RAISING STEAM
STEAM ~APRENTICE CLUB MAGAZINE
EDITOR
Barry Sumsion, 1 Leicester Road, 'Newport, South Wales NP9 7ER
Tel: 01633 262197 Fax: 0~633 259089
CHAIRMAN, STEAM APPRENTICE CLUB
John Durling, Hawthorn Cottage, Stubwood, il§ttoxeter, Staffordshire ST14 5HX
Tel: 01889 5~i188 (between 08.00 and 21.00 hours only please)
MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY
John, Cook, Dolfarni, Church Lane, Kirby la Thospe, Sleaford, Lincolnsl':tire NG34 9NU. Correspondence oruy
The Editmr welcomes anr contributiom.s of articles, shorter items or photographs for inclusion in future issues. Ml material submitted is voluntary and payment cannot be made for any material published. IT\heopinions e~pressed il.n,.the magazine, with the e:x:ceptionof Club announcements, are those 0f the contributors and do m.otindicate the views of the Olub as a whole. All items are held copyright by tl':tecontFibutor and the NTET.
Please send y0ur contributions to the Editor at least:.five weeks before publication. Typecl articles are prefev,red but not essential. If handwritten put amy names of PEOPLE, PLACES or ENGINES in BLOCK CAPITALS. If you require any part of your article (eg photos) re1mrning please say so and enclose a stamped addressed envelope. Enclose your name, address and 0i.fAppxentice) age with any contribution.
The Editor resewes the right t0 amend or r.efuse contribID.tions,and will attempt to c0rred spelling and grammar!
The Magazine is norma'.lly published du,ing the early part of January, April, July and October. The Club accepts no lia):,ility,for failure to meet intended publication dates.
'I1heSteam Apprentice Club is a section o:6the National Traction Engine Trust. N'rET is a Registered Charity, No. 291578, Registerediin England No. 1302'197. Registered Office: Forum Hous-e, 1-6 Millmead, Middlesex TW'18 ~UJQ.
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I am writing this in a considerable hurry, so as to produce your magazine as near to the beginning of April as possible. (A bout of flu didn't help!) The reason for the rush is so that you have the chance to take part in the NTET Driving Course (SAC section), to be held on 10/11 May. Short notice, I know, but if you haven't already applied then, if you have the chance to take part at all, apply immediately.
I am pleased to include contributions from many of you, as usual. But-most of the contributions are coming from the younger members. Now there's nothing wrong with that at all, but if the older members want to see something which perhaps may be of greater interest to them, then they should get writing. Your Chairman and new committee are working hard trying to encourage older members and others within the NTET to support the SAC. You can play your part by contributing to your magazine, or perhaps your parents are enthusiasts or engine owners who may well have a story to tell. Get working on them!
This year is beginning to look quite exciting for the SAC. We have, at long last, a committee who are committed to providing as many facilities for apprentices as is possible. If you know someone who may be willing to help then please get in touch with John Durling, your Chairman.
Barry Sumsion, Editor
What, you may ask is a photograph of a car doing in this magazine. The first three correct answers received as to what it is, will receive in return a free SAC enamel lapel badge - Ed.
CHAIRMAN'S COLUMN
Here we are at the start of a new season.
I hope that some of you will have been busy during the winter helping with the less exciting but very important work of repairing and maintaining the engines ready for the next season.
We have been trying hard during the winter to recruit new adults to help with the running of the SAC and you will see elsewhere in this issue a list of rallies with the name of the person who will be there. This means that we can now cover 20 rallies with someone to help you learn about traction engines. To make their effort worth while of course, we now need apprentices to turn up at these shows who want to work on engines. I am aware that there are many gaps in the list of rallies covered but more people are coming forward all the time and I hope that eventually we will be able to cover most rallies and shows.
The next major activity for the SAC (and the NTET) is the Driving Course at Coldharbour Mill, Uffculme, Devon on the 10 and 11 May. At the moment we have two apprentices on the junior course and two on the adult course. Therefore places are still available. Please see the application form enclosed with your copy of Raising Steam and come and learn from the experts. Give John or Fiona a call if you want more information.
Here is a message for those living in the north west. I have been approached by Mr A Cow~ll from Grimsargh, near Preston. He has 5 engines - yes 53 Burrells, a Marshall and a Fowler and needs help with crewing them. If you are interested in this, give me a ring.
We have also heard from Ian Howitt who lives in Crofton, Wakefield. He has a Marshall roller and he tells me he has railway engines too! He is also looking for help. If you would like to know more about how you can help and what he has to offer give us a ring.
I hope that lots of you can get out to your favourite shows this year and also that we can meet some of you as we travel around.
Good steaming.
John Durling, Chairman
Traction engines given no specific task at rallies often find themselves outside beer tents as was the fate of McLaren No 435.
Unfortunately I did not record which rally this was, but it was during the hot spell of last sum1ner - Ed.
RALLYING WITH THE SAC
Date Rally
10/11 May Stoke Goldington Steam Rally
Co-ordinator
Carol
31 May/1 June Leighton Buzzard Bypass Steam Rally Carol
7/8 June Mid Shropshire Vintage Club Rally Bill & Pat
14/15 June Coppice Steam Gathering, Ilkeston John Bosworth
21/22 June Bolnhurst Vintage and Country Fair Carol
5/6 July Hollowell Steam and Heavy Horse Show Bill & Pat
12/13 July Cheshire Steam Fair
Bill & Pat
12/13 July Rempstone Steam and Country Show Sue
19/20 July Masham Steam Engine & Fair Organ Rally, N. Yorks Rick
26/27 July Chester le Street Traction Engine Rally Rick
1/3 August Pickering Traction Engine Rally Rick
9/10 August Astle Park Bill & Pat
23/25 August Harewood Rick
24/25 August Stapleford Steam 97 Carol
24/25 August County of Salop
27/31 August Great Dorset Steam Fair
Bill & Pat and Sue
John & Fiona
30/31 August Lancashire Vintage & Country Show Brian Rawstrone*
6/7 September Malpas Yesteryear Rally, Cheshire
6/7 September Haddenham Steam Rally
13/14 September Bedfordshire Steam and Country Fair
These people can be contacted on these numbers:
Bill & Pat
Carol
John & Fiona and Carol
Sue Doncaster, Colchester, Essex 01206 230689. Sue has a Sentinel steam lorry which travels to all its shows under its own steam.
Rick Fiskell, Newton Aycliffe, Co Durham 01325 307061.
Bill Evens and Pat Williams, Bangor on Dee, Wrexham 01978 780749.
John Bosworth, Ilkeston, Derby 01332 880405.
Carol Maskell 01234 740213.
Please give them a ring if you know you are going to a show so that they can have some idea of how many apprentices are likely to turn up.
* Brain Rawstrone has a Burrell single crank compound roller. Introduce yourself to him if you go to this show.
Mr & Mrs Michael Maskell have a Fowler general purpose traction engine "Lord of the Isles". Look out for this engine, they may be willing to take a permanent apprentice.
DON'T FORGET Take your membership card when you go to a rally You might be able to get in free (see rally list) and you will need it when you meet the SAC co-ordinator to prove that you are a member.
Dear Editor
I have sent you a picture of 'McBeth', an engine I made up. It has a caravan with a Jack Russel sat on the steps. The dog is called Woge.
From Jonathan Tilling, Faringdon, Oxon (age 11)
My Weekend on Lord Lascelles
I was over the moon when the owner of Lord Lascelles, Dick Marsh telephoned me to invite me to help crew on what must be the most beautiful scenic showmans engine in the north west, if not the whole of the country. My parents took me to Malpas for the weekend 7/8 September where I joined Dick and John Watson and later followed by Matthew Healey.
The weather was very good and it was very busy with lots to see and do.
My first job was to help load the coal onto the tender and then clean the brasswork ready for the engine to stand on show and generate electricity for one of the fairground organs. When it was time to go into the show arena, John Watson was very kind and asked me if I would like to steer the engine. I, of coun;e, jun1ped at the chance.
In the evening we, once again, provided power for the fairground organ and also illuminated Lord Lascelles., What a magnificent sight it was. John Watson cooked the evening meal in the smokebox of the engine (chicken casserole). It was delicious.
After a good nights sleep I was back on Lord Lascelles early on Sunday morning helping to prepare for another full day. We spent the day cleaning and showing the engine. People flocked around all day asking questions and taking photographs. I was able to steer the engine around the show arena again, what a wonderful experience.
Sadly the time came to load Lord Lascelles onto the transport to take the engine home. I said my thanks to Dick, John and Matthew and watched as we
followed in our car on the journey home. Thank you Dick for a wonderful weekend that I will remember for always.
From Robert Houghton (age 11), Warrington Cheshire
Above: Robert's photograph of 'Lord Lascelles'. Unfortunately Robert sent a coloured photo-copy and these do not reproduce as well as an original photograph. It is a Burrell however, so I can personally forgive him! - Ed.
Jonathan Ewers sent in the drawing below. It is beautifully coloured, being a green engine with red wheels. Unfortunately he sent nothing with the picture, so I cannot tell you anything more about Jonathan nor the engine.
ENGINES FROM THE SOUTH
by Kevin Mills (age 12)
Here is a sort of report of interesting engines I have seen on the 1996 rally fields.
Cuckoo Fayre, Pevensey, East Sussex
This was the first rally I visited and it rained all day. One engine that caught 1ny eye straight away was John Wheeler's 1937 Aveling Barford roller No AC606 'Prince of Wales'. Later in the year, I started an apprenticeship on an identical (but smaller) roller. 'Prince of Wales' has a crosshead driven pump, valve gear on the wrong side to conventional rollers and no drain cocks.
Parham Steam Rally, Storrington, Sussex
This is one of the highlights of the year. Star of the show for me was Peter & Shirley Fagg's 1886 Marshall No 14242 'Victoria' (HO 5913). Anyone who saw her at Northampton in October will agree her condition has to be seen to be believed. An unexpected engine was Frank Lythgoe's Fowler showmans No 19783 (EU 4983) 'King Carnival II'.
Downs Steam Show, Petersfield
The whole of this show I was with an engine, Fowler No 7453 'Albert' (HO 5911). I have already mentioned 'Victoria' and the two engines have been together since 1895. Fred 1Jibnah (the man who got me interested in steam 4 1 /2
Fowlert engine 'Albert'
years ago) was there, but not with his roller. There were eleven Aveling & Porter rollers, and the Aveling & Barford No AC606. A very interesting Marshall traction was present No 14421 (BP 9045) owned by Gerald Russell. This is a convertible built in 1886. 'Victoria' is the oldest Marshall traction and 14421 the second. Thanks to Derek Gough and Trevor Crabb for letting me work on 'Albert'.
Ardingly, Haywards Heath
19 engines were here, with an unusual Fowler tractor owned by Tim Beaven.
Bluebell Railway Steam Fair
Again I was with 'Albert' and 'Victoria', and what a lovely rally it was. Steam locomotives one side of the fence, shown1ans the other, and plenty of steam including a rare Fawell. Terry Gisburn's Fowler No 15652 'Repulse' was running without her motion covers giving her an unusual appearance. After the grand parade came a 'slow race' across the field in which 'Albert' stalled half way. The race was won by a Fowler roller 'Lady Janet'. Then came 'musical chairs' in which a member of the public walked around the arena with an engine and then ran into the middle. My sister Hayley came second and got filthy sharing the coal bunker with me.
.··•••Aveling & Porter No 10994 'Queen Jubilee', owned by Roy Chapman
The Great Dorset Steam Fair
Fantastic sums up the whole show. 'Albert' didn't attend the Fowler gathering. A highlight for me was mounting Burrell showmans 'Gladiator' during lighting up.
In October I started my apprenticeship with Brian Johnson and his 1946 Aveling Barford roller No AG758 'Gisela'. At the moment winter work is being undertaken.
If anybody has any information on Aveling Barford steam rollers can you please contact me through the magazine or at: 'Clova', 18 Rochester Close, West Durrington, West Sussex BN13 3RP.
Kevin Mills' final report picture is of Allchin traction engine 'Royal Chester', owned by G. Russell.
If I received only one report as good as Kevin's for each magazine it would be a tremendous contribution in making your magazine a good interesting read. Well done Kevin - Editor
JOTTINGS
Now here's an interesting piece, hand written on a post card and given to me by John Bosworth. I do not know who originally wrote it:
The Steam Injector Patent July 1858 WJ. Gifford
First loco fitted with Gifford injector called 'Problem' 2-2-2 Nov 1859, Crewe Works, LNWR. Injector manufactured by Gresham & Craven. Extract from "The Locomotive and its Development" Stretton 1896. "It is a 10
well-known fact that the steam pressure in the valve chest is actually greater than it is in the boiler, this being due to the momentum with which the steam rushes past the regulator and down the steam pipe. In the same manner, the velocity of the steam rushing through the injector is so great that it not only has force enough to rush itself back into the boiler, but also carries the water with it.,,
And another interesting note, this time hand written on the back of an envelope:
The injector is a device that uses the energy derived by expanding steam through a nozzle to lift water and force it into the boiler from which the steam was obtained. The velocity of steam discharged from the jet causes water to be drawn into the combining chamber where the steam is condensed. The kinetic energy in the steam is transferred into the water which flows through the delivery tube into the boiler.
WORDSEARCH
Here is a word search where all the words tell you about a SAC activity which will be happening on the weekend of 10/11 May 1997. There are 19 words, see if you can find them all.
Words can be up or down, left or right, diagonally and forwards or backwards.
The answers will be in the next issue. If you want any information about the weekend - don't for get to ring!01889 591188.
Fiona Durling
MY DATE WITH A PRINCESS part 2 by
Neil Cobb
Readers of the last issue will recall that Neil had given us a background to his family and his involvement with a particular engine. He now continues with the events at the 1995 Great Dorset Steam Fair.
Saturday. Arrive on field with caravan, van, awning, deckchairs, boxes of this, boxes of that, food for the starving third world, ice packs, cool boxes and beer! oh, and our exhibits Fergie tractor and Barford power plough. Most of the day is spent putting this lot together. How is it that the caravan NEVER sits level? and an age is spent digging holes'to drop wheels in to try and achieve the impossible, and how is it that the awning pegs always line up perfectly with the biggest rocks in the whole of Dorset? Well ours do every time. Saturday went like that.
Sunday. Get up early. Well 10am is early isn't it! What, another wash! I didn't do anything to get dirty! Oops perhaps that was the wrong thing to say judging by the "we noticed" comments. Now I have to fetch water. How is it that the water point is always a million miles from our caravan? Well whilst fetching water at least I can survey the local talent (women). Phew having sauntered to the water point and staggered back, I have come to the conclusion I am wasted here and put my posing glasses away for another time, everything of my age looks like either a walrus with pigtails or a duckbilled platypus with spots (no offence meant to walruses or platypusses). Later I try to achieve Brownie points by cleaning the tractor, only to be asked if I know how much TVO costs a gallon? Well I had to drive it about to get it properly dirty so it was worth cleaning didn't I! So Sunday faded.
Monday. Now I know that the last year Graham Atkinson brought the engine down on Monday so now I would have to keep an eye open for her arriving. Get up early 8.45am (I'm getting better). Mum's up too. Another wash! I was busy yesterday but kept clean. Oh, why fight it, Mum's notorious for not taking prisoners. Yes, I'll make my bed. Yes, I'll get washed. Yes, I'll fetch some water. What more water? Here, what's he doing, as I punch brother lovingly in the ribs, "trying to sleep". Ah ha, the mountain moves, another grunt and face appears out of a sleeping bag: "Begger off Neil". The face disappears. My pleas of "tell him to get up Mum, tell him" are met with ''Andy's tired, leave him". What about Dad then? "He's tired as well". Now that's a coincidence, especially as they were both down the beer tent last night. Disapproving look from Mum, followed by "Be quiet" from inside the caravan and a muffled something or other from inside a sleeping bag. Fetch more water, I wonder if they realise I will be the only person in the world with arms 6" longer than his legs purely because of carrying water. On one occasion a suggestion was made that I carry it on my head, but I told them "it's too big", and everyone erupted into fits of laughing and said they knew that anyway. I didn't think it was funny. After carrying out my chores I decided to walk across to the low loader park. It's only 350 miles from Scarborough so if Graham set off early he should be here by 10.30! Having treked across the barren waste of Stourpaine car park and checked every loader I trek back again for dinner.
Dinner eaten, I set off to trek back, "err, any chance of some money Mum""No dear your father's put a time lock on my purse" .Find Dad. "Hi, can I ...""No son. Your Mum's sewn my pockets up". "Where's Andy" -"You're wasting your time there" Ugh! Yes Dad's right. Andrew's wallet is like a vacuum, airtight. This is a conspiracy, I'll have to use my own money!
So I call and buy an ice cream. What £1.50!! "I don't want shares in Walls". That fell on deaf ears and what's more they don't give reductions to aspiring showmans engine drivers either.
Feeling not unlike Laurence of Arabia, without his camel, "where did Andrew go after dinner?" I drag my weary bones across the barren plain yet again. "It's no wonder I'll have short legs and long arms". As I check the low loaders I spy "Flower of May". Crafty so and so he snook in whilst I was having dinner, but "Oh no, where's the engine?" The loader's empty, the Princess could be anywhere on the site. I could spend the rest of the week searching for it. Disenchanted, despairing and dishevelled, I get back to the caravan in time for tea, only to be greeted by "you need a wash". The Rottweiler had just pounced again! After tea I played my ace card or so I thought, "I'm just going to the loo". It saves having to do the washing up, not that I mind doing my fair share, but any more than twice a month could, by some, myself included be considered excessive. As I go to the facility in the caravan, I find dear brother has beaten me to it, back outside Mum is setting up the washing up bowl and Dad's missing. "where's Dad?" "He's gone to the loo, the public ones". "Well I shall have to go, I'll see if I can catch him up." Just a minute, you can take this with you whilst you're gone, and fill it up. "I don't think I could manage all that Mum". The words "I mean from the tap" caught my ear at about the same time as the dish cloth. More water, more water, more water, they must drink the blooming stuff. I feel like the broomstick out of Disney's Sourcerer' s Apprentice. NO I'm not going to say Mum looks like the wizard but Andy does look a lot like Micky Mouse. Jobs done and yes I dryed the pots, well you have to show a little tolerance to the older generation or you might not get fed the next day. I go off to look around the fairground and to see if I can see the engine and organ lurking anywhere. The engine was parked next to the organ down in the fairground (must say I didn't like the layout of the showmans engines as much this year as I did in years past.)
The Princess was sheeted down and the organ shuttered up with not a soul in sight. Perhaps tomorrow will see everything in full swing, having assured myself that I will be missing nothing tonight I return to find Andy and Dad at the entertainments marquee in the hopes of getting a free drink, orange of course.
Tuesday dawned bright and early and dry. We had run out of water! Carr Eros will be arriving this afternoon along with their Tasker tractor The Little Giant. I escape the clutches of the family before they were too wide awake, opening those awning zips quietly is almost impossible. Once outside stick my head back in briefly and shout 'ITust going down to see Dick at the engine. Back in an hour". Quickly zip up the awning and dash off. (Note when on any site large or small, always tell people where you are going and for how long.) Arriving at the engine I see she is partially unsheeted, the smokebox door is
open and a quantity of soot on the floor. The ashpan has been cleared and that firewood has been emptied into the coal bunker. It was just like the Marie Celeste with not a soul in sight. Ah, Captain Dick must have gone for breakfast. I hang around for a while but my hour is nearly up so I go back to the caravan for my breakfast. I didn't touch anything on the engine because it is unwise to interfere with something until invited to do so.
Back at the caravan the usual question and answer game is in steam, who have you seen etc. etc. etc. followed by "If you want breakfast you will have to fetch" "Water", "No", "Some milk". Having breakfasted and washed I return to the engine. I can now see the extension chimney in place, the sheets all off, getting nearer I detect a thin haze of smoke above the chimney, but I am unable to see anyone around, I peer at the pressure gauge 50psi. As I walk round the back of the organ box I spy a fine mist of steam rising from under the rear axle and then hear a familiar voice "Get sum coil ont fire lad an get thi sen a mug, av just mashed". He remembered me from last year!!!
Rough translation of Dick's statement "put some coal on the fire, and get yourself a cup I have ju,st made some tea".
Having done as I was told I joined Dick in a cup of "Cha" tea.
"Wel wears tha bin", 'n' whats tha bin up ter fut last year owt intres,tin. So over lashings of tea I related a whole years events.
On my asking how Dick was I was told "Orr reyt lad, orr reyt" (all right) "mind the engine and bin well, tubes bin lakein an thiz a reyt thump ont H.P. side rod, think as cud be cross ed ort big end that loyse owd jon L av a reyt good time we it.
"Weir-o-thi I mean where are they" "Dun Ow" saw em up Lincoln, said thid bi cumin darn ater Airwood Ouse but thi int ere yet" At this point I am going to step out of Dialect it's difficult to write and impossible to understand, and Ive written it.
I helped Dick clean the engine and polish the brass as well as assemble the organ front, Dick oiled round and put the belts on and we were in action. Dick then disappeared into the bowels of the organ and suddenly the tune New York New York blasted out, Dick came round the side of the engine, "that's it were in business, fancy a cuppa"! After no time at all a tap on the shoulder from Andy reminded me that it was tea time "What happened to dinner".
Dick said he was shutting her down for tonight as he was short of coal, and he wasn't happy about the knock coming from the engine so he would see me in the morning (cum we thi shoes blacked an the face kleern", his parting words as we sheeted up the Princess were "wonder weirt Carr lads are?"
Unbeknown to us David and John had had a mishap with the caravan about 40 miles away and were awaiting the help of Michael Bains (who was transporting the Tasker engine for them) but more of that tale later.
And you will have to wait until later to read the continuing story of Neil's time at the 1995 Great Dorset, - until the next issue.
NOTES ON PREPARING AND DRIVING AN ENGINE
1. Remove sheets and fold to centre on clean ground. If rain is likely the undersheet may be left on until the engine is hot.
2. Check water level in boiler by the sight glass - and check the reading by draining and allowing the sight glass to fill again. If the water level is not indicated on the glass it should be nearly half full, bearing in mind it may rise a little when hot. Never light the fire if the water is low, always top it up first.
3. Check the smokebox, firebox and ashpan for damp places assess their importance and consider remedying if necessary.
4. Remove the chimney cover.
5. Brush tubes if necessary and clean out smokebox.
6. Rake ashes through the firebars and throw out the rest with the clinker shovel. Good unburnt fuel can be retained. Rake out ashpan damping the ashes to reduce dust if necessary. Dispose of ash tidily, bagging up if necessary.
7. Light the fire using an oily rag soaked in paraffin followed by plenty of dry wood - only open damper a little. When the wood is well caught add coal carefully and cover firebars thoroughly. The damper may be opened more if necessary.
8. Try to warm the engine gently to reduce stress.
9. Clean brass before the engine gets too hot and wipe over paintwork with a clean oily rag whilst tending the fire and filling any holes that develop. Check water level in tank and top up when possible.
10. Top up mechanical lubricator and rotate a few times. When the gauge shows some pressure - oil up.
11. Except in exceptional circumstances do not turn the engine over until you have 80-l0Olb pressure to reduce damage to packings and glands from wet steam. Open cylinder drain taps for a short while and then at intervals to drain condensation from the cylinders. Avoid leaving taps open for prolonged periods as this tends to wash oil from the cylinders.
12. Check that the mechanical lubricator is working correctly and that the pump and injector are working.
13. Try to keep an adequate fire for the job in hand, keeping the bars covered all over. Try to avoid excessive blowing off as it is wasteful of both coal and water. Avoid getting cold air onto the firebox by opening the door as little as possible and using minimum damper, expecially when pulling, and charging the shovel before opening the firebox door. Only use the poker when really necessary. Always close the damper first and then turn the engine over to clear the tubes.
14. Always think ahead to anticipate changes in gradient or workload. When descending a hill use a suitable lower gear and control speed by using the brake and reversing lever. Never let the engine get out of control especially when the gradient is reversed. Always replenish the water in the boiler before descending a hill and keep the top of the firebox covered with water to keep .the crown cool. A good driver never risks dropping the plug!
The cylinder drain taps can be opened a little to reduce the risk of priming. Avoid excessive water in the boiler as it can cause priming, ie. water being drawn into the cylinder with the steam, especially when pulling hard; as water cannot be compressed it can blow the end off the cylinders.
15. When anticipating prolonged hard work make sure you have plenty of fire and adequate water before you start. Try to maintain the water level preferably with the pump as it does not use steam. If you have to add fuel fill the shovel before you open the door, keeping it open the shortest possible time and keep the damper almost closed to avoid chilling the box. Try not to arrive at the top of a hill with low water and no fire as it will take you a long time to get it right. Open up damper to freshen fire for next pull.
Just to prove that I take notice of more thanjust Burrells, here is Gibbons & Robinson No 959, resting at, I think, Welland rally last
year-Ed .
16. With some coal clinker may form especially after a rest period-as this will stop the engine making steam properly it must be removed or the whole fire thrown out and relit. Always carry a clinker shovel, a scotch block for parking up or changing gear, a thick rag to muffle steam leaks, a bucket to douse fires and a spark arrestor to avoid causing fires. (The last being a requirement of your fire and sparks insurance). Take particular care in dry weather near thatched buildings or ripe crops.
17. On engines without a differential use drive pins in both wheels except for turning on made-up roads in hot weather.
18. On long journeys make provision for replenishing coal and water, and oil up at regular intervals checking that no bearings are running hot.
19. Always check that gauge glass taps work properly so that you can check the reading by blowing down the glass or turn it off if the glass breaks.
20. If a serious steam leak occurs reduce pressure by all possible means a) operate injector. b) close damper and c) throw out fire
21. When performing exacting manoeuvres especially when other people are involved, move slowly, remember engines may run on and avoid steam build up in the cylinders as this can be dangerous. If you are inserting a
drawbw pin do not put your hand round it as it ean trap you against the tender. Be read)' to take avoiding action.
22. When parking up a1ways use a scotch block and! do not rely oru brakes especially on hard surfaces, take engine out of gear and leave reversing lever in the m,ddle positi0n with cylinder drains open. l,.eave plenty of water in the boiler and slow down fire by shutting damper and covering chiriimey. In some cases where you need to keep the fire alight without blowing off y.ou can make a hole in the fire by p1,1shingit up to the front and using some slack coal. If a chimney cove:ris used make sure some air can circulate to veduce eondensatioti and corrosion. Wh..ensheeting up cover sharp edges and gears with ,ags or old sheets to pFotect the main sheet.
The above was submitted by John Bosworth. More next issue on getting the best out of your engine.
Clothing for Juniors
FRUl"FOF THE l!.OOOM SWEATSHIRTS
produced with the image of a road rollerr, printe<"Jcentre cmesl pesition.
colQur Royal Red
c©lour
[iglit Grey. Royal
QUALITY: 70% Cotton/30% P0ly,ester 3/4 5/6 7/8 9/11 (28'1 (30") (32") (34")
PRleE: £8.50 28''/30"/32" .£9.50 34"/36" VAT F.ree
FRIUIT OF THE LOOM TEE-SHIRTS
produGed with ~he image on a roaC!lr0ller, prirnted eentre ehest position
QUALITY: 94% Cotton/6% Polyesterr 3/4 5/6 7/8 9/11 (26") (28") (30") (32")
£3.7t5 26;'128"/30" £4.25 32"/34" VAli Free 12/14 (36") Yes lfes 12/14 (34")
