RAISING STEAM
EDITOR
STEAM APPRENTICE CLUB MAGAZINE
Barry Sumsion, Kearline Graphic Images, Fairoak House Business Centre, Church Road, Newport NP19 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 Januacy, 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, Worcest<'rHhir<'D98 8B1.".
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21 YEARS AGO
It was suggested at an Annual General Meeting of the National Traction Engine Trust that there was little point in preserving traction engines if we didn't preserve the skills necessary to drive them and drivers for the future. After discussion a small committee of three was formed to look at the possibility of a young people's club that would meet these aims. These people, John Wharton, Margaret Joachim and myself met and wrote to Stearning asking any interested 'under 21s' to contact them. We asked these people to suggest names for the club and after a short list was circulated. Members voted for The Steam Apprentice Club and in June 1979 the first 'Newsletter' was sent to all those who responded. The same method was used later to name the magazine, Raising Steam, which you now receive every quarter.
There was a photo competition and free entry to some rallies and soon we were able to announce insurance cover enabling older members to drive on the rally field -you would have to be over 21 before this was obtained. We had a special visit each year to a collection of engines or a museum.
A number of the NTET members were very envious of the tuition the SAC were getting and the Engine Owners section of the main club began to organise a driving course once a year. I was a worker on this course and persuaded the trust to allow older SAC members to come at a subsidised rate.
The first year's membership was quite small but as I go round the rallies now I can see quite a few of those first members with today's engines and we had proof of this when we asked those early members to take present members for a spin at Dorset. I also hear news of past Apprentices working in museums and on restoration projects as well as helping in their local clubs and rallies. Quite a number have apprentices of their own now and are passing on their knowledge. There are all sorts of ways your different skills and interests can be used in this hobby.
Well 21 years on, John and Fiona Durling laid on a busy programme for those of you that were able to be at the Dorset Rally and as a past chairman of the SAC I was very pleased to be asked to cut the handsome (and delicious) 21st Birthday Cake. I wonder what will be happening when we get to 50 -or can we celebrate 25 years John? •
Sylvia Dudley NTET Vice President
FROM THE EDITOR
What a splendid Great Dorset we all had! I admit to some bias, being a Burrell fan, but more importantly didn't the SAC make its presence felt this year! Every day a good crowd of you left the NTET tent to be led to an appropriate engine for you to work with for the day but the highlight (for me anyway) was the evening when we celebrated the 21st birthday of the SAC and engines see1ned to come from everywhere into the arena for so many of you to have a go at driving and steering. The response from engine owners was absolutely fantastic and our thanks go to them. The biggest problem was trying to draw this event to a close -
Pictured at the Banbury Rally at Bloxham earlier this year is Ruston & Hornsby roller 114059 of 1921. Seen in the background is the Bamford & Evershed living van with 'Which this engine usually travels. This engine is usually driven to rallies and has reputedly covered 85 miles in 13 hours.
some of you would still be there now, given the chance! One concern for me was that my son was so taken by driving the Sentinel timber tractor that my model Burrell has now taken a back seat - he still wants to know when we are going to have one - a Sentinel that is!
Talking of my Burrell (as I often do) my colleagues and myself were most heartened at the interest shown in our display of these engines being built. From the very young to the very old, we were questioned on every aspect of what we are doing. Although we have been at it for a while now, gradually the ever heavier chunks of metal are beginning to look like engines now. I hope that one day, not too many years from now, some of you may be able to have a go with these models.
Now we are approaching the 'closed season' when few engines venture out. However, this is the time when some engine owners may welcome your help with their winter projects. There will be much cleaning and adjusting with some engines -jobs being done in the winter when the engines are not needed for rallies. It will be cold, wet and dirty in many cases, but if you are lucky enough to be asked to help - get stuck in, I'm sure you will enjoy the benefits in the end. Remember, do only as you are asked and behave responsibly and safely!
Good Steaming, Barry Sumsion, Editor
THE CHAIRMAN'S BIT
Once again we are approaching the end of the season -and what a season it has been. From my own point of view we have been very busy ('we' being Morning Star, Ian and myself). We have covered over 450 miles on the road and attended 13 proper events plus various trips out just for the fun of it. This has of course taken its toll on the engine and we do therefore now have a long list of jobs which will need attention during the winter. These range from cleaning things and tightening up the odd loose bolt to replacing tyres and re-setting the springs. Too much bouncing along on the uneven tyres has meant that springs now don't spring anymore.
Here's a teaser for you. The picture shows the valve gear of a single cylinder traction engine. It has some unusual features. l-Vho can write and tell me what is the make of engine and what is the unusual feature. One clue is the engine number - 7090! Ed.
Back to the SAC.
I know that Dorset is a long way away for many of you (it's over 200 miles from me) but because of its size it automatically becomes the main event of the year for many steam organisations, the SAC being one of them. This year, thanks largely to
the enthusiastic support of Elaine Massey we have recruited many more members - nearly 60 at Dorset alone - and we were able to place up to 25 apprentices on engines on most of the rally days. We had over 20 for the famous 'breakfast on a shovel' on the Sunday morning.
Elsewhere in this issue you will see reports of the 21st birthday party which took place on the Thursday evening. This was something quite special! Over 20 engines in the ring (from rollers through to showman's) all 'manned' by apprentices and then over 100 adults and apprentices in the NTET marquee afterwards for pop and cake. We are of course now looking forward to the next 21 years!
On a sadder note, during the year there have been one or tvvo incidents where young drivers have fallen out with the rally organisers. I know that we always think that we are in the right, and also that the approach 1nade by some rally officials is not always the most tactful. It must, however, be remembered that the rally organiser has the last say in what is, and what is not, allowed at his (or her) rally. Even if you are doing everything by the book (and most of you are), if the rally organiser has decided that young people are not allowed to drive at his rally then you can't drive. I have asked, and will ask again, that rally organisers make it clear on their engine entry forms if they are NOT going to allow youngsters to drive. Hopefullywe will not have these same problems next year.
You will see in this issue that an engine owner is asking for an apprentice to work with him on a more or less full time basis. If you want to be paired up with an engine let me know and I will put your request in the next issue of Stearriing (the adult magazine) to try and find you a suitable engine.
And finally.
We are planning another series of Driving Days next spring, to continue and expand on these successful events. I hope that even more venues will be available and that they will all be supported well enough to make them worthwhile. We are also hoping that more of you who are 16 and over will come to the adult Driving Course, which is more formal and gives proper instruction and practical hands on experience with engines.
Enjoy the rest of this season and be ready for a whole new steaming experience next year.
Have a happy Christmas and I look forward to seeing you in the new Millennium (think about it).
John Durling, Chairman
Doveridge Steam and Vintage Charity Rally
Dear Editor,
I would like to write a little report about this small but very enjoyable event. Friday: I arrived at about 8.00pm and found the Durling family. Unfortunately Morning Star was sheeted up and viewing was restricted until Saturday. I had a
MAIL BAG
look around and found a few engines from Klondyke Mill. I also had a look around some stalls and bought myself a small hurricane lamp. Back by the engine we lit the lamps and sat around a stove (very warm), John and Ian went off to find the beer tent.
Saturday: I got up at 5.45am. and had another look around. I tried to take the sheets off the engine but they were too big for me! Luckily I found a 4" Fowler being lit up and I went over and got into a bit of polishing and when finished John had woken up and I helped unsheet. I started to polish the brass and when I had done that I went over the paintwork with a paraffin soaked rag and how shiny it looks when finished. We started the engine and let it tick over for a while. We took it down to the beer tent and while John and Ian went in the tent, I was left to keep an eye on the engine. Ian got me a drink and came out to check up on the engine. We took the engine back to its spot for a while and then we took it into the arena before taking a short trip to a pub with Aveling & Porter roller Evelyn and a 6" scale Sentinel Steam Waggon owned and built by Mr D Roose of Cromford in Derbyshire. Also during Saturday evening the young Steam Apprentice Club members got a drive of some miniature engines in the arena. BRILLIANT!!!We took Morning Star to the beer tent with some lamps lit around it to give a small amount of light for the people standing outside listening to the live band. At 11.40pm we took Morning Star back to her spot and John put it to bed. After sitting around the stove again I turned in at about 1.15am.
Sunday: I got up at 8.35am and helped John to unsheetMorning Star. I got on with some polishing and was allowed to light the engine up and to start it ticking over. We took it to the beer tent and then went in the arena backwards to annoy the commentator. After that it was the sledge race and Morning Star took part against the Klondyke Club's Burrell Admiral Togo and then we had baked potatoes in the smokebox. Then unfortunately I had to go. Thanks to John, Ian and Fiona for such a great weekend.
From Martin Treanor (age 12) Duffield, Derbyshire
P.S. I also have another small piece for you. Here is some information on Morning Star but unfortunately I have no pictures. It is an Aveling & Porter L type light road tractor built in 1926 and weighing in at about 6 1/2 tons. It spent its commercial life with Kent County Council until 1942 when it was sold to a mining company and in the 1950s was sold for preservation. Many people owned the engine for a very short time and then passed it on. Instead of buying an almost complete Marshall steam tractor for £2,200, John's father bought the engine in 1979 and after s01ne repairs appeared on the rally scene in the early 1980s. John was given it by his father at the end of 1997 and after successful rallying in 1998, it needed a new set of tubes and was completed in time for the 1999 Elvaston Castle rally.
Many thanks for your contribution Martin, having heard so much about 'Morning Star', it's about time that we had some details and history of the engine-Ed.
Dear Editor,
I have recently signed to the SAC. I am going to see a traction engine owner soon who lives near me. I am hoping that he will let me join up with the rest of the people that run the engine. I saw all three of their engines at the Leighton Buzzard Bypass rally. The rally had 36 mobile engines, not including the many miniatures and static engines around!
The first picture is one of three owned by the same person. I am on the footplate talking to one of the drivers as he was getting ready to go up into the main square. The engine is a Fowler built in 1915 and is now 85 years old.
My second pictur_e shows one of two 6" scale engines owned by Michael Maskel. This is a Foden C type 6 wheeled wagon. His other engine is of the same make and scale but is a 4 wheeled bus. Happy steaming to everybody
From Garry Hawes (age 15) Bedford
Glad to welcome you and your contribution to the SAC Gary. Can I make two suggestions regarding your photographs. If you had walked to the other side of the Fowler, I think you would have had more light, thereby showing more detail, the engine not be'ing in the shade. The picture of the Faden is much better but you have cut off the back of the wagon. Please don't be discouraged - go out and take some more photographs and send them in so that we can all enjoy them. -Ed.
Helmsley Steam Rally, lst-2nd July 2000
This event is better known as the Duncome Park Rally, by those of us here in Yorkshire.
This is my favourite rally, due to its tranquil setting of a tree lined field on two sides sloping down to Helmsley and the North Yorkshire Moors, all the engine crews being very friendly, and is where I first started my apprenticeship.
This year it was more important as we were showing the world's largest fair organ, complete with large stage and the Pauline Reader Dancers. I was running Graham Atkinson's Princess Maud, a Garrett 4CD.
We arrived on Friday night, I brought my friend Lindsay along, as she was interested in becoming a steam apprentice. When Graham turned up at about 7.00pm, with the engine, we had the shock of our lives, the normally bright and shining Princess was very very dirty. We had to set to there and then to get her clean before we could even think of showing her, nothing like being thrown in at the deep end for Lindsay.
On the Saturday morning we were up cleaning again ready for the opening at 10.00am -the Princess was gleaming and in full steam, ready for the unveiling of the new organ. What a splendid looking and sounding organ. During the morning we had a visit from another steam apprentice, Alex, (I did not get his surname) who joined us and helped run the engine until his grandparents arrived later in the afternoon to take him home. The day progressed very well, the Princess running as sweet as ever, the organ getting plenty of attention, and the dancing girls giving a great show. We even got a smile from Graham, unfortunately no cameras were about to catch this momentous event.
Those of you who have read the Cobb's letters in our magazine will have heard of John Carr. John not one short of words, was totally dumb at the sight of Graham's smile, this must be a first for John as well. By the end of the evening we were all very tired and very happY, everything went very well and we still had Sunday to look forward to.
The Sunday started off wet, but the work had to be done. We were in stea1n again by the opening time. The rain stopped and another good day was had by all. Though we all had a laugh at Chris as he was running the 110 key organ when a book of music decided to go walkabout all inside the organ. I can tell you Chris can platt organ music.
Yours sincerely
Kerrie Dunderdale 2160
A Day out with Thomas
Dear Editor,
At Toddington railway station on the 12th and 13th August, Thomas and his Friends had a get together. There was Tho1nas the tank engine, Duck, Bertie the bus, George the grumpy roller and Trevor the traction engine.
We were invited to this event with a 1920 Garrett tractor No 33981 owned by J Blenkinsop. James Paul and me were invited to be Trevor the traction engine because the Garrett is a spitting image of the cartoon Trevor.
On the Saturday we spent the day down at Winchcombe (the other end of the line). The weather was very hot and too hot if you were standing in the sun. On the Sunday we stayed at Toddington, the weather that day was wet and horrible. The Fat Controller would talk to all of the engines and you would reply with a quick blast of the whistle. It was a very good day for us (the drivers), the kids and the parents. Shame about the weather!
Yours sincerely
Will Hadland, Newbold on Stour
Here is Will's picture of 1920 Garrett No 33981 taken crossing a bridge on an earlier occasion.
Dear Editor, 't
I am writing about my day at Harvest Home. I got there around 11.00am and I stayed till 6.30pm. When I arrived I rushed across the grounds to Clayton & J' Shuttelworth engine Valiant (see page 5 Vol 13 No 4 1999) with baler and / '!J threshing drum owned by Edd and Denzil Hewlett. I spent until lunch on Valiant, when Super Sentinel Tiger came to the gate and I acted as pilot, hitching a ride on the immaculate waggon. After lunch Valiant threshed, so I learnt all about the waggon.
Steam on Matthew Singleton (age 10)
Weston-super-Mare
Matthew is obviously a bit of an artist. Here is his irnpression of a Super Senl'inel waggon. The original is in colour - a pity we cannot reproduce it so!
Dear Editor,
Here is a report about the Steam Apprentice driving day at Dingles Steam Village on the 30th April 2000. The day started at 10 o'clock with all the apprentices being briefed and put into groups. One group worked on the Garrett 'C' type portable engine driving a stone crusher, another group worked on the Aveling 3-point roller, the last group worked with the 4" scale Burrell agricultural tractor.
My friend Neil and I were put into the group working on the portable. When we arrived at the engine our first job was to rake the ashes out of the firebox and ash pan, then to oil the engine's bearings and the stone crusher. As we were oiling the engine, the fire was being lit by the other two members of our group. As we were waiting for steam, we had to move the engine into place so it was in line with the crusher. When we first opened the regulator there was no movement, as the crusher had not been used all winter, so we closed the regulator and got a wooden pole to free the crusher. Then we were off, the crusher was making a noise but when we put some stones into it it was still making a noise. We soon saw that the bearing caps were loose so did them up as tight as possible. The crusher then ran without any more problems. We crushed for most of the day for road making. My brother Edward was in a different group from us - I will let him continue. I was with the model group. When we first got there, we oiled the engine and tried
to light the fire for the first time but it went out. We tried a second time but it still went out, then a third time it lit as we held a blow torch in the fire box and also we put a piece of 6ft pipe on the chimney to give better draw. Then when we were waiting for steam we had some lunch, then we were ready to go. I drove the 4" down to where all the other engines were. All of the group had a chance of driving around the yard. By this time two of the red roller display team engines kept at Dingles had come back from a rally in Cornwall. This meant that we all had a chance of driving the engines. It was an interesting day as we learnt how to control the engines going down hill and also, how to properly reverse the engines. We all think that it was a really good day and we can't wait until the next one. We would like to thank Richard Sandercock, Will Friend, Dave Trebilcock, John Waycombe and all the others that made the day possible.
Yours sincerely
Neil Morris, William Turner & Edward Turner
Will:iam has serit some photographs taken at the event. Unfortunately he has only supplied black and white laser copies, which will not reproduce well in the magazine. Perhaps he could send his originals for us all to see. You do get your photos back! - Ed.
Another picture from this year's Banbury rally. Here we see Burrell roller No 4025 of 1926. All the usual handsome lines associated 'With this make, this engine has been in preservation since the late l 950s (and I'm not biased of course - Ed.)
From Steve Tailor
Hi a quick report now that we have been to our first show as helpers. We had our stand up for the first time at Tallington next to the new NTET unit. Although we only met a couple of apprentices we had more than 30 people ask for membership forms and made friends with a couple of engine owners. We also met John Cook for the first time and I'd like to thank him for his help and encouragement.
It was a muddy old time but we enjoyed ourselves and would encourage other parents to get involved. We have also set up a web club with news, dates of shows we will be attending etc. It's a place for apprentices that normally would never meet due to distance to get together, exchange stories, etc. The web address is http:\\uk.clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/steamapprenticemeetup.
That report came earlier in the year. Steve will have met some of you at other rallies since then I hope. - Ed.
These people have given their e-mail addresses so that others can contact them and swap stories, ideas, rally dates or anything else.
If you would like to hear from others send your e-mail address to Barry Sumsion at bsumsion@kearline.fsnet.co.uk
Remember, if your e-mail address actually belongs to someone else, like Mum or Dad, please get their permission to publish it before you send it to Barry.
Peter Abrahams
Graeme Judge
Michael Sumsion
Gregory Chick
Erica Chick
Demelza Sluman
Damien Sluman
Matthew Bate
Jonathan Hollebone
abrahamsab:r:jq6@supanet.com graememarclose@supanet.com msumsionl@yahoo.com hazel@chick65 .freeserve .co. uk erica _m_chick@yahoo.co.uk mws@manexe.freeserve.co. uk mws@manexe.freeserve.co. uk sambate@mailcity. corn jj.hollebone@virgin.net
John Durling, Chairman Apprentice Wanted
Marcus, who lives near Boston, Lincolnshire has an Aveling & Porter 6 ton roller called Elsie. Marcus and Elsie need some help!
If you live in this part of the world and want to work on an engine then contact me (telephone number inside front cover) and I will put you in touch.
John Durling, Chairman
THE SAC AT 21
Thursday at Dorset
It started out very much like any other day at The Great Dorset Steam Fair - the sun shone, we walked miles round the huge site pairing apprentices up with engines and then went back to manning the SAC corner in the NTET marquee. However, this particular Thursday was destined to be a little different.
During the course of Wednesday and Thursday we had been talking to engine owners to persuade them to bring their engines to the NTET marquee at about 5 o'clock, to take part in the Apprentices Cavalcade. This was to be the start (and highlight) of the SAC celebrations to mark the 21st anniversary of the formation of the club. Elsewhere you will see a brief history of the club written by Sylvia Dudley. Sylvia, along with two others got together to form the SAC back in 1979, and she went on to be the Chairman of the club for many years. It is thanks to Sylvia that I became involved with the SAC, which in turn led to me becoming the Chairman in 1996. However, back to the story of Thursday at Dorset.
Many enginemen and women promised that their particular engine would appear at the appointed hour and LOADSof apprentices said that they would be there. I only hoped that the engines would keep their promise!
At about 5 o'clock you couldn't move outside the NTET marquee for engines. We had rollers, tractors, agriculturals, road locos and TWO Burrell scenics!
I wish that I had managed to find the time to note exactly which engines were there, but I think that all were photographed and therefore the facts should be known.
All in all there were over tv1enty engines present and swarms of apprentices.
All the engines then went into the heavy haulage ring and apprentices, two at a tirne were allowed to drive and steer as many engines as they could. I know that lots of you asked for "just one more trip" but I think that everyone had a wonderful time. It lasted nearly two hours anyway.
When the patience of the engine owners was nearly worn out we dragged the apprentices into the NTET marquee for 'cake and pop' and the slightly more formal part of the proceedings. A beautiful cake, with the SAC logo on, was cut by Sylvia Dudley and consumed in record time. The toast was "to the next 21 years".
Sylvia, in her notes has asked if we have to wait until the SAC is 50 before we can do it again, or will we be celebrating 25 years? If we follow the lead set by the NTET and their Road Runs we should mark the next 21 years, when the SAC is 42. This will be in 2021 and I don't suppose for one minute that I will still be involved (at least not actively) with the club. It would be pretty good though, if one of the apprentices of today, who is reading this column, was the Chairman when the next landmark is reached.
So, to echo the toast made on the 'Thursday at Dorset' ............. Here's to the next 21 years.
John Durling Chairman
NEW MEMBERS
We welcome the following to membership of the SAC. Please join in with as many things as you can. There are driving days, visits, the annual photographic competition and for the younger me1nbers our colouring competition. Hopefully some of you will be able to team up with engines and become regular apprentices within your area - if not, try to get to rallies where the SAC has a representative and at least get on an engine for a day -and don't forget to contribute to your magazine Raising Steam, it's there for you to become part of. Take your pictures and write your letters/reports and send them in. Remember, the more you put into your membership, the more you get out of it.
Alan Clarke, Tilehurst, Reading, Berks
Clare Parker, Sutton, Norwich, Norfolk
Cambs
Christopher Drewitt, Epsom, Surrey
Maria Wilson, Poringland, Norwich, Thomas Wilson, Whitwell, Hitchin, Norfolk Herts
Michelle Darlow, Wortley, Sheffield, Thomas Drabble, Winwick, Northants
S. Yorks
Matthew Wilson, Silsoe, Bedfordshire
Antony Robinson, Chatteris, Cambs
Jamie Crawley, Wellingborough, James Williams, Halstead, Essex Northants
Leo Rines, Chichester, W Sussex
Phillip Huddle, Kings Walden, Hitchin, Sean Leadbetter, Merley, Wimborne, l-Ierts
Dorset Daniel McDonald, Stevenage, Herts
Christopher Bannister, Felixstowe, Josh Dobson, Baldock, Herts
Suffolk
Leah Parsons, Ivybridge, Devon
Kyle Gray, Baldock, Herts
Sam Welti, Old Warden, Biggleswade, Simon Beat, Wickersley, S. Yorks Beds
Michael Ward, Lancaster, Lanes
Tom Welti, Old Warden, Biggleswade, Matthew Nelson, Ringstead, Norfolk Beds
Daniel Harvey, Blurton, Stoke-on-Roseanna Vincent, Henstridge, Trent, Staffs Templecombe, Somerset
James Benham, Chichester, W. Sussex
Carly Vincent, Henstridge, Richard Barket~ Chipping Norton, Templecombe, Somerset
Oxon
Natasha Vincent, Henstridge, Natalie Wood, Sellindge, Ashford, Kent Templecombe, Somerset
Maria Wood, Sellindge, Ashford, Kent
Megan Bown, Milborne Port, Luke Green, Billinghay, Lincoln . Sherborne, Dorset
Sally Corah, Bovey Tracey, Newton
Oliver Bown, Milborne Port, Abbot, Devon
Alexander Morrison, Badger Hill, York
Sherborne, Dorset
Adam Sturdy, Staveley
John Eschbaecher, Yealmpton, Neil Clayton, Hallaton, Market
Plymouth, Devon
Harborough, Leics
James Blanch, Taverham, Norwich, Harry James, Middlewich, Cheshire
Norfolk
Ben Herrington, Boscastle, Cornwall
James Niven, Midgham, Berks
Timothy Holding, Exeter, Devon
Thomas Herrington, Boscastle, Carrie Deacon, Spondon, Derby
Cornwall
Emily Deacon, Sponson, Derby
Timothy Daniels, Duloe, St Neots, Oliver Needham, Olney, Bucks
Matthew Cook, Camelford, Cornwall
Carol Hornby, Malton, N. Yorks
l_{ayHenderson, Barton-on-Sea, New Milton, Hants
Gary Hawes, Marston Moretaine, Beds
Ralph Hughes, Glan Conwy, Colwyn Bay
PEGASUS
by Kevin Mills (16)
James Matthews, Highley, Bridgnorth, Shropshire
Dominic Geary, Billingshurst, W. Sussex
This is the story of a quite ordinary Aveling & Porter steam roller currently owned by Martyn How of St. Albans, and kept at Whiteparish in Wiltshire. She is named Pegasus and at Dorset in 1999 many of you got to play with her in the arena as has been said in various letters to this magazine. Our worthy editor even praised the roller -and he a Burrell man too! First I shall explain how I became involved with this engine.
I first met Martyn and the Aveling at Rudgwick rally in 1997. I approached him somewhat nervously having been told he was on his own for the rally and could do with help. Fortunately he turned out to be a very nice bloke and since then I have helped him with the roller at the various rallies she attends and also with the dirty jobs in the yard. As Martyn is now very busy reconstructing his 1898 McLaren 6hp agricultural engine 616 (HD 1493) after major boiler repairs, I have been assigned the job of keeper for the Aveling, and this winter I have done all the washing out and preperation for the boiler inspector. One of my jobs as "keeper" has been to fill in all the relevent record sheets in the NTET's Code of Practice for n·action Engines - yes, even with engines there is paperwork! Incidentally, if you are really keen on engines, one of these Codes is well worth purchasing as it shows you virtually everything as regards to maintaining an engine, and although there is no substitute for experience it is a very good reference. Unfortunately I have not reached the legal driving age for driving on my own yet, but I have had good practice, both on the Aveling and at Amberley Museum where I am a regular volunteer on the engines there. As I am getting more involved with the Aveling, I have been researching the roller's history and here are the results, which I hope some of you will find interesting.
The roller was completed by Aveling & Porter on October 31st 1912 as Royalty number 7771. She was erected by Mr. Wells and the boiler was test number 6890. She is a class Rl O, four-shaft single cylinder 2 speed steam roller and is one of the last built to the pre-1913 inside geared design. We believe there is only one younger roller to this design. The boiler was of the standard round-topped short firebox type, with 33 tubes and a pump and the Aveling & Porter design of injector to fill the boiler. Interestingly, the roller was completed with an injector clack valve and valve gear pins designed for the newer range of rollers. The working pressure when new was 125psi and when she left Rochester her weight was 12 tons lOcwt. She was built for the well-known Eddison Steam Rolling Company, and was delivered to their Dorchester (main) depot where she was given fleet number 200.
In 1921 she was registered FX 7007. In the same year, Eddisons took delivery of a huge number of the piston valve design of Avelings and started to dispose of a number of their older machines. Pegasus was purchased by Hambledon Rural District Council in Surrey, and the minutes for the Hambleclon RDC Highways Committee meeting dated 15th July 1921 reads:
"At the meeting, the Surveyor submitted the tenders he had received 'Pegasus' under repair. Photo Kevin Mills for the repair of steam roller No. 5120 and on the suggestion of the Surveyor; it was resolved that the District Council be recommended to accept an offer by the Eddison Steam Rolling Co to purchase the old roller for the sum of £200 and to supply a 10 ton roller by Ave ling & Porter with Morrisons Scarifier for the sum qf £850 on the understanding that the half cost thereof was to be paid on delivery and the remainder spread over 1 to 5 years free of interest and also subject to the test of the rnachine being made by the National Boiler Insurance Co."
Judging by the recording of how the roller was to be paid for, it seems that Pegasus was quite a big investment. At the next Committee meeting, dated 25th August 1921, the minutes read:
"The Su'Yveyor reported that he had inspected the steam roller offered by the Eddison Steam Rolling Co, and that on the reports of the National Boiler Insurance Co he had purchased the same but in addit'ion, he had ordered water sprayers to be fitted to the hind and front rolls at an estimated cost of £10 ... The Surveyor also reported as to the arrangements he had made with the Eddison Steam Rolling Co for the sale of the old roller belonging to the Council. ... "
And so it was that in August 1921 Pegasus made the long trip from Dorchester to Surrey, where she was re-registered PC 9014. Further Committee meeting minutes record that the roller was returned to Aveling & Porter at Rochester in March 1925 for repairs to be carried out to the main axle bearings, boxes, shaft and final drive gear as these were damaged by heavy scarifying. The cost was £74. In November 1925 the roller was equipped with new Van Putten type water sprayers for the front rolls.
On 1st April 1930 ownership passed to Surrey County Council, who gave her fleet no. SR20 and moved her to their Milford Station Depot. On 23rd April 1936 Aveling & Porter supplied a new right hand rear wheel bush and on 10th March
194 7 AvelingBarford at Grantham supplied a new smokebox and door. At some stage the roller received a halflength Fowler canopy. By 1956 the roller was looking a bit rough appearance wise and it was soon after this that her driver parked her up for a weekend outside a certain school near Farnham.
· . . Unbelmown to him, Owner Martyn How, Kevin MiUs and Graham Judge ontwo future engine ~Pegasus', Dorset 1999. owners _ the well known Mr. Chris Edmonds and Mr. Steve Hubbock - were pupils here, and in a hilarious article published in Stearni:ng in May 1976 Chris described how they cleaned up the roller and gave her a full repaint -apparently the driver's reaction had to be seen to be believed. I have recently spoken with Chris and he recalls that the Aveling had a very, very loud bark and that she could be heard working from some distance away.
In 1957 the roller was laid up in Milford yard, and here she stayed until 1971 when she was saved for preservation by Mr. D. Roberts of Teddington, Middlesex who soon after moved to Owermoigne in Dorset. In 1972 she was sold to Mr. D. McKenzie also of Owermoigne who I believe owned a nursery. He stripped the roller down for restoration but never c01npleted the task. In 1976 she was brought by the late Bill Targett of Chandlers Ford, Hampshire who named her Pegasus and rebuilt the roller. Her first rally appearance was in 1983 and during Bill's ownership she travelled far and wide and became known throughout the South as the "Targett roller", and indeed some still refer to her as this. A picture of her in Bill's ownership appears in Eric Sawford's bookSteamRollers published in 1990. At some stage the working pressure was increased to 140psi. When Bill died in 1988 the roller was sold to a Southampton enthusiast and was moved to her current home at Whiteparish, near Salisbury in Wiltshire. A year later, in 1989, she passed to her current owner, Martyn How.
Martyn decided to keep the roller down in Wiltshire as she was well known there and the yard had good facilities. Rallies were attended quite regularly, including some closer to Martyn's home in Hertfordshire. However, in 1991 the boiler inspector asked for some stays to be replaced, and when these were removed it was found the firebox was quite thin. So the roller was dismantled and
the boiler despatched to Bicknells at Hollycombe who made and fitted the new firebox and tubes, and also built up the tubeplate at the same time. While the boiler was away the gearing was sent to nearby Amesbury where the teeth were built up with weld and remachined to the original profile. Pegasus returned to steam in late 1992 and since then has not attended a great deal of rallies -usually the Bill Targett Rally at Chandlers Ford and the Great Dorset - but has also attended a few others over the years. Hopefully she will be seen a bit more often soon! This year we were hoping to take her to the SAC driving day at Bursledon Brickworks, but this was sadly cancelled. We are hoping to attend the Littlehampton Bonfire and Fireworks, which always gets a good turnout of engines. If you see us at any of these, don't be shy, come and say hello!
Next winter we have some hard work to do, as the hydraulic test is needed and also a re-tube. We are hoping to give her a repaint and also maybe a new smokebox as well.
I'll end this hopefully not too boring story with a note about Martyn's other engine. This is a McLaren 6nhp single cylinder agricultural, works no. 616, reg. HD 1493. She was new to Hampshire Bros of Ravensthorpe in Yorkshire and Jack Hampshire has been very, very helpful in tracing her history. She has never been seen in the south before, and I shall say no more except to look out for her -she will be a very nice little engine when finished.
May I thank the following for helping me trace the history of Pegasus: Jonathan Brown at Reading University (who kindly sent me copies of Alan Duke's record of the roller), Martyn How, Chris Edmonds, Adrian Wilkinson at Lincolnshire Archives (from whom I obtained the roller's build sheet), Peter Donovan (for giving me the address of Lincoln Archives!), Dai Tapley at Surrey County Council and also a thanks to .Graham Judge, Darren & Graham Chaffer, Emma Turner and Damien Sulman who all crewed for me at Dorset and made my life a little easier. (P.S: Memo to Dave Main-one day we'll catch you on a Burrell, and I'll make sure I've gotta camera ready! See ya soon mate.)
AND FINALLY
Another full edition of Raising Steam - and I've still got more for next time. I've purposely kept back the feature on the recent Photographic Competition at Dorset and pictures of the 21st birthday happenings and breakfast on a shovel, etc. These will help fill the next edition, which traditionally tends to be a bit thin! Not that that is likely, I have more from Martin Treanor and I am still holding more from the Cobb memoirs! Hands up those who can remember Neil's stories of his Great Dorsets and who can remember how far we have got? He got me at Dorset and wondered had I forgotten his contributions - how could I! Seriously though I have spoken to our Chairman about the possibility of an occasional bu1nber issue, so that we can include all your contributions. That doesn't mean that you should stop sending in your letters, photos and reports. It all makes for a more h,t.C'resLingmagazine. But that's all for now!
Barry Sumsion, Editor
