Raising Steam 2008 Vol.22 No.1

Front cover:Justa reminderof what it's all about. Enginemenand apprenticesswarm around an Aveling compound tractor (Jt the 2007 Great Dorset Steam Fair,getting themselvesvery dirty, the engine clean,and t/1oroughlycmjoyingit all. It is currently a wet and coldJanuary but it won't be too long before many of you can get stuck in again.This picture is from a selections11pplled to us by Sam Bozson.

Above:Here is some more ofwlwt it's al/ about.ChairmanKevinMunn's picture of Saturday;,ti:IH at the Great Dorset Steam Fait~this time in 2006. Happy memories?Roll on September2008/

STEAM APPRENTICE CI.JUB

Editor

Nanette Sanders, Frog Cottage, New Road, Porchfield, Isle of Wught PO30 4LS

Tel: 01983 523317 sac.raisingstea111@ntct.co.uk

President

John Durling, 19 Mill Lane, Barton under Needwood, Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire DEi 3 8HE

Chairman

Kevin Munn, 56 Blacklands Drive, Hayes, Middlesex Tel: 020 8573 9180 e-mail: kevinsteam@btinternet.com

Vice Chairman

Elaine Massey, 21 Down Close, Northolt. Middlesex UB5 6NS Tel: 020 8248 6570 elainermassey@ntJworld.com

Membership Secretary

John Cook, Dolfami, Church Lane, Kirkby la Thorpe, Sleaford, Lincolnshire NG34 9NU. Correspondence onJy.

Membership fee £7.50 per annum. SAC Co-ordinators

Steve and Donna Taylor Tel: 01530 835213 steve.tailor@btinternet.com

Emily Drury ecdrury@hotmail.co.uk

Matthew Lund Tel: 01329 832462 matt.lund@engineer.com

Gareth Haase Tel: 07720 718008

Kevin Lawrence Tel: 01229 838144 Barry Sumsion Tel: 01633 262197 barry@kcarlinc.co.uk

The Editor welcomes any contributions of articles, sho1tcr items or photographs for iJ1clusionin futun:: issues. A 11material submit1ed is voluntary and payment cannot be made for any material published. The opinio11sexpressed 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. The Editor reserves the right lO amend or ref use contributions. The Magazine is normally published during lhe early part or January, April, July ancl October. The Club accepts no liability for failure to meer intended publicutio,1 d1ILes.

The Steam Apprentice Cl11his a s1:ction of the National 'rrac1ion !111g.i11eTrusl. NTET is a Registered Charity, No. 291578. Registered in England No. 13021\17. Registered Office: 4 Church Green East, Recldilch, Worcestershire B98 8BT.

Typesetting and Artwork by Kcarlinc Graphic Images Ltd, Fairoak House Business Ce111re, Church Road, Newport, South Wnlcs NP19 7EJ Printed by TSG Creative Solutions, SI Ncots, Cambridgeshire PE 19 8EL

FROM THE EDITOR

Hi there. Well there's another Cluistmas gone. I love Christmas with all the excitement. I'm afraid that my house turns into a kids paradise with me being the biggest kid of all. Over the top with the decorations, as many people that I can squeeze into my kitchen for Christmas eve dinner, usually twelve to fourteen, then a free house Christmas day. Now is the time to finish the cleaiing up and get your magazine out. At the beginning of December John (Durling) came to stay with me for a week. In between the rain storms we ventured out to see a friend of mine called Mark Filer. I have written about this friend before but in case you missed that issue I will tell you again briefly who he is. Mark is a boiler maker and has the most impressive workshop full of machines for every kind of job. Having to return a photo to Mark I thought that John would enjoy paying Mark a visit. Well this brief visit took a :few hours as Mark is a fascinating man, full of interesting and never-ending information. He is currently building himself a Garrett 3 ton Wagon from scratch, making all the parts himself. We had a look at some of the work that he has already done. What an exciting project! Another of Mark's projects at the moment is a 1926 Marshall S type single cylinder roller No. 81427, reg. PY 6079, called Annie. This roller belongs to the Hutton family near Derby. Mark has had to do some major boiler work on Annie. This includes building a new firebox, barrel, smokebox and tubeplate. It is almost finished and Mark is expecting it to return to the Hutton family very soon.

Nanette Sanders, Editor

CHAIRMAN'S BIT

It's the depth of winter and probably like me you a.re suffering steam withdrawal symptoms. Of course like many owners I have been working on my engine doing those little and big jobs that need doing in preparation for the forthcoming season. And as apprentices do you work on engines or maybe even

DORSET APPRENTICES from Kevin Munn

Apprentices'in charge'of a Burrelltractor in the main ring at Dorset.

The other side of the story.An apprenticerakes out the ash pan as part of his engine duties.

making your own? Well, already I am askfog you to start to put together a record of what you have been doing for the Technical Achievement Award which we present each year at the NTET Annual Meeting. It might seem early to do so and I don't expect to receive any submissions yet, but if you don't start now you might forget what you have done! J will remind you again in the next issue. In the meantime see the pictures and article elsewhere in the magazine about those who received both the Technical award and the Steam Apprentice of the yem·award for 2007.

As part of our on-going efforts to improve what you get for your subscription I am pleased to announce Dingles Fairground Heritage Centre will let in SAC members free of charge. Don't be put off by the title, they do have a lot of steam items there too, including engines. See www.dinglesteam.co.uk/ for opening times.

As you can see I have referred you to Dingles website, have you seen our completely new site at www.ntet.eo.uk/sac ? Please let us know what you think of it and submit a11icles and/or pictures for inclusion. We will be using the website more frequently to update you with what's going on in between issues of Raising Steam, especially if it's an important matter.

Finally I would like to finish with a plea. Elsewhere in the magazine you will see the details for the driving days 2008 and the application form. Please read them carefully as the fonn and instructions are different from previous years. And of course please do send aS.A.E.

Kevin Munn, Chairman

THE TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD 2008

For the best technical achievement by an apprentice in the current year. Areas of achievement may include: work on full size engines, model1ing, model engineering or any A d h. . h • h Id I k ( n t 1s1s ow an apprentice s ou oo other appropnate steam related subject beanng h h. ff!? in mind that we are essentially a road steam w en en1oymg ,mse organisation).

The purpose is to encourage young people to develop hands-on experience generally with typical engineering skills. Apprentices may enter themselves or be entered by a sponsorfor whom they have been workingor have been under the instruction of.

Initial submissions should consist of a brief description on one side of A4 paper with 3 or 4 photographs or sketches and be with the SAC Chairman by the end of July. See address inside your latest copy of Raising Steam. From these, suitable projects will be chosen, and final and folly detailed submissions will be invited to be with the Chairman by the end of August.

Judging will be completed by the end of September with the announcement of the winner by mid October.

The award wi11be presented at the NTET AGM.

Judges will be from members of the SAC Committee plus invited persons from an area appropriate to the subject entered.

CODES OF PRACTICE FOR TRACTION ENGINES AND SIMILAR VEHICLES

The NEW Code of Practice, as endorsed by SAFed (Safety Assessment Federation), is due to be published at the beginning of November and Part 4, The Written Scheme of Examination, including the new inspection repo1i forms, comes into force on 1 January 2008.

The Code will be available in two forms: hard copy in a binder and as Acrobat PDP files

You will be able to obtain your copy from the following sources;

1 Downloadable from the NTET website as PDFs, free of charge (approximately 150 pages)

2 From the Engine Owners Section in the form of a binder with all the pages in plastic wallets at a cost of £25 (post and packing free of charge to members)

3 From the Sales Stand in the form of a binder with all the pages in plastic wallets at a cost of £25

To pre-order your hard copy please write to Bob Siddall with a cheque for £25 payable to National Traction Engine Trust at;

Stud Farm House Ossington Lane

Sutton-on-Trent

Nottinghamshire NG23 6QR

Dear Editor,

I was at Tinkers Park for the driving day. It was the best one yet. Adrian and his crew made it a very pleasant day. They were very nice to talk to and there was plenty of room for us to play.

The pictures are from the driving day. Please keep Lhis day going because it is absolutely terrific. Thank you.

Tony Oak.ford, (13) Littlehampton, W Sussex.

More enginesand apprenticesat the Had/owDrivingDay 2007 from TonyOakford.

Dear Editor,

When we were at the Great Dorset Steam Fair we managed to find the Stearn Apprentice Club. We were delighted to have a day on an engine called Morning Star which is owned by John Durling. John's son Ian spent the clay with us.

First we cleaned out the smoke tubes and the firebox. Then we cleaned out the ash pan. Next we used rags to clean the traction engine so it was nice and shiny.

We then started to oil it up with an oil can. Then we lit the fire. We took turns to drive it around the arena. It was really great fun. Later that day we came back and queued up for the cavalcade. I was so lucky to go on 5 different engines.

Philippa Rolfe, (7), Bucks.

Dear Editor,

On Wednesday 29th August at the Great Dorset Steam Fair 2007 duckling run I was lucky to be placed on Alice a Tasker tractor with Michael Lewendon. One of my many jobs was cleaning the chimney brass.

After a busy morning we were ready for a trip round the playpen, I really enjoyed it.

On Thursday evening I joined the cavalcade queue and once again had a great time on the engines in the playpen. I spent Friday afternoon again in the playpen this time on Morning Star an Aveling& Porter tractor. I really enjoyedmy time at Dorset and I learnt so much from the engines' owners. A big thank you to all of them.

Robert Hand, (9), Stanley

YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU MIGHT FIND ..... . Or, keep your eyes open

Those who read Raising Steam, Vol. 21 No. 4 will recall that Nanette and I took Morning Star up to Yorkshire and Cumbria last summer for the rallies at Masham and Flookburgh. This meant that we had a few days between the two shows to amuse ourselves in. In addition to the normal things that you do when in the Lake District, such as driving roimd in the rain, looking at lakes, riding on the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway and driving round in the rain, we needed to get some more pegs to hold the caravan awning down in the gale force winds that characterised last summer. This took us to the Caravan Centre at Bardsea near Ulverston. We got the bits and pieces that we needed and then started looking round, day dreaming about seriously • expensive caravans and that sort of thing.

Now I'm sure you are all wondering where this is going, and why am I waffling on about a camping centre. Well, look at the title at the top. You never quite know what you're going to come across,

We were wandering through a display of tents and awnings when I spotted something that looked remarkably like the back of a lorry, and a steam lorry at that.

Looking at the picture you will see that we had indeed come across a steam wagon, in fact Fowler wagon No. 19708 of 1931. It won't take you long to realize that she is not complete but I couldn't find anyone around who knew anything about her. Perhaps some of you know a bit about her history and why the boiler is out. The name Pendle Prince suggests one of the late Tom Varley's restorations but I'm not sure.

So the moral of this story is 'keep your eyes open'. You never know when something interestingmight come along, even in the most un-promisingof circumstances.

John Durling, President

COMPETITION WINNER

Here we reproduce the winning entry of the 2007 Free Art Competition. It is a pencil drawing from Ben Chiverton entitled Steam At the Fair. We would normally have shown this picture in the last issue of Raising Stearn but we were too efficient in getting the original back to Ben, not having first scanned it for inclusion in the magazine. It is with thanks to Nick Bosworth that we are able to reproduce the winning entry here.

Mention of Nick Bosworth brings us to the back cover of this magazine. We are indebted to Nick for the supply of many photographs of interest to us. This time we see a Wallis & Steevens Advance Roller, No. 785 l, built in 1925, it is a I O ton example of the type. The Advance is a two cylinder, piston valve design, without a flywheel which made it most suitable for the rapid forward and reversing that takes place when road making.

A DORCHESTER ROLLER

by

Gareth Haase

A little while ago a friend mentioned that there was a steam ro11erparked in a children's playground in Dorchester, so we decided to take a closer look. Unfortunately, being 9 o'clock at night, I was unable to take any clear photos of the engine. However, I was able to ascertain that it was an Aveling & Porter, single cylinder wiith a piston valve.

We decided to have another visit on Sunday 15th April, during the day. To say the engine is colourful is a bit of an understatement, as can be seen in the photos below.

usual with "abandoned" engines, the local graffiti artists make themse]ves known.

Closer inspection revealed that this was once Engine number 398 as shown below; however, the Aveling horse has been "relocated" since my last visit.

The accompanying photos show the other features that have been removed, including: steering worm, safety

valves, whistle, water gauges and oilers (however, axle oilers are still in place but filled with sand).

looks as if it had started to melt when last steamed.

Inspecting the rest of the engine, I noticed the draincocks have been removed and a chimney cap has been welded in place. Also, the council appear to have fitted an additional smokebox coverpossibly to prevent injury.

The brake band is almost non-existent and rusted, and although the injector appears to be intact, the pipe-work and

The ashpan and fire-bars have been removed and the fusible plug is still intact but clacks are no longer present.

Unfortunately, because this engine is no longer used on the roads, there are no details for it within the Traction

Engine Register. However, if anyone has or knows of any 4 information regarding this roller, please contact me via email at steam@ghaase.co.uk

Anyone who wishes to download this write-up or view the full-size pictures may do so by visiting http://sac.ghaase.co.uk

ENGINES OF WAR from Matthew Lund

We all know about Showman's engines being the life of the fair, Rollers building the highways, Agdcultura] engines ploughing out fields and powering the threshing drum and Road Locos moving our industries but we tend to forget that they were also used by the British War Department in many conflicts around the globe in the last century, for haulage and logistics by the Royal Artillery ~nd the Royal Engineers.

As early as 1845 the Inspector General of Fortifications drew attention to the potential use of steam power for military use. However at the time the a1111ycould only visualise steam being used for railways and static power plants.

Over the following years many studies and trials were carried out to investigate the practicalities of road steam by the British military authorities. Some of these trials into new designs were successful but it was not until December 1868 that the Royal Engineers took delivery of their first engine in a design that we would recognise today. This engine was built by Aveling & Porter with a works number of 437 and called Prince Arthur. Eventually over 20 such engines were deliveredto the Roya] Engineers,one of which was fitted with a 5 ton crane jib and wide wheels for road rolling.

Towards the end of the 19th century, the army turned towards Fowlers for their engines, probably because of the influence of a James Lethbridge Brooks Templer, who was a very well respected and honoured Captain of the Balloon Corps. Templer used traction engines to haul complete balloon trains which consisted of up to five wagons and he much prefen-ed the engines of John Fowler of Leeds. So, in 1884, the War Department bought their first Fowler engines, two of which were sent to Egypt to work for Templer's Balloon Corps.

With the outbreak of the Boer War in South Africa on 12th October 1899, it became apparent that a major problem would be ensu1ing the support of the army in the field when it had advanced beyond the rail network. On 1st November 1899, the 45th Royal Engineers company was to specifically operate road steam in South Africa. 10 officers and 100 other ranks were put through engine driving training - only 6 men proved to be competent traction engine drivers!

At first only 13 engines were ordered by the War Department, at least six of these were Fowler road loco's and two were Fowler ploughing engines, with fuJTow cutters capable of cutting a fmTow 30 inches wide and 30 inches deep to form ditches in road verges and trench shelters for the tToops. By the end of the Boer War in 1902, approximately 40 engines had been sent to South Africa, not all Fowlers, but Burrell, McLaren and Aveling & Porter also sent traction engines. Thornycroft and Foden sent one steam lon-y each.

Fowler developed an armoured road train consisting of one armoured Fowler B5 road loco and three armoured trailers capable of moving two 6 inch Howitzer artillery pieces with their crew and ammunition! Each engine alone weighed 22 tons, 4½ of which was armour plate! The driver was completely boxed in so the heat must have been unbearable.

Four such armoured trains were sent to South Africa and it is not surprising that on aITival all the engines were stripped of their annour, proving too heavy and hot for the drivers to handle.

The next and last conflict in which the traction engine was used extensively by the War Department was the 1914 to 1918 First World War. As in the Boer war the traction engine was used for hauling medium and heavy guns for the Royal Artillery as well as supplies and men. Again many manufacturers supplied engines, Manns and Foden supplied steam lon-ies and Fowler, Burrel, Fosler and Maclaren supplied traction engines.

An engine we all know from the heavy haulage ring at Dorset is the McLaren Boadicea - a fine example of the type and size of engines supplied by Maclaren for the war.

If you look at a Foster name ring you will see at the bottom a picture of a first world war tank as Foster was contracted to build tanks as well for the first world war and any engines made during or after the war have a tank on their name ring.

STEAM APPRENTICE CLUB -DRIVING DAYS

Again, especially for you, we have arranged with several places throughout the country for the opportunity to drive or steer a traction engine or steam roller in the safety of p1ivate ground without the public being present. Those of you who have been on previous driving days will know how much fun it is!

The idea is not to run a for.mal driving course, but much more to have fun and get the chance to handle the regulator of an engine or learn how to steer. Just remember that we use full size engines, therefore under normal circumstances we cannot accept children under 7 years old.

The list in the magazine gives the locations and dates that have been an-anged. It also shows where camping is available. If you intend to camp on site please tick the box so we can ensure enough space.

Please fill in the form on page 18 and send it to Kevin Munn so that we can make the necessary aiTangements. We will send you full joining details 2 weeks before the event. So do not worry if you hear nothing. No news is good news.

Your reply must be in BEFORE 31 March, for driving clays in April and May, 1st July for the other venues. These are the last dates for us to confirm the numbers attending to the people who are providing the engines and the land.

There will be a nominal charge of £8.00 per apprentice towards the cost of providing the engines - except for the Old Warden event, which is being totally sponsored by the BSEPS!

This is a great chance to get on the footplate of an engine, especially if you don't have regular access to one, so don't let it slip.

If you want to apply for more than 1 driving day that is fine but please 1 form, 1 SAE and 1 cheque for each venue.

Please see page 18 for the application form - and do not forget the envelope,

OLD WARDEN

Due to the popularity of this event the course will be split in two.

The Saturday will follow the normal pattern, catering for all comers, whether it is your first time or if you have been to several courses before. On the Sunday, the course is being aimed at those apprentices who are 14 and over and who have previous experience. The ente1iainment on the Saturday evening is open to all.

As in previous years the BSEPS are funding this event on your behalf.

Please note that we will be limiting the numbers on the Saturday to 60 apprenticesfirst come first served.

STEAM APPRENTICE CLUB - DRIVING DAYS

LIST OF VENUES

Venue Date

FengateFarm 12/13April

Leader'sName

RichardParrott

Comments

Mr Parrotthas a collectionof 4 or 5 engines

Weeting 2008 withothersalso on site.Againtheyare Brandon nmningovertwodays.Camping/caravan Suffolk spaceis available.

OldWarden 19/20April

PaulWorbey Thisis the biggestof the SACd1ivingdays. Park 2008 NOTE:Applydirectlyto PaulWorbey Biggleswade for this venueas the Bedford Bedfordshire SteamEnginePreservationSocietyhostthis event.Camping/caravanspaceis available.

Bursledon 27 Ap1il

GrahamChaffer

Oldbrickworksnowusedas a museum BrickWorks 2008 andsteamcentre.Horizontalengineby SwanwickLane Greensof Leeds.Severalenginesbased Swanwick locally.Cafeon site.Camping/caravan Southampton spaceis available.Modelenginesfor smaller apprentices.

Dingles lOMay

RichardSandercockAn activeFairgroundHeritageand Steam Fairground 2008 centrewithseveralenginesandfull HeritageCentre workshopfacilities.

Lifton,Devon

Flookborough 25thJuly

JohnDurling TheSAChavethe showarenafor the day Grange-over- 2008 (Friday). Sands,Cumbria

Countyof TBA StephenMilns Salop August2008 (ProbablySaturdayBankHoliday)

TinkersPark 14SeptemberAdrianVaughan Sussex 2008

Stithians TBA RichardStock Cornwall September 2008

BrantbamHall 4 October

MartinStubbins A selectionof localenginesrunningin the Colchester 2008 groundsof BranthamHall.An enjoyable venuelasttime!

The aim of these driving days is to give SAC members who do not have regular access to an engine the chance to drive one for a day. Therefore, if any course is over subscribed, we reserve the right to offer the places to members from non-eng.ine owning fa1nilies.

OLD WARDEN

Please send the form below with an SAE to:Paul Worbey, Park Farm, Henlow, Bedfordshire, SG] 6 6DF.

For ALL other venues,

Send this form, with a cheque/postal order for £8 payable to the NTET. The cheque/postal order to be dated 3 weeks before the event and an SAE to:Kevin Munn (SAC), 56 Blacklands D1ive, Hayes End, Hayes, Middlesex, UB4 8EX

NAME ..................................................................................................................................

AGE.................................................

Address ............................................................................................................................. .

I would like to take part in the Driving Day at .................... on ................ .

EXPERIENCE None 1 2 3 4 5 6 Lots 7

I HAVE ENCLOSED A STAMPED SELF-ADDRESSED ENVELOPE FOR JOINING DETAILS.

S.igned.................................................................................... ..

If you are under 18, please ask yolilr Parent/Guardian to sign below.

Important Notice to Parents.

The NTET has a Child Protection Policy and would never knowingly put a child at risk. The SAC could not run the driving days without the help of a large number of volunteers. Please note it is not practicable for the NTET to check all helpers. You are welcome to ta]k to the volunteers or stay and observe. If you choose not to we wil1 assume that you are satisfied that your child is safe.

I have read the Notice to Parents and agree to my son/daughter taking part in the driving day as detailed above.

Signature of Parent/Guardian

When I have received your application I shall post your membership number on the website, or if you are happy to give me your e-mail address I will send a message. Joining Instructions will be sent two weeks before event and a note posted on the website confirming dispatch.

A photocopy of this page or a downloaded form from the website is an acceptable alternative if you do not want to use this page.

SOME EXCITING NEWS. AN OPPORTUNITY NOT TO BE MISSED

Elaine Massey our Vice Chair has managed to find new and exciting ideas for apprentices to have experience working with steam. There are various SAC weekends being affanged at pumping stations.

f recently had the opportunity to accompany Elaine to Kempton Park pumping station with a few apprentices. I was firstly amazed at the size of the engines, they are huge. One engine was in working condition and one in need of renovation. When the working engine started up you could fee] the energy through the floor. The staff working at the station were alJ very f1iendly and willing to answer any questions about the history of the engine and how it all works. The apprentices that were there were taken off around the station doing various tasks.

I would highly recommend joining Elaine's SAC weekends at the pumping stations, they are fun, an opportunity to learn about other types of engines that relied on steam. It is a good day or weekend and I know I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Kempton. Thank you Elaine it was a lovely day. Nanette, Editor.

Elaine has included some relevant web sites. hUp://myweb. tiscali.co. uk/stationarysteam/brede. htm, www.kemptonsteam.org www.crossness.org. uk

Here are som.e possible dates for SAC weekends at pumping stations. Sunday 2nd March: Crossness Saturday/Sunday 8th/9th March: Kempton

Saturday 15th March: Brede

~aturday/Sunday 22nd/23rd March: Kew

Below I have a letter kindly sent in by one of the apprentices that visited the Kempton Purk Station.

lkar Editor, SAC Visit to Kempton Park Pumping Station.

My brother and I learned a lot about the two largest steam engines in England. They 11sodto pump 30 million gallons of water to 12 miles away every day. They are triple vxpansion engines and each about 60 feet high and have 6 floors. Each flywheel weighs JO tons.

A triple expansion engine makes greater use of the steam by passing it from the high pressure cylinder then to the intermediate pressure then to low pressure. This is a bit similar to tbe two cylinder compound traction engines.

Ron and John who were staff showed us around all levels, taking us to some parts that were not normally accessible to the public, for example the pump section fa the basement. The lubrication system was amazing! Thank you John and Ron.

We enjoyed it very much and hope other similar days can be arranged for apprentices. It would be nice to be a Kempton volunteer when I an1 older.

Clement Allen.