Raising Steam 2014 Vol.28 No.3

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

Lisa Crankshaw, NTET Membership PO Box 10348 Hinckley LE10 9FB membership@sac 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

H a v e y o u g u y s b e e n h a v i n g f u n s o far this season? I do hope so. However,

I d o f e a r w e t h a t h a v e m i s s e d opportunities… We have had to cancel

a d r i v i n g d a y t h i s y e a r t h r o u g h l a c k o f

i n t e r e s t T h i s h a s n e v e r b e e n h e a r d o f

b e f o r e ! E v e r ! We a l s o s t i l l h a v e s p a c e s

o n o u r n e w L e e d s d r i v i n g d a y o n t h e

1 3 t h o f S e p t e m b e r. T h a t , i n i t s e l f i s highly usual.

We a r e o u t a n d a b o u t o n M a r y M a r s h a l l i n t h e c o m i n g w e e k s . We a r e taking her to Rempstone Rally, and then on to Barton Gate charity event a couple of weeks later.

T h a n k y o u f o r y o u r l e t t e r s , i t ’ s a l s o n i c e t o h e a r w h a t y o u g u y s h a v e b e e n

u p t o a n d h o w y o u a r e f i n d i n g t h e driving days etc. Because if you don’t tell us, who will?

As usual the rules and regulations for t h e c o m p e t i t i o n s a r e i n t h i s o n e ; d o n’ t forget to submit your entry Remember t h e m o d e l i n s t r u c t i o n s w e r e i n

magazine, but you can also access it on t h e w e b s i t e . We h

a s u s u a l , t h e y w i l l

b e j u d g e d a t t h e G r e a t D o r s e t S t e a m Fair!

Isn’t this year going quickly! So much to see, and it all goes by in a flash Keep y o u r c a m e r a s w i t h y o u t o h e l p k e e p t h o s e memo r i es a l i v e! H a ppy s t ea mi ng everyone!

Fr om the Chairman

Elaine Massey

I am really shocked!

For the first time ever we have sadly h a d t o t a k e t h e d e c i s i o n t o c a n c e l a driving day! The day at Malpas rally site which was arranged specifically because we have a number of apprentices in the a r e a h a d t o b e c a n c e l l e d a s o n l y t w o w e r e b o o k e d o n

? Wa

wrong? Please let us know!

Fo r a n y a p p r e n t i c e s i n t h e L e e d s area, we still have a few spaces on that driving day...Apply now.

O n a s i m i l a r t h e m e , t h e r e w i l l b e N O p a r e n t / a p p r e n t i c e d r i v i n g d a y a t South Cerney this year. It is very possible that it will re - emerge next year; the SAC will still be there, I think with the Burrell,

after that you won't see her whilst she is being tested and put through her paces, until the big launch at the Bedford Rally, followed by her attendance at the NTET road run on the 27th September.

It was great to meet the apprentices t h a t w e r e o n t h e N T E T d r i v i n g c o u r s e this year, I spent a VERY cold weekend a t A s t w o o d B a n k , a n d c o m p l e t e d m y first course. For those of you who have seen the Vintage Spirit (July) there is rare evidence! Next years’ course is already booking up, so if you are 13 or over and a r e i n t e r e s t e d , r e m e m b e r y o u g e t v e r y preferential rates!

Please read the magazine carefully as there are other important opportunities!

Mailbag

Write to us!

Fengate Farm

We arrived at Fengate Farm on Friday afternoon. It was a lovely sunny day. There were three engines already on site. People were busy bringing the engines up from the main farm. The last two that arrived were The Lord Derby in steam towing another along with it. We set up camp, watching all the preparations ready for our weekend Adam and his dad arrived, we met them last year (I was teamed up with Adam on a ploughing engine last year). We sat around the camp fire and chatted into the evening about the following day and what we had to look forward to

Up nice and early, fed and watered. Everyone started to arrive Suited up and ready for action we went over the engines and myself and Peter were assigned to The Lord Derby with Sooty. We were given instructions of what to do and what to clean and Sooty went over various things we needed to know. It was great getting to know the engine, making sure we had enough water on board,

lighting the fire and waiting for the pressure to mount. After a lot of hard work with preparations it was time to move off, we managed to get going and were heading out to the open field when disaster struck The gauge glass decided to blow; we heard a large bang then couldn’t see anything through the steam It all happened very fast; we stopped, secured the engine Peter jumped first, following by myself and then Sooty. Sooty took off his jacket and went back onto the engine to work the controls to try to relieve the situation Poor Sooty was drenched, and had a cut chin. I was wet through too This was very dramatic and

taught us how dangerous these engines can be, we were all very lucky not to be seriously hurt and we all remained quite calm (Thanks to Sooty for his quick thinking and keeping us from harm’s way, unfortunately his jacket took the brunt and even shrunk after its steam clean)

Richard then managed to attach a new gauge glass and with Sooty bandaged up (nicknamed truly scrumptious), we were ready to try again. We had a great day, learning about the engine and how it works, what to look out for and how to handle it. It was a day to remember. We packed up around 4.30pm, the engines were lined up ready for the next day, wiped down and sheeted up for the night.

We had a great BBQ and sat around the camp fire discussing all the events of the day, and were praised for not panicking on the engine when the gauge glass blew. We had an early(ish) night being quite tired for the full day we had just had and couldn’t wait to get started again the next day

It was Sunday morning and we were raring to go. A nice and sunny day, perfect for a full day of STEAM. Peter and I were assigned to the Princess R oyal with James We had to do everything from scratch, and were tested on what we remembered from the day before. Once all was ready we were off, we went in search of a trailer full of logs, which Sooty helped us to hook up, we then spent time riding around learning how to steer with a trailer attached. James was great showing us what to do and letting us take control, we were even on the engine on our own with him walking beside us. After a while (and a few tea breaks) we swapped around a bit. I went on the

Road Roller from the Burrell Museum. I have always liked Rollers. This was a great experience for the fact that I was let loose on my own, my confidence grew and I enjoyed this part the most. Having had a full day (no mishaps today), we had a final break and chatted about what we had been doing . Also, Mum managed to get my Log Book filled in and signed (I seemed to be a bit busy). I did manage a ride on one of the other engines, but was soon offered the chance to get back on the roller, which I did very quickly.

Unfortunately, time was running out The engines had to go back to the farm and some were going on low loaders to travel back to the museum (the roller being one), James asked if I would help him take the roller back to the farm, which I jumped at the chance, once at the farm I even helped steer it up to the low loader.

What a shame the weekend had to come to an end We thanked all those concerned and expressed our appreciation at being given this opportunity. It was a great weekend, enjoyed by us as apprentices and our Mums/Dads who had a great camping weekend as well (weather included) We would like to especially thank Mr Parrott for allowing us

this chance and for his hospitality He often stopped and chatted to our parents and wanted to know how we were getting on.

The whole weekend was a great experience, it was nice to meet up with

Horsham Driving Day

Dear Editor,

My sister Tia and I had a fantastic time on Saturday 19th April at the driving day at Horsham. I was with a boy called Ollie working on a showman’s engine called Princess Marina. My sister Tia was with Jack working on Little Boadicea. We were with our Dad, Mum and Uncle

Burrell Crane Engine

Dear Editor,

It was my first time at the Horsham driving day, and on arrival I was very excited seeing all the engines I was put on a Burrell crane engine called His Majesty. My partner and I started with the tubes, firebox and ash pan etc. Next we lit the fire and started polishing all the brass Before we knew it, it was lunch

the others and all the drivers It was hard work but very enjoyable. We also had a good laugh at times. Once again thanks for organising this. Roll on next year! (Can I book my place now?!)

Regards, George Turner, 5327

The weather was kind to us I think all the engines had raised steam and been driven by the S.A.C members before lunch. In the afternoon we got to drive the engines again. We all had a great time Thank you to Dee Searle, and all the other people for making it possible. Thank you very much.

Regards, Connor, 5100 and Tia, 5409

time. Afterwards, we were all very excited, as it was time for driving and steering around Les Searle’s yard. We did that for the rest of the day until it was, unfortunately time to say goodbye until next year.

I would like to say a big thank you to my engine instructor and everyone who organised the day

Regards, Jake Dowson, 5223

Leeds Driving Day

Kevin Munn

Don’t forget about the new Leeds driving day on the 13th of September! It’s a nice late one to last us until the season starts again

There is still time to apply, and to support this lovely new event! It is being held at the Otley Vintage Vehicle Extravaganza ground, near Leeds, by Ollie Maslin

You will be able to work with an engine from lighting up to putting to bed, and everything in between. It is invaluable experience, which I’m sure all of you appreciate very much, and it needs to be taken advantage of!

So get those application forms off, so we can all enjoy the event!

New Appr entices

The SAC welcomes the following new members

Oliver Baughan, Northamptonshire

Morgan Carveth, Cornwall

Matthew Collyer, Warwickshire

Daniel Faizey, Worcestershire

Joshua Forster, East Yorkshire

George Harrison, Cumbria

Barney Hills, Cornwall

Emily Hopper, Hertfordshire

Ollie Humphrey, Oxfordshire

Harvey Jones, Hampshire

Lily Marks, Hertfordshire

WORDSEARCH

Lorcan Marks, Hertfordshire

Charlie Matthews, Suffolk

George Matthews, Suffolk

Jack Smith, Gloucestershire

Alfie Stopps, Buckinghamshire

Alex Symons, Bristol

Toby Symons, Bristol

Christopher Tigwell, Surrey

Connor Townend, Suffolk

Ned Wiseman, Bedfordshire

Fun designed especially for Appr entices!

The 24th May was the opening of a fab new permanent exhibition at Highley Station on the Severn Valley Railway.

As you can see, this is based around the Peter's Railway books, but is an excellent place to explore and learn about engineering .

Featuring interactive exhibits and visuals from Christopher Vine’s popular children’s books about Peter, his Grandpa and the miniature steam railway they build and operate down on the farm.

The Young Engineers' Centre is a must for any young steam fans and budding engineers

Photographic Competition 2014

The 2014 Steam Apprentice Club

Photographic Competition

As in previous years, we are running a photo competition to be judged at the Great Dorset Steam Fair We have some MEGA prizes for the winners and every apprentice who enters will receive a free badge

Rules

1. Entry to this competition is restricted to fully subscribed members of the SAC

2. Each entry will consist of 1 photograph taken between August 2013 and August 2014.

3. We prefer entries to be digital photos sent in by email or on a disc, but prints are also welcome

4. Entries must be emailed to sac webmaster@ntet co uk, or sent to Nick Bosworth, 9A St. Wilfrid’s Road, West Hallam, Ilkeston, Derbyshire DE7 6HG Entries should arrive by Monday 18th August 2014.

5. If you would like your entry returned, please include an SAE.

6. If sending a print, please DO NOT mount your photo for display.

7. All entries must include: Name, age, address and SAC membership number; place, date and details of the engine or subject.

8. Copyright in all entries will remain with the SAC member and the Steam Apprentice Club

9. Entries will be displayed at the 2014 Great Dorset Steam Fair in the NTET tent. Entries with a SAE will be returned after display and/or publication in the magazine.

10. The competition will be judged in two age groups: up to 15 years and 16 years and over. Prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in each age group will be awarded from the selection below The best overall entry will receive the Dorset Trophy shield, to be held for one year.

Judging

The judges will be looking for originality, composition and technical ability. Photographs do not have to be of traction engines, but other subjects must clearly be related to the traction engine movement. The judges’ decision on all entries will be final and members are asked to accept them in a spirit that will bring credit to themselves and the Steam Apprentice Club.

Colouring Competition 2013

For SAC members up to age 14

CAREFULLY remove this page from the magazine – ask an adult for help if necessary – be especially careful of the staples. We are happy to accept a photocopy of the drawing if you don’t want to damage your magazine

COLOUR the picture using pencils, crayons, paints or felt pens

WRITE your name, age, address and membership number in the space provided.

POST your entry in a large envelope, to avoid folding it too much.

ENCLOSE a large stamped addressed envelope if you want your entry returned.

REMEMBER to send your entry to arrive with Nick Bosworth by Saturday 23rd August.

This competition is open to all those apprentices up to the age of 14.

ADDRESS for entries is:

SAC Colouring Competition

Nick Bosworth 9A St Wilfrid’s Road West Hallam Ilkeston, Derbyshire DE7 6HG

Name Age Address

G e t Te c h n i c a l !

Build a Burr ell Update

Hugh Dyson

Since the winter months the Burrell has been progressing well. We have so far this year visited Astwood Bank, Market Harborough and Ely. Many of the parts that have been sent out to various locations round the country for painting have now returned and have been refitted. I think that our engine will have the record for the most miles travelled even before it is built with parts painted all over the country.

Many parts including the motion and flywheel have now been fitted This leaves many of the valves, pipes and associated fittings to finish off before we can think about lighting our first fire.

The remaining sessions and your last chance to help Build a Burrell before we

start the second phase of the project “Drive a Burrell” are;

5th and 6th July at Elvaston Castle Steam Rally (Derbyshire)

2nd and 3rd August at Gloucester Steam Extravaganza

13th September Launch party, Old Warden Rally 11.00am. (We would like as many apprentices who have helped out with the Burrell to attend)

We are still looking for adult helpers to look after the Burrell once it is finished if you have a keen parent who can help please get in touch. We will be running training sessions for those looking after the Burrell in the autumn.

Testing Times

Matt Lund

With the winter behind us and the rally season underway it’s time for an engine’s yearly boiler inspection to make sure the boiler is safe to steam in public, and it is the engine owner ’s responsibility that his engine’s boiler is in a safe condition.

With a boiler that has been drained of its water and cleaned out over winter it’s time to get a boiler inspector in to do the first part of the yearly inspection and that is the cold examination This is where the inspector will have a good look over all the outside exposed parts of the boiler like in the fire box, front tube plate, back

head, anything that is not covered with cladding , looking at the condition of rivet and stay heads, and at the boiler plate for signs of cracking or where the thickness of the boiler plate is reduced due to corrosion, erosion and fatigue. They will also look at the general condition of any fittings (gauge frame, clack valves, pipe work, fusible plug etc)

Next is to look inside the water space of the boiler, this is normally done by eye and torch through the mud holes in the bottom of the boiler and through the man hole (Man hole is the large door found on the boiler barrel or front tube plate)

The use of remote viewing aids (mirror on an extending stick or digital video probes to a screen) allow the inspector to look at parts of the boiler not easily visible by eye, again they are looking for excessive corrosion, erosion, condition of stays and tubes etc and any large build up of scale (Scale is formed by minerals being deposited into the boiler by the water like in a kettle). On very large boilers it may be possible for the inspector to climb inside the boiler to have a proper look at the inside of the water space

To check the thickness of the boiler plate an ultrasonic thickness detector is used because as the boiler ages the plate thickness reduces due to corrosion, erosion and fatigue

Once the cold inspection has been passed it’s time to put all the mud hole doors, man hole door, fusible plug etc back in, fit the grate and ash pan, fill the engine with water and put a fire in it to do a hot test

The engine is slowly brought up to maximum working pressure while all the mud hole doors and man hole door seals settle in, once up at maximum working pressure the safety valves are checked

that they lift at the correct pressure and stop the pressure from rising too high and that water can be put into the boiler by two means (pump and/or injector) All the time the inspector is looking that there are no leaks from the boiler or its fittings and that it is in a safe condition

Along with the annual boiler inspection every seven to ten years (depending on the condition of the boiler) a hydraulic inspection has to be carried out All the cladding has to be removed from the boiler, belly tanks

removed if fitted, all the boiler fittings and the tubes removed (the tubes are usually worn out by this stage anyway) so that the inspector can see all the parts of the boiler that are not accessed every year. As well as looking at the boiler plate, with all the fittings removed it gives a chance to inspect all the studs and threads that hold all the fittings on because these can become damaged by years of corrosion and fatigue.

Once a complete cold inspection has been passed it’s time to fit new boiler tubes, refit all the fittings (clack valves, gauge frame, mud hole doors etc) and the safety valves are blanked off ready to perform a hydraulic test.

The hydraulic test is performed by filling the boiler with water and then pumping more water into it to produce a pressure of one and a half times working pressure (if you had a boiler with a working pressure of 150psi then a hydraulic pressure of 225psi is required) this is to test the boiler and its fittings in a safer way than live steam because water under pressure does not have the explosive characteristics of steam.

With the hydraulic test completed and passed the blank is removed from the safety valves, grate and ash pan are refitted and boiler is drained to normal water level so a hot test is carried out the same as the yearly boiler test.

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)

The Steam Apprentice Club announces its annual award

The Technical Achievement of the Year Award 2014

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 of this award is to encourage young people to develop hands - on experience with engineering skills. This can include using various machines such as lathes and milling machines as well as handwork. Nominations should be entered by a sponsor for whom they have been working , or an Apprentice may nominate him/herself.

Applications should be received by August 15th 2014 and 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 2014.

Judging will be completed by mid October with the announcement of the winner by end of October. The award will be presented at the NTET AGM. Judges will be from members of the SAC Committee plus invited persons with expertise appropriate to the subject entered if required.

Please note that due to the all r ound experience we ar e looking for it is unlikely the awar d will be given to an Appr entice under 15. Though, as we know, ther e is always an exception to the r ule, so please don ’t hesitate either to enter or contact the Chair man or Vice Chair for guidance.

Looking for work opportunities?

I have just attended the launch of a really exciting new Apprenticeship scheme in heritage vehicle restoration, through Bicester Heritage and the FBHVC.

These apprenticeships are initially for two years, backed by Ofqual, and available through Banbury and Bicester College and S7B Automotive Academy, Bristol. The two years will qualify you at level 2, with a further eighteen month course for your level 3.

For more information visit www FBHVC co uk/trade and skills/appr enticeship.