NEWAPPRENTICES
TheSACwelcomesthefollowingnewmembers:
JoshuaBowman,Buckinghamshire
ElliotBowman,Buckinghamshire
ElliotBrown,Derbyshire
JedChurch,Hertfordshire
CameronFraser,Hertfordshire
HarveyGrieve,IsleofWight
TomGurdler,Hampshire
HoratioHellewell,Sussex
CharlieHenderson,Herefordshire
AaronHendry,WestMidlands
CharlotteInns,Oxfordshire
AlexanderKerchey,Leicestershire
AdamKnight,Essex
HayleyKnight,Cornwall
JamesMcGrath,Cornwall
RikuMatthews,Suffolk
JedRickard-Blight,Cornwall
FrederickSmith,Essex
ImogenThompson,Gloucestershire
NTETEngineOwnersSection
CodeofPracticeforOperation,MaintenanceandRepairof TractionEngines,PortableEnginesandSimilarVehicles
IncludesSectionson: OperationandMaintenance
DrivingandConductontheRoadandinPublicPlaces
WrittenSchemeofExamination
MechanicalInspection
ConstructionandRepairs
Thiscomprehensiveguideisavailableinthefollowingformats
•DownloadedfromtheNTETwebsiteasPDFs–freeofcharge(approx150 pages)
•FromtheEngineOwnersSectioninabinder,thepagesinplasticsleeves, completewiththerelevantextractsfromBritishStandards(Notavailable fromthewebsite)–price£25(memberspostfree)
•FromtheNTETSalesStand,asabove,price£25. Toorderahardcopy,pleasesendachequefor£25(payableNationalTraction EngineTrust)to–
BobSiddall,StudFarmHouse,OssingtonLane,Sutton-on-Trent,Notts.NG236QR
Frontcover:Aveling&Porter8tonrollerNo.8489of1915takingpartintheSACCavalcade attheGreatDorsetSteamFairin2007.Photo–PaulCook.
STEAMAPPRENTICECLUB
Editor
NanetteDurling,19MillLane, BartonunderNeedwood,BurtonuponTrent, StaffordshireDE138HE
Tel:01283712818
sac.raisingsteam@ntet.co.uk
President
JohnDurling,19MillLane, BartonunderNeedwood,BurtonuponTrent, StaffordshireDE138HE
Chairman
KevinMunn,56BlacklandsDrive,Hayes, MiddlesexTel:02085739180 sac.chairman@ntet.co.uk
ViceChairman
ElaineMassey,21DownClose,Northolt, MiddlesexUB56NSTel:02082486570 elainermassey@ntlworld.com
MembershipSecretary
JohnCook,Dolfarni,ChurchLane, KirkbylaThorpe,Sleaford,Lincolnshire NG349NU.Correspondenceonly. Membershipfee£10perannum.
Webmaster
NickBosworth,9AStWilfred’sRoad, WestHallam,Ilkeston,DerbyshireDE76HG Tel:01159309868
sac.webmaster@ntet.co.uk
SACCo-ordinators
EmilyDrury ecdrury@hotmail.co.uk
MatthewLundTel:01329832462 matt.lund@engineer.com
KevinLawrenceTel:01229838144 k.lawrence@dsl.pipex.com
BarrySumsionTel:01633671798 barrysumsion@gmail.com JoeBlackTel:01748829601 joe1922@googlemail.com
TheEditorwelcomesanycontributionsofarticles, shorteritemsorphotographsforinclusioninfuture issues.Allmaterialsubmittedisvoluntaryand paymentcannotbemadeforanymaterial published.Theopinionsexpressedinthemagazine, withtheexceptionofClubannouncements,are thoseofthecontributorsanddonotindicatethe viewsoftheClubasawhole.Allitemsareheld copyrightbythecontributorandtheNTET.The Editorreservestherighttoamendorrefuse contributions.Themagazineisnormallypublished duringtheearlypartofJanuary,April,Julyand October.TheClubacceptsnoliabilityforfailureto meetintendedpublicationdates.
TheSteamApprenticeClubisasectionofthe NationalTractionEngineTrust. NTETisaRegisteredCharity,No.291578. RegisteredinEnglandNo.1302197. RegisteredOffice:4ChurchGreenEast,Redditch, WorcestershireB988BT.
TypesettingandArtworkbyKearlineGraphic ImagesLtd,FairoakHouseBusinessCentre, ChurchRoad,Newport,SouthWalesNP197EJ. PrintedbyTSGCreativeSolutions,StNeots, CambridgeshirePE198EL
FROMTHEEDITOR
Hieveryone,anewrallyseason isnearlyhere.Therewillbealot ofenginesbeingpreparedforthe busyyear,makingsurethat everythingisworkingasit shouldandnothingneeds replacingatthelastminute. MorningStar has startedherpreparationsbyhavingthemudhole doorsrepainted.I’mpleasedtosaythattheyareon thebenchinthegarageandnotonmykitchentable asinpreviousyears.Thisworkisinpreparationfor theboilerinspection.I’mplanningtohaveanarticle inafuturemagazinedescribingwhywehaveboiler inspectionsandwhattheyentail.
Inthismagazinethereisareminderofthedates andvenuesofthelastfewdrivingdays,ifyouare interestedyouwillhavetomakesureyouare bookedononeofthem.
I’mpleasedtoseethatweareabletospreadthe SACmessagetomoreralliesthisyear;lookatthe Chairman’sbitformoreinformation.
YouwillseeanadvertfortheNTETEngine Owner’sCodeofPracticeinthemagazine.Youmay wonderwhywe’reofferingyouthisifyoudon’town anenginebutgoontheNTETwebsiteandhavea look.Itisstuffedfullofusefulinformationonthe operationandmaintenanceofengines–reallyuseful forthosewhowanttoknowabitmore!
Forthosewholikemodelling,Elainehassetyou quiteachallengethisyear,athreshingdrum.The descriptionanddrawingareherebuttherearemore picturesontheSACwebsite.Youcanofcoursefind manyotherpicturesfromothersourcesand,ifyou knowsomeonewhoownsathreshingdrum,you couldalwaysaskthemifyoucanbaseyourmodel ontheirmachine.Ilookforwardtoseeingthe finishedresultslaterintheyear.
Itreallyistimenowforthismagazinetogotothe printerssoit’stimeformetostopwriting.
Seeyousoon, NanetteDurling, Editor.
CHAIRMAN’SBIT
Whatlousyweatherwehavebeenhaving,thiswinter,rain,snow,sleetallmakingit difficultforwinterworkingonourengines.Ihavemanagedtoworkon,albeitnotasmuch asIwant,andyoucanreadaboutmylatestendeavourselsewhereinthemagazine.Ihope youhavemanagedtokeepyourselfinvolvedinthesteamsceneduringthistimeand,like meareraringtobeabletogetoutandaboutonourenginescomethespringtime.Atleast withallthebadweatheroverthewinterlet’shopetheforthcomingseasonwillbekinder toeventorganisers.
Therearestillplacesavailableonourupcomingdrivingcourses,detailselsewherein themagazine.Thebeautyofthesecoursesarethattheyareheldprivatelysoyoucanhave agoonalmostanysizeengineandinconditionswhereyoudon’thavetoworryabout membersofthepublicbeingaround.Anddon’tforgettheNTETDrivingCourse whichismoresuitedfortheolderapprenticeatareducedrate.See http://www.ntet.co.uk/owners-drivers.htmlfordetailsofwhotocontact.
WewillbeoutandaboutatseveralvenuesthisyearotherthanTheGreatDorset SteamFair.Theyare:
TheGunpowderMills on15th/16thMayhttp://www.royalgunpowdermills.com
BanburySteamRally onthe26th/27thJunehttp://www.banburysteam.com
TheGloucestershireSteamExtravaganza atKembleonthe6th,7thand8thAugust http://www.steamextravaganza.com
Ihopewe’llseesomeofyouthere.
Someofyoumighthavejoinedrecentlyandforothershereisareminderofsome thingsyoushoulddoonarallyfieldonaengine:-
RALLYFIELDGOODPRACTICE
•Weargoodstrongboots.
•Nobarearms.
•Overalls,ideallycottonwithoutpressstudsonpockets(theyscratchtheengine paintwork).
•Haveonyou,orlettheenginedriverknow,contactdetailsforyourParents/Guardiansin casetheywanttogetholdofthem.
•Goodmannersnevergoesamiss,so‘please’and‘thankyou’areappreciated.
•Listentowhatyouaretoldanddowhatyouaretold.Youmightbeonanewordifferent typeofengine,theydonotalloperatethesameway.
•Havecolddrinksavailable.Itcangetveryhotonaengineonawarmday.
•Andaboveallelsetakecareinwhatyoudo.
Happysteaming.
KevinMunn, Chairman
NTETREVIEWTEAM
Thewaywerunandlookafterourengines,andthewaysweareallowedtooperate themarealwayschanging.Thereisalwaysthethreatofnewrulesandregulationswhich mayeffectthewayweusesteamengines,especiallyontheroad.Thiscanincludetheway youngerpeopleareabletoworkonengines.
TomakesurethatwekeepaheadofthesepossiblechangestheNTEThasformeda reviewteamtolookcloselyatalloftheseissues.JustbecausetheSACrepresentsthe youngermembersofthismovementdoesn’tmeanthattheydon’thaveanythingtosayor contributetothisdebate.
JoeBlack,anewrecruittotheSACCommittee,isalsoonthisNTETreviewpanel.If youhavecommentsorideasthatwillhelpkeepeveryoneinformedpleasecontactJoeon josephblack1922@btinternet.com.
YoucanseethefullannouncementregardingthisandanyupdatesontheNTET website,www.ntet.co.uk.Welookforwardtohearingfromyou.
TheSteamApprenticeClub announcesitsannualaward TheTechnicalAchievementoftheYearAward2010
ApplicationsareinvitedfortheSACTechnicalAchievementaward.Areasof achievementmayinclude:engineeringworkonfullsizeengines,model engineeringoranyotherappropriatesteamrelatedsubject(bearinginmind thatweareessentiallyaroadsteamorganisation).
Thepurposeistoencourageyoungpeopletodevelophands-onexperience generallywithintypicalengineeringskills.Thiscanbeusingvarious machinessuchaslathesandmillsaswellashandwork.Nominationstobe enteredbyasponsorforwhomtheyhavebeenworkingorhavebeenunder theinstructionof,orApprenticesmayenterthemselves.
Applicationstobereceivedby August15th shouldconsistofabrief descriptionononesideofA4paperwith3or4photographsand/or sketches.Seeaddressinsideyourlatestcopyof RaisingSteam.The judgingcommitteewillthencontactthenominatororApprenticebyeither phoneorinpersontodiscusstheapplication.Fromthesediscussions, suitablecandidateswillbechosen,andfinalandfullydetailedsubmissions willbeinvitedtobewiththeChairmanbySeptember15th.
JudgingwillbecompletedbymidOctoberwiththeannouncementofthe winnerbyendofOctober.TheawardwillbepresentedattheNTETAGM. JudgeswillbefrommembersoftheSACCommitteeplusinvitedpersons fromanareaappropriatetothesubjectentered.
Pleasenotethatduetotheallroundexperiencewearelookingforitisunlikelytheawardwillbe giventoanApprenticeunder15.Though,asweknow,thereisalwaysanexceptiontotherule, sopleasedon’thesitateeithertoenterorcontacttheChairmanforguidance.
MAILBAG
MytimeatDorset
Wednesday2ndSeptember2009
WhenwegottoGreatDorset
SteamFairJohnDurlingsaid“haveyou gotyouroveralls?”Dadreplied“yes”, soIgotplacedon Tiger,aBurrellGold MedalTractor,foratutorialwithfour otherapprentices.Wealltookagoat brushingthetubes.IlitthefirethenI helpedtheotherscleantheengine(see photo).Whilewewerewaitingfor pressuretobuildtheapprenticeswent forlunch.WhenIgotbacktheengine wasreadysowealltookaturnin steeringroundthearena,thenIsaid thankyoutoJohnandGrahameLynn forlettingushelpthem.
Thursday3rdSeptember2009
Iwasonceagainluckyenoughtobeplacedonanenginethistime Olive,aGarrett SuperheatedGeneralPurposeEngine.Theotherapprenticehelpinglitthefireandthenwe bothhelpedwiththecleaning.Whilewewaitedforpressuretobuildtheytestedmeonmy knowledgeofsteamengines.Unfortunatelyduetotheheavyshowersthearenawas muddyandtheenginescouldnotgettractionandwereslippingaround,soIdidnotgeta chancetohaveagoatsteering Olive.
Friday4thSeptember2009
IwasluckyenoughtobeinvitedbyJohn andGrahameLynntospendthedaywith themon Tiger.FirstlyIrakedtheashes throughthefirebars,emptiedtheashpan, cleanedthetubesandcleanedoutthe smokeboxandwasthenabletolightthe fire.Timetocleantheengine.Afterlunch Ioiledround;thenitwastimetotakethe engineintheplaypen.AtfirstIsatinthe coalbunker,thenIwasluckytobeasked tosteeraswewentroundthearenamany times(seephoto).
AbigthankyoutoJohnandGrahamfor givingmethechancetohelpthemand learnnewthings.Ihadagreat3days.
RobertHand,age11 Member4324
DearEditor,
Thefirstpictureisofmedrivingour new4inchBurrellmodelwhichmyDad hasboughtforus.Iamlearningtodriveit. IhopetobringittotheBedfordSteam ApprenticeDrivingweekend.
Theotherpicturesareofour4-horse MarshallBrittaniaportable,weboughtita coupleofyearsagoandareinthemiddle ofrestoringit.Wehopetohaveitoutat someralliesthisyear.
Doyouvisitralliesandgettoworkontractionengines?
Haveyoudonealotofthesamethingsoverandoveragain?
Isthisbecausethepeoplerunningtheenginedon’tknowwhatyou’ve alreadydone?
Ifso,youneedalogbooktorecordyouractivitiesandachievements.
TheseareavailablefromyourViceChair,ElaineMasseyforjust£5.00 includingpostage.Sendherachequeorpostalorder,payabletothe NTET,withanotesayingwhatyouwantandshewilldotherest.
TheyarealsoavailablefromtheNTETSalesunitandwehavethemon theSACstandattheGreatDorsetFair.
WilliamHonour,age8
MAKESUREYOUR‘PIN’ISIN
NewYearsEvefoundmeatmygirlfriend’swithour4”scaleGarrett.MyDadhad plannedapublunchforusall.Thedaywasrelativelydry,chillyandbright.Thepubwas aboutamileaway,attheotherendofthevillageandhavingsteamedupanddownthe cul-de-sacallmorningweweremorethanreadyforaplatefulofpubfoodwhenweset offatmidday.
Twoorthreeminutesintothetripheadingdownafairlysteephillandwithmy girlfriendridingpillionIbecameawarethattheenginewastravellingmuchfasterthanI hadplanned.Thegearretainingpinwasnolongerinitsintendedlocationandthegears haddriftedintoneutral.Iopenedthethrottleinavainattempttore-meshthegears, withoutsuccess.ThinkingthatIwasgivingherawhiteknuckleride,mygirlfriend wrappedherarmstightlyaroundmyneck.Ithrewheroffinacontrolledfashionand, equallycontrolled,felloffmyself.RegainingmyfeetIgrabbedthebackofthetenderand dugmyheelsintothetarmacjustasmyDadovertookusonfootandmadeagrabatthe chimneysaddlewithhisglovedhands.Simultaneously,Imanagedtoflickthesteering wheelanti-clockwisewhichhadthedesiredeffectofrunningthenearsidewheelsupthe smallgrassybankatthesideoftheroad.Thisslowedtheengine’sprogresssufficientlyto allowthetwoofustobringittoastand.Adrenalinisawonderfulthingbutdoesleave youshakingandalittlenauseous.
MyDadwouldn’tletmehavethebrandythatIthoughtIwantedwhenwegottothe pub.Wedidn’tgetawaywithittotallyunscathedasDadhadtwistedhisspineduringthe hillsideeventandremainsundermedicalcareasIsitwritingthisattheendofJanuary. Soheedthewarning,ifthatpinisnotcompletelyhomeitcancomeoutwith potentiallydevastatingresults.Iforonedonotwanttorepeatthatparticularexperience andmyDad’slookingforwardtothedaywhenhecanwalkagain.
Momentsbeforethehilltopcrisis
Sunday1August2010-1pmto5pm
Discoverthefascinatingworldofsteamtoysandmodels. Bringalongyourowntoytorun-andjoininthefun! Accompaniedchildrenespeciallywelcome.
MAMODSCALETHRESHER
byElaineMassey
Wellhereitis!
MyversionofaMamodscaleTHRESHER
Rulenumberone DON’TGETBOGGEDDOWN!!!!
MadebyWilliamFosterofLincolnin1947,number8832.Itisclassifiedasa54" mediumfinishingThreshingmachine.Thedifferencebetweenalight,mediumandheavy machineisweightofthedrumandconcave,thethreshingmechanism.Thewheelswere selectedbythebuyerfromachoiceofpneumatic,woodenorironandthecorrugatediron roofwasanoptionalextra.TheDruryfamilygotthemachinein1977andithasworked everyyearsince.
Takeitbitbybit,refertothephotosonthewebsiteoften,readitthroughcompletely BEFOREyoustart!
Listofwhat’sneeded: Patienceinbucket-loads,tweezersforthegreyhairs,plastersetc
Nowforthemodel: Mountboardorsimilar
Thinnercard,cerealpacket,looroll,largegravygranulesdrum
Dowel,kebabstick,lollysticks,coffeestirrers
Decentglue(Iusewoodworkingadhesive)
Wheels(hobbiescatalogue,modelshop)
Paints,varnish,
Ifyouwantbelting,Isuggestanoldbicycleinnertubeorsimilar.
Infactoddsandendsofallsorts,feelfreetouseyourownideas,substitute,amend,adapt.
Ihavenottriedtoincludeeverydetail! IndeedIhaveleftyoualltodecidehowmuch finaldetailtoaddanduseyourimaginations.Usethephotosonthewebsite (www.ntet.co.uk/sac).Lookatthresherswhenyouareoutandabout,buttheyareall different.Ifyouwouldliketouseadifferentmodelthenfeelfree.Don’tforgettobring yourfinishedversiontoGDSFandenteritinourcompetition.Therearegreatprizeseach year.
Undercarriage: Goodwheelsarehardtofind.IsuggestHobbiescatalogueWHL3,or whiteplasticwheelsW1.Theyareatleastabouttherightsizebutanyyoufindthatlook rightwillbeOK,thedescriptionabovesayspneumatic,ironorwooden!Twoblocksof wood,orcardstucktogetherwiththewheelson,onestatictheotherpinnedorwith turntabletosteer.Don’tforgettoaddatowbar.Imademineoutofawirecoathanger.
Flatroof: Cutoutfollowingdrawingandhingewhereshown.Makehingesoutofapiece offabric,paper,ribbon.Drawonorcutoutthetrapdoorsetc.theroofextendsunderthe curvedrooftostorethelongpiecesofwoodfromtheplatform.
CurvedRoof: Thisisintwosections,oneshortfixedpart,andalongerslidingsection whichcoversthefoldouttop.
Ihaveusedcardboarddrumsfortheroof,stickingcorrugatedcardontothem BEFOREcuttingthemtosize.Thishelpstoretaintheshape.(gravygranules,mini biscuits,etc)ithelpsifoneisveryslightlybiggerthantheother.Youcouldjustusestriped paper,orevenrulelinestomimictin.Youcouldevenusesectionsoffoodtins,butbe careful!
Base: Thisisnotreallyvisiblebutneedstobestrong,socut2piecesofmountboardand gluethemtogether,putunderaweighttokeepthemflatandleavetodry.
Sides: Thesearecomplexbutlookworsethanreality!Cutoutandthenglueeitherstrips ofmountboard,coffeestirrersetcfollowingthedrawing.Ididnotgorighttothetopof mysidestoallowforthecurveoftheroof.
Shakers: TheseImadefromwoodenclothespegs.Iusedwideones,buttheimportant thingistogetthewidthrighttofityourdrum.Separatethehalvesofpeg,glueacoffee stirrerorcardeachsideandaddacardlipatthefront.Whenyouhaveenough,gluethem togetherwithalternateonesraised.
Toolboxes: plansfortheseareonthedrawingsBUTtheyneedtobemadetofityourown model.Checkthepositionofbeamsetcbeforecuttingthemout.Againusefabricor whateverforthehinges,orsimplymakethemfixedshutanddrawonthehingeswitha blackpen.
Assembly: Itmayfeellikeoctopushandswouldbeuseful,buttakeitslowly! Ifyouwantyourshaftstogofromsidetosidethenyouneedtomakeyourholesbefore beginningtoassembleyourdrum.
Gluethesidesontoyourbase,andwaitforthemtodry.Glueontheflatroof,thiswill givesomesupport.Glueintherearsection,andthentheflooroftheshakers.Nextaddthe roofsupports,andthenfixtheshortroofsectionon.Remembertheotherpartwillsimply slide,orglueitifyouarehavingproblems!Glueonthecornelevatorunderthebaseand thetoolboxesafterthisoryourmodelwillnotstandupevenly.
Finishing: Haveagoodlookatthephotosandaddasmanywheelsandshaftsasyouwant to.Wheelscanbemadefromcutoutcard,buttons,largepoppers,curtainweights, anythingyoufindtherightsize!Ihavegluedcardontopoppersforextrawidthwhich worksquitewell,seewhatyoucomeupwith!Forshafts,wirecoathanger,kebabsticks, dowellingetc.Youcouldpaintyourwheelsred,someweredoneinthisway,brownfor rust,silverfornewmetaletc.
PaintitPINK! Thebeamsonthefacesarered.Iamtoldthatthesecolourswerechosen as‘fleshandblood’.
APPRENTICEOFTHEYEAR2010
(TORECEIVETHEJACKBEEBYCUP)
ThisawardistorecogniseanApprenticewhohasshownallround enthusiasmintheirinvolvementwithRoadSteam.Thismaybehands-on experiencewithanengineorhelpingtomaintainorrestoreanengine. Considerationshouldbegiventohowwelltheyhavelearntandrespected thenecessaryskillsneededintheoperationofanengine.Thereisno particulartypeofsubmissionwearelookingforotherthanthatyoufeel theApprenticehasmadeaneffort,haslearnedfromwhateveractivity theyaredoingandhasshowntheabilityto‘staythecourse’.Wewould expectthattheApprenticehasbeenworkingwithoneengineorgroupfor atleast3or4years.
SubmissionsshouldconsistofabriefdescriptionononesideofA4paper ofwhattheyhavebeendoingandwhyyouthinktheApprenticedeserves theaward,perhapswith3or4photographsand/orsketchesifyoufeelit willbetterillustratethecase.
EntriestobewiththeSACChairmanbymidSeptember,seeaddress insideyourlatestcopyof RaisingSteam or Steaming.Judgingwillbe completedbymidOctober,withtheannouncementofthewinnertobe madeattheNTETAGMwheretheawardwillbepresented.
REMOVINGTHEFIREBOXFROMANAVELING&PORTERROLLER(
byKevinMunn
Ididn’tremovethekeyasmanypeopletold menotto.Ifyouhaveaflywheelthatisfirmlyin placedon’ttouchitwasthemessageIwasgiven. So,heedingthatadvicethatiswhatIhavedone, ornotasthecasemaybe!InsteadIhavebeen concentratingonremovingthestaysandrivets thatholdthefireboxinplace.AsIhaven’tgota ‘gasaxe’(anoxygen-acetylenetorch)Ihavebeen drillingand/orgrindingthemoffandknocking themout.Asyoucanseefromthepicturesofboth theoutsidesofthefireboxIdidamethodaside.
TohelpmedothisIusedamagneticbased drill.Basicallyitisaslowturningelectric drillwhichisattachedtoabase,which whenelectricispassedthroughthebase,it becomesamagnetand‘sticks’towhatever pieceofmetalyouhaveiton.Thiswasa lifesaverasdoingitbyelectrichanddrill wasveryhardworkindeed.Although slowerthanagasaxe,atleastIdidn’tget toohot.Beinginsidesuchasmallareawas hotworkanditwasjustaswellIhad alreadytakenoutthetubessoaircould circulatereasonablyfreethroughtheholes wherethetubeswereandtheopenfirebox dooraperture.Ashopefullyyoucansee fromsomeofthephotos,whenIground backtherivetsIwastryingtofindthe shankdiameteroftherivetsothatwayI wouldknowexactlywheretodrillto removetherivet.Whentherivetsare formedwhenassemblingtheboiler togetherpeopledon’talways‘knockthem down’squareandcentrallyandifIhad reliedonwhatIcouldseeoftheformed headImightnotdrilltheoldrivetout completelyandcouldalsodamagethe outerwrapperwhichmightmeananew wrapperaswellasafirebox! ItisslowworkbutI’llgetthereintheend.
Editor’sNote.Thisshowsthatnotallworkonanengineisfun,butthissortof maintenanceandrepairworkisessentialifwe’regoingtokeeptheseenginesworking.We lookforwardtothenextinstalmentfromKevin.
ThisletterwassenttoourPresident,JohnDurling,bySamBate.Samwasoneofthe originalSACco-ordinators,basedintheNorthEast,andgaveushispermissiontouse thisletterhere.
TodayIreceivedacopyofthe RaisingSteam magazinewhich,asusual,Itookgreat delightinreadingthroughwhilstchompingonmyfishandchipsupper.Itwasonlythen thatitdawnedonmethatMatthewis21yearsoldinafewweekstime,andevenifthe desiretookhimagainhewouldbetoooldfortheSAC.Isitreallythatmanyyearssince hefirstsigneduptobecomeamember?
Hehadofcourseattendedhisfirstrallyatthetenderageof6monthsoldwhenwe madetheannualpilgrimagetoMashamwiththecaravan.Istillthinkbacktothepleasure thatwebothhadvisitingtheralliesandattendingthoseexcellentdrivingevents–the weekendatFrankLythgoe’sbeingaparticularhighlight.Tohavesomanyshowman’s enginesinonecollectionandotherenginestoo!Wherearetheyallnow?Onmanya FridaynightafterworkIwouldrushhome,gatherthetentandsleepingbagsandMatthew andIwouldbeoffagaintoanotherrally.
OneparticularbankholidayweekendwespenttheSaturdayatJohnToulson’sBarnard Castlesteamrally,stayedtherethenightandthenheadeddowntotheBuxtonSteamRally inDerbyshirewheretooursurprisewesawthe FlyingScotsman ondisplayontherally field.SpendingthenighttherewethenheadedovertotheAnstonSteamRallyin Sheffield.Oneyearwevisited14differentralliesaroundthecountryincludingtheIsleof Wight.Oftenwewouldconmotherintothinkingweweregoingsomewherespecialfor
theday,onlytodiscoverthatwehadstumbleduponanothertractionengine!Whata surprise!
Oneofhisbiggestthrillswastocelebratehis10thbirthdaywithavisittoFred Dibnah’shouseandalookaroundhisgardenworkshopbeforegoingtothepubwithhim fordinner.AnotherwastocompletethethreeNTETdrivertrainingcourses.Butofcourse thebiggestthrillforhimwastobeawardedtheJackBeebycupforApprenticeoftheYear. Seeinghisbigsmilethroughthatblackenedfaceafterenjoyinghoursgoingupanddown theplaypenattheGDSF,oradrivingeventatStantonDrew,Wakefield,Lincolnetcwas alwaysthebigthrillforme.
Wewerealwaysliketwoexcitedschoolboysenteringtherallyfieldforthefirsttime andthenpurposelygettingupearlythenextmorningtoenjoythemixedsmellofsteam andbaconsandwiches.Mmmmm!EvennowwhenIgetthechancetovisitarallyIstill getthattingleofexcitement.Andofcourse,Ibecameobsessedwithphotographingthe enginesateveryrallywewentto,notwantingtomissany.Istillhavethreelarge scrapbookspackedwithhundredsofphotoswithhistorynotesunderneatheachone,the infohavingbeengleanedfromcountlesshourslookingthrough OldGlory magazines, rallyprogrammes,internetsearch,auctionsitesetc.Myfirstvisittoarallywasbackin 1980atCastleHoward,Yorkshirebutitwasn’tuntilMatthewstoodinfrontofyouonthat longagodayandaskedtobeanApprenticethatthefunbeganforbothofus.Thankyou!
Editor’sNote.IwonderifMatthewrealiseshowluckyheistohaveaDadwhowas preparedtodriveallovertheCountrytakinghimtorallies.
STEAMAPPRENTICECLUBDRIVINGDAYSSTILLTOCOME Listofvenues
Venue
Stithians,Cornwall
DateLeader’s Name Comments
CountyofSalop
TinkersPark
Flookborough Grange-over-Sands Cumbria 1stand2nd May Richard Stock 23rdJuly Kevin Lawrence 28th August Stephen Milns 18th September Adrian Vaughan
BeingrunbytheWESESonthe showgroundatStithians
TheSAChavetheshowarenafor theday(Friday).
BeingrunontheSaturdaybefore theCountyofSalopRally.NOTE. NoSACeventherein2011.
TinkersParksetinEastSussexown roadwaysocanoperateinall weathers
TheaimofthesedrivingdaysistogiveSACmemberswhodonothaveregularaccess toanenginethechancetodriveoneforaday.Therefore,ifanycourseisoversubscribed, wereservetherighttooffertheplacestomembersfromnon-engineowningfamilies.
Applicationformsin RaisingSteam Vol.24No.1,oronthewebsitewww.ntet.co.uk/sac.
Wouldyouliketobeabletoshowthatyou’veachieveda highstandardofenginemanship?
Areyou17oroverandhold(asaminimum) aprovisionalcarlicence?
ThenyoucanapplytotakeyourVoluntaryCompetencyTest. ThesyllabusandotherinformationisavailableontheNTETwebsiteor youcangetacopybyemailingcompetency@ntet.co.uk.
Backcover:Abraceoftractors.FosterWellington3speed4nhptractorNo.14608of1930 standsbesideAveling&Porter4nhptractorNo.11486of1926.Bothenginesarenominallythe samepowerbuttheFosterismuchthefasterengine,askanyonewhohasseenherontheroad. She’snotcalled‘Ikanopit’fornothing!Photograph–JDurling.
