesofengine).19.Drivingpins.20.Rearwheels,6ft.6in.diameter.21.Forecarriage,carrying4ft.11/2in.dia.frontwheels.22.Wormand•wheelsteeringgear.23.Steeringchains.24.Steeringwheel.25.Brakegear.26.Brakewheel.27.Coalbunker.28.Watertank.29.Foretank (bellytank).30.Waterlifterandhosefordrawingwaterfromponds,etc.31.Dynamo,beltdrivenfromtheflywheel.32.Extensionchimney,fittedinto chimneyto liftsmokeclearof thefairgroundwhengeneratingelectricity.

SHOWMAN'S ROAD LOCOMOTIVE

COMPETITION PAGE

First of all, the answers to that word puzzle - how did you do?

Answers: Aveling; Porter; Garrett; Foden; Ransomes; Simms; Jefferies; Sentinel; Fowler; Burrell; Marshall; Mann; Allchin; Ruston; Fowell; Tasker; Wallis; Steevens; Clayton; Shuttleworth; Green; Brown; May. The hidden engine is the Chairman's Foster Sprig.

CrosswordNo.5

As James Duncombe was the only member to even try to do the crossword, he gets a small prize. Here is the solution:

A MODEL STEAM COLLECTION

Anthony Suffolk Aged 1O Years

My Dad and I have been collecting model steam engines for a number of years. My Dad started before I was born. The first engine he bought was the Mamod Traction Engine followed by the Steam Roller, Steam Waggon Traction Engine and Waggon Kit.

I have collected a Steam Roller given to me by my Uncle and a Traction Engine and Waggon Kit which I bought at the Malpas Steam Rally. My Dad helped me to make it up. When 1nyGranddad died he left me some money to buy something that I wanted so I bought the Mamod Bus. I call it Granddad's Bus so I will never forget him. My Dad made some little wooden seats for the open top and two bench seats for the inside. It now looks like a real miniature bus. When my birthday and Christmas come round I ask for steam engines. I have since been given as presents the Mamod Steam Roadster and the Mamod Fire Engine.

My Dad bought the green steam train and a stationary steam engine. The train is still in its box but we steam the stationary engine sometimes along with my steam roller.

My Dad has also bought a Wilesco Traction Engine in blue and red and the Wilesco Old Smokey Steam Roller in green and red. We have Mamod trailers for most of the engines. We used to have three engines and trailers on.the window sill but my Mum does not like them. She calls them lumps of scrap metal. When my Dad bought the Green Mamod Van for his 40th Birthday my Mum said it looked nice and put it on the window sill instead. All the engines were put in my bedroom on shelves. My Mum made Dad put the trailers in the loft out of the way.

We also have a small Bowman stationary engine and a large home made engine with separate boiler which Dad bought at a model fair. He tried to give it to Mum as a present because it is black and that is her favourite colour. She wasn't impressed and said Dad was mad to buy it. I hope to steam it along with some of the others when the weather gets better.

Most of the models are on display in my bedroom on shelves put along the wall. I like cleaning and polishing them because they all look so good.

As well as the model steam engines I have a Villiers Stationary Engine which came out of an old concrete mixer. An old man gave it to me and I am restoring it with my Dad. He has made a strong wooden trolley to mount it on. I have also been given an old hand drill which I hope to belt up to the Villiers engine and take it to local rallies.

RALLY ROUND

Mention was made in the last issue of the Yeovil Railway Festival, which took • place on 8th and 9th October last year. As you will have gathered from my remarks, I thought this was a smashing show; here are some more details of the event. Rail exhibits included some impressive beasts, the 143 ton pacific Britannia looked immaculate and I make no excuses for including a photo of this engine and the very much smaller London and South Western Railway locomotive No.53~ built in 1905 and weighing 60 tons. Also present was the former Southern Railway S15 class 4-6-0 No.828. An interesting selection of modern traction included 'Waterman Railways Heritage Class' 47710 Lady Godiva. Traction engine presence at Yeovil was provided in the shape of 1917 Ruston Proctor No.51737 (EB 8164) Queenie, Burrell showman's road loco No.2879 (NO 698) Princess Royal, and two Aveling & Porter showman's style tractorsNo. 7612 (F 5218)Amelia of 1912 and No.8376 (KT 2828) Princess Victoria. Not only was this an enjoyable and entertaining event, but the sun shone!

BR Standard 4-6-2 Pacific Locomotive No. 70000 Britannia of 1951 fills the turntable at Yeovil Junction on 9th October 1994.

Traction engines in the tracks! Burrell 2879 (NO 698) Princess Royal of 1907 catches the afternoon sun in the yard at Yeovil Junction Station on 9th October 1994

Our last public traction engine event of 1994 was also a railway event, the Dean Forest Railway's 'Autumn Transport Extravaganza' on 16th October at Norchard, Lydney. Traction engines outnumbered the railway engines in steam, but not the larger number of car, commercial, motorcycle, bus and coach, stationary engine and agricultural exhibits, which all added up to a fascinating display of transport heritage. Ruston Proctor Queenie followed us up from Yeovil, whilst the 1891 Gibbons & Robinson No.959 (AY 9874) is a regular attender at this event. Marshall S type road roller No.82389

LSWR 0-4-4 Locomotive No.30053 of 1905 masquerades as No.30129 at the head of the shuttle train from Yeovil Pen Mill Station on 9th October 1994 (UO 2835) Little Lou is no stranger to the Norchard car park either. Fowler R3 traction engine No.18539 (NM 74) of 1929 was originally purchased for use on a private estate for threshing and wood sawing; Aveling & Porter tractor No.11728 (TW 6713) Tolerance was supplied new to Barking Town in 1926 as a B type convertible roller; lastly, Sentinel S4 steam waggon No.9075 (BEV 467) of 1934 cornpleted the half-a-dozen road steam exhibits. An unidentified portable engine also took part, as a load on the demonstration goods train.

On 19th November I attended the Annual General Meeting of the NTET, which was held at the Heritage Motor Centre in Gaydon, Warwick. I was pleased to find a number of engines in steam outside the conference on my arrival, pride of place being taken by the Prout family's Burrell No.3288 (TA 1118) Nancy of 1911 A huge amount of time and a great deal of effort has been spent on the beautiful restoration of this 7 NHP showman's road locomotive. Fittingly the Prouts were awarded The Dacre Larey Trophy for this exceptional exa1nple of

7 NHP Burrell showman's road loco No.3288 (TA 1118) Nancy of 1911 at NTET AGM, Gaydon, on the 19th November 1994 following restoration by the Prout family

restoration work, not only for the appearance of the finished article, but for sticking it out against the odds.

Other Burrells braving the rather damp conditions were; No.2112 (TB 2849) Old Lytham a 6 NHP single-cylinder traction engine of 1898, and the 13 ton double crank compound road loco No.3395 (FJ 1536) Dalesman of 1912. John Fowler & Co. were represented by a DNB class tractor of 1931, No.19456 (SE 3563) Hlghland Lass, a 12 ton compound. The Leiston firm of Richard Garrett &Sons produced4NHPcompound tractor No.33981(KE 7124)in 1920, fourteen years before the Sentinel S4 steam waggon No.9016 (HV 3865), also on display at Gaydon.

And that was the last traction engine activity that has come my way, so I am eagerly awaiting the start of the rally season. But judging by the following extract from one of the books in the library at the Ironbridge Institute, chasing around after traction engines is not a new idea:

"Such is the fascination of steam, that people will travel a couple of hundred miles or more to see in action machines which not so long ago were commonplace.

Gaydon line-up, from left to right: Burrells No.2112 (TB 2849) Old Lytham, No.3288 (TA 1118) Nancy, No.3395 (FJ 1536) Dalesman, and Fowler No.19456 (SE 3563) Highland Lass. (Photo - Anthony Coulls)

"Such is the fascination, that men will buy a veritable wreck of an engine to save it from the scrap yard, and will then spend two or three years in dismantling it, and removing the rust, and renewi.ng the worn or broken parts, and painting and polishing and refurbishing, until one day she stands there in her glory, ready to live again.

"Then the trapped finger ends and the skimmed knuckles are ignored, the toil and the sweat and dirt is forgotten, as the safety valves sizzle, and the hollow 'tum-tum-tum' is heard in the chimney, whilst the flywheel slowly turns over. The eccentrics gently tumble, the rods fiash in the sun, and over all hangs that indefinite, indefinable, indescribable aroma of coal smoke and hot oil, and steam! Such is the fascination of it all."

From the Foreword to A Century of Traction Engines, by W.J. Hughes, published by Percival Marshall & Co. Ltd., London in 1959. If you should ever find a copy in a second-hand bookshop or stall and can afford to buy it, do so. I think it is an excellent book, and if no one has thought of re-printing it, they should do!

One of a handful of Z7 ploughing engines to survive, seen at Michael Davies' Hill Farm on the Sunday morning following the NTET AGM. Built in the 1920s, these massive machines were rated 22 NHP.

(Photo -Anthony Coulls)

YSGETHIN MUSEUM -A STEAM BACKWATER ... AnthonyCoulls

This museum has been in existence for just over a decade, on a site next to the old woollen mill at Tal-y-bont in Gwynedd. It is, of course, an exhibition of bygones from many sources, including a radio shop, ironmongers and cobblers. Of maritime interest is a shipwright's workshop and a Penmaenpool skiff, typical of those which were used to ferry people up and down the Mawddach estuary, and across it to Fairbourne. There is also a reproduction cycle shop, with an 1870 built example of the 'ordinary' or Penny Farthing as it is popularly known. At the entrance to the display is a typical 1930s garage, housing a 1942 Oliver 90 tractor.

To move on, the last exhibition in the museum building is the Agricultural section. Such is the layout of the museum that it is dominated by what must be the main attraction to the steam minded visitor. This is 6 NHP Excelsior, built by Burrell in 1927 as their number 3895, when Burrells were part of the ill-fated AGE ( Agricultural & General Engineering ) Combine. She is owned by Mr. Eddie Walker of Tal-y-bont, a former agricultural contractor from Yorkshire, who brought her and his other engine, a Burrell roller to Wales upon his retirement over ten years ago. My grandparents used to live a hundred yards or so from the museum, so you can imagine our surprise when visiting them, two engines arrived from Yorkshire. By the next summer, 1985, Mr. Walker had the roller in steam, though Excelsior was untouched.

It would seem that she has not steamed for some time and was last taxed in 1967 as she still carries a disc for that date. In generally good condition, at least she is under cover. Sharing the display is a threshing machine by R.G. Garvie and Sons of Aberdeen and an Albion Reaper.

The remainder of the exhibits are outside, including a wide range of farm implements and several tractors in a poor state of repair. They used to be displayed inside, but it seems that pressure on space has pushed them out into the open, to fall victim to the elements.

Nearby is the other engine, Burrell roller, No.3456 of 1913 vintage. Whilst the motion is covered over, the rest of her is a sorry sight with bleached paintwork and rust in many places. There is still coal in the bunker from the last time she steamed and this is providing a corrosive mixture which is eating its way through the platework. Beside the roller is a living van of indeterminate origin, though one wheelset was made by Clayton & Shuttleworth. This van is suffering from dry rot and would require an awful amount of work to restore-ifindeed this were to be possible. What looks to be the remains of a showman's van is also present. It seems to be the usual problem of not enough finance or labour ...

Whilst it may not be everyone's cup of tea, there is plenty else of interest in the area, so it is worth dropping in for an hour or so, and at 75p admission it can't be bad!

Meanwhile ... Down the road at Tywyn, a local Talyllyn member has purchased a 1929 Aveling & Porter traction engine, converted from a roller. Registration No. PO 616, the arrival of Hero looks to be a major distraction from running trains this summer! We won't be going far -the engine is a single cylinder, unsprung, two-speed machine. She is fitted with a "friction differential" so I'm told, but I can't find reference to this in any of my books. Can anyone help?

FOR OUR YOUNGER MEMBERS

Not a competition this time, but we thought you might like to have a go at colouring this portable engine driving a threshing (or thrashing?) machine, kindly provided by the Museum of English Rural Life, Reading.

More of your competition entries from last year, includingsome of those that would have won if we only had enough

Prizes for everyone who deserved one!

Another of Dorset Trophy winner James Duncombe's shots, featuring Burrell 6 NHP double-crank compound No.3746 (MA 5733) Charlie B of 1917. Also seen in this view of the 1994DorsetSteamFair isBurrell4NHP 3786 (PB 9610) Tiger.

First prize in the Junior Section went to James Knox; here is his view of Wallis & Steevens Expansion type traction engine No. 7155 (MO 2015) Blue Peter, driving a Marshall threshing box at last year's Harewood Rally.

Something different from Andrew Auger, second prize in the Senior Section, with this picture of Savage lighting engine No. 761 Sarah of 1900, used to generate electricity at fairgrounds. Seen here at Masham last July.

The Bishop's Castle Rally of August 1994 featured Steve Davis' stone crushing set, driven by Garrett No.239.92 (CFB 473) Lucy of 1902. Photo by Anthony Coulls who took third prize in the Senior section.

Gary Fensom, age 13, caught the family Yorkshire Terrier and King Charles Cavalier Spaniel sitting on the running board of Burrell 5 NHP compound No.4055 (VF 1273) Crimson Lady, at the 1993 Knowl Hill Rally. The dogs were no doubt admiring the polished brightwork of the cylinders and motion .

Paul Coupland, also age 13, turned his camera on Fowler BB 1 ploughing engine No.15170 (NR 78) of 1918 and caught it basking in the evening sunlight after competing in the Steam Plough Club Challenge on 10th September 1994.

Another photo on the fairground theme is this by Victoria Else, age 13, of the Pat Collins 98-key Marenghi Wonderland organ, at Astle Park last August.

Back home for Burrell No.3395 (FJ 1536) The Dalesman as it catches the sun outside the former paintshop at the Charles Burrell Museum in Thetford. A picture taken last Easter by Chris Lawson, age 14.

Christopher Brown captured this view of Wallis & Steevens 8 ton road roller No. 7751 (HR 6354) Gertrude Lucy, featuring oilbath motionwork, on its return home after the Bear Cross Rally in June 1994. The roller was built in 1922 and is owned by D. Loader.

JERZEES SWEATSHIRTS

Produced with embroidered NTET Logo (approx: 3in x 2½in) onto left hand chest position, onto plain sweatshirts.

QUALITY: Polyester/Cotton

base colour logo colour med large xlarge

Black Gold Yes Yes Yes

Bright Royal Gold Yes Yes Yes

Bright Red Black Yes Yes No

Winter Emerald Black Yes No No

Price: £16.30 inc. 17.5% VAT

JAQUARD

WOVEN TIES

Produced with single motif NTET Logo, woven in gold in under-knot position, with all over motifs of alternative engine in toning tissue (shadowing).

Quality: Polyester Satin

Size: 54in x 3½in

Colours: Navy

Bottle Green

Dark Brown

Maroon

Royal Blue

Price: £7.95 inc. 17.5% VAT

SAC

TEE-SHIRTS

The Shirts are by "Screen Stars" 100% Cotton - Std Weight

Full Cut - Short Sleeve

Black with SAC Logo

7in dia. Centre Chest

Printed in White.

Adult Sizes at £5.25 inc. 17.5% VAT

Large 44in

Medium 40in

Small 36-38in

Junior Sizes at £4.50 each ex. VAT

12-14 Y rs 34i n

9-11 Yrs' 32in

7-8 Yrs 30in

5-6 Yrs 28in

Carriage Free to SAC Members

The above items are all available from the NTET Mail Order Sales or alternatively from the NTET Rally Exhibition Unit.

NationalTractionEngineTrust MailOrderi:i

Manybooksvideosond otheritemsof interestto traction engineenthusiastsare availablefrom the Salessection. Readersare urgedto takeadvantageof thisservice(which also benefitsTrustfunds)for troublefreeand economical postalshopping.Justticktheboxforitemsyourequireandfill in theaddressslip.

TRACTIONENGINEREADING

NewSteamTractionin the RoyalEngineers {Preston)

NewBricksand Rollers(EssamandFreeman)

NewMadeby Garretts(Whitehead)

NewThe Storyof the St. NicholasWorks (Lane)

NewSteamHeritageYearbook

NewPullingPints(Coates)

The LyalldaleWaltz(Thompson)

SentinelWorksPhotosNo.1(Thomas)

Thresher'sYard(Compton)

Steamis the Essence(Whitehead)

FairfieldFolk:Historyof the British FairgroundPeople(Brown)

CharlesBurrell191t Cataloguere-print

BritanniaIronWorks{Lane)

Wm.AllchinLtd (Middlemiss)

Steamin my Family(Newton)

PatCollins,Kingof Showmen (Allenand Williams)

JesseEllisand theMaidstoneWagons (Whitehead)

Men,Mudand Machines(Sanders)

SteamEngineBuildersof Norfolk(Clark)

£4.50 0

£6.00 0

£2.25 0

£29.00 0

£2.50 0

£18.95 0

£10.50 0

£15.95 0

£2.75 0

£16.50 0

£15.95 0

£2.95 0

£28.00 0

£13.95 0

£4.95 0

£15.00 0

£11.50 0

£13.95 0

£17.95 0

Steamin my Veins(Boughton) hard £12.95 0 soft £8.95 0

MoreMuckThanMoney(Nicholson)

TractionEngineRegister

£7.50 0

£3.95 0

Triumphsof Transport(Boughton) hard £13.95 0 soft £9.95 0

Charactersof Wood,Wurlitzerand Wesley (Sanders)

HullFair (SmithandScrivens)

NottinghamGooseFair {Wilkes)

PloughingEnginesin Focus(Crawley)

Wagonsof Yesteryear(Sawford)

Reviewof SteamTractors(Whitehead)

Aveling& PorterLtd. (Preston)

£13.95 0

£5.95 0

£5.50 0

£9.95 0

£2.95 0

£10.95 0

£3.00 0

Storiesof RoundTimberHaulage(Sanders) £12.95 0

LincolnshireBuiltEngines(Brooks/Langdon) £2.50 0

LincolnshireEnginesWorldwide(Brooks)

£5.95 0

TractionEnginesof RutlandincludingPortables£6.00 0

Steamon the Road(Reeves)

VintageSteamAlbums(Sawford)

1. PloughingEngines

£4.25 0

2. AgrlculturalEngines £4.25 0 3. Showmens £4.25 0

4. SteamTractors

5. RoadLocomotives

6. SteamRollers

ReducedPriceReading

A Zooon Wheels(Middlemiss)

£4.25 0

£4.25 0

£4.25 0

£1.00 0

A Wagerfor Ale (Edmonds) £2.50 0

Memoriesof St. GilesFair (Kirk) £0.50 0 A Littleand Often(Edmonds) £2.50 0

VIDEOS

technicalinsight (VHS37mins) £14.95 0

CartersSteamFair- The Pinkney'sGreenFair (VHS30 mins) £14.95 0

CLUBITEMS

NTETSweatshirts £16.30 0 embroideredlogochoiceof colours

NTETTies £7.95 0 embroideredlogochoiceof colours

£5.25 0

SteamPower,FarmandHighway(Sawford) members£10.00 0 non-members£12.95 0

NTETBadges:all pricedat £1.25

0

ShowmanSupreme 0 ShowmanVictory 0

QuoVadis 0 TractorVillageQueen 0

Lightning 0 WhitesGavioliOrgan 0

EveningStar 0 CraneEngine 0

To claimpost-freefor UK memberspleaseenclosecurrent membershipcard. Non-memberspleaseenclose£2.50postageper order. Overseasmemberspleaseenclose£5.00postageperorder (European):£7.50(restof world).

PO/Cheques(in sterlingplease)to be made payableto: NationalTractionEngineTrust.Visa,AccessandMastercard acceptedpleasestatecardnumberexpirydateandnameon card,or phone058233971(eveningsonly).

Ordersto be sentto: NTETSales,90 DevonRoad,Luton,BedfordshireLU2 ORL.

Pleaseallow28daysfor delivery.

SMALL ADS

Small advertisements relating to traction engines and your hobby are free of charge to SAC and NTET members. 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. Commercial ads are accepted from companies selling items related to our hobby, or for steam events, etc. Rates start at £15.00 for a quarter page. Please contact the Editor for details.

MAGAZINE BACK NUMBERS

Copies of SAC magazine back numbers are available for £1.00 each including postage. Please write for details of available issues.

Ii, Ii Ii Ii

FOR SALE

Old Glory magazines: 1988 -1990 Nos. 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 (£12)

1991 Nos. 12 to 22 complete (£12)

1992 Nos. 23 to 27 & 29 to 34 (£12)

1993 Nos. 35 to 46 complete (£12)

1994 Nos.47,48,50,51,52(£10) or £40 for the lot.

Steph Gillett, Tel: 0117 9511399

Also tractor, vintage vehicle and railway magazines. Send s.a.e. for list. 93, Devon Road, Easton, Bristol, BS5 6ED. (All sales will help fund the retiring Editor's course at Ironbridge!)

STEAM APPRENTICE CLUB

Membership Application

I would like to join the Steam Apprentice Club

Forename(s) __________ _ Surname (Block Capitals)

Address _________________________ _

Postcode

Date of Birth

Tel. No. ---------

Please help us to make the Club more interesting to you by telling us why you are interested in joining and what activities you would like the Club to provide:

Then send this form, with the £3.00 subscription to: The Membership Secretary, NTET, John Cook, Dolfarni, Church Lane, Kirby la Thorpe, Sleaford, Lincolnshire NG34 9NU

NOTE: Please do not send money by post. A cheque or postal order is much safer and should be made payable to the "National Traction Engine Trust".

THE STEAM APPRENTICE CLUB

The Club was formed for young people under the age of 21 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 Steam Apprentices.

We have a scheme which allows Club members into many NTET approved traction engine rallies free of charge. We also try to put members aged 12 and over in touch with a local engine owner, so that they can learn more about engines from people who actually run them, in addition to our training sessions and schemes.

If you enjoy rallies, photographing and recording engines, collecting pictures or books about engines, talking about steam or 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 many NTET approved Traction Engine Rallies.

4. A Free copy of NTET approved Rally List.

5. A chance to buy Books, Videos, T-shirts, Badges and other items sold by the NTET, often at special rates.

6. Special Club Visits, Events and Training Weekends.

7. Special Insurance considerations in connection with Traction Engines.

8. Annual Photographic and Colouring Competitions.

9. 20% Discount on Mamod Steam Services.

What You Pay.

Our annual subscription is just £3.00. Membership runs to the nearest quarter.

JoinusNOW: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 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.