Raising Steam
Steam Appr entice Club
Editor
Jenny Lee, 3 Lanes Close, Kings Bromley, Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire, DE13 7JS 01543 473124 jen massey@hotmail co uk
Chairman
Elaine Massey, 21 Down Close, Northolt, Middlesex UB5 6NS Tel: 020 8248 6570 elainermassey@live co uk
Vice Chairman
Hugh Dyson, 32 Granary End, Witchford, Ely, Cambridgeshire CB6 2WF Tel: 01353 667150 hugh dyson@inbox com
Membership Secretary
Sue Cook, Dolfarni, Church Lane, Kirkby la Thorpe, Sleaford, Lincolnshire NG34 9NU
membership@ntet co uk
Membership fee £10 per annum
Webmaster
Nick Bosworth, 9A St Wilfrid’s Road, West Hallam, Ilkeston, Derbyshire DE7 6HG Tel: 01159 309868
sac webmaster@ntet co uk
SAC Committee
Joe Black Tel: 07595 466353 joe@seddonandblack co uk
David Lee davidjameslee2003@yahoo.co.uk
Matthew Lund Tel: 01329 832462 matt lund@engineer com
Kevin Munn Tel: 020 8573 9180 sac contact6@ntet co uk
Barry Sumsion Tel: 01633 671798 barrysumsion@gmail.com
Helen Tyrrell Tel: 01793 751830 helen@thetyrrells org Burrell Project Co-ordinator
Hugh Dyson Tel: 01353 667150 hugh.dyson@inbox.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. The Editor reserves the right to amend or refuse contributions The magazine is normally published during 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
Produced by Kearline Graphic Images Ltd, Fairoak House Business Centre, 15 Church Road, Newport, South Wales NP19 7EJ www kearline co uk
Fr om the Editor
Jenny Lee
It’s that time of year again, things are
h e a t i n g u p ( h o p e f u l l y ) a n d s m o k e w i l l soon be bIllowing up from the chimneys
o f o u r b e l o v e d e n g i n e s . Yo u’ l l b e
p l e a s e d t o h e a r t h a t M a r y M a r s h a l l
p a s s e d h e r h o t b o i l e r t e s t Fr i e n d s a r e
t a k i n g h e r t o h e r f i r s t r a l l y i n a f e w weeks. Oh how I love this time of year!
We h a v e t w o n e w d r i v i n g d a y s t h i s year. One in Maplas, organised by Tony Seddon and one in Leeds, organised by O l l i e M a s l i n I t ’ s a l w a y s g r e a t t o h a v e new people and places get involved. It’s now your turn to get involved with the n e w v e n u e s t o m a k e a l l To n y ’ s a n d
Ollie’s efforts worth it And I thank you in advance!
I f y o u w e n t t o a n y d r i v i n g d a y
r emember ed t o t a ke yo ur ca mer a wi t h you) send us in the photos with a little bit about what you did there and you’ll find it in the next mag! It’s always nice to share your experiences
I hope you guys have a good time at the driving days, learn a lot and gain lots o f i n v a l u a b l e e x p e r i e n c e s ! T h
r e i s nothing I love more than a good day on my engine! See you soon.
Fr om the Chairman
Elaine Massey
By the time you read this no doubt some of you will already have taken part in driving days. I am hoping to be at the Horsham day at Searle's yard, and at St Albans. Please come and talk to me if you see me. Notice we have a couple of new days, one of which is in Leeds If you are from that area, then don't forget to sign up – it's a great opportunity to work on engines, and of course experience different engines if you regularly have engine contact.
Our parent and apprentice day will be advertised soon, at the Gloucestershire Extravaganza – a chance for Mum, Dad or any other adult to join in and have a little fun too.
I am signed up to attend the NTET course at Astwood Bank in May so hopefully I will meet some of you there. It's a real chance to learn in- depth and the SAC get a really good deal on the cost, depending on your age.
Work on the Burrell continues, although we haven't any advertised days at the moment. Watch out for progress reports on the SAC website and on Facebook. Please ‘ like’ us on Facebook, those of you who are on there.
Don't forget: manners please when doing SAC activities, sensible clothing , and HAVE FUN!
Mailbag
Write to us!
Onslow Park and Tinkers Park
Dear Editor,
As promised, here are some photographs taken while at Onslow Park and Tinkers Park last year
Picture one is of Aveling and Porter Convertible tractor, No. 9264 Lady Hesketh
in its roller form
Picture two, Foden Traction Engine No 1310 oiling up ready for the off.
Picture three, Allchin General Purpose Engine, No. 1105, Ellen looking lovely as ever at Tinkers Park.
Regards, James Atkins, 4683
New Appr entices
The SAC welcomes the following new members
Peter Bowen, Powys
Gerry Chesterton, Sussex
Glenn Edwards, Derbyshire
Daniel Gray, Gloucestershire
Tom Hough, Kent
Ellis Howells, Gloucestershire
Finley Ives, Lincoln
Edward Jones, Bath
Sean Lordan, Ireland
Jamie Purvis, Tyne and Wear
Russell Stafford, Suffolk
Imogen Thompson, Gloucestershire
Harrison Travis, Middlesex
Stithians, Cornwall*
Steam Appr entice Club
2014 Driving Days
Stithians, Cornwall* 3rd May John Sawle 4th May John Sawle
County of Salop
30th August Doug Milns
Maplas (NEW!) 21st June Tony Seddon
Tinkers Park, Sussex 20th September Adrian Vaughan
Oaklands College, St Albans 19th July Tim Watson
Oaklands College, St Albans 20th July Tim Watson
Leeds (NEW!) 13th September Ollie Maslin
Due to Old Warden doing the NTET road run in 2014 it will return in 2015
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
Being run on the showground at Stithians First of two SEPARATE days WESES are running as demand last 2 years has been high
Being run on the showground at Stithians. Second of two SEPARATE days WESES are running as demand last 2 years has been high.
Being run on the Saturday before the County of Salop Rally
Taking place where the Maplas rally happens. Please support this new venue.
Well established now at Tinkers Park set in East Sussex own roadway so can operate in all weathers.
Held an event two years ago which was well liked All weather course
Held an event two years ago which was well liked. All weather course.
On the Otley Vintage Vehicle Extravaganza ground near Leeds Please support this new venue
right to offer the places to members from non- engine owning families.
*See special applying instructions on application form (supplied in January magazine).
G e t Te c h n i c a l !
NTET DRIVING COURSE
The perfect opportunity to get some first class instruction in traction engines and engine driving
10/11 May 2014 at Astwood Bank Enjoy a weekend of driving and lectur es
Steam Appr entices get a gr eat discount on the normal price
age 13-15 = £70 age 16 – 21 = £105 for the two days
Back cover : Onslow Park – Photo by James Atkins.
Just for fun
Kevin Munn
Did you guess what it is?
It is the locating spigot on which sits the operating rod for the damper, which has grooves in so you can locate and set the damper at different openings. It shows on the before how much the small diameter has been worn down over the
80 years it has been in use.
Ready for another one? What is this? It is freshly painted with red oxide. Find the answer in the next Raising Steam
Plaster update
Dan Br othwell
I thought I’d drop you an email in regards to the last issue of Raising Steam, which coincidentally enough, Simon and I made the front cover of.
We undertook that end of season road run on I think it was the 26th October. I’d had arguments with my dad yet again in the week leading up to it as to if we were actually going to take the Ruston along . This is simply because on 2nd of October, I’d played my first rugby match of the season for Nottingham Moderns against Mellish. Now, 10 minutes into the second half, I broke the line of defence only to get nailed in a tackle by the set of forwards who were coming round for the ruck before last. When I landed, I landed palm down on my left hand, my wrist went crunch and then didn’t want to move At this stage, I came off, strapped it up heavily, checked I was okay to tackle, catch and pass, then went back on for the remaining 30 minutes of play. That Sunday night (28hrs later) I was finally sat in A&E at the QMC in Nottingham being told, and I quote “Congratulations you’ve broke your scaphoid”. This is a small bone in my wrist. Eventually I went back later in the week, got a CT scan and I’ve actually done a better job than initially thought, I’ve broke two bones in my wrist. Now you can see why the argument had ensued between my Dad and I Anyway, the decision was made and as you can see from the photo we went.
Now, I know it wasn’t referenced anywhere in the previous Raising Steam about me driving the engine whilst in plaster, but I feel I ought to state the
reasons why I did and probably a few reasons as to why I shouldn’t have done it (other than stating the obvious).
I took part in the road run, because a) Simon and I wanted to
b) we’d started the year roading and we wanted to finish the year roading
c) doing this little jolly took our year ’s total roaded mileage to somewhere around the 180-200 mile marker, which is more than the engine has done in the previous 10 years d) I was determined to do it with a broken wrist to prove to myself I could do it, which I did.
Now, the more sensible side: I was going down the road with a chap who has been schooled on an engine by both Dad and I, I know he is capable of taking over if anything were to go wrong or if I hadn’t have been able to manage. During the whole of that run, at any stage Simon was prepared to take over from me and let me steer, as it was my left hand, it wasn’t my dominant so I was still okay. Had anything gone wrong , I doubt the police or the insurance company would have been too pleased with me operating the engine whilst in plaster – this is probably the most important fact. The engine I was operating is one which I am certainly familiar with, all her little quirks and characteristics, so I knew what to expect and when I knew the roads we were travelling on very well as about 70% of the route is my daily drive to work, I have also driven these with the Ruston I shouldn’t really have been doing it as I wasn’t allowing my wrist to actually heal as effectively as I ought to have done, but
that’s my own mentality of ‘carrying on regardless’. In addition to this, I was also aware that there were other well known and experienced enginemen on the route that I could let drive if I required it. It was irresponsible of me to have driven whilst in plaster, although I have been around the Ruston since I was two weeks old and have done several thousand hours in control of it and now
racking up several miles (it should be noted that I have more strings to my bow than just what I’ve done on the Ruston). My main point to this is to pass a message on to the young apprentices, that they really should listen to what us adults tell them or advise them to do and not follow in our footsteps by doing daft things like this!
Engineering Pr oject for Dorset Steam Fair!
Elaine Massey
Last year one of steam’s real characters and a great supporter of the Steam Apprentice Club sadly passed away, Boz Oram. Following his funeral the Club has had a massive donation in his memory. After discussions at committee level, we have decided to purchase from Steam Traction World the companion trailer for our 4 inch scale Burrell Lady Sylvia
Hopefully we will be able to receive this all together and the idea is to build it in its entirety at Great Dorset Steam Fair. Watch out for progress on this part of our Burrell project. Hopefully it will be on the road for the launch of our engine at Bedfordshire Steam Rally, 13/14 September.
SAC Model Competition 2014
Matthew Lund
Traction Engines go to war
For this year ’s Great Dorset Steam Fair model competition you will see that we have chosen a model World War One tank for you to build, as August 2014 will be 100 years since the start of the First World War So why the model of a tank, it’s not steam powered?....
In the mid to late 18th century, with the development of the traction engine as we know it today, the military started to do trials with the new machines to see how useful they were in transporting material around the country and their ability to be used as a source of mobile power for machinery and as a mobile winch or crane. These trials proved successful and the traction engine began to be used in conflicts around the world in the later part of the 18th century, with Fowler even making an armoured traction engine (Get a Fowler road loco and put a steel box around it) and road train of three armoured trailers for artillery gun crews and their guns. Needless to say all the armoured engines ‘ loosed’ their armour once at war, could you imagine running an engine in a steel box in a hot country like South Africa (Boar War).........
By the start of the First World War the traction engine had become an integral part of the military system along with the use of steam wagons and with the development of the internal combustion engine lorries, automobiles and even London buses were conscripted into military service. It became apparent that wheeled vehicles would get stuck and
sink in soft muddy ground and this was far worse with the trench warfare we all associate the First World War with. From the outbreak of war the military was experimenting with types of tracked vehicle designs and types of track design, even getting some US made Hold Caterpillar agricultural tractors to move big artillery guns It had also become apparent that a tracked vehicle that could cross trenches and barbed wire to attack the enemy was needed This vehicle in the shape we all associate with World War One tanks didn’t appear until late 1915. So why the model tank, it’s not steam powered?
During the trials of tracked vehicles the small agricultural engineering company William Foster and Co in Lincoln were awarded a contract to develop the designs and it was from there that the recognisable shape of the early tanks emerged During the war it was not only traction engine makers like Foster who produced tanks, Robey and Co in Lincoln were contracted to produce tanks, but this contract was later cancelled because they had no spare capacity as Robey ’s were busy producing aircraft for the Royal Flying Corp. If you look at the name ring of Foster traction engines made after World War One there is a picture of a tank at the bottom of the name ring
Nick and I have produced plans for the model. In this magazine, there is a traceable version of the model Alternatively, there is a printable version on the website so you can cut them out straight away. Have fun!
S T E A M A P P R E N T I C E
The Technical Achievement Awar d
Kevin Munn
The Steam Apprentice Club would like to announce its annual award.
Applications are invited for the SAC Technical Achievement award. Areas of achievement may include: engineering work on full size engines, model engineering or any other appropriate steam related subject (bearing in mind that we are essentially a road steam organisation)
The purpose is to encourage young people to develop hands - on experience generally within typical engineering skills This can be using various machines such as lathes and mills as well as handwork. Nominations to be entered by a sponsor for whom they have been working or have been under the instruction of, or apprentices may enter themselves.
Applications to be received by August 15th should consist of a brief description on one side of A4 paper with 3 or 4 photographs and/or sketches. See address inside your latest copy of Raising Steam
The judging committee will then contact the nominator or apprentice by either phone or in person to discuss the application. From these discussions, suitable candidates will be chosen, and final and fully detailed submissions will be invited to be with the Chairman by August 31st.
Judging will be completed by mid October with the announcement of the winner by the end of October.
The award will be 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.
Please note that due to the all round experience we are looking for it is unlikely the award will be awarded to an apprentice under 15 Though as we know there is always an exception to the rule, so please don’t hesitate to either enter or contact the Chair for guidance
Nearly 21 years old?
SPECIAL PRICE NTET MEMBERSHIP FOR SAC MEMBERS
If you ar e appr oaching the time when you will be too old for the SAC you can benefit fr om half price membership of the NTET for the first year.
Send your expir ed SAC membership car d to Sue Cook, together with a cheque payable to the NTET for half of the full member price (curr ently this will be £15) and you will r eceive your first NTET membership car d.
(This offer only applies to SAC members who have been in membership at their 21st birthday)