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) e-mail: john.r.durling@uk.transport.bombardier.com
VICE-CHAIRMAN, STEAM APPRENTICE CLUB
Elaine Massey, 21 Down Close, Northolt, Middlesex UB5 6NS Tel: 020 8248 6570 e-mail: elainermassey@aol.com
MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY
John Cook, Dolfarni, Church Lane, Kirby la Thorpe, Sleaford, Lincolnshire NG34 9NU. Correspondence only. Membership fee £5.00 per annum.
SAC CO-ORDINATORS
Sam Bate, 30 Mowbray Grove, Bishopsgarth, Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland TS19 8XA Tel: 01642 897153 e-mail: sambate@lycos.com
Graham Chaffer, 32 Jubilee Way, Storrington, West Sussex RH20 3NZ Tel: 01903 745921 e-mail: chaffer.gang@ic24.net
Duncan Croser, 16 Tripps Hill Close, Chalfont St. Giles, Bucks HP8 4JZ Tel: 01494 875443 e-mail: duncan.croser@btinternet.com
Steve and Donna Taylor, 17 Smith Crescent, Coalville LE67 4JF Tel: 01530 835213 e-mail: steve.tailor@btinternet.com
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 or e-mailed 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 Ltd, Fairoak House Business Centre, Church Road, Newport, South Wales NP19 7EJ Tel: 01633 262197 Fax: 01633 259089 email: kearline@aol.com
Printed by The Whitehouse Press Ltd, Lydney, Glos GL15 5ER
Fowler Showman's B6 Special 'Lion' stands alongside the big wheel at the recent rally at the Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Railway at Toddington. One of only four of its type built they were a supposed enhancement of the B6 class road engine. Regretably they weren't as successful as was hoped for. However three of them still exist, perhaps the most famous being 'Supreme' which was also the very last showman's type built - in 1934.
FROM THE EDITOR
Better late than never. This issue comes a little late due to my recent poor health including a short stay in hospital. However I am now well on the mend and managed to get to what is almost certainly the last rally of the year at Toddington. The rally is organised by the Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Railway. It is one of those comparatively local rallies that I have kept meaning to go to and until now haven't! It is not a large rally but of the dozen or so engines present they presented an interesting cross section of makers and
types. The rally is split either side of the railway station at Toddington, with the traders, classic cars, miniatures, stationery engines, arena, etc. in a field to the east of the station whilst the traction engines and fairground rides are in the station yard to the west of the station. This means a short road run for the engines to make when they take their turn in the arena - a most unusual treat for all except the local traffic!
I am glad I was up to going to this rally, since I missed Dorset this year, mainly due to pressure of work, and I needed a fix! I hope that those who did get to Dorset had a good time and I look forward to hearing from you all with your reports and what you got up to there. Do not restrict your writings to Dorset of course, there have been many other rallies up and down the country to which many of you will have gone - so let's hear about them.
Barry Sumsion, Editor
Aveling & Porter convertible engine No. 4255 seen in the yard at Toddington. I am presuming that this is a convertible (I didn)t check at the time) since it carries the flange on the upper smokebox onto which could be bolted a roller type perch bracket. See the inset picture for a closer look at this facility.
THE CHAIRMAN'S BIT
This is likely to be the last time that I write about where we have taken Morning Star for a little while. No, that doesn't mean that she is up for sale or anything silly like that; it is just that she needs a major dose of TLC,
especially to the back axle and transmission. Much to my own Apprentice Martin's annoyance I am taking her off the road for a while to try to put right the ravages caused by over 70 years work. The plan is for this to take about a year - but don't hold your breath! We have been on our usual trip 'down south', this time including the lovely rally at Haddenham in Cambridgeshire as well as our customary trip to Old Warden Park. Unfortunately, due to the problems mentioned above, she went to these rallies on a lorry -we did of course go on the Saturday evening road runs at each rally. However, I can't imagine going a whole season without 'playing engines' a bit, so I am arranging to borrow another Aveling product for a couple of rallies next year. This is the A & P 'E' type 10 ton roller Evelyn which belongs to fellow club member Andrew Hall. It will feel very different trundling along the road at about 3 miles an hour. Still, I am sure it will be good for me!
As I write this, the Great Dorset Steam Fair feels like a long time ago. I didn't actually make it this year so Elaine has written about it. See her article elsewhere in this issue.
Don't forget, if you haven't got your log book yet, then drop Elaine a note and she will do the rest. We do, unfortunately need a cheque for £5 payable to the NTET.
Whilst thinking about training and such, the NTET Driving Course will be held at the Beamish Open Air Museum during May next year. This really is a wonderful opportunity to get some good quality teaching in! Details will be in the next magazine, along with next year's driving days.
If the number of 'phone calls I receive is any indication, a lot of you have been out and about this year, visiting new shows as well as old favourites. I love to hear from you but I think that others would like to know what you have been up to too. Write it down and send it to Barry so that we can all read about your travels in Raising Steam.
As I write this, autumn is now with us and engines are being put to bed for the winter. You must of course keep an eye out for the local 'end of season' steam-ups. These can be great fun.
Can I take this opportunity to wish you all a Happy Christmas, a good New Year and I hope that you can all find something to do with engines to keep you busy until the sunshine comes back.
John Durling, Chairman.
MAIL BAG
Dear Editor
On the 11th and 12th August a Garrett tractor and an Aveling & Porter roller spent a weekend at Toddington railway station. They were both starring as characters for the Day Out With Thomas Weekend.
1920 Garrett 4CD tractor was Trevor the traction engine. Aveling & Porter 10 ton road roller was George the grumpy roller. This year was the third year that we had taken these two engines to this event and it is still a very enjoyable weekend.
Me and another Steam Apprentice took it in turns on each engine. During
the two days at Toddington we showed the guests the engines, rolled the station car park and whistled at every train to depart and arrive at the station.
Special thanks to ,James Blenkinsop and Nigel Heath (engine owners).
Yours sincerely
Will Hadland and Phil Humphrey (age 15)
Dear Editor
You hardly have anything on the 4CD (4 horsepower compact design) so here is something for you.
Garrett. This company was one of the leading East Anglian builders, over the years constructing engines of several types, also wagons. The 4CD tractor was destined to become their most successful design with 514 being built over a 21 year period (1907-1928) and a considerable number have survived into preservation. The 4CD basic design was also used for showman's tractors and rollers; many have also survived into preservation.
I hope the information on this all-purpose engine has been of interest.
Steven Spall (11) Whickham, Newcastle upon Tyne
Well, you will see one of these tractors in the left hand photo above - not with its more usual smokebox door visible! Your reference to showman's tractors
reminds me that in my most recent readings 17 4CD tractors have been converted to showman's condition since preservation began in the 1950s. These are very difficult to tell from the originals since the true Garrett 4CD Showman's Tractor is little altered from the standard tractor in its basic configuration. - Ed.
Dear Editor,
On Saturday 18th May, I awoke to an abysmal day and I went to Klondyke Mill to help John and Fiona Durling prepare for the two church fetes we were going to over that weekend. Morning Star already had a fire in her and the gauge was reading 70 psi. After I had stowed my bags in the Land Rover and Mum had left, we were offered a brew courtesy of Andrew Hall. After that, John hooked up the Land Rover behind Morning Star and after a quick check over everything, we set off for Alton Church Fete, John and Fiona on Morning Star and I sat in the Land Rover.
We drove for nearly two hours, making a stop at The Tavern near Denstone for a quick drink and a bite to eat. John bought a Cornish pasty from the local shop and tried to heat it on the clinker shovel - but it burnt on the bottom and got exceedingly hot everywhere else but the middle where it was cold. He still ate it!
Now with John and I on the footplate - me steering -we started to climb the bank in high wheel and she stopped dead half way up. We had to put the block under and change to low wheel right there! I thought she would run away, but she's an engine you can trust and she didn't thankfully. We set off again and darkened the neighbourhood with black smoke! I noticed a difference in the sound and steam production. John said that he had cleaned the blastpipe and recalibrated the pressure gauge. So she sounds much better when working and now works at 200 psi rather than 180 psi, which results in greater efficiency and better working.
We arrived at Alton at around 2.00pm and uncoupled the Land Rover and hooked up the trailer and drove once round the circuit and set up - in the rain that never stopped all afternoon. We did the trailer rides and I steered. At one point the weather was that bad that nearly nobody came out of the refreshment tent and all three of us were looking like drowned rats, and so we went into the marquee for some refreshment. Soon, however, my optimism paid off for as I ventured out to check up on the engine - I was greeted with bright sunshine. A Godsend! We got some customers again and we continued with the rides. When we pack in we normally take the engine onto the field and sit her outside the tent, but we had to depart from the normal practice this year and take her home because she would get stuck in the field. So, we counted up the money - £86.50 - despite the bad weather and filled the tanks and bunker and hooked everything up and John and I drove her home. Now, the time being around 5.30, Alton Towers had closed and so all the buses and traffic came our way and I had to keep her rather close to the side of the road as the buses could not get through easily. Generally people on the buses looked rather startled at the sight of an engine on the road, but many of the kids looked back and waved at us which was very nice to see. We continued down the bank and passed the tennis courts which were in use and again there were
many startled but smily faces. We stopped to change to low wheel to climb the final hill (lovely chuffing sounds again and no smoke - she was working that hard!) We stopped for the final gear change at the top - to high wheel - and within the next five minutes, we were parked up in John's drive and were putting Morning Star to bed.
Seen hard at work on the saw bench at Toddington was this Burrell single cylinder agricultural engine. I was unable to get details of this engine but was atracted to the scene by the wonderfully loud bark coming from her chimney as she sawed through a considerable tree trunk. - Ed
After a wash, we went back to the fete for the barbecue (free, lovely food for doing the trailer rides) and there was a very, very good live folk band. We left at about 10.00pm.
On Sunday John and I were up at the same time and while he put the kettle on, I got the tube brush, clinker shovel and ash slice and pulled the tubes,
cleaned out the firebox and ashpan and lit a fire. When the right amount of pressure was achieved, I was taught the 'blowdown procedure' and I blew down the gauges. I then oiled up and started her ticking over. After breakfast and another cup of tea, Fiona left for church, leaving John and I with the engine, so we had a little play. We set off along the lane with me driving and John steering and when we reached the end of the lane we turned round and went back. We took off the right hand motion cover and re-packed the high pressure piston valve because it was leaking steam. We checked all the tools were in the Land Rover and John asked me a few exacting questions on the components of the m.otion and to get it completely right, I found, was quite hard. When Fiona got back, we hooked up the Land Rover and the trailer and we set off with me at the regulator and John at the wheel. When at the top of the lane, I checked both ways and drove her out on to the road. I stopped her and we swapped round and started with John driving and me steering. We soon stopped however, for the mechanical lubricator was not working and so John opened it up one full turn and off we went again. We started to descend a short hill and at the bottom we stopped for John to put ear plugs in. Out on the main road we picked up the pace a little and drove up to the first roundabout which we reached roughly 20 minutes after leaving the first junction. After negotiating that (which was very busy) we reached the second one and successfully negotiated that one. We stopped to check the connections on the trailer and Land Rover. I found communication on the footplate very difficult because not only was John wearing ear plugs, but the engine was very very loud, the gears were catching the guards and ringing, the safety valves were screaming and as already mentioned, the blast pipe had been cleaned and so there is a very loud exhaust beat. I also got very uncomfortable because the engine bounces a lot. I was very glad when we reached St Joseph's RC School and after half an hour we were busy doing trailer rides again. The weather was absolutely gorgeous all afternoon. After around three hours we decided it was time to pack in and so while John was hooking everything up, I was allowed to single man the engine on my own around the school playground. I drove her up to the gate and after placing the chocks under the wheels I took her out of gear and we filled her with water, filled the bunker with coal and this time with John and Fiona on the engine, we set off back to Klondyke. After an hour on the road we arrived and after unhooking I was again allowed to single man her around Klondyke. After a cup of tea, I took her round once more to draw the fire and make enough steam to put her to bed. I then parked her up and put her to bed. After going round the boiler with a rag we knew that the mechanical lubricator was working better - the boiler and belly tanks were black! My Mum then came to take me home and after thanking John and Fiona for an absolutely fantastic weekend, I left Klondyke.
Martin Treanor (14) Duffield, Derbyshire
Dear Editor
l thought you might like the following report to include in the next edition of Raising Steam. (As always, yes please - Ed.)
Southsea Show was held on the weekend of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th August and 11 engines attended. Our steam roller had already been transported to the showground on the previous day, riding on the back of Trevor Kemp's low loader. This was a new experience for both the engine and Dad, as we usually drive it to shows on the road. (We do local rallies, carnivals, etc.)
The pictures above and opposite are from Dr Barry Job and show Steam Apprentices enjoying themselves at the Driving Day at Klondyke Mill on April 13th last. The above engine needs little or no introduction, being the now infamous Aveling & Porter (Morning Star' owned, of course, by John Durling, whilst opposite we see Burrell Devonshire type No 2706 (The Admiral'. Note that whilst both engines are compounds, 'Morning Star' is of the more conventional design with double cranks and cylinders side-by-side, and 'The Admiral' is of the single crank design with the cylinders one above the otherthere are those for and those against the single crank design.
My weekend started off on the Friday at 7 .30am when Dad and I lit up our roller, allowing enough time to be in steam and to move round to the exhibiting area in the showground by 10.00am. In the two hours it took to build up enough pressure to move, we had sheets to fold, coal to collect and some serious polishing to do!
Once we had arrived in the display area, I was left in charge of the engine to maintain steam and water, as Dad was going to help with the wood sawing display once the gates opened. This is the bit that I enjoy most, because although I have to check the water level and fire etc of the engine, I get to tell people all about the history and working life of the engine. Children like to
Icome up on the footplate to have their photos taken, and I like to show them the 'dragon' in the firebox if they are very young! When the children get up on the engine, I have to explain to the parent that there is lots of coal around and point out that the child might get dirty. It doesn't help that I have usually got black hands as well! There are also many very hot surfaces so you have to make sure that no-one gets hurt whilst they are having a look.
We are often asked about the name of our steam roller. Cuchulainn is a very famous Irish folk hero from Dundalk, which is where the roller spent most of its working life, so we thought that it was appropriate.
Dad was wielding a chainsaw in the timber display area where there were two of A.G. Bicknell's engines. Ransomes, Sims and Jefferies crane engine No 31066 Hooky, was busy lifting the timber, and Marshall Q type agricultural engine No 70321 Firefly was driving a rack saw bench with a 4'6" blade. Also driving a smaller saw was Kevin Stubb's Marshall S type portable engine No 84480.
Other engines on display were:
Robey tractor No 40991 Shamrock, owned by Brian Sismey
Fowler traction engine No 11698 Edna, owned by Pete Lyons
Babcock & Wilcox road roller with scarifier No 95/4014 Monarch, owned by Mike Docherty
Another interesting and well presented engine to be seen at Toddington was this Wallis & Steevens double expansion traction engine No 7370. Although not the biggest of rallies it was nevertheless a good show with something for the railway enthusiast as well.
Burrell agricultural engine No 37 46 Charlie B, owned by Don Cully
Garrett showman's tractor No 32981, owned by Stuart Maggs
Foden C type tractor No 12300, owned by Doug Williamson
Foster showman's tractor No 14605, owned by Garth Holman, coming from • Bedford and our Aveling & Porter type DD road roller No 11215 Cuchulainn. We took part in the parade into the ring later in the afternoon, where the commentator firstly lost all his notes and then couldn't pronounce the name of our engine! (I'm having a bit of trouble with that too - Ed.) After the ring run, there wasn't much to do, so we let the fire die down and put up the sheets at about 7.00pm, when the show closed.
Most of the other engine owners were staying on site in caravans or tents, so they had a barbecue and jacket potatoes cooked in the smokebox of Brian's Robey. Dad and I went home to hot baths and comfy beds!
On the Saturday, I was up bright and early again, and we left to clean out the ashes, light up the engine, take down the sheets and start polishing all over again. Unfortunately there was a fair bit of rain at first and we wondered whether anyone would want to come to the show, but the clouds d-rifted away and the crowds soon arrived.
In the afternoon, all the engines took part in the ring parade, where I had a rather unfortunate experience. As we entered the ring, I didn't see a drain and somehow managed to steer the left back roll straight over it, causing the cover to fold in half, and the holder to sink right down into the ground. Needless to say, I wasn't popular with the site manager and the rest of the steam crew found it hilariously funny! A bonus was that the commentator could actually pronounce the name of our roller, as he had previously checked it with us earlier in the day!
On Saturday night, all the engines were going on a road run to get fish and chips and to stop off at a pub for some "light refreshment"! Dad had to go to work that night and left as soon as the show closed for the day, so I had a quick shower in a friend's caravan and apparently I was unrecognisable in clean clothes and no overalls!
We got back to the showground just in time for Mum to pick me up. I thought she was most unreasonable making m-e have a bath before I was allowed to go to bed, even though I had already had a shower!
As Dad had been at work all night, he needed to catch up on some sleep, so he dropped me off at the site and with a bit of help from a fellow Steam Apprentice, Graeme Judge, we got the ashes raked out, tubes swept and the engine in steam. I polished brass until my fingers hurt and it was all gleaming just in time for Dad to arrive and for me to eat breakfast and lunch all at the same time! He was suitably impressed (I think)!
It rained again on the Sunday, which was a shame as there were lots of people at the show and it was the last day. We still paraded around the ring but this time with no mishaps!
As it was the last day, all the stalls were packing up early to go home, so the engines moved back to the low loaders which were parked at the back of the showground, alongside the steam crews' camping. Dad drove the roller onto the low loader, helped Trevor to secure it and then we left for the return journey to Burseldon Brickworks, where most of the attending engines are kept. We still had enough steam left so that we could unload when we arrived. I rode in the cab of the lorry, which was very noisy, very bouncy and excellent fun! All in all, it was a very good weekend.
Liz Harris (15)
Dear Editor,
During the weekend of July the 26th, 27th and 28th 2002 I attended the Netley Marsh Steam & Craft Show. My cousin, Matthew Hunt who is also a steam apprentice and I spent most of the weekend working on Aquarius, a
5nhp Allchin traction engine. Aquarius was built in 1901 number 1173 with registration number KE1984. It was new to S. Vousden, agricultural contractor of Canterbury on the 5th October 1901, where it worked for 44 years. After two further owners it then passed to Folkestone & District Water Company who used it for mole ploughing on Romney Marsh and to drive a steam well winch in the Alkham Valley. Then Dave Maidment bought Aquarius from the water company and has always kept it in working order. Dave was very helpful and informative throughout the weekend. He also answered all of our questions we asked. As well as all the general cleaning of the brass and paintwork Matt had to clean out the ash pan while Dave showed me all the lubrication points on the motion work. When Matt had finished I was allowed to level the fire and then we had to sit and wait until it was time to go into the arena. During the course of both days Matt and I were allowed to steer Aquarius and I was surprised how easy it was. But the weekend passed so quickly and it was time to go home. Matt and I would like to say thank you to Dave for such a great weekend!!!
Yours sincerely,
Adam White (aged 13)
A digital picture sent in by Robert Bance - unfortunately details of the engine and the occasion did not come across. It's obviously a Burrell showman's engine, ex Edwards of Swindon and I think may be 'Progress'. I'm sure Robert will be quick to correct me if I'm wrong! - Ed.
And here's another from Robert, sent at the same time. Obviously a Sentinel waggon (note two gs with a Sentinel). No doubt I shall soon receive the relevant information of this picture.
GDSF 2002
Well, from the point of view of the SAC with one exception this Dorset has to be the best. The exception was of course that we all missed John, our Chairman who sadly couldn't come due to work commitments and had to content himself sitting behind his office desk when I KNOW that he would much rather have been out playing engines!
The week started well with several engine owners asking us whether we are intending to have "playtime in the ring". We were, we did, and this year the weather was kind as well. Thursday evening saw more apprentices lining up than ever before, including some new members for whom that was their first introduction to the SAC. I believe in the end we had in excess of 60 apprentices and something like 22 or 23 engines. That was some sight, I can tell you and well organised with the help of several SAC volunteers.
Our traditional "farming out" run each morning took longer than usual as not only did we have more members, but many of the engine owners seemed to have brought their own! Our thanks go to all the engine owners and enginemen who took on apprentices this year and managed to get their heads round signing off the all-important log books. I would particularly like to thank those of you from the miniatures area who took on apprentices. This was very welcome, I am only sorry that I did not get over myself to say my thanks.
Sunday morning saw the traditional SAC breakfast on a shovel taking place outside the NTET marquee. I honestly don't know how many apprentices came along, but I am certain that they all tucked with relish! After they had all been fed then the enginemen had their breakfast courtesy of the SAC, although of course it was DIY. John, photographer from the magazine Vintage Spirit joined us for his brekky and stayed to record the presentation of George's famous shovel to the SAC.
George Chiverton has sold his Ruston, but has been a part of the ceremonial breakfasts for many years and felt that the club was the rightful home for his shovel. Many, many thanks George, not only for the shovel but also for your support over the years.
Lastly I would like to thank everyone who helped me to have such a great week; that is Duncan Croser, Nanette Sanders, and Gary Baker who assisted so ably in manning the stand. I must also give terrific thanks to Matthew Lund and Gareth Haase for not only coping with the "duckling" runs, but also for running the two miniatures we had going at the weekend which I know many of you liked.
Elaine Massey,
(age??)
Vice Chair, SAC
Just to continue showing the interesting variety of engines seen at Toddington, here we see Dave and Julie Smith's 8 nhp Burrell single No. 3121 (Keeling'. This engine is always well presented and enthusiastically used.
NEW MEMBERS
We welcome the following as members of the Steam Apprentice Club and we all look forward to hearing what you get up to as apprentices.
Alain Turner, Canvey Island
Emma Irwin, Dunton Green
Harry Irwin, Dunton Green
Jack Seaton, Graveley, St. Neots
Ashley Lloyd, Church Stretton
Emma-Lucy Millington, Whitchurch
Matthew Noble, Downton, Salisbury
Rhys Cowburn, Llantrisant, Usk
Matthew Carnes, Warrington
Christopher Bell, Dudley
Charles Best, Criggan, Near Bugle
David Rounce, Driffield
Timothy Young, Fenny Stratford
Samuel Wharton, Minster Lovell
Emily Wharton, Minster Lovell
David Florent, Oakley
Robin Beat, Rotherham
Elizabeth McLaren, Newmarket
Matthew Wothers, Evesham
Na than Skinner, Northampton
Jessica Manning, Bury St Edmunds
Richard Biesty, Near Somerton
Martin Gell, Saltburn by Sea
Shaun Gell, Saltburn by Sea
Joshua Marsden, Pewsey
Louis Harmer, Westerleigh
Lewis Cookson, Locks Heath
Matthew Swain, Lampeter
Oliver Nicholson, Bury St Edmunds
Toby Roberts, Bovey Tracey
Harry Williams, Holbury
Caroline Westbrook, Braunton
Benjamin Allen, Dereham
Christopher Webb, Sudbury
Joseph Fox, Cannock
Lucy Howell, Gosport
Benjamin Judge, Fareham.
James Judge, Fareham
Michael Waite, Basingstoke
Glenn Hawkins, Kingswood, Bristol
Andrew Barlow, Stoke-on-Trent
Laura Scriven, Gillingham, Kent
Jason Smith, Gillingham, Kent
Tim Smith, Gillingham, Kent
Calum Newton, High Wycombe
Nathan Sheppard, Wellington
Steven Lewis, Wellington
David Lewis, Wellington
Sam Killen, Padstow
Isabella Preston, Yarm, N. Yorks
Calvin Evans, Aberystwyth
William Reid, Bransgore
Fay Smith, Tatton, Southampton
Sarah Smith, Totton, Southampton
William Langworthy, Newton Abbot
Thomas Metcalfe, Storrington
Joseph Newton, Stokenchurch
Eoin Hartwright, Abingdon
Scott Clarke, St N eots
Ben Wins, Westbury
Patrick Brinson, Bodmin
Robert Mills, Stoneleigh, Surrey
Jessica Barber, King's Lynn
Rebecca Haryett, Elstead
Tom Haryett, Elstead
Ashley Simpson, Yeovil
David Earl, Frimlingborough
James Chandler, Fordingbridge
Lawrence Arnold, Goring Heath
Michael Haines, Marlborough
Steven Rogers, Thornbury, Bristol
Charlotte Reid, Bransgore
Helen Jones, Fareham
Clinton Smith, Andover
Charlie Hagan, Witham
Jay Webber, Lifton
Rachael Fear, Hutton
Mark Hammond, Stourbridge
Niall Kersey, Portslade
David Horsley, Southcote, Reading
Stephen Dobson, Vigo Birtley
Christopher Gurdler, Chandlers Ford
Thomas Gurdler, Chandlers Ford
Alex Perry, Poole
Dean Stone, Poole
Reuben Hayles, Sandown, IoW
Thomas Huntley, Whitchurch, Bristol
Andrew Lukins, Uxbridge
Ashley Spencer, Lymington
Lisa Kearsley, Bedfont
Toby Wren, Abingdon
Charlotte Barlow, High Wycombe
Steven Spall, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Paul Childs, Huntington
Carl Walmsley, New Romney
Jack Butlin, J acksdale
Joseph Millington, Whitchurch
Daniel Wingate, Northolt
Matthew Wingate, Northolt
James Jerrold, Bury St Edmunds
Craig Jones, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Charlotte Partridge, Norwich
Martin Kimber, Woodley
David Patey, Horsham
AND YET MORE BEDFORD!! from Martin
Treanor
I am writing about this year's Bedfordshire Steam & Country Fayre. Ian took me down with him after he had finished work and we arrived at about 9.30am. After putting our bags in the caravan we went to find John and Morning Star. We saw about seven showman's engines. The first was Burrell Scenic No 4000 Ex Mayor, next was No 3890 Majestic, Earl Beatty and No 3979 Earl Haig. Also were Fowlers No 14225 Carry On of 1916 owned by the Saunders family and two roller conversions -Murphy No 16971 and another. After finding Morning Star and John we were introduced to Roger who was helping to crew for the weekend. Morning Star was suffering from a leaking gauge glass and although it was turned off it still leaked fairly badly. Having fire trouble around 10.20, John decided to give the fire something to think about. Seven shovels of coal, damper open, flywheel brake on and run it on half regulator. Oh boy did it chuff, however it got to the point where the fire was making more smoke than the engine could get rid of After spending ten minutes sorting out the problem, we all had a drink and later went to listen to a little Dr Busker.
Waking at some insane hour on Saturday morning, the fire and ashpan were duly raked out, the brass polished and the paintwork rubbed down with a paraffiny rag as the fire was lit. We then had a bacon sandwich and admired the living van which John, Ian and Fiona had spent three years getting back together. It looks fantastic, and I believe is the only surviving Clayton van.
After breakfast John sorted apprentices onto engines. With 80 psi on the gauge, we let her tick over to draw up the fire, then John and Roger went off for a play while I had a look around. Steam rollers and the road making display was well presented. John introduced me to the keeper of Aveling AL type tractor No 12115 of 1928 Rambler and I was invited to drive it in the arena. Although only a later design to Morning Star, Rambler has slide valves and took a little getting used to, which I soon did and spent the rest of the afternoon on it - thank you Mr Coulson. Come 6 o'clock I was on Garrett showman's fitted tractor 33380 Sapphire which I had a great time firing and watering. We stopped her rather suddenly at 8.00pm because a) jt was teatime and b) the Garrett was running out of water. I went back to the living van where Fiona was serving pork chops and other glorious things to eat. After cleaning up we all went to the beer tent and later John and I brought the engine back to her peg and put her to bed.
Another early start on Sunday and John examined the leaky water glass but could do nothing about it. So we lit up and carried on polishing. A reporter from Best of British came and took photographs and details of the engine's history. John, Roger and I took the engine for a sprongle* to get water at the steam fire engine camp. I drove her back to her peg and was a little nervous as it was downhill, so it '\1/aSdrain cocks open, regulator shut and used the reversing lever to control the engine. Ian and I later took the engine and living van to the bottom of the field and sheeted her up. I eventually arrived home at about 9.40pm. Thanks to John, Fiona and Ian for a fantastic weekend.
*NB A sprongle is a word John uses for taking engines on a run.
