RAISING 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 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 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 early part of January, April, July and October. The Club accepts no liability for failure to meet intended publication dates.
The Stearn 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, Middlesex TW18 4UQ.
Typesetting and Artwork by Kearline Graphic Images, 1 Leicester Road, Newport, Gwent NP9 7ER Tel: 01633 262197 Fax: 01633 259089
Printed by The Chequer Press Ltd, High Street, Lydney, Glos GL15 5DP
It seems that my efforts to stir some response from you towards your magazine are beginning to have some effect. I am encouraged that some of you have written in and contributed photos or drawings. I have met a few of you at rallies during the summer - particularly at the Great Dorset, where I found a Garrett Showmans tractor positively heaving with apprentices one afternoon. On speaking to those of you I have met, I seem to get a blank expression when you're asked to contribute to the magazine. Some of you obviously don't think you would be any good at writing, and some of you obviously think that 'someone else' is responsible for providing the stories etc in your magazine. So to those of you who remember me speaking to you, come on, write to me, tell me about your favourite engine or rally, or what you enjoy most about the steam engine. Send in your photographs and drawings-I've seen some of your efforts and many of you are really very good. So this message is for you. Yes you who has just read those very words. 'You' means that person you see in the mirror - not all the other apprentices. I do go on about you contributing to your magazine don't I? Well I intend to keep nagging away at you until I get sackfuls of letters. And when I do you will find your magazine will become ever more interesting, and you will be rightly proud to be part of it.
Now, I am afraid that my camera has not been as active as it might have been in recent months. I have been to various rallies, but have often become so engrossed or Chris Deering, winner of The Dorset Shield, gives a little more polish to Burrell 8nhp Showmans locomotive no. 2668 'Britannia' at the Great Dorset Steam Fair.
involved in some particular activity that my camera has remained firmly in its case. However, I am fortunate that for this edition, I have the photographs taken by those of you who entered the photographic competition. So later in these pages, you will find some of your work printed, and that's the best type of photographs I can print. The entries were very good and it took the judges some awful moments deciding just which entry would be the final winner. The winner and runners-up appear later in the magazine, but if I hadn't insisted, I think the winner would have taken his photos home with him after the Great Dorset. I couldn't allow that now, could I? So I sent him off to finish cleaning the 8nhp Burrell Showmans engine No. 2668 'Britannia', which was in the care of his father for the weekend. What a lucky apprentice!
I have visited a few rallies recently, and a short report follows later, but the Great Dorset saw the greatest activity, where I spent some of my time in the N.T.E.T. marquee, assisting your Chairman with the photo and colouring competitions. I was a little put out however to find an apprentice cleaning the Tasker tractor, which was in the tent for the apprentices, who did not know what 'Raising Steam' was!! That is until I described the appearance of the last edition in detail, only to have the reply "Oh that magazine!" I will spare his blushes and not name him here, but I bet he .remembers the name from now on. Did you go to the Great Dorset - well what did you think of it? What were your favourite exhibits? Write and tell me.
Neil Cobb, 14 and a little camera-shy, in charge of the Garrett Showmans tractor no. 33284 Princess Maud at the Great Dorset Steam Fair.
There are not many rallies left now this year, but I hope to fit one more in - more next time I hope.
Whilst at Dorset I attended a committee meeting of the N.T.E.T. and part two of that meeting in London later on. It was interesting to put faces to many of the names found in the front of Steaming! Chairman John Bosworth does not seem to have had many offers to help him with the running of the SAC. Can you help? Write to John if you (or your parents) think you can help in any way. He would also like to hear from anybody with ideas about what you would like organised for apprentices, at what time of year, and in what area? A tall order, but your thoughts may help him to make your membership more interesting and worthwhile.
Barry Sumsion, Editor
CHAIRMAN'S COLUMN
Well, have you all enjoyed your steam rallies this season?
It has been very hot, dry and dusty, but I prefer the hot weather to rain and sludge. It was just a little too warm some times though!
I am finding it a problem to place Steam Apprentices with engines. There are plenty of engine owners who are willing to take on an apprentice, but suitable apprentices often seem to live too far away from the engine. I feel that the workshop is the best place to learn "steam" during rebuilding or repair work, and that the rally field is just a bonus.
This year was my second visit to the Great Dorset Steam Fair and I enjoyed it more than last year. The event was set out differently (all the regulars complained because they couldn't find things!) and the NTET marquee was near to the working area so I was able to pop out when things were quiet.
David and John Carr kindly offered to bring their small Tasker tractor to be dislayed in the marquee which proved to be an interesting talking point.
Yes, Dorset weather was kind except for 9.30am on Saturday. And what were the Steam Apprentices trying to do then? Cook breakfast on the shovel! Thunder, lightning and rain are not really compatible with bacon, sausages and eggs. However, engine sheets and umbrellas appeared and everyone managed.
The Steam Appentice Club are hoping to run a training course during 1996. Do you have any suggestions? Some engines are not ready until perhaps April after which most are committed to rallies. Please let Barry or myself have your thoughts.
The photographic competition entries were excellent-you are all budding Lord Lichfields! Congratulations go to Robert Deering, the winner of The Dorset Shield. The entries for the colouring competition were also very good. The judges, Paul Appleton, your Chairman and Christine Wells, who provided the outline drawing, had a difficult task. The winner was Christopher Stork. Congratulations Christopher! And thank you, of course, to Christine.
Preservationists and operatives of mill and beam engines are always looking for help from young steam enthusiasts. If anyone is interested, then please contact your Chairman.
John Bosworth, Chairman
MAILBAG
Dear Editor
On page 5 of the Summer '95 issue, you were wondering if you had seen Foden tractor no. 12782 "Angelina" built in 1927, in an earlier picture when she had not showmans fittings. I also thought that when I saw your photo that I had seen her before in a book without dynamo and canopy brass supports, so I went to look. I looked in all my books and at the last minute found a splendid photo of her at a 1967 rally at Castle Howard, in April '95 issue of'Old Glory' magazine. It is shown on page 59. I am sorry that I can't send you the photo but I would hate to cut my magazine. I hope you have that issue. I'm sure you will agree that she is in lovely condition at this early rally, but I do not really believe in "conversions". I'd rather see an engine original. But "Angelina" is a lovely tractor today and I hope she remains for many years. I have not been a member of the S.A.C. for long, but thanks for a great magazine.
Yours Sincerely
G. Smith Eire
Dear Barry
After receiving the latest edition of Raising Steam and reading your plea for contributions for the magazine, it inspired me to draw you a picture of a road roller. I thought it could be useful for another colouring competition for the younger steam apprentices. That is why I have not coloured it in. I intended it to look like my Dad's Aveling & Porter road roller No. 11969, 4
which was built on the 1.11.1929. When I had finished the drawing it didn't look very familiar. However I hope you like it and it fills a page in the next Raising Steam.
Nick Brown, 14 Hopwas
Send in your coloured version (use crayons or coloured pencils) of Nick's drawing if you are 9 years old or under, and I will organise a little Editor's reward - Editor. And to NickBrilliant - let's have some more!
Dear Barry,
I enjoy my S.A.C. magazine and I thought I would send you some drawings of water pipe ends I saw at the 35th Anniversary Rally of the Cornish Traction Preservation Club. We haven't got an engine but I enjoy seeing .,. them at steam fairs.
Dear Mr Sumsion,
I joined the S.A.C. in September 1994 and went to my first steam engine rally on the 18th June 1995. Whilst I was there, I photographed a peculiar engine (see photo) of which the engine was steered by a whee] at the front. I was wondering whether anybody has any information on its background and what it was used for, as the driver must get an aching back after standing there bent over all the ti1ne, in order to steer.
I would also like to know whether there were any others built like it. I would be most grateful for any information.
Yours sincerely
George Drewitt, 13 Surrey
Editor's Note
• It is very satisfying to see that some of you are taking the time to send your contributions
• to your magazine - and there's more on page 10! When sending photos or drawings
• please try to avoid folding them, and try to put them in an envelope with a piece of card
•
• stiffener. This avoids damage to photos and stops the fold showing when we reproduce
• your drawings. Please do your drawings in a hard pencil or pen - soft lines often disappear
• under the camera or scanner we have to use. But most important, keep them coming!
•
PHOTOGRAPHIC AND COLOURING COMPETITIONS
A good response from many of you provided good competitions, which were judged at the Great Dorset Steam Fair. The excellence of the entries, combined with the wide difference in ages of those who entered, made the judging a very difficult task.
One thing that was obvious is that many of you enjoy taking photographs and many, especially the younger apprentices enjoy colouring the drawings. So those of you who enjoy taking photos, keep them coming, both for next 'J year's competition, and for inclusion in your magazine. Photographs taken in the winter can often benefit from the bright sunshine to be had at that .i time of year, giving good light onto your subject. Try and find where engines are being worked on or stored over the winter - with the owner's permission, some very interesting photos are possible.
4nhp Burrell 3545 of 1914 'Topper' at Rushmoor Rally, 29th July 1995. One of the winning photographs taken by Robert Deering.
The popularity of the colouring competition prompts me to include these as regularly as I can obtain them. We have a drawing this time from apprentice Nick Brown and I'm sure there are others who are capable of
drtt wing as Nick has done. I have also mentioned to her the possibility of 1nore drawings from Christine Wells, who drew the corn.petition drawing. It is not possible to reproduce the results of the colouring competition in the magazine, but it is possible to show some of the results of the photographic competition - albeit in black and white, and thereby not showing them in all their glory! A selection is included from the competition winners.
Left is another of Robert's entries. John 'Crowman' Mile,c;take,c;a well-earned ice-cream on a hot afternoon at Rushmoor Rally 1995. Engine is Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies 6nhp crane engine 31066 'Hooky' of 1921.
Below are two photographs from Second place winne,; Sarah Auger from Whisby Moor in Lincolnshire. Sarah appears to be 'into' Fowlers! Left is single cylinder traction engine no. 9544 'Dalton Boy', whilst compounds are Nos. 8712 of 1900 and 17106 of 1928-the latter a l0nhp crane engine minus crane. Both pictures were taken at Pickering TI·action Engine Rally on 30th July 1995. Not to be outdone completely by his siste,; in Third place cam,e Andrew
Auger with the two photos below. That on the left is of 1913 built McLaren road locomotive no 1421 'Captain Scott·~ tahen at Elvaslon Castle on 2nd July, whilst on the right is Burrell 5nhp showmans tractor No. 3669 Wero', taken at the Pickering Rally on 30th July 1995.
Dear Raising Steam
Firstly I would like to offer my apologies for not being able to attend your visit to the National Railway Museum as it fell on the weekend before my City & Guilds exams but I do hope it went well for you and that you had a good turn out. I'm also sorry for not writing to you earlier since my brother and I have been members for almost ten months now. We joined at the Great Dorset Steam Fair '94 and have enjoyed reading your magazines.
I have enclosed a copy of a sketch I drew from a photo taken at the steam fair and a photo taken at "The Friends of Thomas the Tank Engine Day" at the Bure Valley Railway.
The collection of Mamod machinery has been gathered by my brother Christopher Gilham and includes a hammer, a grinding wheel and a pillar drill. In addition to these he also has a trailer, a water carrier and themodel organ visible in the background of the photo. I built the organ in between projects on my furniture craft course at college and gave it to him for his 11th birthday. The face on the engine was a joint effort between us, it's modelled :iinFimo and hangs round the chimney on a piece of wire. My brother really enjoys showing his collection and talking to people about it.
So even though we haven't been keeping in touch with you we have been keeping in touch with steam and I will soon be driving, and hope to keep in contact with you and take a more active part in your events.
Yours sincerely
Susan Gilham Aylsham, Norfolk
Susan Gilham's sketch referred to in her letter. She is obviously a talented artisc and we would be happy to see more of her work.
NEW MEMBERS
Welcome to the following who have recently joined the Steam Apprentice Club. Enjoy your membership whenever you can, and please contribute your interests to your magazine.
Thomas Parrott, Sharollow, Derby
Damien Stabler, Acton, Sudbury, Suffolk
Ian King, Walton on Thames, Surrey
Amy Goold, Camerton, Bath
Emma Goold, Camerton, Bath
James Elwis, Rosington, Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Jonathan Ewers, Tick.hill, Doncaster, South Yorkshire
David Ewers, Tick.hill, Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Kim Halford, Rawmarsh, Rotherham, South Yorkshire
Michael Bryant, Wetherby, South Yorkshire
Martin Bates, Kilburn, Belper, Derbyshire
Matthew Childs, Huntington, York
Alex Buckley, Catshill, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire
James Tozer, Broughton, Hampshire
Matthew Bate, Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland
Kate Stuart, Orwell, Near Royston, Hertfordshire
Edward Smith, Shenington, Near Banbury, Oxfordshire
Michael Chilcott, Hamsterley, Bishop Auk.land, Co. Durham
Ian Orchard, Rufford, Near Ormskirk, Lancashire
Brendan Connell, Billericay, Essex
Michael Rutt, Frome, Somerset
Graham Rutt, Frome, Somerset
Andrew Lee, Stoney Stanton, Leicestershire
Mark Flynn, Wootton, Ryde, Isle of Wight
Ben Wood, Sellindge, Ashford, Kent
Ashley Hollebone, Twickenham TW2 6EP
Simon Elwess, Harpswell, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire
Jamie Butler, Ickford, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire
James Corbin, Ashley, New Milton, Hampshire
Stephen Watkins, London SW9 7SH
Michael Sumsion, Newport, Gwent
Glenn Buckley, Gosport, Hampshire
James Buckley, Gosport, Hampshire
Kirsty Mewett, Polegate, East Sussex
Craig Mewett, Polegate, East Sussex
Benjamin Daniel, Henwood, Lisk.eard, Cornwall
Ian Crooks, Harpenden, Hertfordshire
Wayne Delves, Redruth, Cornwall
Jamie James, Trevethan Cross, Redruth, Cornwall
Stephen James, Trevethan Cross, Redruth, Cornwall
Loretta Lynne, Hayle, Cornwall
Robert Houghton, Paddington, Warrington, Cheshire
Lee Beddows, Woolston, Warrington, Cheshire
Christopher Beddows, Woolston, Warrington, Cheshire
Gareth Buscombe, Penwithick, St. Austell, Cornwall
Ralph Vickery, Loxbeare, Tiverton, Devon
Owen Vickery, Loxbeare, Tiverton, Devon
Lee Fitzgerald, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire
Christopher Vincent, Indian Queens, St. Columb, Cornwall
John Perry, Summercourt, Near Newquay, Cornwall
Andrew Poole, Wombourne, Near Wolverhampton, West Midlands
Christopher Turner, Thormanby, York
Elizabeth Reid, Thorne, Doncaster, South Yorkshire
James Reid, Thorne, Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Sean Cullingford, Louth, Lincolnshire
Frederick Reichardt-Haycock, Withernsea, North Humberside
Patrick McEvoy, Rawtenstall, Lancashire
Katie Parkin, Cutsyke, Castleford, West Yorkshire
Mark Coy, Kirton-in-Lindsey, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire
Teresa Flear, Kirton-in-Lindsey, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire
Luke MacArthur, Biggar, Lanarkshire
Barry Hurst, Aughton, Ormskirk, Lancashire
Luke Warren, Hamsterley, Bishop Auckland, Co. Durham
Richard McLean, Newton Aycliffe, Co. Durham
Christopher Bailey, Harrogate, North Yorkshire
William Hodgson, North Conton, Northallerton, North Yorkshire
David Dawson, Kirk Deighlson, Wetherby South Yorkshire
Richard Baker, Catterick Village, North Yorkshire
Andrew Glen, Billingham, Cleveland
Alice Driver, Whalton, Near Morpeth, Northumberland
Nicola Driver, Whalton, Near Morpeth, Northumberland
Gary Dulson, Wombwell, Barnsley, South Yorkshire
Ben Headon, Farlington, Portsmouth, Hampshire
Dean Parkin, Cutsyke, Castleford, West Yorkshire
Kevin Parltin, Cutsyke, Castleford, West Yorkshire
Robert Palmer, Olney, Buckinghamshire
Jonathon Palmer, Olney, Buckinghamshire
Drew Maslin, Willerby, Hull, Humberside
Lawrence Murrell, Reigate, Surrey
Elizabeth Shakespeare, Stoke Prior, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire
Barry West, Alton, Hampshire
Thomas Stork, Clayton, Bradford, West Yorkshire
Christopher Stork, Clayton, Bradford, West Yorkshire
Ryan David, Donaghcloney, Co. Down
MORE FROM THE EDITOR
Now normally I should be considering writing my rally round up and perhaps my intended engine feature here. However having reached this far and having very satisfyingly filled much of this edition with your contributions, I shall leave over those writings until the winter edition, when traditionally there's less going on and therefore less to write about. As a teaser, I can tell you that I visited the Welland (Upton), Somerset (Langport), Great Dorset and Hanbury rallies. Which was my favourite? Well you will have to wait and see.
Here, however, is the ideal opportunity for you to write your reports on the rallies and other visits you have been to this year. Write in with your questions -and indeed your answers. George Drewitt on page 7 is looking for answers about the unusual front-steering engine he saw. Do you know what it is? Let's also have your drawings and photos. It really is good to be able to use so much of your contributions - you deserve a pat on the back. Remember too, that if you are under 9 years old, you can colour in Nick Brown's drawing on page 5, and I will reward the one I think is best. I would also like to know what other subjects you would like to read about. As long as it is about the steam engine or industry in general, we will probably be able to find something to interest you. I know many of you have model steam engines - usually Mamods. Let me know how you use them and if there are any queries I can help with, I will. I have a friend who is an expert on Mamods both old and new, so it is likely that we can answer most questions you may have. We also, of course, have a good relationship with Mamods themselves. A little more sophisticated perhaps, but I may have a worthwhile report on the progress ofmy 4" Burrell Scenic Showmans locomotive. Things are really moving on that front now that the dark evenings are approaching and the rally season is over. Most importantly let me know what you want to see, and I'll see what I can do.
Now - the answers to last time's crossword puzzle. Did you do it? How good were your answers?
Answers:
Across - 4 Gladiator; 6 Nancy; 8 Earl; 10 Buller; 12 Lordship; 13 Pan; 15 Comet
Down -1 Princess; 2 Mary; 3 Lascelles; 4 General; 5 Dragon; 7 Starlight; 9 Supreme; 11 Haig; 14 His.
Barry Sumsion Editor
