STEAM
STEAM APPRENTICE CLUB MAGAZINE
EDITOR
Barry Sumsion, 1 Leicester Road, Newport, Gwent NP9 7ER Tel: 01633 262197 Fax: 01633 259089
CHAIRMAN, STEAM APPRENTICE CLUB
John Bosworth, 74 Main Road, Smalley, Derby DE7 6EF Tel: 01332 880405 between 8.00am and 10pm only
MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY
John Cook, Dolfarni, Church Lane, Kirby Ja Thorpe, Sleaford, Lincolnshire NG34 9NU. Correspondence only.
The Editor welcomes any contributions of articles, shorter items or photographs f'or 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 c•ontributors 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 nny part of your article (eg photos) returning please say so and enclose a stamped addressed envelope. Enclose your name, address and (if Apprentice) age with any cuntribution.
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 early part of January, April, ,July and October. The Club accepts no liability for failure to meet intended publication dates.
rrhe Steam Apprentice Club is a section of the National Traction Engine Trust. NTET is a Registered Charity, No. 291578. Registered in England No. 1302197. Registered Office: Forum House, 1-6 Millmead 1 Middlesex TW18 4UQ.
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Well, here goes, my first Raising Steam proper. From the little feed-back I've had about the supplement, which was my first effort on your behalf, it seems to have been reasonably well received. But! I would have liked to hear from some of you directly. You have (with two exceptions) so far ignored my pleas for contributions to your magazine. If we are to maintain the success of Raising Steam, then much of the content must come from you. I know from producing other magazines over many years, that it is usually the same old few who can be relied upon to contribute. But where are they? Come on now, I know from back numbers in my possession, that some of you contribute fairly regularly. Please don't stop! Any one of you will get a kick out of seeing your contribution in print. And rest assured, if you contribute, I will use it. Please don't think you're not good enough in any way. I will tidy up any rough edges. So contributions, large and small, will be looked forward to for the autumn Raising Steam.
Enough of my wingeing! The rally season is now well upon us and I have managed to visit a couple myself. The biggest problem seems to be, which ones to visit. Ones in my area haven't quite arrived yet, so I have travelled further afield. When you haven't been to a particular rally before, you don't know what to expect. Reading Old Glory sometimes gives a clue to size etc, but word of mouth usually gives a better idea. Harping back to the first paragraph, reports appearing in Raising Steam would be an even better place to read up on the success or otherwise of a rally. Have you been to any yet this year? Please let us know. There seems to be more rallies than ever now, and some weekends there appears to be so many at the same time, you wonder if there will be enough engines to go round! I have noticed also that some 'steam rallies' have very little in the way of steam these days. Indeed some have little to do with the preservation scene at all - being an excuse for a glorified Sunday market! That's a bit controversial - what do you think? Later in this magazine I will include my reports on the few rallies I have managed to visit so far this year.
I have decided to try and feature a particular engine in each issue. I will probably produce this feature myself, but if you know an engine well, or have a favourite, then let's have a few photographs and a little history. Most owners are only too pleased to tell what they know of their pride and joy. Take a little note book and jot down what you find out, but please ask when it is convenient - not when he is raking out the ash pan in a crosswind!
Your Chairman and I will be approaching certain well known owners/ senior NTET members to see if we can get contributions from them. I am sure many of them have stories they might like to tell in our magazine. If
there are any senior members reading this, you have been warned! Seriously, it is from the more senior and experienced that the young will learn, and what could be more important than ensuring the continuing knowledge and love of the steam engine.
Pressure of work, and fitting in visits to rallies, etc, have meant that progress on my 4" Burrell has been slow of late. However it is coming along and I hope to have a more positive report in the next issue, perhaps with some photographs of the bits so far! I notice from previous issues of the magazine that many of you have an interest in steam models as well as the real thing. Of course many of you cannot often get your hands on a full size engine, and a model will help keep your interest alive (and your hands dirty). Perhaps we might have an occasional feature on model enginesyours as well as mine! Write and let me know what you think.
One of the unexpected perks of being editor, seems to be that you receive other steam society newsletters/magazines. These contain really interesting news of what is going on in a particular area. One newsletter that I've received which really is a good read is from the Somerset Traction Engine Club. Well done to them and let's have more of them.
I think that's enough of me for the moment -you get more later in the magazine!
Barry Sumsion, Editor
P.S. Let me know if you wish to see the Penfriends Scheme continued.
Marshall convertible 14421 seen resting at Borde Hill Rally earlier this year
CHAIRMAN'S
What do you think of the new editor's Special Supplement? I think it was good, plenty of info. But please; please write to him with news, articles, ideas and criticise if you need.
Now then I am having difficulty finding time to reply to your letters for' which I must apologise to you who are anxious for a reply, but will do my best to answer. At the moment I am running the SAC on my own. Now who is going to volunteer to be SAC Secretary for at this moment the only help I have is Stewart Gaines from Wickham, Rants, and John and Fiona Durling from ·Haxby, Near York. To form a committee to run the SAC I think the need is members 14 years+ and some willing adults. Please write in to let me know what you can do or help. If sufficient budding committee members come forward I will organise a meeting.
We will be holding a photographic competition again this year, so get your cameras out. Entries to be in by August 26th 1995, to be judged at the Great Dorset Steam Fair.
A colouring competition is also being held - see this issue.
Hope to see a lot of you at the National Railway Museum, York.
John Bosworth, Chairman
MAILBAG
Dear Mr Sumsion
I haven't been a member of the Steam Apprentice Club for long but I have been driving steam engines and helping out with the cleaning and other things that are involved with steam engines for a few years.
The engine I drive is 'SPRIG' and the owner is John Bosworth the Chairman of the Steam Apprentice Club. I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for all the time and effort he has given me. Before I met John I didn't know anything about steam engines but now you can't keep me away from them. John has done so much for me and I am glad I am his apprentice.
I go to a lot of rallies and I enjoy every one of them thanks to John. If it wasn't for him I would never have found this hobby and I would have missed out on all the fun of steam engines.
Thanks once again John you are the best and I look forward to going to more rallies with you this year. I am sure I will enjoy them all as much as I have enjoyed them in the past.
I would also like to thank everyone else on the steam circuit who have done so much for me, especially David, Harry and Edith Palmer, Olive Bosworth, Christopher (Tiffer), David (Did), Jill and Catherine Bosworth.
Yours Sincerely
Ruth Billings Borrowash, Derby
PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION
The 1995 Steam Apprentice Club Photographic Competition
A reminder that we are holding another photo competition and hope that many of you will submit entries. This year we are again splitting entries into two age groups and Stuart Pryke has kindly agreed to supply engraved medals for all six prize winners. In addition to the medals, winners will receive rolls of colour film and we may be able to offer other prizes ifwe can find a suitable sponsor. The best overall entry in either age group will be presented with the Dorset Trophy, currently held by James Duncombe, last year's winner, and will also receive a book donated by NTET Sales.
Rules
1. Entry to this competition is restricted to fully subscribed members of the Steam Apprentice Club (SAC).
2. Each member's entry will consist of three photographs, preferably 6" x 4" prints, colour or black & white, and they should have been taken during the period 1st August 1994 to 31st July 1995.
3. Entries must be sent to the Editor of the SAC magazine by Saturday 26thAugust. (Address at the front of this magazine.)
4. All entries must have the following details on the reverse of the photograph: name, address, age and SAC membership number; place, date and details of the engine or subject. (It is better to write these details on a piece of paper and then stick this on the back of the photo.)
5. Copyright in all entries will remain with the SAC member submitting the photographs and the organisers promise that prints will not be used in any manner or display other than in connection with the 1995 photographic competition. (A selection of entries will appear in subsequent SAC magazines.)
6. All entries are to include a suitable stamped addressed envelope to ensure photographs can be returned. The organisers promise to return all entries if this rule is adhered to.
7. Entries will be displayed at the 1995 Great Dorset Steam Fair in the NTET tent. All entries will be returned after display and/or publication in the magazine.
8. The competition will be judged in two age groups: up to 15 years; 16 years and over. Prizes and engraved medals for First, Second and Third place in each age group will be awarded. The best overall entry will receive the Dorset Trophy shield, to be held for one year. Judging
The judges will be looking for originality, composition and technical abilit,y.Photographs do not have to be of traction engines, but other subjects must be clearly related to t,ho LrncLionengine movement. The judges' decision on all entries will be final and members are asked to C\Ccoptthem in a spirit that will bring credit to themselves and the Steam Apprentice Club.
Two views of the Foden tractor "Angelina" taken at the Llandudno Festival of Transport this year. She is dressed as a showman's tractor complete with dynamo mounted in the traditional way on an extension to the smokebox. I have a feeling that I have seen an earlier picture when she was not a showman's engine. Perhaps a member can enlighten me. Ed.
O.N.C.A. Rally at Thoresby Hall, 28/29 May 1995
My usual rally weekend is, leave home Friday pm, return home late Sunday pm. However the O.N.C.A. Rally was different due to unforseen circumstances and so I was a "day" visitor which is quite something for me. I arrived Sunday 10 am-ish to find brother "Tiffer" and SAC member Nicholas Bosworth busy preparing "Sprig'' for the days work which was to be providing belt power for Oliver's rack saw. Round lengths of oak and ash were cut into posts and rails. "Sprig'' did the work with power in hand. Coal supplied was a bit "mucky" but the calorific value was high. One and a half lumps too many and "Sprig'' was "blowing off'.
There was a very nice selection of well presented engines, the 1893 McLaren traction No 501 owned by Chris Dobbs from Steetley was very special. This restoration or rebuild is a marvellous achievement. In 1976 Chris bought wheels, a boiler and tender and 19 years later was a complete traction in steam - a sight to be seen. Chris told me he made all the top motion. No patterns or drawings were available from anywhere. He did his own drawings, and made the parts. The flywheel was off Fowler No 11111. The first cylinder block cast was not satisfactory so a second had to be cast. All boiler fittings had to be made.
Another very interesting exhibit was Irvin Berroclough's 19?? ERF/Sentinel steam wagon not yet finished but was able to steam to the rally. Boiler tested to 290 psi, licensed and insured, Irvin and his sons building of this is a marvellous achievement. This requires a full article on the building of this wagon, at a later date.
John Blagg was there with Captain Scott, another McLaren of 1913. It has been reboilered, boxed and new backhead. Taken years to do, now back on the road or rally fields, but do you like the colour of the wheels?
Also present, Paul Scholly with Fowler Crane engine No 1928, minus jib.
Steam rollers were represented by Aveling & Porter, one of which was a tandem of 1908, 61/2ton unusual engine. Another roller present was a Babcox & Wilcox of 1926, not many of these on the rally field!
Don & Dorothy Robinson with their well turned out Burrell Showmans No 3334 of 1911 and 89 Key Gavioli organ were also present.
A good selection of miniatures, but don't some owners drive them too fast. I noticed one or two with the cranks, flywheel spokes just a blurr. This is just not on, what if something breaks or snaps.
John Bosworth, Chairman
COLOURING COMPETITION
For Members aged up to 9 years old
CAREFULLY remove this page from the magazine - ask an adult to help if necessary - be especially careful of the staples.
COLOUR the picture using pencils, crayons, paints or felt pens. (Pencils are probably best.)
WRITE your name, age, address and membership number in the space provided.
POST your entry in a large envelope, to avoid folding it too much.
ENCLOSE a large stamped addressed envelope if you want your entry returned.
REMEMBER to send your entry in before 27th AUGUST.
ADDRESS for entries is:
It is my intention to feature in each magazine, an engine which I have seen at a rally, and which I found particularly interesting. I would be equally pleased to feature an engine or suitable subject from any one of you. So please send in your photos and a short note describing them.
This time our subject is the Fowler 6NHP road locomotive No 9456 "Jess" of1902. I found her at the Borde Hill Rally earlier this year. From a distance I thought what a big agricultural engine that is. But the wheels, especially the front ones, were really too big to be of an agricultural engine. Her "Jess" waits for her turn to be driven into the ring at Borde Hill.
enthusiastic owner is Mr Alan Stiller of Hadlow Down, who bought her 3 years ago. When new she is believed to have gone to R. Cann of Wareham, Dorset, for hauling Purbeck stone. From 1911-1923 she was working in Kent, timber hauling. From 1934-1957 she was with Mrs Tom Smith of Shoreham when she was dressed as a full showmans locomotive named "Princess Marina". She then went to Don Eastwood and was stripped down, subsequently to be rebuilt by Jess Swatland, from whom she acquired her present name. However this is a very original engine, her rebuild obviously did not entail the sort of work frequently done today. Interesting points to note are the comparatively small belly tanks - very much smaller than later road engines - and the brass stars that still adorn her cylinder end covers from her days as a showman. Alan has fitted her motion side covers and told me that he has almost all, if not all, of the necessary fittings to return her to showmans condition. He might do it one day. Thank you Mr Stiller for taking the time to talk to me -I only hope my hurriedly scribbled notes have not proved inaccurate. Mr and Mrs Stiller are justifiably proud of their unusual engine.
MORE MAILBAG
Dear Barry
For our half term holiday this year we went to a place called Wells-nextthe-Sea in Norfolk. Not far away was a great collection of steam engines restored to their former glory. The museum is called Thursford. It was founded by George Cushing who saved all the engines from being scrapped. Unfortunately the engines inside are hardly ever taken out and used but they are all ready to use if they have to be. There are 20-25 engines outside but they were all covered up as it was the wrong time of the year. Inside there is a collection of rides, engines and organs. One disadvantage is that you cannot walk round the engines or take any photos as the engines are lined up facing you with iron railings in front.
If any one is going to Norfolk, I would advise them to go to Thursford as it is well worth a visit.
Stephen Mansfield Hethe Brede, Bicester
NEW MEMBERS
We welcome the following who have recently become members of the Steam Apprentice Club. We hope they enjoy their membership and take part to the full wherever they can in the enjoyment of their club and the steam engine.
Adam Paterson, Morley, Leeds
Richard Snelding, Wordsley, Stourbridge
Ian Vickery, Markyate, Herts.
Sam Stanley, Sedgley, West Midlands
Paul Vickery, Markyate, Herts.
Lynn Rogan, Dunstable, Beds.
Sarah Rogan, Dunstable, Beds.
Benjamin Lidgitt, Baldock, Herts.
Paul Andrews, Hitchin, Herts.
Sam Harris, Trumpintor, Carobs.
John Forshaw, Clifton, Beds.
Lee Rhodes, Castleford, W. Yorks.
James Andrews, Waverton, Cheshire.
Oliver Oscheja, Hamburg, Germany
Oliver Maslin, Hove, East Sussex
Ryan Burton, Winyates, East Redditch, Worcs.
Kristian Mills, Charlton Kings, Che1tenham, Glos.
David Willoughby, Eye, Suffolk
Alasdair Amos, Kidderminster, Worcs.
Nicholas Taylor, Waterlooville, Hants.
Mark Brears, Barnsley, S. Yorks.
Gregory Smith., Redmile, Vale of Belvoir, Leics.
Adrian Dennis, Middlesbrough, Cleveland
Shane Dawson, Fairford, Glos.
Thomas Wilson, East Brabourne, Kent
Lewis Valentine, Irthlingborough, Northants.
Simon Nixon, Brixworth, Northants.
Michael Nixon, Brixworth, Northants.
Shaun Makin, Romford, Essex.
Michael Stone, Redruth, Cornwall
Jamie Daws, Lowestoft, Suffolk
Mathew Price, Nuneaton, Warks.
Peter Roberts-Morgan, Latchingdon, Essex
Gordon Roe, Newmarket, Suffolk
Christopher Oldham, Haslemere, Surrey
Michael Oldham, Haslemere, Surrey
Neil Cobb, Wimborne, Dorset
Daniel Donovan, Spondon, Derby
Ben Copson, Nuneaton, Warks.
Daniel Parkinson, Buckingham
Freddie Noakes, Redditch, Worcs.
Martin Russell, Chesterfield, Derbys.
A good number of new apprentices there. Let's hope they continue their interest in the steam engine and visit as many rallies as possible with a view to perhaps getting their hands dirty!
EDITOR'S RALLY ROUNDUP
As mentioned earlier in this edition, I have managed so far to visit a few rallies this year. My reporting of these will be of a general nature, as I do not go with exactly a "reporter's" hat on. I do however enjoy taking photographs and a selection appear within these pages. I look forward to receiving reports from you the members, as I'm sure they will be much better documented and interesting than my jottings.
I travelled to North Wales with a colleague as we had heard that the Llandudno Transport Festival was well worth a visit, and might also include a good number of miniatures. We travelled up on the Saturday afternoon, stayed overnight and had a look round on the Sunday before travelling home in the afternoon.
Well frankly we found it a bit disappointing. The overall Victorian Extravaganza may well have provided entertainment for the general public, but as far as the steam enthusiast was concerned there were perhaps a dozen engines present, most of which it seemed did very little except stand in the main street alongside the street fair. True, they did indulge in a road run to and from the rally field, but none I found was practising what it was originally built for. I don't expect every engine owner to work his engine to death, but to stand in light steam, with at best, the engine ticking over slowly, is not my idea of showing what the traction engine is/was all about. It may be, of course, that this is all that the organisers required of them.
However there were a couple of engines that interested me. Being a Burrell enthusiast (and building a third size showmans) I found a nicely turned out single crank compound No 2950 Little Mac, apparently from Congleton in Cheshire. A hurried look around taking mental note of small details of the engine's construction and a few photos, saw the engine scurry off to the safety of the rally field, towing a rather nice little water dandy. (Just waiting to be modelled!) The other engine to take my fancy was the Foden D Type tractor Angelina dressed as a showmans tractor. I do not know if she was a showmans in showland or has been converted in recent times. I say this as I believe I have, somewhere, a photograph of just such an engine, with the same name, which was not a showmans. Perhaps someone will write and put me right about that. There was a clutch of rollers (Avelings, Garret & Fowler) and a collection of light showmans tractors - mostly Garrets and a Foster. There were various other traction engines roaming the streets on the early Saturday evening which do not appear in the programme. What a pity there could not have been a bit of 'organised steam' to entertain us.
The highlight of my weekend was a talk, long into the evening with Jack Schofield who had brought his Gallopers and Chair'oplanes. Only the insensible idea of standing in a Llandudno street until the early hours of Sunday morning drew our conversation to an end. What an interesting and enthusiastic man he is. If he is there next year it might be worth going again just to continue our chat! Altogether then, an enjoyable if slightly disappointing weekend for me.
Borde Hill Rally was my next outing. Another venue I had never visited before, and was not quite sure what to expect. Going only from their national
publicity I took the plunge along with my wife and family. It turned out to be a superb day out - me enjoying the rally, my wife enjoying the gardens and tea shop, while the kids enjoyed the total freedom of the rally and grounds. Although the total number of engines was not great, there was an interesting variety including some that I had not seen before. The engine which particularly caught my fancy was the Fowler Road Loco No 9456 Jess, which I have featured elsewhere in this magazine. Talking to the driver ofAveling & Porter roller No 10190 Felicity, I learned that they drove by road to the rally, suffering a leaking tube for the last few miles. It was touch and go whether they would make it up the last hill before it became more or less downhill all the way to the rally site. Much water and coal was used ·in maintaining enough steam to keep rolling. When I talked to the driver, he was lighting up for the day after having re-expanded the tubes and hoping for no further trouble. This engine, like all others at this show was particularly well turned out and apparently very well cared for. A couple of other engines suffered a little trouble. A McLaren on site did not move whilst I was there, again apparently having tube troubles, whilst a Sentinel Waggon, registration number AW 3833 (I did not get the engine number) was towed into the arena by Fowler traction engine No 11814 Berkshire Tariff Queen. There was certainly fire in the Sentinel's firebox, but the word was that it did not think much of the coal, and had not enough steam pressure to get itself round the ring. I think the Fowler driver enjoyed the tow however. Although most engines had little to do, this was more of a
Two rather different Aveling & Porter tractors to be found at Borde Hill Rally. Left: No 10722 Toady and right: 10563 Old Peculier.
traditional rally with arena parade, where at least the public could see all engines in action and hear a little about each of them. I think this is a most important part of many rallies - it's the only time many visitors get to realise exactly what they are seeing! There was a saw bench available and I saw a half size Case and the 7nhpAllchin No 3251 Royal Chester driving this at various times. The Allchin is an engine very close to many modellers hearts, as it is probably the most modelled engine there is, and as most of you who read my earlier Raising Steam Supplement will know, I regularly give a quarter size version some hard work to do. A most enjoyable day out at a beautiful location, with a small and friendly group of engine owners and exhibitors.
Finally we come to Sellinge Rally. Again a long trip east for me and my wife. We travelled up on the Saturday afternoon, stayed at a village pub overnight and really enjoyed our Sunday at the rally. This was another rally I had never been to, but believing our Chairman John Bosworth would be there, ifit was good enough for him then I reckoned it must be good. And it was! There was a good selection of engines of all makes and types present. Not much for them to do but plenty of public access and a good arena event where the sometimes traditional photographic line-up was provided. Harris's fun fair was present with the Fowler Repulse once again trying to emulate the National Grid. Gallopers and Chairs both hooked up, with another set of cables going off into the side stuff (although I know not where) and the ammeter hard on the stop showing at least 300 amps most of the time. I have heard it said that the owner will 'break it' one day, but if ever an engine sounded sweeter it would be hard to find. Just the good even beat of an engine working hard in good hands and not a mechanical clank or wheeze to be heard. Elsewhere one of a pair of apparently resident Fowler ploughing engines was pulling visitors around another field in a big 4-wheeled trailer. Not really hard work for such an engine, but it certainly gave Joe Public a taste of what it could do on the uphill section. This rally was spread about three fields, and there seemed to be something different in each of them. I was particularly happy to find a good selection of miniatures present and most of them getting about and showing off their paces. (They were not charging about with crankshaftspeeds akin to Japanese motor cycle engines either John!) My photographs from this rally are not yet ready, so will have to be held over -that's if they are any good! A really good day was had -I wanted more and I certainly will try to visit this rally again next year. My next few weekends have been taken up with my involvement in the model steam world. I will bring you occasional reports of the more interesting events later.
Barry Sumsion, Editor
CROSSWORD PUZZLE
See how you can do with this crossword. Its answers are all Showmans engines. Some you will find easily, some may need help from Mum or Dad. John and Fiona Durling, SAC Yorkshire Area
Across
4. Live at the National Indoor Arena, Birmingham?
G. Newly out after extensive Cornish restoration. 8 and 11. down Noble general from World War I.
10 see 4 down.
12 see 14 down.
13. Peter from Neverland.
15. Is Halley the driver?
Answers in your next Raising Steam,
Down
1 and 2. A Burrell, she became the Princess Royal.
3. An engine with ijarewood connections "Lotd ... " the eldest son of I and 2 down.
4. and 10 across The only one made by Brown and May!
5. A foe of St George?
7. Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber's" ... Express"
9. The top Fowler, belonging to the Wharton family.
11 see 8 across.
14 and 12 across. Her Ladyship's husband?
