RAISING STEAM
STEAM APPRENTICE CLUB MAGAZINE
EDITOR
Barry Sumsion, Kearline Graphic Images, Fairoak House Business Centre, Church Road, Newport NP9 7EJ Tel: 01633 262197 Fax: 01633 259089
CHAIRMAN, STEAM APPRENTICE CLUB
John Durling, Hawthorn Cottage, Stubwood, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire ST14 5HX Tel: 01889 591188 (between 08.00 and 21.00 hours only please)
MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY
John Cook, Dolfarni, Church Lane, Kirby la Thorpe, Sleaford, Lincolnshire NG34 9NU. Correspondence only. Membership fee £5.00 per annum.
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 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: 4 Church Green East, Redditch, Worcestershire B98 8BT.
Typesetting and Artwork by Kearline Graphic Images, Fairoak House Business Centre, Church Road, Newport, South Wales NP19 7EJ Tel: 01633 262197 Fax: 01633 259089
Printed by The Whitehouse Press Ltd, High Street, Lydney, Glos GL15 5DP
Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou - that seems to be the word from the many apprentices who thoroughly enjoyed their various days at the driving experiences recently organised by John and Fiona Durling. The letters you will see later in this issue, tell just how much these were enjoyed and appreciated. The message seems to be "let's have more"! I hope that John and Fiona are heartened by the results of their hard work, and I hope they will feel it worthwhile to arrange something similar for next year. But-if you were unable to get to one this year - now is the time to start pleading with your parents to take you to one of next years (or if you are mobile, get to one yourself). We owe a great debt of gratitude to all those engine owners and their teams of helpers who allowed their engines to be used and to be personally available for you. I also know that when they hear how much they and their engines are appreciated, they will feel that they have done something really worthwhile and will want to assist again.
We are now well into the rally season, and despite all the best laid plans, I have yet to get to one as I write. I will however be at the Welland Rally in July, and maybe also at the Much Marcle Rally. There are others I should like to get to as well -we'll just have to see! I shall, of course, be at the Great Dorset. It would be nice to meet as many of you as possible, and to see many of your photographs and colouring entries at the SAC stand in the NTE'l' marquee.
In the meantime, when circumstances permit, we are slowly carrying on with our third scale Burrell 8 nhp compound road locomotives. Currently the rear wheels are being assembled. At last all the spokes have been milled, the main rims rolled, T rings rolled and welded into the rims, centre and inside hubs have been cast, and the first two wheels have been assembled -very pleasing they look too. At least one engine should be seen at Dorset (maybe two) in an unfinished, but advanced stage. Again, I look forward to seeing you there. For now keep those reports coming, keep trying to be useful apprentices whenever and wherever you can, but don't get in the way and please behave safely.
Good
Steaming,
Barry Sumsion, Editor
CHAIRMAN'S COLUMN or More Stories from Staffordshire!
It never rains but it pours.
At least it did in my firebox when Ian and I took Morning Star to Lichfield for their Bower Festival. We were trundling along nicely when we thought that a short stop was needed to lubricate both the engine and the crew. After standing for a few minutes we noticed water running out under the engine and I thought that I had left the injector tap open. Unfortunately the water was running out of the ashpan! We were towed into Lichfield by a very early Maclaren (No 127 of 1882). The following morning we had to take the ashpan
and firebars out and expand the tubes to make them watertight again. (If you have no idea what this means find an engine owner at one of the rallies you go to this year and ask him to explain - he should be impressed at the detail you want to know about!). This worked for the day but that evening they started to leak again which suggested that we had a bigger problem than I had first thought. Another session with the tube expanders saw us through the Bank Holiday Monday and safely back to Klondyke Mill but, as the boiler cooled down again, the tubes once more did their waterfall impression. At this point I decided that a new set of tubes was now essential. This is where being part of a large group really helps. The Klondyke Steam Team set to work and now (two weeks later) Morning Star is again a 'steam' engine with a new set of tubes. This should see us safely to our next rally, which is Elvaston Castle at the beginning of July-and hopefully for at least another 10 years.
On to other things. The driving days were obviously enjoyed by many of you! Over seventy took part, including some who joined the SAC specially to go on their nearest driving day. Well done, we will try to organise more next year.
There has been quite a lot happening in the NTET with regard to young people driving engines at traction engine rallies. I have included the main details elsewhere in this issue. Please remember though that, even if the rally has agreed to allow young people to drive, the owner of the engine has the final say.
As the rally season is now fully underway don't forget to take your camera with you and then send in some of your best pictures for the photographic competition.
For those under 9 you will see another beautiful picture drawn for us by Chris Wells. Colour or paint this and send it to us for the colouring competition.
Have a great rallying season!
John Durling, Chairman
MAIL BAG
Steam Apprentice Driving Day at Old Warden Park
On 10th April The Bedford Steam Engine Preservation Society hosted its first Steam Apprentice Club driving day at Old Warden Park, near Biggleswade. The magnificent site was the home of the Shuttleworth family of Clayton & Shuttleworth fame and is now the venue for the increasingly popular Bedfordshire Steam & Country Fayre held in September.
The day kicked off at 10.30am with a very impressive turnout of 34 apprentices and no less than 8 engines. Paul Worbey welcomed the apprentices to Old Warden before they were split into groups for some basi~ engine information and to be informed of the safety aspects of engines.
As the day progressed, the younger apprentices got to grips with two 6 inch scale models, Burrell Devonshire Fred owned by the Worbey family and a Foden steam bus owned by the Maskell family, while others tried their hands at driving on the full size engines. The engines were all immaculately turned out and they are listed below:
The 34 apprentices with engine owners and crews stand in front of two superbly restored Fowler engines; 'Earl Douglas' and 'Lord of the Isles'.
Clayton & Shuttleworth convertible engine No 46817, owned by The Shuttleworth Trust;
Fowler Hercules tractor Earl Douglas No 15748, owned by A. Howard; Fowler traction engine Lord of the Isles No 14012, owned by M. Maskell; Fowler K7 ploughing engine Jack of Herts No 16646, owned by C. Piggott; Marshall traction engine Punch No 36258, owned by M. Watts.
For those wanting experience from cold, Derek Wheeler had his 1876 Shand Mason fire engine St George there and the hand operated, chain driven fan for drawing the fire proved tiring on the arms of ma:µy an apprentice.
A stop was made for lunch and all the apprentices received a complimentary meal in the wonderful Garden House Restaurant, which looks over the parkland.
The afternoon brought increased confidence and there was a chance for the older apprentices to try their hand at lining up an engine with a belt driven machine, using the Clayton & Shuttleworth with the Bedford Steam Engine Preservation Society's Marsden stone crusher of 1920.
The day also included a look around the Shuttleworth Collection of vintage aircraft and this proved to be most enjoyable.
The day concluded at around 4.30pm when all apprentices received a certificate to support their day.
Congratulations must go to the Bedford Steam Engine Preservation Society; the Steam Apprentice Club and all engine owners and crews for providing such an enjoyable and interesting day.
From Mark Worbey (age 16)
Photo Mark Worbey
Dear Editor
I just had to write and tell you what a brilliant day I had at Old Warden Park, Biggleswade on the driving day. I got to help steam up the fire engine. I drove Fred, a half size Burrell single crank compound, and two Fowler full size compounds.
My Grandad, Dad and cousin also had a great day and enjoyed riding on the quarter size Foden bus.
I would like to thank the Bedford Steam Preservation Society for the great lunch and all the drivers and helpers for taking the time to make it a terrific day.
From Robert Familton (age 10) Sleaford, Lines
Here is Robert's photograph of the half size Burrell single crank compound 'Fred', taken at Old Warden, with apprentices seemingly swarming all over it!
And from Chatham
Dear Editor
I am writing to tell you about my visit to the driving day at Chatham. We left home on the south coast at 7.30am and arrived at the dockyard at 9.15am. We were met by resident apprentice Dave Main who showed us and the other arrivals around the huge slip building in which the engines are kept. Going in we were met by Julian Hopper's Sentinel S4 waggon. Behind here with the motion in pieces stood David Wallis's Aveling & Porter roller No 8455 of 1915 Hengist (NM 971), a BS class 10 tonner. Next in line was Fowler tractor
(ex roller) 15732 of 1923 Sir Douglas (PT 832), which I think is the only T3 class single cylinder left. Next stood Tony Baker's 1948 Aveling-Barford roller AH162 Omega (JXH 174) which is very similar to one I help on at Amberley Museum. Next stood Julian's very big 15 ton Aveling & Porter roller 3675 of 1896Hero (AD 8752), which was partially stripped down. Martin Conroy, better known as Conrod, owns the next roller, Aveling & Porter 10 ton piston valve roller 10043 of 1921 Morning Star (FX 8240) which is for sale as Conrod has bought a big 15 ton Aveling roller (14072 of 1930). Across from the Avelings was the very dirty but very good looking Fowler 12 ton roller 15698 of 1922 (BW 6179) owned by John Galvin.
After looking at the engines we were gathered together by Derek Gransden, given a brief but important safety talk and then shown how the Sentinel worked compared to a steam roller. Then we were put into groups and sent off to light up the engines. I was put on Morning Star with Malcolm who was lighting her up for Conrod. After checking the water we lit the fire. I raked out the ashpan and, using a rather battered oil can, oiled her up. The brass was then attacked and once Conrod arrived and steam was raised Conrod told me the best way to start a piston valved engine. After ticking over for a short while, we put her in bottom gear and slowly drove out of the shed with yours truly steering. Outside was Sir Douglas trundling around with an apprentice crew. First I steered Morning Star around then I had a go at the regulatorFANTASTIC! We did two circuits then let some more apprentices have a go.
Next I was on the Fowler roller with fellow apprentice Jamie Shaw driving and myself steering. This roller is very high geared and Jamie drove her very well -in fact all apprentices present, by the end of the morning were handling the engines like they had had 20 years of experience! After a few circuits I took over the regulator and Jamie took over the wheel. Right, look at water, that's OK, fire OK, brake off, reverse forward and gently open regulator -nothing happens, so reverse lever back to let her clear herself (drain cocks were open) then back in forward, regulator open again and we are offl After two circuits John (the owner) suggested we go out on one of the "roads" to get us some experience of what it is like to drive on the road. Jamie did well keeping her on the right side of the road. Back on the gravel Graham Lynn took over from me and I went and looked at one of the dismantled Aveling rollers in the shed.
Back outside and onto Sir Douglas, which was now pulling a loaded timber trailer. Being a single with a small flywheel and stiff regulator she can be a bit snappy, so I made sure the crank was in the right place for starting. Fat lot of good that did. Brake off, reverse, forward and open the regulator - the crank came over a quarter of a turn and stopped dead. Regulator shut, open drain cocks and pull the reversing lever back. Then with the crank in the right place again, reversing lever forward, regulator open and with a loud chuff we are away. This trouble was worth it - the engine has a lovely bark!
After another drive on Morning Star which included practising reversing uphill around a corner, it was time to say goodbye. We headed back to Sussex while the hard working engine owners and team headed for a well earned pint - well done and thanks a lot lads! Also thanks to John and Fiona Durling for giving us this opportunity and to our editor for printing this, which I hope is not too long!
I hope to see some of you either at Amberley Museum where I help on two engines or on the rally fields, where hopefully I will be with Fowler traction engine Berkshire Tariff Queen.
From Kevin Mills (14) Worthing, West Sussex
No, not too long Kevin-a few more reports like this provide for an interesting magazine. Thanks also for the information regarding my Burrell queries. -Ed.
And Stanton Drew
Dear Editor
On Saturday 17th April I took my son David to the Steam Apprentices day at Curles Farm, Stanton Drew.
When we arrived there were two Fowler ploughing engines sitting on the yard and as more apprentices arrived more engines appeared from their winter resting place.
Within a short period of time there was a Fowler K7 ploughing engine, a Fowler BBl ploughing engine, a Burrell Showman's Engine The Masterpiece, a continued on page 11
1898 Burrell Showman's Engine No 2072 'The Masterpiece' at Stanton Drew with Ian Whitlam, Ryan Collins and Martin Rook aboard.
Photo CM J Symons
COLOURING COMPETITION
For Members aged up to 9 years old
CAREFULLY remove this page from the magazine - ask an adult for 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 to arrive with Fiona by Saturday 21st AUGUST. This date is important as John and Fiona go on holiday after this date and end up at the Great Dorset Steam Fair WITH YOUR ENTRIES!
ADDRESS for entries is:
SAC Colouring Competition Hawthorn Cottage, Stubwood, U ttoxeter, Staffordshire ST14 5HX
The 1999 Steam Apprentice Club Photographic Competition
The annual photographic competition is an on-going one, and starts almost as soon as the last one has finished, so let's have as many of you as possible entering your best photographs that you have taken this year. The competition is split into age groups - up to 15 years and 16 years old and over. Engraved medals and other prizes will be presented to the winners. The best overall entry will be presented with the Dorset Trophy and will 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 and white, and should have been taken during the period 1st August 1998 to 31st July 1999.
3. Entries must be sent to the Secretary of the SAC at Hawthorn Cottage, Stubwood, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire ST14 5HX, to arrive by Saturday 21st August.
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 1998 photographic competition. (A selection of entries will appear subsequently in 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 1999 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 places in each 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 ability. Photographs do not have to be of traction engines, but other subjects must clearly be related to the traction engine movement. The judges' decision on all entries will be final and members are asked to accept them in a spirit that will bring credit to themselves and the Steam Apprentice Club.
,·
Fowler 8 nhp road locomotive Delilah, a Foden steam lorry Tiler, an Aveling & Porter road roller and Valiant a Clayton & Shuttleworth also made an appearance. When all the engines were in steam there was much for the apprentices to do. Some were driving, some stoking the boiler, some steering and some were just happy to ride on the different engines to experience the different smells, mode of action and visibility, etc.
From a spectators point of view it was very interesting to see how the apprentices coped with their various tasks and to watch the different engines cope with the gradient on the driving course. I also spent a long time looking at the rest of the collection which has been accumulated at Stanton Drew as there were many items, both steam and non steam, which were of particular interest to me.
So I would ask the SAC to keep arranging these days and for the apprentices and their parents to keep supporting them as they are great fun.
I would also like to thank Mr Alan Sparkes and his helpers for providing such an interesting and informative day.
Yours sincerely
CM J Symons
And Klondyke Mill
Dear Editor
On the 1 7th April I attended the SAC driving course at Klondyke Mill Preservation centre. There were about 14 of us. We were split into groups and I was put on John Durling's (our Chairman's) Aveling & Porter tractor Morning Star No 11486. The engine was already in steam when we arrived, but he set us on the polishing the brass and cleaning the paintwork. When this was done, John gave us a talk on steam. He showed us what not to touch, to save burnt fingers. Then John explained how the engine worked. We started off by going around the site, John driving and the apprentices steering. To get used to being on an engine, we all took turns at this. Then John showed us the controls, the regulator and the reversing lever and what they did. Then we all had a go at driving, one apprentice driving and the other one steering with John looking closely on. We carried on like this until lunchtime.
After lunch we changed engines. I went on a 10 ton Aveling & Porter steam roller named Evelyn, No 12081, completely different to the tractor of John's, as it was a lot heavier to steer. Again we took turns at driving and steering with the owner looking on (with white knuckles).
At the end of the day John Durling set out a number of cones in the middle of the field and we all took turns at steering around them. It was a BRILLIANT day. A BIG thank you to John Durling for organising the course and to the other engine owners.
From Emma Turner (age 13) Buxton, Derbyshire
Emma Turner steers John Durling's Aveling 'Morning Star' around the cones at Klondyke Mill. I assume that John is giving some instruction with the use of his arm - it isn't usually that shape! Photo supplied by Emma Turner
Dear Editor
I came across the enclosed head protection in a magazine at work the other day, and after some chasing managed to get hold of a Top Cap (£7.50), for my daughter to wear whilst crewing with John Carr and Graham Atkinson. Being in a Health and Safety role at work I must confess to going over the top at times, but our engines don't forgive.
I felt these caps were good for general bump protection around engines. I have no connection with JSP, except as a satisfied customer.
Yours truly Alan Dunderdale, Stonedale, 7 Waveney Drive, Higham, Barnsley 875 !PU
A reproduction of the advert for Top Caps appears here - if you want to know more contact Alan.
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Alan does have a point. If you are working around engines, or any other machinery for that matter, you should take care that you are protected as far as is reasonable, against accidents. Hard hats, gloves, protective slwes and, at times, protective goggles are all readily available. If you regularly work with machines, you should consider· which, if not all, of these you might consider wearing. - Ed.
- and while on the subject of safety etc -
Young Drivers at Rallies
In this article I am talking about driving engines or rollers rather than steering. Following various changes in the Law regarding driving at events held off the road but where the public have access, letting young people drive engines at rallies has become much more difficult. However the NTET is allowed, under these rules, to grant permission to Authorised Rallies for them to decide if they wish to let youngsters drive engines on certain parts of their rally field -the arena for example.
I have included here the wording which has appeared in the NTET Rally Code of Practice. Read it, understand it and then you should know when you can hope to drive and when you can't. Don't forget, if the engine is on the road, or at an event which is not authorised by the NTET, you must be over 21 before you can drive.
Under age, non-licence holders may be allowed to steer or drive a steam vehicle at an authorised event if all the following conditions are met:
1. The insurance cover for the vehicle specifically includes Steam Apprentice Club members (as per the NTET Insurance Scheme).
2. The person is a bona fide member of the NTET Steam Apprentice Club.
3. That, age not withstanding, the 'Apprentice' is not prohibited from applying for or holding a driving licence.
4. The 'Apprentice' is closely accompanied at all times by a person who is a full licence holder for the type of vehicle being used.
5. The minimum age shall be 13, with a minimum height of 1.4m. The known conduct of the 'Apprentice' is not likely to detract from the safety standards of the event.
6. The Safety Officer has given formal sanction following a risk assessment of the 'roadways' and vehicle manoeuvring places.
7. The Rally Organiser has given written notice to the Exhibitors and Public of his intention to allow such movements (via notices and the rally programme).
This all looks very formal but I am afraid that we, like everyone else, have to follow the rules.
John Durling Chairman
Welcome to the following new members of the Steam Apprentice Club. We hope you enjoy your membership - remember the more you join in, the more you will get out of your membership. So, write your letters and articles for the magazine, take photographs and send them or enter them in the annual Photographic Competition. Whatever you do, make the best of your apprenticeship.
James Cottingham, Haywards Heath
Emma Louise Bolton, Shelton Lock, Derby
David Hart, Knottingley, West Yorkshire
Matthew James Bolton, Shelton Lock, Derby
Jamie Robert Shaw, Etchingham, East Sussex
Christian Walton, Arbroath, Scotland
Tom Stevens, Cherington, Tetbury, Glos.
Glyn Bowen, Rugeley, Staffordshire
Vicki Curran, Melton Woodbridge, Suffolk
Christopher Arrowsmith, Lichfield, Staffs.
James Mander, Brighton, East Sussex
James Peggs, Somersham, Cambs.
Jonathan Peggs, Somersham, Cambs.
Rebecca Peggs, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
Oliver Lash-Williams, Buckfastleigh, Devon
Nicholas Colwill, Callington, Cornwall
Neil Morris, Tavis tock, Devon
Ian Morris, Tavistock, Devon
Andrew Coulthard, Carlton-in-Lindrick, Notts.
Toby Ryan, Rushden, N orthants.
Fraser Cruickshank, Kettering, N orthants.
Gregory Payne, Camberley, Surrey
Joanne Payne, Camberley, Surrey
Edward Gouldby, Lowestoft, Suffolk
David Wilkinson, Coalville, Leicestershire
Jamie Fearnley, Morley, Leeds, Yorkshire
Lynn Rogan, Knowl Hill, Reading
Sarah Rogan, Dunstable Beds.
Jack Vickery, Markyate, Herts
Ryan Dephley, Markyate, Herts
Robert Fensom, Luton, Beds
Melissa Frampton, Costhorpe Langold, Worksop
Phillip Gooch, Amersham, Bucks
Lucy Atkinson, Hitchin, Herts
Tom Barnes, Millbrook, Beds.
Luke Burrows, Hitchin, Herts
Simon Daish, Harlton, Cambs.
Alex Lemons, Harlton, Cambs.
Peter Males, Hitchin, Herts
James Males, Hitchin, Herts.
Louis Mann, Hardwick, Cambs.
Pia Mann, Hardwick, Cambs.
David Freeman, Welham Green, Herts
Neal Pallett, Silverstone, Towcester
Mark Pallett, Silverstone, Towcester
Douglas Young, Milton Keynes, Bucks.
Sam Atkinson, Hitchin, Herts
Mark Hilditch, Monkseaton, Whitley Bay
Iain Hilditch, Monkseaton, Whitley Bay
Sarah Hilditch, Monkseaton, Whitley Bay
Thomas Hooper, Hitchin, Herts
Hayley Stewart-Paver, West Wickham, Kent
Mark Stewart-Paver, West Wickham, Kent
James Hack, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands
Thomas Larbey, Farnborough, Rants
Paul Stingmore, Hempstead, Kent
Thomas Wing, Market Harborough, Leics.
Julian Nicholes, Ruislip, Middlesex
David Johnson, Tavistock, Devon
Nicholas Hirst, New Milton, Rants.
Edward Turner, Tavistock, Devon
William Turner, Tavistock, Devon
Daniel Wilmhurst, Heathfield, East Sussex
Chris Wright, Brundall, Norwich
James Supple, Rushmere, Lowestoft, Suffolk
James Wright, Brundall, Norwich
Reading the names and application forms of the above new members, it is obvious that many of you already have access to an engine or may have one in the family. You are the members who are most likely to have a story to tell us. Or perhaps you might persuade the owner to put pen to paper. Whichever, we're just waiting to here from you - Ed.
MORE LETTERS
Dear Editor
I am writing to you to correct a few points from the last issue of Raising Steam (Volume 13, Summer 1999).
The letter I am writing about includes the tractor pulling at the 1998 Welland Steam Rally. The showman's engine in one of the pictures is not Princess Mary, but it is Lord Lascelles, the 8 nhp Burrell Special Scenic Showman's road loco and only this engine did manage a complete run, with Atlas finishing about three-quarters of the way into the pull.
Yours Faithfully
Robert Houghton
The Clayton & Shuttleworth engine of 1914 refiecting back on the day at Old Warden.
Dear Editor,
I have just joined the Steam Apprentice Club and I would like to know of anyone who has a steam engine in the Northants area who would like an apprentice.
Yours sincerely Toby Ryan (age 10)
Can anyone out there help this young man? - Ed.
Dear Editor,
Ever since I've had my Wilesco brass and black traction engine, I have been building living vans and accessories (eg chucks, tyres and tool boxes). Now I have a Wilesco brass and black road roller, I need another brass and black log trailer to fit my latest living van.
If anyone can help me out (logs or no logs!) could they please call me on 01283 217741. I live in north west Leicestershire.
Thank you
Jason Gall<Jp
Photo Mark Worbey
Dear Editor
May I refer to the interesting letter from Kevin Mills (vol 13/2, p.12) in particular his references to the Berkshire Tariff Queen.
Perhaps I did not make the point clear when I wrote to Kevin, but the association of the name with a tariff on hops, is probably correct but not fully substantiated. It would be nice to have this positively confirmed.
Mrs Helen Fall was recorded as the owner of the engine by the late Alan Duke, and interestingly he has her as the owner at one time of a further three engines. One is confirmed, that being the Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies of her late husband. The others, as with the B.T.Q., are unconfirmed. That is the source of Mr Duke's information has yet to be found. Any information on this will be of interest.
Whilst the engines were at Burbage Wharf, Mrs Helen Fall never lived there. The first few years of her married life were spent in Marlborough, and then at two addresses in Burbage. After the death of her husband she eventually moved to another address in the village, but not at the Wharf.
Yours sincerely
Peter Donovan
Well, as you can see, we have a really full magazine this time. And, yes, I do have more contributions which I have not the space to include this ti1ne. But, please keep them coming, I will eventually use them. I obviously try to use those items which relate to current or recent events. However articles of a general nature are most welcome, perhaps soon I may be allowed to produce a bumper edition - we might even get round to Neil Cobb's continuing story! - Ed.
