STEAM APPRENTICECLUB MAGAZINE
EDITOR
Barry Sumsion, Kearliue Graphic Images, Fail'oak Honse 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)
VICE-CHAIRMAN, STEAM APPRENTICE CLUB
Elaine Massey, 21 Down Close, Northolt, Middlesex UB5 6NS Tel: 020 8248 6570 e-mail: elaine.masseyl@virgin.net
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 mate1ial 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. 'il.'yped 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 U1eearly 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 Charity1 No. 291578. Registered in England No. 1302197. Registered Office: 4 Church Green East, Redditch, Worceslm-shire 898 8B'l~
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FROM THE EDITOR
Here, at last, is your magazine. It is a little late I'm afraid, but that delay has been purposeful. Your Chairman and I have been in regular discussion about the publication date, so that he had time to amass as much information as possible regarding the effects of Foot & Mouth Disease upon the driving days and indeed, any other steam events. Unfortunately there is still no very positive news, but read John's 'bit' to find out as much as you can. Essentially you should find a contact telephone number and enquire before setting off for any rally this year. Regrettably this means that fewer rallies will be held, but that does not mean that you should give up! There will be some rallies and I urge you to visit as many as you can. Take your cameras and your notebooks and then send in your reports and photos to the magazine. And if you are lucky enough to be involved with an engine on a full time basis, then write and tell us all what you have been doing to help.
1925 Fowler traction engine 'Fraoch '. This picture was sent in by two of our youngest apprentices - Christian Walton and Alison Campbell - see their letter on page 6
On a personal note I am not sure how often I shall be able to get along to rallies this year, but I shall try to fit in as many as possible. This is not a very good way to have to start our year, but spare a thought for the farmers who are suffering way beyond just missing out on a steam rally! The w-eather also has not been too kind to us. Can you ever remember seeing so much rain for so long. It has had an adverse effect on the progress of our model Burrells - the workshop being alongside a river, although not flooded, has been very cold and wet - not conducive to 'getting on with it'. On the positive side our patterns for the flywheel are at the founders, so we should see them soon, and my colleagues have been hard at work designing and creating the core boxes for the main engine cylinder casting. That is proving to be particularly complicated but hopefully will soon be successfully completed. I believe that Keith's Road Engine could steam this year, so maybe you should keep your eye out for it later in the season.
Remember keep steaming wherever you can, take lots of photographs and write to us at the magazine.
Good
Steaming,
Barry Sumsion, Editor
THE CHAIRMAN'S BIT
This time last year I was commenting on the delights, or lack of them, of heated engine sheds and how lovely it would be to have one.
1924 Tasker B2 'Wandering Willie' sent in by Gavin Low - whose letter appears on page 7. Gavin we would love to hear more about this engine, and about the cup you are holding in your hand.
This year Morning Star is, in fact, safely tucked away in the workshop at Klondyke Mill, still without wheels and awaiting her new coat of paint. This job has proved to be a larger task then I had planned on, and therefore we are now at the start of the season and still got masses to do. I have, though, been very fortunate in having willing help from various people, including Emma Turner and her Dad, David. If we keep this up there is still a chance that she will be back together for the first outing in May. This wilJ moan that we can try out our new tyres. However, the new canopy I proniiAod myself this year has not yet happened so I hope that the weather forocmitors are right when they say we should have a good dry summer! 2
All being well our first trip out will be to a school fete in Uttoxeter, which is about 8 miles away. We should by that time have done several little outings but the Foot and Mouth epidemic has meant the cancellation of most of the early season events, including 4 of your Driving Days. If you were booked on one of those that have gone you should have had a letter from me. The three courses which are still running are:-
1. Old Warden
2. Burselden Brick Works.
3. Chatham Dockyard.
As well as the loss of our Driving Days, quite a lot of the earlier rallies have also been either cancelled or postponed. If you are planning to go to any then you should make contact first to find out what is happening. The rally list enclosed with this magazine should give you the contact numbers you need. It is worth noting that this list was put together before the Foot and Mouth outbreak started.
Having said all this there are still many rally organisers who believe that they will be able to carry on and so you should be able to get a fair amount of steaming in this year, even though you may not be able to go to your favourite shows. At the moment the Great Dorset Steam Fair is going ahead so we need to start thinking about the competitions which are held there -particularly the photographic competition. Please do remember your camera when you are out and about and then pick three of the best to send to us. More details of this will appear in the next issue.
For those of you who are more actively involved with engines, we are working on a Log Book, in conjunction with the NTET, which will enable you to show to an engine owner how much you have done. This will, we hope, give you a proper record, built up ove.r several years, of your steaming experience and skill level. In the due course of time you should be able to convert this into a certificate which will show your abilities to anyone who asks - Rally organisers for example.
One example of where this log book scheme could be actively used is the NTET driving course, at Strumpshaw near Norwich, to which we are again invited. This year four of you have signed up for this - which I hope will be the start (or continuation) of your progress through the NTET Voluntary Driver Training Scheme. There are still a few places on this course - contact me if you want to know more.
I hope that you are able to have an enjoyable season despite the problems. One point perhaps worth noting is that many engine owners are thinking that they might take the opportunity of a much quieter year to carry out some of the bigger maintenance tasks. If you work more permanently with an engine perhaps you can get involved with some of these and really get into the workings of things. Do let us know what you are up to.
Good luck and happy steaming.
John Durling, Chairman
MAIL BAG
Dear Editor,
When John Wakeham phoned my Mum to invite me up to visit Dingles Steam Village on the day after the AGM, I thought what a wonderful opportunity it was to get to work on some engines. I assumed that I was there to clean the Burrell engines 4041 and 4040. When I arrived there was not only these engines, but Star a showman's engine and Pride of the West a steam lorry, which had been having its boiler tested the last time that I had seen it, which was when I was taking part in a SAC driving day.
About mid-morning my Mum and Dad said that I would have to go in the museum later on to listen to the speeches and distribution of some prizes. By the time 12 o'clock arrived I was thinking that things were a bit fishy, I mean why would Mum and Dad say I had to listen to speeches when I had spent the morning with the engines and could have carried on whilst they listened to the speeches. When the cups and plaques were being given out, I did ask if I was going to get one, but my parents lied and said no, so you can imagine my surprise when my name was read out to receive the J.T. Beeby Trophy. Even though I am fairly well known locally I was amazed that I had won a national cup. They paid me a compliment by saying that I was a miniature Martin Barnecutt, although this may have something to do with the fact that I am generally known on the rally fields as the boy with the dirty face!
Thank you very much to all the people involved, the cup has pride of place on the mantlepiece. All I need to do now is to get Mum and Dad to win the Lottery so that we can buy our own engine.
Thanking everyone involved once again.
Jason Ell:way Liskeard, Cornwall
Dear Editor
This is the time of year that I write about the Great Dorset Steam Fair and my rally year. On the Wednesday I wasn't on an engine but I met Kevin Mills and Graham Judge onPegasus and had a natter. On the Thursday I went on a Garrett showman's engine called Princess Maud which was great fun. On the Friday I went on two Burr ells, which was fun as well. (The birthday cake was lovely for the 21st birthday of the SAC, sweets and all.)
BUT instead I am going to tell about my Dad's 3 inch scale agricultural Burrell engine Wilf. Wilfis the name of my Grandad. Reg. No. ET 1185. The registration number ET 1185 are my initials and the month and year I was born. The engine was started in the early 90 's. Over the years it has had its problems but that's to be expected. For the first time last year Dad ran it on compressed air. It was not a complete success as there were a few leaks. Dad fixed his leaks, or so we thought. On Boxing Day Dad decided that it would be good to steam up his engine for the first time. About 9 am Dad comes into my room and gets me out of bed to tell me that he is going to steam his engine up and he needs my help. (I was very reluctant and argumentative as it was early and it was a very cold <lay.Thanks Dad.) In the
end I put on my overalls to help. We started by filling it with water, then we pushed it outside and lit it up. We filled the street with smoke and thought that the fire brigade would come out (luckily for us they didn't). But for the first time the engine ran on steam and Dad and I were thrilled. But there were still a few leaks.
Dad fixed the leaks and steamed it up again on 13th January. Both times we had a small crowd of people. The photo is of us with the next door neighbours. Both days were a success. Dad is now making a riding car to go behind it.
From Emma Turner (15) Buxton, Derbyshire
Dear Editor
I am lucky enough to be able to read Raising Steam although far too old to be an apprentice. Efforts have been made to take good pictures of traction engines for the past 30 years. I don't think I have succeeded as well as your competition winners and will have to try harder. Every congratulation for such excellent photography.
Yours sincerely
Roger Newbery Ringwood, Rants
Thank you Roger, and i,et's see what you can all do this year -your efforts are appreciated far and wide - Ed.
Dear Editor
Youpublished a picture of my engine Goliath in the last issue of Raising Steam taken by Damien Sluman on page 16.
I did not see the event because I was busy at the smokebox, neither did Carolina Schriever on the step. The time was early morning and the date 1999 at 'Stourpaine'.
Carolina now has a similar Wallis & Steevens 3 Ton Motor of her own, which she keeps in her home country, Holland.
She started with engines aged 15, helping me amongst others at Dutch rallies for at least the last 15 years, so there's hope for apprentice readers after all!
Yours sincerely
GJ Romanes Dorchester
Another picture of the 1925 Fowler traction engine 'Fraoch' from Christian Walton and Alison Campbell. It is not often that we get pictures of both sides of an engine.
Dear Editor,
We are cousins who are both steam apprentices.
Our Granny and Grandad own a 1925 Fowler traction engine called Fraoch which all the family like. Grandad is Chairman of the Scottish Traction Engine Society and we're holding a rally on the 12th and 13th May at the Scottish Bus Museum, Lathalmond, near Dunfermline. Granny and both our mummies are on the committee so we '11all be going, it should be good fl.m. Hopefully, as we get older we'll be able to help more but at the moment Granny says we're a bit wee.
From Christian Walton (2 1/2) and Alison Campbell (7 months)
And here are the two 'wee' apprentices, who have sent pictures of their Grandad's engine and detail,s of the rally that he and his local club are organising. Good plugs, no rnatter how subtle, are welcomed so long as they are accompanied by some good information or photos. Any apprentices living in the area and able to attend, should visit this rally and make your self known to 'Grandad'.
Dear Editor
I think it is about time you had input from north of the border, so I thought I might tell you about just some of the steain engines in Scotland that I am involved with. They are as follows: a 1924 B2 Tasker Wandering Willie and a 3 inch scale
Here are Gavin's Dad's two 3 inch scale engines, the Burrell and, in the foreground, the Fowler. This photo is dated surnmer 1999.
Burrell built and owned by my Dad, and last but not least a 3 inch scale Fowler road locomotive also owned by my Dad but not yet complete. The Burrell is around 6 to 7 years old and it's name is The Grieve and the Fowler's name is Meldrum Sport.
The Tasker which is owned by Bill McConachie of Aberdeen is an engine that I have been connected with as long as I can remember and I enjoy a run into Alford to different events that take place there every year including the Alford Cavalcade at the Grampian Transport Museum.
That is not the only rally we attend; we also take part in rallies organised by the S.T.E.S.- the Scottish Traction Engine Society- one in May at the Lathalmond Bus Museum near Dunfermline and one in August at the Summerlee Heritage Museum,
Coatbridge near Glasgow. But that is not all, we also take part in a rally at Alness about 12 miles north of Inverness. I will end my letter there and wish everybody a happy year of rallying.
From Gavin Low (age 12) Oldn1eldrun1,Aberdeenshire
Here is the 3 inch seal£ Fowl£r in a photo dated spring 2000. Quite a lot has been done since the previous photo. If this engine is being built to the drawings, which I think it might be, then Gavin's Dad deserves a medal! (Of course I might be wrong! - Ed.)
Can it really be a coincidence that we have two contributions from Scotland, and both recorn:mending the S. T.E.S. and its rallies. Seriously it is good to hear from apprentices fro'm different areas than usual and with '1 information on where you might visit. Cont?'ibutions sent in by apprentices I..Ji from other areas that don't ojlen get a mention would be very welcome - Ed.
Dear Editor,
I've just seen my friend's latest edition of Raising Steam. I read the picture caption with the Burrell Duke of Kent and I think that I may know some information about it.
You asked if anybody knew if this engine was used in the fairground. My Grandad remembers this engine working in a small fair when he was a small boy. He told me that it was very colourful and it had lots of lights around the roof. He also said that he was allowed to stand on it when the driver was running it.
,..
I saw this engine at the Great Dorset Steam Fair in 1999 and my Grandad remembered it. He spoke to the driver who was called Alan and he told him that it had just been restored. He asked Alan what happened to the dynamo and he said that it was now on another showman's engine.
I hope this has helped.
Yours sincerely Robert
Davis (age
9)
Bedfordshire
This picture and enquiry has resulted in quite a response. Reading on below, we shall find letters which disagree with Robert and his Grandad. Now, a word of caution. When you delve into the history of an engine, be sure that you are referring to exactly the engine that you intend. Many engines, most of which were built around a relatively short historical period, carried the same or similar names. It was popular to name an engine after a particular 'royal' or perhaps a well known (at that time) military hero. So, if you want to know about a particular engine, it is generally safer to refer to the engine's builder's number. Look around the rally fields, there are several 'princesses', 'dukes\ etc, and often qfthe same make and type.
And here is a letter from the owner of 'Duke of Kent'.
Dear Editor,
I have received a copy of Raising Steam, volume 15 no. 1 and on page 17 I was delighted to see a photo taken by Daniel Wilmshurst of my engine Duke of Kent.
The question raised with the photo was ''.Asthe Duke of Kent is painted like a showman's engine was she used on the fairground?"
The answer is no. Burrells finished a few road locomotives like this if the new owners could afford it. On the original order from Burrells, of which I have a copy, this particular engine was finished in Lake (which means dark ted) and Gilt (which means gold) and Red wheels. When the engine was rebuilt in 1980 by the previous owner Mr Steven Neville, he decided to make a new tender for the engine as the old one was rusted through. When he removed some of the parts from the old tender to use on the new one, under the brake bracket was some of the original paintwork and lining. He repainted the engine to match the original and I repainted it again in 1998.
I hope this information is helpful.
Yours sincerely
Keith Honour Stansted, Essex
Many thanks for that Keith. It is good that we can occasionally hear from an engine owner, who 'knows' his engine. More of this will be very welcome.
Now follows more on the 'Duke' from David Main who has obviously researched the history of the engine.
Dear Editor,
I Wiite with regard to your comments in the recent edition of Raising Stearn as to the history of the Burrell road loco Duke qf Kent and thought that the following information may be of interest to you and members of the SAC.
The Duke left Burrell's works at Thetford in Norfolk in July 1914, a 6nhp engine fitted with a double crank compound, 3 speeds, and was given engine number 3593 and registration number KE 3856.
During the First World War the Duke was used to carry troops and provisions to Salisbury Plain which was used for troop training. It used to haul two loaded traction wagons.
She (he? -Ed.) was sold to "Scott's Sawmills" in Chatham along with the two traction wagons. (Only a stone's throw away from the current Steam Centre in Chatham Dockyard, where a piece of the Duke's history is preserved - more of which later). The site of Scott's Sawmill was between what is now Chatham Library and BBC Radio Kent Studios.
Later during her working days she was used to haul bricks and other building materials in the two traction wagons to building sites on Chatham Hill from Canterbury. These two traction wagons later were converted to living vans at a wagon works in Station Road, Rainham, now the site of a petrol filling station. A rather dark (copied from an old slide) picture of 'Duke of Kent' frorn David Main, taken when the engine was in the ownership of the Day fa:mily from, Headco'Yn.
At this time the Duke was sold to Mr. C.J. Croucher, who used her along with a large 2 speed double crank compound Burrell built (if memory serves us right) in 1912, on thrashing work and general haulage. Each winter the thrashing set was lined up and given a coat of paint. The two living vans were painted pink to match the threshing drum. Eventually a brand new Standard Ford.son tractor was purchased to replace the Duke, and the Duke was used in Lower Halstow for heating greenhouses.
Roger Croucher'sAveling roller No. 5156 of 1902, seen at Chatham Dockyard in May 2000 during its steam test. This was the first time in steam for a couple of years following the fitting of a new firebox. David Main.
In 1956 the Duke was sold into preservation going to an owner in Guildford, Surrey, sadly the other Burrell was scrapped at this time and the two living vans were left to one side in a field. The Duke was eventually purchased by the Day family from Headcorn in Kent, who later sold her onto Steve "Nobby" Neville from Saffron Walden in Essex. In 1992 Steve brought the Burrell back into Kent to attend the Sellinge Steam Special, (held annually over the last bank holiday weekend in May). When it attended this show it displayed on its canopy "C.J. Croucher" as a tribute to its former owner. When Steve Neville died it was left in his will to his 3 steersmen over the years, including Keith Honour, who later took over total ownership of the Burrell, and in whose ownership it can be seen today. However, that is not the final part of the story. Mr. Croucher's grandsons have carried on the tradition of steam in the family. In the early l 990s, Roger Croucher purchased an Aveling Roller, built in 1902 and carrying works No. 5156, fitted with Fowler type compound cylinder block, Reg. No. TU 874. This engine is appropriately named Duchess of Kent. Also owned by Roger is one of the living
Here's one I took earlier. This shows Burrell Scenic Showman's Engine 'General Gough' at the Great Dorset Steam Fair a couple of years ago. Who can tell me what unusual feature this engine had. This is not an easy teaser and should cause the real engine buffs to search /;heir records. - Ed.
vans which his grandfather pulled behind the Duke. When purchased by Roger the living van was in a very sorry state and required a total rebuild before it could be used. He has kept up the family tradition as far as colour of the living van is concerned-pink! The other living van is owned by one of Roger's brothers, David, who plans to restore it eventually (in pink of course!) once his current restoration projects are complete; a Marshall 54" threshing machine similar to the one the Duke worked and a Fordson E27N. Roger's other brother, Alan, is also involved in the preservation movement having restored the family's Standard Fordson. The roller, living van, tractors and threshing drum are now kept in the Steam Centre at Chatham Dockyard and can be seen at many rallies across Kent.
I hope this information is of interest.
Yow·ssincerely
David Main
That was a very interesting letter David. Ijwe could have more of that sort of thing from those apprentices with access to engine histories and the like, it would be brilliant, and would help others to learn more about our traction engine history. - Ed.
Another thing which has occurred to me is David's frequent reference to the 'pink' colour which agricultural imple1nents were often painted. VVhy was this. Could it be, perhaps, that this was some early sort of protective coating rather than just a paint colour? Anyone with access to that question, please write and let us know. - Ed.
Dear Editor
I am writing to tell you about Thurlow & Haverhill Steam and Country Show. On Saturday I saw Bruce Whateley who owns a Garrett 6 nhp .Showman's Road Locomotive. It is called British Hero. When I got there at 11.30 am it was in full steam, burning coal and at 200 p.s.i. It is the only remaining Garrett Showman's Engine.
Yours sincerely
Sam Ellerton (age 14) Littleport, Cambridgeshire
Dear Editor
I have been helping Derek Rayner, who is Assistant Editor of Steaming with his 1915 Aveling & Porter steam roller VVhite Rose over the winter months. I am now writing to tell you about a kit pmtable engine made by Fischertechnik, Germany, which was kindly loaned to me by Derek. I thought it would take me a long time to construct but it didn't.
Alexander Morrison and the kit built portable engine he has built from a German kit.
I made the engine over the school holidays and I really enjoyed making it. I followed the instructions and the first part I started making was the rear axle and mounting for the boiler. After completing that part I attached the boiler to the engine and made the cylinder head along with the piston. Then most of the rear axle was finished.
Then I made the front axle and attached that to the engine. Then the whole engine was complete and was placed on a mounting block for display. In real life the actual engine would have been made in 1915. I would strongly recommend buying the kit, as it was eajoyable to make. I would give it full marks 10 out of 10.
Yours sincerely,
Alexander Morrison (age 11)
North Yorkshire
THE RETURN OF THE COBB MEMOIRS
Finally, as promised, I now include another story from the pen of Neil Cobb. This is a new story, rather than try and pick up from where we left off, rather a long time back now! I hope Neil will forgive me, and I will endeavour to compwte this one to the bitter end. So enough of my excuses, wt Neil commence -
GO NORTH YOUNG MAN!
It was actually come up North and try one of our rallies. To make the weekend worthwhile it had to be at least a 3 day event, so Mum and Dad reasoned that Mayday would be a little early (the snow wouldn't have melted north of the Wash) and August bank holiday was the start of the Great Dorset, so it could only be the spring bank holiday. First it was enquired of the Carr Eros if they were taking anything out to a rally that weekend, and if caravan and camping facilities were available to non-exhibitors, the answer was yes in both cases, The Ransomes, 7HP Single and the 8 ton Aveling cnmpound would be attending the O.N.K.A. rally at Thorsby Hall and Park, Ollerton, Nottinghamshire (Robin Hood Country) on May 24-26 inclusive and that we were more than welcome to come.
For a week before departure mum had the cement mixer and parish oven going baking for the whole of Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire, as well as trying to buy out the local supermarket, Mum's motto being you never know if someone is going to drop in. Loading the caravan was equally intriguing, we had warm clothing, cool clothing, wet clothing and best and old of each just in case!
Dad spoke to John on Thursday night to confirm everything was in hand and to check on the route. John said we would know when we had got north of Potters Bar with the igloos at the side of the Ml and the number of gibbets with missionaries hung from them and that once we got north of the Wash the natives became hostile and that we must keep moving as we were in iajun country, needless to say all in fun of course but it did give us something to think about as we drove north, and we did see an eskimo and a polar bear but more about that later.
Disaster struck on Friday. Dad's new Shogun developed a squeak, on the clutch release bearing and had to go back to the agents for a warranty check, the agent duly saying that it was nothing to worry about and that it would be fine for us to make the trip as planned.
Friday night saw us all coupling the caravan up in readiness for an early start Saturday morning.
Dad remarked that the next vehicle he bought would have to be a Scammel Highwayman, Andrew said "and 30ft showvan"! No just some axles to put under the house" I suggested a Fowler Road Loco but Dad said it would need to be a pair as Mum would need her wardrobe to come along. I know that you may think we pick on our Mum? and we do, but she does get her own back from time to time, like repairing our underpants and socks with a stapler instead of sewing, or turning up jeans and putting new zips in and forgetting to take the pins out. Dad says "when you have had a woman as long as I've had your Mum, you may have just learned resistance is totally futile," give in now!!
4am we're all up and rushing round doing the last minute things we should have done the night before.
4.30am and we're underwaY,Dad driving, Andrew riding shotgun and acting as navigator, Mum and me in the back. I had been up till late, not slept too well and got up early so it was no surprise that I was fast asleep within half an hour of setting off and in this unconscious state was being whisked ever further north until I was suddenly woken by being shaken violently (well it felt pretty violent at the time) and told to 'look Neil, an Eskimo"!! I know that John said Sheffield was almost inside the arctic circle and we had to look out for igloos and polar bears, but an Eskimo! In a state of semi-conscious shock I sat up smartlY, banged my head on the window, and gazed in horror at this huge face, surrounded by fur, looking down at me. It was as I became aware of the rapturous laughter all round me and as the blood began to circulate that I realised we were stopped in the services, and that Dad had manouvered alongside a huge van advertising the "Delongi Dragon Electric Radiator' Trademark of Delongi, a flaming Eskimo! very funny ha ha ha.
After the usual visits to and a quick cup' a we were off again. Dad doing the Captain Kirk impression, warp factor 4, Mr Su lu. It was after turning off the motorway that things got a bit dodgy. After going through Edwinstow, Ollerton and Nether-somewhere or other a couple of times we finally picked up a sign at a place called Budby!!! well it's no worse a name than Sixpenny Hanley, is it? Eventually we located the rally site. I did mention to one of the organisers about the signs, his reply was 'we'll try harder to hide em next year", wi dona want overmany forigner-z ere do wi, "Foreigners" what cheek I mean "I can't help it if he can't talk proper like wot I do-z eh". We drove down the engine line to find the Carr Bros caravan and sure enough there it was with a little note in the window. T & H Cobb Here, and a small arrow pointing to a spot to park up on. We parked up and got ourselves set up, no sign of the Carrs so I went for a look around. Two engines caught my eye immediately. One was an absolutely beautiful 6HP Maclaren agricultural engine, completely rebuilt including casting a new cylinder and making of all new motion work by the owner Chris Dobbs, and his two sons, the quality of the workmanship and presentation was par excellent. The other engine
that took my fancy was a 1902 8HP single cylinder Marshall which arrived on the road behind the owner's 8HP Maclaren Road loco 'Captain Scott'.
I had seen the Mac at the G.D.S.F.and also the Marshall engine, these are owned by John Blagg and had come up to site from a local farm where they are kept "The Marshall, Eventide, (strange name for an engine) was exactly as you would have expected to see an engine 35-40 years ago, paintwork faded but clean brasswork, clean but now gleaming, a very workman like machine, the look of the engine was just right, it looked as if it had just, only just finished its last threshing job and had been wiped down ready to go to its next farm.
It was whilst admiring the Marshall I saw a familiar face, clTawinga little Aveling roller across the field, it was David Carr, the roller is a 1929 Aveling and Porter piston valved compound 8 ton of Type D D No 12467. It is an asphalt roller with very large wide front rollers and very wide back wheels (to balance the weight out). The roller has been owned by the Carr Bros' for over 30 years and prior to coming to Thorsby Hall hadn't moved since major boiler work was carried out 12 years ago (no one wants it, cos there's an 'orse on't front) said David.
This being rally organisers, the fact that this roller is the only survivor in the western hemisphere of 3 type D D rollers built, the difference between the standard A and the DD are, wide back rolls, larger headstock, fork and front rollers and a larger cylinder block to give the engine more power to push her greater rolling resistant mass over hot asphalt.
Knowing where the roller was going too I set a course to converge at the caravans. After the usual hello's and descriptions of the trip up I managed to get a word in, and ask the whereabouts of the Ransomes engine and J.C. Davids brother? "Bernard and Malcolm have gone to fetch them, they were out last weekend woodsawing" was the reply "they'll not be long".
Sure enough within the hour the Ransomes arrived lo<;>kingabsolutely magnificent, if not a little undignified sitting way up high on the back of a six wheeled Leyland lorry, eminently suited to the job, but it looks totally unstable. But as Malcolm pointed out the centre of gravity on a traction engine is very low it's only the large back wheels and high chimney that give you a false impression of where the weight is.
Malcolm it appears is the local Mr Shift-it, who is more of a workaholic than the average, much preferring to move traction engines around than paint the house gutters or doing the gardening. In conversation he said of his wife "I've bought her a ladder, a paint brush, some garden shears what more can she reasonably want?" Malcolm is also quite at home driving and steering engines as he is a low loade1· as was demonstrated! by bringing the Ransomes down from its lofty perch, "No Problem!!!"
Bernard, who had been riding shotgun for Malcolm, is a very quiet, slightly built man of a similar age to John and David Carr and is also their partner in the engines, but as John puts it, "Partnership may be the worst ship that ever sailed, but when you've each got your own boat (3 engines) everyone's a captain!" when asked how long they had been -partners, David put on a fake Dorset accent and said ooh! it be yers n yers a tyme ahhh it be, Ah an we use't be friends afoor that!!!. Bernard added, now we just don't talk with the three of them together, John, David and Bernard, it is just like a well rehearsed stage act, each bouncing insults (Not
