Vol. 8 No. 3 Summer 1964
2/6
THE JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL TRACTION ENGINE CLUB
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NATIONAL TRACTION ENGINE CLUB
OFFICERS FOR 1964 Chairman : REVD. PHILIP WRIGHT, M.B.E., Hon.C.F.,
The Vicarage, Woodford Bridge, Essex. Vice-Chairman and Editor : J. CRAWLEY, ESQ.,
Field House, Turvey, Bedford.
General Secretary :
E. A. FiLLmoRE, EsQ., 34 Northwick Park Road, Harrow, Middx. Membership Secretary (including ties and badges):
J. R. BONSER, ESQ., 6 Rokeby Gardens, Woodford Green, Essex. Treasurer •
H. ORR-EWING, EsQ., 8 Robert Close, Randolph Avenue, London, W.9.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS S. 0. HARRISON, ESQ. ALAN DUKE, ESQ.
J. P. MULLETT, ESQ. FODENS LTD.
PHOTOGRAPHS Copies of the photographs on pages 99 and 105 are available, price 1/3d. each, post paid. This offer applies until the 5th of August. All orders are held until this date when they are ordered in quantity. Orders cannot be accepted after this date. THE EDITOR, FIELD HOUSE, TURVEY, BEDFORD.
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CLUB NEWS
Many other Clubs and Societies are mentioned in the columns of " Steaming ". Familiar to all will be the various traction engine clubs throughout the country, but many other types of interest have their adherents and it is interesting to learn that our movement and hobby is having an impact on some of them. Three instances immediately come to mind. Firstly there is in existence a " Blind Service Library " of which some of you may have heard. This is a library of " sound pictures ", mostly on tape which are borrowed and circulated amongst their various groups. Recently an approach was made to the Club for arrangements and facilities to make a sound picture of traction engines ; we have been most pleased to co-operate. Member J. R. Barker of Edgware has undertaken this on behalf of the Club. Mr. Hall, the organising official of the library, who is himself blind, will " feel ", record and describe the Burrell traction engine belonging to Mr. Barker. The Norbury Transport Club of South London has been mentioned in these columns before. Their activities cover the whole field of transport and it is their custom to invite various organisations to attend some of their meetings and to talk or lecture on their activities. Two years ago an illustrated lecture on traction engines was given by member Alan Martin : in June a return visit was made and on this occasion a film show was provided by member Jack Barnden, with sound effects by Jim Cox. This projection team will be well known to those members who have attended the annual dinners whilst more recently they handled " The Iron Maiden " film at the Bedford Club Dinner last April. Thank you for the good work, Jack and Jim. The Motor Caravanner is the official magazine of The Motor Caravanners' Club Ltd. As can be readily appreciated members of this large and popular club are essentially interested in touring and, to this end, like nothing better than a goal ❑r destination in their itineraries. The May, 1964 issue contained an article on traction engine rallies entitled—" Fire in their Bellies "—an excellent and interesting article in the category of " as others see us ", by Mr. Ken Bishop, honorary secretary of the Chiltern Group of that Club. The general conclusion is that their members might find our rallies of interest to visit. This aspect seems most important since we cannot overlook any source that will provide support for our movement and it may well be that closer co-operation between us could be for the benefit of both clubs and might well open up a new line of activity. A full list of our rallies has been sent to this organisation with a request that whenever possible our local secretaries should be contacted prior to attending an event. Correspondence of a different nature has recently been taking place with " Filmcraft Services of Farmcraft Ltd." of 39 Malden Road, New Malden, Surrey (Telephone: Malden 52261. They supply under contract and for a suitable hiring fee vehicles, mostly of a vintage type. for use in film and television productions. The contracts manager, Mr. G. K. Godbold, is anxious to hear from engine owners who might be prepared to co-operate with them. Perhaps any interested members would contact them direct. We have recently heard from Fred McP1 ail of Westminster Hospital, Lambton Pavilion, London, Ontario, Canada, who is very interested in traction engines, both in Canada and in this country. The last time Fred was in this country was during the First World War. If any members have any snare photoeraolis or anything that would be of interest we would like to suggest that perhaps they would care to send them along to Fred who has been in hospital for the past eight years and tells us that it looks like he will be there " for the duration ". We are sure that he will be pleased to receive letters from any enthusiasts who care to write and give him details of their engine activities. Please bear in mind that it might take Fred a little while to answer them all.
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SPARES SECTION By BRIAN ORAM Since the last issue of Steaming I have learnt much from correspondence, but first I must thank all those who have been so helpful in making their offers and suggestions. The most prominent trouble which I have is that many spares come available, and in quite a number of instances I am unable to place the parts at all and the present owners wish to dispose of them immediately. In one or two occasions this has happened, and the parts have been scrapped just because I do not know who owns what. The Secretary has been contacted for a list of engine owners and their engines, but this is just not available. Would every Owner Member please let me have as soon as possible the following information so that I can pass on offers for spares as they become available. 1. Engine manufacturer's name. 2. Engine number if known. 3. Type of engine. Name of the present owner. At the moment I have a member trying to find the forecarriage for a Ruston & Procter Lincoln Imp together with chimney base and chimney. He has a pair of front wheels. Failing this, would any member see if he has drawings which he would allow to be copied so that this engine can be completed for next season's rallies. still hear of engines being cut tip by " ne'er do well " scrap merchants, especially in the Surrey area, which is most unfortunate. This brings me to the next part which is that I know that there ale many members wishing to buy engines, many of a particular type, so if anyone knows of engines for sale please let me know, and also those wishing to buy could also contact me. On this point I understand that there is to be a sale of engines and equipment in July in Lincolnshire. One looks in superb condition for I saw it recently. I hope to be able to go to this sale to save any steam equipment, if nothing else but to keep the " ne'er do well " scrap merchants from destroying it. Engines which possibly may come available are an Allchin 7 h.p. Agricultural which has had a new firebox since the war and only worked about six weeks after that, but I am told is very rough generally in condition. It is also possible that a 7 h.p. Agricultural Single Fowler may be on the market later in the year. This engine has been rebuilt quite recently to my knowledge, and I am told that it may also have a water/coal cart with it. This engine has attended rallies. I have also heard of a 6 ton Fowler Roller which may be available. The club has been very lucky by the offer of one of Wallis & Stcevens' steam engineers to help members with that make of engine and roller. A member is looking for a three speed Burrell 5 h.p. Tractor with steel front wheels and no generator. He wishes it in good condition. Any offers for sale of one of these engines ? So far I am very satisfied at the way that the Spares Section is developing, for assistance has been given to members and the idea does work. Please let me have your spares lists which are available so that I can really get organised for the winter when I know that everyone will try to take advantage of the facilities.
SPARES SECTION BRIAN ORAM, ESQ., BOURNE HOUSE, ST. MARY BOURNE, ANDOVER, HANTS. Telephone : ST. MARY BOURNE 260.
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DEATH OF MR. WILLIAM FODEN (Governing Director of Messrs. Fodens Ltd.)
77 YEARS WITH THE FIRM HIS FATHER FOUNDED The death is announced of Mr. William Foden, Governing Director of Fodens Limited, manufacturers of the famous road haulage vehicles and marine engines. He died peacefully on 2nd June in his 96th year. Mr. Foden joined his father's fi rm in 1885 at the age of 16. At that time they were making agricultural machinery and soon afterwards developed the first two-cylinder traction engine which became an immediate success through its efficiency and economy. The real masterpiece of Mr. Paden and his father however, was the " Overtype " steam wagon which was produced after years of painstaking trial and experiment. In 1901 they demonstrated its capabilities to the War Department on four trial routes totalling 257 miles, the distance being accomplished in 41 hours 43 minutes without mishap or stoppage for repairs. This was a tremendous achievement for those days and won for Mr. Foden and his father a prize of £250. It was this steam wagon that really made the firm's name for it was produced in quantity and seen on the roads everywhere for the next 30 years. When steam finally gave place to diesel it was William Foden who initiated the production of diesel engine vehicles at Sandbach. In 1951 he relegated the tasks of management to his two sons Mr. I. E. Foden and Mr. R. G. Foden in association with Mr. E. Twemlow whose father had been a formative influence on the company in the early days. Mr. William, however, continued to take a lively and active interest in the affairs of the company and until a few months ago was regularly at his desk from 9 a.m. until mid-afternoon. He was known to all at the Sandbach works as The Guv'nor sure sign of the fondness and respect in which he was held. He regarded his employees as personal friends and treated them accordingly. When he joined the company there were thirty people on the payroll and they were all called by their Christian names. As the firm grew William Foden continued to foster the personal touch and the family spirit, which are still very noticeable today. It is as a result of his interest that the welfare and recreational facilities at Fodens arc second to none. He himself once played the euphonium in the works band which has won so many honours and become for some people almost as famous as Foden vehicles.
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REPLACING FIREBOX STAYS BY JAMES LYLE Subsequent to boiler survey there may be owners who find that the inspector's report calls fur the renewal of wasted or broken firebox stays and having just completed a job of this nature I feel that a few words on the technique might be of interest to others who do their own repairs. I would like to make it clear that although I have had a fair amount of experience in turning and fitting I had never done boiler work prior to renewing several stays in my Burrell a few weks ago and hope that more knowledgeable readers who may be at variance with my methods will bear this in mind. At the same time I would point out that I was working under the guidance of a retired " steam man ", Mr. W. Carr. Tools used were as follows: double-faced sledge hammers, 14 lbs. and 7 lbs.; boilermaker's hammer, ball pein ; engineer's hammer, ball pein, 2 lbs.; engineer's ratchet brace with spring pad, suitable drills, drilling pillar and centre punch cold chisels, heavy : tapered round chisel, about f inch at cutting edge, single cannel ; caulking chisels slap tap. It wil! be noted that with the exception of the stay tap most of these are fairly easy to come by and it is assumed the usual tools such as files and a hacksaw are also available. A small power drill could be a useful but not necessary addition to the list. Assuming the preliminaries have been attended to and any necessary removals made the rivetted heads arc cut off the faulty stays, flush with the boiler plates outside and inside the firebox using a suitable flat chisel or by first cutting across the heads with a rivet gouge, if available, then cutting in from each side with a flat chisel. You will now be able, after careful inspection, to centre punch the centre of the stays more accurately than would have been the case if the stays and their rivetted heads are assumed to be concentric. The ratchet brace is now set up to drill a pilot hole of about 1 inch diameter in the end of the stay being dealt with first. Setting up is a comparatively easy matter inside the firebox as the opposite side can be used as a pressure point, initial slack being taken up with suitable hardwood blocks and the spring pad. Do not use narrow blocks as they may fly out under pressure causing injury to the operator whose face will. of necessity, be close to them. Take care of course to get the drill set sauare from the boiler plate horizontally and vertically. The small power drill, if available, could be handy for Inches deep. Now select this job but in any case drill the pilot hole about a drill of a size t'uv than the estimated tapping drill size, e.g. for a stay I inch in diameter by 12 t.p.i. a inch drill was used as this avoids damage to the threads in the boiler plate in the event of inaccurate centre punching, and using the ratchet brace, drill in to the same depth as the Pilot hole. The uninitiated will be surprised just how efficient this method of drilling is, providing you have a good share drill and it is much easier to manipulate than the fairly heavy power drill required to turn a inch drill. Selection of drilling method is for the operator to decide. relying on his own judgment and experience and, of course, the plant available. The process is repeated on the outside of the firebox and here the heavy power drill boys might score where they can get room to manoeuvre. Ratchet users will require a drilling Pillar plus a bit of luck and ingenuity for getting it set up from some convenient stud on the firebox. On my own engine a stud holding the steering chain drum was used when dealing with stays in the throatplate and a gear casing stud was utilised when boring on the side. Failing suitable studs a hefty boiler clamp is required which will permit the pillar to be held, gripping with the clamp over the foundation ring. Having drilled the stays we now come to their removal. For this the narrow round chisel is used and holding it at an angle of about 20 degrees to the Plate tap round radially on the stay till a small part of the thread " lifts " into the hole. Take care not to break this but move a fraction further round and lift another portion into the hole, continuing till all of the stay is curled in towards the centre. gradually increasing the power behind the hammer taps and increasing the angle of the chisel as required. When the threads are all
STEAMING
Charles Burrell & Sons Stand at the 1904 Suffolk Show.
Burrell 6 n.h.p. Single Crank Compound Traction Engine No. 2927 "The Aberdeenshire". Built 22/8/07.
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lifted clear of the boiler plate they can be knocked down into the hole in the stay using a punch. During the lifting process you will discover if your
selection of drill size has been a wise one—if too large the threads will not lift as described but will break away having to be chipped out bit by bit and if too small they will not lift at all. The remedy in the latter case is of course to drill out a bit larger taking care that the drill does not " snatch "
breaking the flutes. Repeat on the other end of the stay till it drops down on to the foundation ring to be raked out later. A suitable stay tap is now carefully run through the holes to true up the threads where they have been burred over unavoidably here and there. Assuming that you have been able to acquire or make suitable stays a start can be made with replacement. Before putting them in, however, it is a good plan to anneal them first by heating them to a uniform red heat and allowing them to cool in the ashes—on no account cool them quickly. Prior to insertion in the boiler the stays can be cut about three-quarters way through with a hacksaw allowing about h toe inch extra length on each
end for rivetting. They are now screwed home and when positioned correctly the surplus end is knocked off with a hammer leaving the rivetting allowance projecting outside and inside the firebox. " Staving " the stays is the next operation, this compresses the threads and tightens them inside the hole. For this job a mate is required to " hold up "
on the opposite end of the stay with the 14 lbs. hammer while you deal with your end by hitting a series of powerful blows using the 7 lbs. hammer, hitting square on the stay end, making no attempt to round over at this stage. When the end is staved sufficiently (the different sound from the hammer will indicate this) start working round the stay end with the 7 lbs. hammer, spreading the edges. Now take the boilermaker's hammer and turn over the spread edges to form a mushroom head then tap this down close to the boiler plate, finishing off with the 2 lbs. engineer's hammer getting it as neat as you can. Sharp taps are required at this stage and you will find that by altering the angle of the hammer taps, high spots on the rivet head can be manipulated to fill deficiencies at other points. If a number of stays are being replaced it is wise to screw all of them home before staving, more particularly if they all happen to be in a row. This will help to prevent any dish developing in the plate. When all the new stays are rivetted outside and inside they require to be caulked to make them steam tight. If a good job has been made of rivetting
the finishing caulking chisel only, will be required but in either case the chisel is held with the curved part against the boiler plate at angles varying from 10 to 30 degrees depending on which part of the head you are trying to squeeze but see that it is radial to the stay. When finishing tap right round
the skirt of the rivet until it is in close contact with the boiler plate, taking care not to cut into the plate. With the stays in and caulked, rake out any scale disturbed by the hammering, refit the mud hole doors and fill the boiler with water. Carefully inspect each stay for signs of leakage and if necessary make good with the caulking tools. If the boiler can hold in cold water it will almost certainly
be steam tight. Intending boiler repairers may encounter difficulty in the acquisition of suitable tools. With regard to the chisels used I may be of assistance as my local blacksmith is prepared to make up a limited number of these. Prices will obviously be higher than for factory mass-produced tools. Delivery most certainly not by return post—he is a very busy man. I have access to good workshop facilities but apart from using a lathe for making the new stays, when repairing my own engine the work was done in the corner of a country sawmill, much as would be the case in the old days with the engine standing in a stack-yard far from the boiler repair shop. The work all went according to plan but it must be borne in mind by anyone using this for guidance that there could have been complications like wastage in the boiler plate round a stay and the possibility of this having to be made
good by electric welding then holes rebored and tapped. Endeavour to detect and resolve any snags well in advance. They then become part of the job and blood pressure can be maintained at a reasonably steady level.
STEAMING
ilt WOBURN PARK RALLY August Bank Holiday Week-end Saturday, 1st August
ARRIVAL DAY Gates open 12 noon. Engines will be arriving, others will be in steam for inspection. Showman's Engines making light and organ recitals until early evening.
Sunday & Monday, 2nd & 3rd August
RALLY DAYS Gates open 10.30 a.m. GRAND PARADE COMMENCES 2 P.M. Caravans, tents, etc. cannot be parked on the Estate, but there are many suitable places within easy reach. Refreshments will be available on all three days. Engines will be in steam regardless of weather conditions. Any further details from the Rally Secretary : JOHN CRAWLEY, FIELD HOUSE, TURVEY, BEDFORD.
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Foster Showman's Engine No. 14401 "Sir Douglas Haig" at Bowling, Bradford, on the 11th August, 1937.
McLaren Showman's Engine No. 1623 "Goliath". Owned by Pat Collins of Bloxwich, Stags.
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AREA NEWS COTSWOLD Now that the time has come round once again for a report on our activities, I am indeed envious of our contributor " S.N." for East Anglia who has to decide what not to report. Here the problem is just the reverse at present, so I would welcome any information suitable for inclusion in these notes from anyone who feels themselves included in this area., However, despite the above picture of inactivity general in the area, I am glad to say that here in Stroud we have been working harder than ever upon our machinery! William Foster No. 12544 has reached the lining out stage although not completely re-assembled, and Burrell No. 3917 " Triumph ' has now been fitted with a new canopy which considerably improves the appearance of the engine. New side sheets are at present being made, for which the engine was recently driven to Whitminster via Jesse Vines' yard at Hardwicke. Work also progresses on the living van—so you can see we are not idle. At nearby Sheepscombe, former home of " Triumph ", work has been resumed at last on Mr. Canton's 5 n.h.p. Burrell Road Locomotive No. 4093 "Dorothy". Firebox repairs and re-tubing have been completed, also tender repairs. The rear end has been painted and re-assembled, and now the boiler lagging and belly tanks have been removed. Canopy repairs are also expected, including the shortening of the full length to the more normal three-quarter length behind the chimney. What has been accomplished here looks very smart, and we are all looking forward to seeing the engine complete and in steam, when it should prove a very fine machine. A recent Sunday visit to Chipping Norton proved of interest, for Neville Melhuish's Aveling Roller, ex-Tipton Council, and mentioned in recent issues of Steaming, was in steam and rolling in hard core behind Neville's garage. John Plaister's living van also resides here, and this is being renovated in the same fine style as his Marshall Traction Engine. Unfortunately there is no rally at Northleach this year for reasons unknown to me, but it is hoped to have a handful of engines at Cirencester Carnival on July 4th. This will be reported in the next issue. Another arrival in the area is Aveling & Porter 8 ton Type AD D.C.C. S.V. No. 14174 (Reg. No. GL1281), at Broadway, where it has been purchased by a Mr. Rowlett from Bishop Bros. of Burley, Salop. The engine is no stranger here as it belonged to the writer a few years ago for a short period before being sold to Messrs. Bishop. It originated with Bath Corporation, being sold in turn to Ernest Ireland Ltd. and then Pound's plant, both of Bath. Then engine then came to me and was driven from Box to Stroud in the winter. During the journey a fall of snow made progress, or sometimes lack of it, rather exciting, and perhaps this journey will one day be recounted in full. A recent stranger in the area was the well-known Burrell Tractor No. 3397 "Cock o' the North ", passing through on a long distance run to Land's End R.C.J.W. but doubtless this will be reported more fully elsewhere. DEVON AND SOMERSET In the Exeter area, Mr. W. H. Balkwell has recently re-tubed his 1931 Marshall 6 h.p, S.C. Traction No. 86265 (Reg. No. 0D177) and the engine has been steamed on several occasions since, proving particularly useful in wire-roping two of the Marshall rollers out onto the roadway early on the morning of June dth. His other 6 h.p. S.C. Marshall Traction No. 23368 (Reg. No. TA2758), built early in 1894 and now the oldest surviving traction in the West Country, has been acquired by Mr. J. Muxworthy of South Molton, and is to be completely rebuilt and restored. After seeing the excellent work carried out on his Aveling and Babcock rollers, we all look forward to seeing this interesting old Marshall emerge in due course. She was a familiar sight with Mr. Balkwill's threshing tackle in the Upton Pyne district up until 1954, and although she has not been on the road since that
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time, she has been steamed occasionally and generally kept in well-oiled condition. Burrell 10 ton S.C. Roller No. 4041 (Reg. No. U0793) has also been re-tubed and steamed again since she arrived from Dingles' yard last year, although paintwork and other details have still to be attended to. Devon County Council rollers have been active in various localities and both of their Wallis Advance rollers can be seen on the A.30 between Sticklepath and Crockernwell. These two engines are No. 7904 (Reg. No. OT3167) and No. 7905 (Reg. No. 0T3191). Further along the A.30, 10 ton Marshall Compound No. 74746 (Reg. No. TA2442) has been working near Lewdown. 12 ton S.V. Compound Aveling No. 8487 (Reg. No. TA1463) ran a tube whilst working near Lapford and was almost at once brought back to Exeter by low-loader for re-tubing, such was the urgency to have the roller back
on the job again! A tragic fate has befallen the nice little 8 ton S.C. Aveling Roller No. 8752 (Reg. No. TA2662)—the only Devon C.C. steamer working in the St. Thomas district, S.W. of Exeter. The engine was parked in a Iayby between jobs in the Haldon Moor area and was being prepared for a visit by the boiler inspector. However, just before this could take place, brass and copper thieves set upon the engine during the dark hours and in a short time this attractive little roller was reduced to a veritable wreck, hardly anything of value remaining after the vandals had done their worst. The remains of the engine have now been scrapped as it was quite impossible for the Devon C.C. to replace any of the stolen parts and the cost of a rebuild and the work involved was out of the question. Such are the times we now live in that
nothing of any value would appear to be safe from the attentions of these villains. The Somerset Traction Engine Club are once again staging their Annual Rally at Ash Cross, just south of Taunton, on Saturday, July 25th—no doubt they are all earnestly hoping for a repeat of last year's perfect weather for the day! Engine restoration in the county proceeds steadily, and at Othery, near Bridgewater, Mr. Sharman is making an excellent job of rebuilding a 6 h.p. S.C. Marshall Traction No. 45872 (Reg, No. 13P5819) which he acquired in a very derelict state from Sussex last year. Mr. Gilbey at South Cadbury is progressing steadily with the big task of reconditioning the Scenic Burrell Showman's Engine No. 3483 (Reg. No. WB91 10) " Perseverance II", and at Weston Zoyland, a late Aveling Type AC S.C./P.V. Roller No. 14002 (Reg. No. KR479), ex Barnes Bros. of Southwick, is kept in good condition under cover and occasionally steamed. News is just to hand of a Fowler 5 h.p. D.C.C. 3 speed Traction that has arrived in the Taunton area for preservation, having been acquired from Lamb's of Bromsgrove in rundown condition. A.G.C. Maker's number, etc. are still awaited. EIRE Gerald Doherty writes from Drogheda, Eire, that in " News Flashes " (Steaming, 1061) he mentioned an Aveling & Porter Bantam Roller minus boiler. This roller is still in the Council yard at Dundalk. The other night
he was in the Gas Works at Drogheda about twenty-two miles away and there was the vertical boiler which was used in this roller. The boiler, he understands, is in good order and is used occasionally by the Gas Company. Leitrim County Council still have Garrett Steam Roller No. 34594 (1924) derelict and exposed to the weather. Roscommon County Council have Aveling & Porter Compound Roller No. 7601 in fair order, and is being geared as a stand-by in ease any of their diesel rollers break down.
The death occurred, after a short illness, of Mr. Patrick McGuiness, of Dromiskin, Co. Louth, the owner of Fowler Compound Steam Roller No. 17289. He is survived by his widow, two daughters and one son. HUNTINGDONSHIRE The following engines were present at the Huntingdonshire Agricultural
Society Annual Show, held at Priory Park, St. Neots, ❑n Saturday, 20th June, 1964. The tractions being Burrell D.C.C. No. 4066 (Reg. No. VF589), Clayton & Shuttleworth No. 47216 (Reg. No. CT4817), Powell No. 93 (Reg. No.
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Burrell Traction Engine No. 3344. A 6 n.h.p. single cylinder engine built 6 / 11/11.
K SO H BRO5 I II
tONCLETO
ft
5 ton Double Crank Compound 3 Speed Burrell Wagon No. 3360. Built 20/2/12. Owned by Jackson Bros. of Congleton.
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CE7894) built 1905, Fowell No. 103 (Reg. No, AH5456) " Cromweff " of 8 n.h.p. built 1913, and Marshall No. 6490 (Reg. No. D096) " Smoky ". The agricultural tractor being represented by Aveling & Porter D.C.C. No. 8809 (Reg. No. SC2850), and the steam wagon by Foden No. 13138 (Reg. No. AN9568). All seven engines were in steam and provided a very interesting display of steam power on a show ground that was literally a " sea of mud ". G.A.Y. NORTH STAFFS. & CHESHIRE The club entered a good show of engines in the Congleton Carnival on Whit Saturday and helped to raise the sum of over £2,000 for charities. Engines present were Burrell S.C.C. No. 2950 (Reg. No. AF3532), Foster D.C.C. No. 12539 (Reg. No. MA5730), Burrell S.C.C. No. 2003 (Reg. No. YA509), Foden Traction No. 2654 (Reg. No. E5684), Burrell S.C.C. No. 2336, Burrell S.C.C. No. 2706 (Reg. No. TB2845), which was driven all the way from Cheadle, Staffs. by E. Durose, Burrell No. 3746 (Reg. No. MA5733), Foster Tractor No. 14431 (Reg. No. FE3217), Sentinel Super Tractor No. 6695 (Reg. No. EX1638). Garrett Tractor No. 33612 (Reg. No. BJ4484), Russian Fowler No. 14958, Burrell Showman's No. 3509 " Rajah ", and Burrell Showman's No. 4030 " Tim Dolphin ".
Practically all the above engines attended the Cawsworth Steam Party on June 6th, but the weather turned nasty and the ring events were rained off. The Burrell S.C.C. No. 2336 " Stanley Monarch ", now fitted up with smokebox extension and dynamo, drove lights for the beer tent in the capable hands of Jim Bostock. We were persuaded that the flicker in the lights was caused by the alcohol in the atmosphere and not by electrical teething troubles. Foster No. 12539 " Winnie " has a very neat dynamo mounted on top of the cylinder block, and she supplied light for the barbecue. Burrell No. 3509 " Rajah " drove the organ and the refreshment tent lights. The last two engines carried out similar duties at Goostrey Gymkhana on May 15th. By the time they left, some few thousand cars had churned their way out across two fields, so much hard work and wire-roping was necessary before they reached the road. By the time the small band of staunch assistants reached home, dawn was breaking! The club accepted the kind invitation from the North Staffs. Model Engineers to attend their open day at their narrow gauge track at Pittfield House, Newcastle, and several members tried their fingers on the regulator of Mr. Baker's very fine loco. Monthly club meetings are held on the first Friday of the month at the " Crown Hotel ", Red Street, Chesterton. On the way home from the "Crown " we usually call in at local places of interest, where the night shift always makes steam enthusiasts welcome. One night was spent in the engine house of one of the last of the Potteries collieries to use steam winding gear admiring the horizontal duplex engines drawing coal. Another nocturnal visit was to a local iron foundry, and to join the workmen in wondering why the steam turbine plant driving blowers and generating electricity had been neglected to the point of breakdown to be superseded by electricity, when they had all been run on waste steam from the blast furnaces. For the first time for some years, no club engines were at the Birmingham Science Museum Rally, but several members attended to admire the fine J.P.S. collection on show, no doubt listed under Midland Area notes. SOUTH YORKSHIRE
Marshall D.C.C. Roller No. 57168 (Reg. No. NN950) was observed recently in J. Dixon & Co.'s yard, Greenfields Lane, Hexthorpe, Doncaster, where preparatory stages of restoration are in progress. The Foster No. 2775, being reconditioned by Mr. M. Burr of Killamarsh, is now well under way, and is beginning to look like an engine should, and will add further strength to our numbers. Member M. Swift reports that the St. Asaph R.D.C. Fowler Roller was seen parked beside the A5112 near Broughton, Flints., on a recent outing. This is a Compound No. 15977 (Reg. No. DM2621), which appears to have
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by PHILIP WRIGHT Chairman, National Traction Engine Club
Traction Engines This first comprehensive account traces the history of the traction engine via the horse-drawn " Portables " of the mid-nineteenth century to the first selfmoving models for farm and road work. " An excellent and affectionate account of the farm engine, the road engine, the steam roller and the steam wagon. The many illustrations and drawings (by the author) are delightful." THE TIMES LIT. SUPPT. 24 plates, drawings. 21s.
Old Farm Tractors
Old Farm Implements
" Presents a record of the many tractors, small and large, which in their day made a notable contribution to farming history. FARM IMPLEMENT AND MACHINERY REVIEW. 48 photos. drawings. 25s.
" Describes the range of implements under the headings of the four seasons and in doing so presents a vivid picture of English methods ❑f farming from ancient times to the present day." CHURCH Tinos. 24 photos, drawings. 25s.
ADAM & CHARLES BLACK
GEORGE THURLOW & SONS LIMITED
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been stood there for some months. Also on a minor road from the B4323 Shrewsbury to Llanymynch road was a Fowler Compound Roller (Reg. No. AD8773) minus its engine plate, which has been working on a road recon-
struction job, believed to belong to the Salop County Council. A further engine which has come to light is an 8 ton Aveling & Porter Roller in Chesterfield, No. AP8211 (Reg. No. NU1917), formerly owned by B. R. Mills & Son of Chesterfield, which has been stood for the last four years. Member Geoff. Bland reports finding a Marshall G.P. Engine No. 49725 (no Registration No.) in the Scarborough area, which is in rather poor shape, but was in use till five years ago, and which bears a plate bearing the name John Allen of Oxford on its smokebox door. P. S. Carter of Shelley, near Huddersfield, has purchased a Garrett Tractor from the South, no details yet, but this was transported by rail to near his home. It was steamed up at the station and journeyed home safely till it
reached its new home, when the chimney base cracked, allowing the chimney to fall off, which proves how temperamental engines can be at times. The South Yorkshire T.E. Club recently enrolled its 300th member, who was Mr. T. 0. Hunt of Leeds, well-known owner of the Burrell No. 3849 (Reg. No. TA905) " Marshall Foch ", so it proves the enthusiasts of this area have steam in their veins. I understand that Frank Popple has sold his Burrell Roller No. 4067 (Reg. No. WW1556) named " Hero " to four enthusiasts from the Leeds area. Also J. Proctor of Gunthorpe has sold his Aveling & Porter Roller No. 10695 (Reg. No. PR1083) named " Edna ", but the new owner is not known. Mr. J. D. Hadfield of Sheffield has also advertised his Sentinel No. 5407 (Reg. No. FA1803) for sale. H. Fearn has recently purchased the ex-Derbyshire C.C. Roller No. 10059, a 8 ton Compound Aveling & Porter, which he intends to recondition. On a recent trip down south I was surprised to see two Fowler Rollers at work on the Al in the County of Rutland, one of which had a nameplate with " Monty " on it, but owing to traffic restrictions was unable to stop and get details. Mr. J. J. Dangerfield, owner of the Wilsic Hall Hotel, where our rallies are held, has purchased Aveling & Porter Roller No. 10237, a 10 ton piston valve engine, and also a 7+ inch gauage model railway with a powerful 4-4-0 steam engine, so we shall probably be having rides round the hall in future. G.K.B. THAMES VALLEY
Before Christmas the committee decided to hold a regular monthly social meeting. The first Monday in the month was selected as being the easiest day to remember. These meetings have proved most successful. Members have responded by bringing along to the meetings a wide variety of objects of interest from photographs, slides, nameplates, engine parts, models (of engines) to an 89 key Organ and a Foden D Type Tractor.
One of the first engines active this year was James & Crockerell's Burrell No. 3887 " Prince of Wales " that steamed to Ashford, Middlesex, in late February to power George Irvin's 89 key Marenghi Organ when this wellknown organ was recorded. Copies of the record are expected any time. A new member is Mike Harmsworth of Maidenhead. He has been busy all winter restoring a Robey Tractor No. 37657 " The Guv'nor ". It is understood that three or four such tractors exist, but No. 33957 " Village Queen " (1922) belonging to " Duke " Brewer of Pickering, Yorks. is the only other I have seen. Another member, R. Mogford, who has named his house " Chimney Corner ", is restoring a Robey 10 ton Roller No. 42216 (1925). It is illustrated in Clark's Development of English Traction Engines. A very pleasant event took place at Cold Ash, near Newbury, on Whit Monday. Our members' Frank Upton's Wallis & Ste.evens No. 7681 " Eileen ", Peter Barker's Burrell Tractor No. 3458 " Defiance ", Bob Adnams% Fatten D Type No. 12852 " Early Bird ", and G. H. Chaplin's 10 ton Ruston & Hornsby S.C. Roller No. 122338 (1924) were present and much admired at the village fete. A commentary on the parade was given by W. Fall.
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In June we paid a return visit to see some of the interesting machinery that is preserved on the Benham Estate near Newbury. It is about nine years since the big Robey Undertype Semi-Portable in the sawing shed worked or since the horizontal generating engine smelt steam, but the water-powered Merryweathcr pumps are still in use. We finished the evening off at Speen Lodge Hotel on the A.4 just outside Newbury, where our member G. H. Chaplin is the landlord. Mr. Chaplin and Mr. Fymore own the 10 ton Ruston & Hornsby S.C. Roller No. 127338 that was purchased from Henry Woodham of Catford just over twelve. months ago. During the year they have re-built the cab, painted and lined the engine, and attended to numerous mechanical jobs. This compact roller looks as good as she sounds. Jack Lawrence has fitted governors to Burrell No. 3631 "Kathleen " and had an evening generating at the Great Milton Fete on June 13th. Like our other Showman's owner members, Jack is looking forward to the Old Time Fair at Shottesbrooke Park, White Waltham, near Maidenhead, Berks., on August 28th, 29th and 30th. We have had the job of getting engine entries for this Old Time Fair. All known owners of Showman's engines have been contacted and at the moment we have about twenty entries, representing Burrell, Fowler, Foster, Foden, Garrett and Savage makes, generating engines from 4 n.h.p. to 10 n.h.p.. fairground haulage engines, centre engines and electric light engines. The rides booked include a gondola scenic, gallopers, chairoplanes, big wheel, tower slip, cake-walk, juveniles, etc., and perhaps of greatest interest to steam men, Harry Lee's steam yachts and a single steam yacht now in preservation. The music to be provided entirely by travelling and preserved fair organs. It is hoped that we shall have plenty of generating capacity to power the fair. Since our engines went out of general use we have had rallies of course, but most of us enjoy seeing an engine at work. We have had steam cultivation, threshing, wood-sawing and on one or two occasions engines have powered rides at rallies, but this is the first ❑ccasion (it is hoped there will be others) when anything like this has been attempted. Sixteen or eighteen Showman's engines in one place doing the job they were built for will be a sight worth seeing. Admission is free. A charge of five shillings will be made for car-parking. Showman's engine owners who wish to have their engines at the Old Time Fair should immediately contact G. R. Hawthorne, 19 Bridle Path, Woodcote, Reading (Tel.: Check enclon 484). Assistance with travelling expense. is offered. G.R.H. WALES AND BORDER COUNTIES An Aveling & Porter S.C./P.V. 10 ton Roller No. 10282, Eddison 384 (Reg. No. FX????), was seen at the Cardiff Depot of Eddison's recently. This roller was being cleaned and painted and fitted with a new awning, before being presented to a local council to stand in their children's playground. A similar roller was presented to the Port Talbot Corporation about two years ago this same roller was removed from the playground about a month ago as it was now in an " unsafe condition "! What forty years of hard work failed to do, the " kids " have done in less than two! Both the Aveling & Barford 8 ton S.C./P.V. Rollers, Nos. AH365 and AI-1412 (Reg. Nos. CTL226 and ECT352), have been seen at work recently on road re-construction. They are owned by the Rhondda Borough Council and were new in 1947-48. Pontypridd Urban District Council have recently re-tubed their 8 ton Wallis Advance Roller No. 8112. This is a late one and was new to them in March, 1939. Both the Cardiganshire C.C. and the Borough of Pembroke have recently advertised rollers for sale by tender. The two from Cardiganshire are Avelings, numbered and detailed: 15 ton S.C./S.V. No. 3586 (Reg. No.
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MA7890) and 10 ton D.C.C. P.V. No. 11362? (Reg. No. EJ1246), built in 1895 and 1926 respectively. The Merioneth C.C. No. 2 Roller, a 12 ton D.C.C. No. 21698 (Reg. No. FF????), was seen at work recently on the Corris-Dolgellan road above Tal-y-llyn lake. This roller is very well looked after and is a great favourite of her driver. Two rollers are being renovated, at least externally, at the County Depot, Llangefui, Anglesey. They are Aveling & Porter No. 2439 (Reg. No. EY1382) and Clayton & Shuttleworth No. 44449 (Reg. No. EY1570) of 1889 and 1912 respectively. Though not in working order, they are to be placed one on each side of the gateway to the above depot as pieces of permanent sculpture. Work on the writer's Wallis Advance Roller is proceeding and it is hoped that by the time these notes are being read the new crown plate stays in the firebox will have been fitted and steam raised for the first time in over a year. Re-assembly of the complete engine will then begin, and it is hoped to finish the re-build in the not too distant future. As a matter of interest to readers the very old established firm of H. Richards & Co. Ltd., Road Rolling Contractors and Engineers, of Newport, Mon., have recently been taken over by Eddison's, and the whole of the plant, etc. has now been transferred to their Cardiff depot. All the remaining steam tackle of the above firm in Newport has gone for scrap ; the last roller to work for Richards was an Aveling & Porter 8 ton S.C./P.V. C Type No. 12498, and the same maker's plate is now in the writer's collection. Another engine has been saved from the scrap man in this area recently, this being Aveling & Porter Class AD 10 ton Compound Roller No. 14061 (Reg. No. TG447). This engine was new to the Caerphilly U.D.C. in 1930 and is in very good condition. Since being purchased by the writer, she has been re-sold to a Mr. Truman of Stouroort-on-Severn, Worcs. and will doubtless feature in area notes from that district shortly. Mr. Stan Hatfield of Beaconsfield and myself have recently purchased 7 n.h.p. Single Cylinder Marshall Traction Engine No. 61970 (Reg. No. unknown) from Mr. John Evans of Wiggington. This engine was new to H. Holland of Dallinghoo in 1913. The engine requires extensive restoration Which has already begun. D.S.M. /I.J. WARWICKSHIRE Dick Blenkinsop continues to make steady progress at Radford Semele with the thorough overhaul he is giving his ex-Coventry Corporation 6 ton Roller. It has recently passed its boiler test and he estimates there is another twelve months' work to be done. This Single Cylinder Roller (Reg. No. CVC979), which was built by Aveling Barford (Maker's No. AC624) in 1938, was featured on the front cover of last year's issues of Steaming. Mr. A. J. Barton of Kenilworth has parted with his Single Cylinder Agricultural Engine Foster No. 14593 (Reg. No. FE9179) of 1927. This engine is now owned by the Rev. E. R. Boston of Cadeby, Leics., where it joins his ex-Leicestership County Council 10 ton Single Cylinder Roller Aveling & Porter No. 5163 (Reg. No. NR6525). At a small scrapyard near Shipston-on-Stour there are two interesting portable engines, now however in very poor condition. They are 6 n.h.p. Single Cylinder Robinson & Audin (Wantage) No. 1072 and Barrows (Banbury) No. 1601. Arthur Wedgwood's Foden Wagon No, 5218 (Reg. No. M7287) was seen taking water at a Leamington Spa garage on Whit Monday evening. It left later, to continue its advertising tour, making for Banbury. At Oldbarrow, near Henley-in-Arden, Mr. A. D. Smith's 5 n.h.p. Showman's Engine " Nero ", Burrell No. 3669 (Reg. No. G6470), is now fitted with a new rear axle replacing the one broken some time ago. "Nero " is ex-Bostock & Wombwell and a sister engine to " Rajah ", Burrell No. 3509 (Reg. No. T.H.C. G6469) now owned by Mr. J. P. Swindlehurst of Leek, Staffs.
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WEALD OF KENT Mr. D. H. Harding has sold his Single Cylinder Marshall G.P. Engine No. 59435 to Mr. John Sparks of Outwood, who, in turn, has sold it to a buyer near Elham, Kent. The engine appeared at the Elham Rally on Whit Monday. A start has been made on the rehabilitation of Mr. E. Shirras's Paxman No. 19412 of 1916. Mr. Shims, who had a severe illness some years ago, has been able to do little to it of late, but with the able aid of a volunteer the renewal of the smokebox is well in hand. Wallis & Steevens Advance No. 14187 (1937), owned by H. Camps Ltd. of Tonbridge, continues to be employed on road construction on estates in the Tonbridge district. This is probably the only regularly worked steam roller in West Kent with the possible exception of Wallis No. 7790 (also an Advance) owned by Tunbridge Wells Corporation. Foster Tractor No. 13036, formerly owned by Mr. G. Jarvis of Tenterden, has also gone to the Elham Valley (the buyer is reputed to be Mr. George Marsh but this is not confirmed). The tractor has stood in the open for many years but remained in steamable order though in need of many repairs. R.A.W. WEST OF ENGLAND The season of rallies is here again and two have already taken place in the West. That at Umberleigh in North Devon on June 6th will, no doubt, be reported elsewhere. Unfortunately the weather was very unfavourable and al least two rollers remained on their low-loaders about half a mile from the field. After all the preparatory work and the expenses involved in hiring transporters, it must have been a great disappointment to their owners when the weather prevented them participating in the rally. Other rollers and and rubber-tyred engines which did enter the rally field were immobilised most of the time but considering the conditions it was remarkable that so many people attend this, the first full-scale rally organised by the newly-formed club. ❑bviously a great deal of interest in steam engines exists in North Devon and much of the credit for this must be due to such stalwarts as Messrs. A. G. Coombes, W. H. Balkwill, H. C. Stenner and a few others who have given so much encouragement and practical help to those contemplating the preservation of an engine. They deserve to have a successful( rally and only the weather prevented their first effort from being an outstanding one. The fourth annual rally of the Cornish Traction Preservation Club was held in fine weather at St. Eval on June 20th and 21st, this being the first two-day event of its kind in the West. Attendance on the Saturday was about 3,000 and on the Sunday, 5,000. Saturday's figure would probably have been higher if there had not been so many other events in Cornwall on that day. Fourteen steam engines were present and two organs. Messrs. Anderton & Rowland's instrument was powered by "The Gladiator" and Mr. W. H. Jonas's organ by Mr. Broad's Garrett No. 33353, formerly known as " Prince" but re-named " Chuff ". The rally was officially supported by the S.W. Section of the Veteran Car Club and a varied and interesting assortment of cars, commercial vehicles and motor-cycles took part. By the way, the Veteran Car Club has just opened a museum containing about thirty cars and many relics of early motoring at Cheddar in Somerset. Two recent changes of engine ownership—Mr. J. C. W. Jones of Camborne has sold the Fowler " Jonah " to Mr. G. Hawkins of St. Issey and Mr. H. P. Corin has re-acquired Burrell No. 2417 " Britannia " from Mr. Hooper of Liskeard to whom Mr. Corin sold it about two years ago. Mr. Corin now has four engines and two organs, all of which are kept at his new home at Pensilva, near Liskeard. Work continues on Mr. Solway's Clayton & Shuttleworth Compound Engine which was formerly one of Messrs. Buncombe's fleet of rollers. It is expected to be present at the forthcoming West of England Rally in traction engine form. It has been fitted with rubbers on the hind rolls and an axle and wheels from a derelict Clayton at Canworthy Water have replaced the front roll. The engine has been steam-cleaned and will soon be ready for
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painting. Near Land's End, Mr. Alford's Fowler is nearing completion and those who knew this engine before it went " West " will hardly recognise it now. The big Marshall " Titan " is receiving a few finishing touches and these three engines will be making their first rally appearances on August 22nd. On May 3rd the last steam train to run on the main line between Plymouth and Penzance carried members and friends of the Railway Correspondence and Travel Society and of the Plymouth Railway Circle. The train started from Exeter headed by a Great Western 28xx Class 2-8-0 and at Plymouth a Southern " West Country " Class took over. Now, apart from a few locomotives on the old Southern line between Camelford and Padstow and Bodmin, the only steam selfmoving engines will be our preserved tractions, rollers and wagons. On June 7th the epic run from John o' Groat's by Burrell Tractor " Cock o' the North " ended at Land's End witnessed by a large crowd in brilliant sunshine. Mr. Jack Wakefield and his crew completed the long journey in seven days. They started with 53 cwts of coal and this lasted until they were west of Camborne with less than twenty miles to go. What an accurate estimate of consumption that was ! The " Cock " remained at Land's End on the day after arrival as so many people went to see her and to obtain autographs from the crew. Afterwards the Burrell visited Coombe where she stood beside that other long-distance traveller, McLaren No. 547. There side by side stood two engines which, in their respective classes, had completed probably the longest journeys, but whereas the fast Burrell Tractor had done nearly 900 miles in seven days, it took the McLaren eleven days to do 251. The Mac went so slowly that news of its progress preceded it and many were the interested people who met it on the road. In a way it was a pity that the Burrell was so fast—it ran ahead of its publicity and few were aware of its approach in time to see it. Congratulations to all who arranged and carried out this fine achievement. C.P.G.
The Power Packed (6.0,r„11 Manzel Cylinder Lubricator Ever thought of fitting a 3-point Lubricator giving a separate feed to each port face and a good oiling to the steam itself ? Consult British Manzel Oil Pump Co. Durranhill Eng. Works CARLISLE 21418/9 SINGLE FEED LUBRICATOR Only f6 I2s. Od.
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WORCESTERSHIRE Further to my notes in the last issue of Steaming regarding the Garrett Tractor No. 35986 having been sold from the Stourbridge district to someone in Warwickshire, I am indebted to Mr. E. C. Dunn of Messrs. R. Garrett's
of Leiston for the additional details : " The Registration No. of Garrett No. 33986 is BJ5601 and this engine was quite something when she was built. Ordered by H. Sadler with brassplate on the motion guard E. H. Sadler, Stourbridge, with a brass star on the other side. She was named "Queen Mary " with semi-circular nameplate on the smokebox door, painted dark chocolate and suitably lined out. She had special 14 inch hind wheels fitted and cost £1,488 12s. Od." Midland members will all remember the late Bob Ward who died on the
footplate bringing Cliff James' Fowler Crane Engine " Duke of York " back from Church Stretton Rally in 1962. He always regarded this Garrett tractor as " his " engine and woe betide anyone who interfered with her without seeing Bob first. He was enthusiastically cleaning her up for the 1962 Wollaston Carnival and was looking forward with great excitement to taking " his " Garrett on the road again, but it was not to be. Though I unfortunately missed seeing it, I am told that Mr. J. Wakefield from Hetton-Ie-Hole, County Durham, passed down the High Street of Worcester at a very fast speed indeed with his 5 ton D.C.C. 3 speed Burrell
Tractor No. 3397 Cock o' the North " which I believe has a local Worcestershire Registration No. AB095 though the 0 puzzles me. The Burrell had a water cart in tow on which was a notice saying " John o' Groats to Land's End "! The City of Birmingham Museum of Science and Industry held their Annual Traction Engine Rally in Newhall Street on May 25th and about thirteen engines attended with a couple of newcomers, one of which was Mr. T. G. Hunt's 8 h.p. Burrell Showman's Engine No. 2804 " The Griffin ", built in 1906, which everyone was very pleased to see on the road again. Her Registration No. is DI-12542, and she has had a new chimney fitted, a completely new flywheel made and fitted at the Griffin Foundry with 7+ inch face, one of the twin injectors removed and a geared pump designed, made and fitted at the foundry. This was her first trip out for ten years. Ex-Bob Wilson, she was extensively rebuilt in 1948 at the Griffin Foundry. She was then used by Pat Collins until 1950 when she went into retirement. This was the engine that broke its back axle at Longbridge, Birmingham, about 1950, and was brought back to the foundry by Screen Bros. Burrell Crane Engine No. 3197 (Reg. No. AB8904) where a new axle was fitted. "The Griffin " is an old engine (1900) and was built when engines tended to be heavier than later types. She tops 20 tons in full working order on the weighbridge at Hunt Bros. Foundry. As well as " The Griffin ", another of Mr. Hunt's Burrell Showman's
engines attended the Birmingham Rally, and that was " The Rover " No. 3471 (Reg. No. J3471), which also has had a new chimney made and fitted, motion stripped and refitted, cab repainted and repaired, new twisted brasswork, new front tyres, etc., etc., at the foundry. The Foden 5 ton Wagon which Mr. Arthur Wedgewood is touring the country in was stabled at Mr. Millward's, Lodgefield Farm, Halesowen, Worcs., during March for five days prior to " doing " his advertising tour of Birmingham. The Marenghi Organ owned by Mr. T. G. Hunt of the Griffin Foundry is making rapid progress. The organ front is now complete having been repainted after rebuilding, the new paint and gold leaf making it a very beautiful organ indeed. This 89 key instrument will be trailer mounted and should be seen playing in the not too distant future. "Leader " Foster Showman's 10 h.p. Compound Showman Road Loco-
motive No. 14446 (Reg. No. DH4593). This powerful engine, which is fitted with a flywheel having a 10 inch face, was driven by the Millward Bros. from The Midland Rolling & Haulage Co. Ltd. of Yardley where repairs have been carried out back to Mr. T. G. Hunt's Griffin Foundry. At the
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moment she is without cab or dynamo, but Mr. Hunt is endeavouring to fit both of these items and to continue restoration work on this famous engine which might attend the Old Time Fair at Reading in August. " Nero." A visit by the Millward Bros. to Mr. Smith's residence at Oldberrow, Worcs., was enjoyed last Saturday, June 13th. Mr. Smith, owner of " Nero " Burrell D.C.C., 3 speed, spring mounted, Showman's 5 n.h.p. Road Locomotive No. 3669 (Reg. No. 7???), built 1915, showed good progress being made with this engine, mainly being the replacement of the broken rear axle. Other transmission repairs are being carried out whilst the rear wheels are removed. This work is being carried out in the beautiful grounds of the rectory at Oldberrow where Mr. Smith lives. " Nero " was of course one of the well-known pair of engine " Nero " and " Rajah " that covered so many thousands of miles pulling Bostock & Wombwell's Menagerie all over the British Isles. With Mr. Swindlehurst of Leek, Staffs., owning " Rajah ", we are fortunate in having both of these famous engines preserved in the Midlands area. The Aveling & Porter S.V. Compound Type AF Road Locomotive No. 14677 of Mr. Simmons of Leigh Sinton, Worcs., reported as having been bought ex-Coventry Corporation in earlier editions of Steaming, is making good progress in the overhauling being carried out on her. Mr. Roy Millward informs me that the two large Fowler engines at Messrs. John Thompson's boiler works are being restored by the firm and put into retirement. Any details would be welcomed by your correspondent of the types, numbers, etc. of these engines. It is with regret that I notice the Northleach, Glos. Rally is missing from this year's calendar. For sheer efficiency of organisation and the lack of any delay between one event and the next this rally was a model for all rally organisers to - copy. No meeting with the Worcester City Councillors has yet been held to discuss details of the traction engine rally section of the " City of Worcester Show " held every August week, so we do not know at this stage if an engine rally will be held in our city this year or next. Engines from Hartlebury have been to Kinver Carnival and some hope to attend both the Feckenham Ox Roast and the Wollaston & Stourbridge Carnival to be held this coming Saturday, June 27th. Not having been able to visit the Lamb Bros. yard at Bromsgrove, I am unable to report on their activities but hope for news from there for the next issue. J.L.T.
THE ROYAL ACADEMY 1964 BY OUR OWN ART CRITIC
There was not a great deal to interest the steam engine enthusiast at the Royal Academy this year. No. 703, showing a number of blue overalled figures, looked at first sight like a group in the beer tent at the Bletsoe Rally, but a quick reference to the catalogue showed it to be a group of Breton fishermen by Andrew Freeth, A.R.A. No. 107, Ruskin Spear's " The Peace Ship ", would be of special interest to those of us who combine membership both of the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society and the Committee of 100: but most readers of Steaming would make their way to Gallery IX. Averting their eyes from " Nude No. 2 " by Middleton Todd, R.A., they would be drawn to the south-east corner where Albert Hammond's sensitive pen and wash drawing, No. 940 " Old Steam Tractor " is hung. This shows a Ransome Sims & Jefferies Tractor UE2496 which, from the damaged condition of the canopy, appears to be ripe for restoration. At fifteen guineas, this picture is undoubtedly " Steaming's " selection as the Best Buy at the exhibition.
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NEWS FLASHES John Crowther writes from Long Preston, near Skipton, that in the West of England notes in the Spring issue of Steaming there is reference to Ruston & Hornsby No. 169166 being in preservation in Scotland. This, he says, is quite incorrect, as this engine belongs to him and has spent most of its life in the North Riding. It is a 5 n.h.p. single cylinder engine and was one of the last batch of five completed for stock in 1929. G. Chapman writes from Hockley, Essex, that Poster Showman's Engine No. 3642 (1909), formerly owned by J. Rose of Hounslow, which stood for twelve years in Mr. Parris's yard at Moreton, Essex, has now been sold to Mr. Fred Pegdon of Elham, Kent. Mr. E. Forth writes from Scarborough that he has recently seen Ransome, Sims & Jefferies Portable Class 10S No. 44126 at work in the woodyard at Mahon, belonging to Messrs. Taylors. This engine has had the wheels and forecarriage removed. The fire bars have been removed and the rear end is mounted on a fire brick furnace about 6 ft. square with a firing hole on top through which the driver feeds sawdust and waste wood. He also saw Aveling & Porter 15 ton P.V. Compound Roller No. 8679 (Reg. No. BT8812) working on the A64 at Heslemon. This roller has evidently been a converted traction engine at some time and is fitted with a wire rope, compensating gear and the nearside roller is double pinned. This roller is one of the last two steamers owned by the East Riding County Council. D. Castle writes from Wantage, Berks., that he recently visited the yard of Bomford & Evershed at Binton and the following engines were standing there. Fowler 16 h.p. Ploughing Engines Nos. 14268/9 (Reg. Nos. N0749/50), Nos. 14381/2 (Reg. Nos. N M557/58). Nos. 15194/5 (Reg. Nos. FX6820/1) and Nos. 15208/9 (Reg. Nos. A16405/6). Brian Jones writes from Crymmych, North Pembrokeshire, that he recently spent an afternoon engine hunting and located the following. Marshall Roller No. 80224 lying in a scrapvard in Pembroke in a very bad condition, but not for sale ; Marshall Roller No. 75015 (Reg. No. DE2929) still used by the Borough of Pembroke. and is at present engaged on road works in the town ; Aveling & Porter Roller No. 4064 (Reg. No. DE5535). This 12 ton road roller lies in the Pembroke Borough Council yard and is for sale by tender as scrap metal. It was advertised as not in working order. Miss Kathleen Gregory reports having seen Aveling & Porter Roller No. 7818 (Reg. No. TA2416) belonging to Devon County Council six miles west of Lvnton. The ashpan was down and the engine was sheeted but appeared shabby. Also. in Loxley Woods. between Glastonbury and Bridgwater, she saw Aveling & Porter 8 ton Roller No. 11833 which was in good condition and had been working very recently. Reg. No. YC29. A. D. Wadley writes from Kevnsham, Bristol. that Aveling & Porter Single Cylinder Steam Roller No. 7771 (Reg. No. PC9014) is standing in Surrey County Council yard at Mulford Station, near Godalming, and looks in a rather rough condition. The bunker sides are eaten away with rust but it carries a licence disc expired December, 1963. D. Pinfold of Northampton writes that whilst on a recent holiday in the Isle of Man and in Ireland he came across the following engines. At Laxey, EOM.. was Fowler Roller No. 15814 (Reg. No. MN93901 fitted with tarspraying equipment. This was I.O.M. Highways Board No. 1 and was in steam in preparing for rolling a car park. At Crosby, I.O.M., were two rollers. Fowler No. 16007 (Reg. No. MN9391) and Marshall (Reg. No. MN9389) neither in steam, hut I was told that another Fowler was working at Ballasala. At Dublin. in the dockyard, was Robev Single Cylinder Traction Engine No. 33348 which has apparently been purchased for preservation at Belfast. In the Transport Museum was Fowler Compound Traction Engine No. 15662 (Reg. No. AZ2450). No restoration has been done on this engine, but if it has the same amount done to it as the other exhibits it should look very well indeed. At Larne Harbour was Aveling & Porter Roller No. 14124 (Reg. No. DZ9515), owned by G. Gregg of Larne and last taxed in 1959. This is a Type AC Roller.
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SUBSCRIPTIONS Are your subscriptions due ? Please check. The majority of members are due to renew membership on the 1st September. Please send your subscriptions (£1 per annum) to me, when due, without delay. Reminder cards are an unnecessary drain on Club funds. If you pay by Banker's Order, a new form will reach you in the near future. Please complete the new Banker's Order form for payment of your subscriptions at the Club's new bank. The Club's account has been closed at the previous bank. The form should first be returned to me. (The above reference to Banker's Order is for the attention of members who joined the Club prior to 1964.) JOHN R. BONSER, Membership Secretary.
OVERSEAS MEMBERS When ordering badges and ties, please remember that stamps other than British, fixed to British Postal Orders, cannot be cashed through the Club's bank account. Recent orders for lapel badges from overseas have been despatched, but the Club has not received the value of the stamps attached to the Postal Orders. Will members residing in parts of the world other than the British Isles please make other arrangements for payment unless British Postal Orders can be obtained covering the cost of the order without the addition of stamps. Combining of orders with fellow members often is a solution, avoiding the odd sixpence which causes the trouble. (For Sale to N.T.E. Club Members Only) N.T.E.C. Ties, Blue or Green
... 18 / 6 each
N.T.E.C. Car Badges
... 40/— each N.T.E.C. Lapel Badges (Choice of six designs) 5/6 each Showman's Engine, Traction Engine, Ploughing Engine, Steam Wagon, Steam Tractor, Steam Roller.
Membership Secretary: J. R. BONSER, ESQ., 6 ROKEBY GARDENS, WOODFORD GREEN, ESSEX. Telephone: BUCKHURST 9493.
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McLaren 6 n.h.p. Traction Engine No. 856. New in July, 1905, to F. W. Nobbs of Maiden Neston.
1101: 4 ItIna 50 SYLI0M Raab,
mnstslta.
Sentinel No. 5725 (Reg. No. FK2322). New on the 10th January, 1925, to our member Frank Holl of Worcester.
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FOR SALE OR WANTED For Sale.—Set of two coloured prints, size 4+ in. X 3+ in., plus a 1* in. border, Foster Showman's Tractor and Clayton Traction Engine. Price 5s. 6d. (including postage).—J. Crawley, Field House, Turvey, Bedford. For Sale.—" The Development of the English Steam Wagon " (Clark), 65s. 6d. post paid. Mammoth Gavioli Fair Organ record, 35s. post paid. Send s.a.e. for lists of boks and records.—G. R. Hawthorne, 19 Bridle Path, Woodcote, Reading. Wanted.—Fowler chimney base, 9 ins. deep in centre, to suit 28 in. diameter smokebox. Fowler boiler feed pump with eccentric strap and rod.—G. R. Hawthorne, 19 Bridle Path, Woodcote, Reading. Wanted.—Traction Engine, Steam Tractor, Steam Wagon or any other type of Steam Vehicle in reasonable condition.—R. G. Meredith, Dovedale House, Blockley, near Moreton-in-Marsh, Glos. Wanted.—A copy of " Chronicles of a Country Works," by R. H. Clark. Also maker's catalogues, photographs, etc., of Sentinel—Super, DG, S4 and S6—Wagons and Tractors.—Details to R. M. Collis, 57 Walkford Road, Highcliffe-on-Sea, Hants. Wanted.—Pair of relief valves for cylinder drain cocks as fitted- to Aveling & Porter piston valve cylinder blocks, also complete water pump for Aveling & Porter GND Tractor.—J. R. E. Driscoll, 32 St. Charles' Road, Brentwood, Essex. For Sale.—Set of four coloured prints, size 94- in. X 51 in., plus a 2 in. border. These have been specially printed for framing with special attention to the colour accuracy. The engines depicted are : Fowler Showman's Engine " Kitchener " (The Iron Maiden), Fowler Single Cylinder Ploughing Engine at work, Thornycroft Steam Lorry, and Marshall Traction Engine at work on the drum. Each set supplied in envelope with stiffener. Price 15s. Od. (post paid), from J. Crawley, Field House, Turvey, Bedford. For Sale.—Advertiser can supply new Superheater Coils and Boiler Joints for all Sentinel Wagons and Tractors.—R. Nixon, 24 Georges Wood Road, Brookmans Park, Hatfield, Herts. For Sale.—Set of six new coloured postcards: Burrell Showman's Engine " William V ", Fowler Showman's Engine " Kitchener " ("The Iron Maiden 1, Foden Steam Wagon, Marshall Traction Engine, Burrell Traction Engine, and a Wantage Traction Engine. First class value at 2/6 per set of six (post paid), from : J. Crawley, Field House, Turvey, Bedford. For Sale.—" Evening Star " (2-10-0). The last steam locomotive built for British Railways. A reproduction of the superb painting by Terence Cuneo. Price 30/-, including postage, packing and tax.—James Haworth & Bro. Ltd., Rossendale Works, Chase Side, Southgate, N.14. For Sale.—Due to illhealth it is necessary for me to dispose of a number of my engines. Sensible offers are invited for the following: 12 n.h.p. McLaren Ploughing Engine, Aveling Barford Steam Roller, Ransom's 4 n.h.p. Portable Engine, Fowler 16 h.p. BB Ploughing Engine " Princess ", one 7 Furrow Anti-Balance Plough, one Water Cart, and the following preferably as one lot, one pair of Fowler 16 h.p. BB Ploughing Engines with good ropes, one 6 Furrow Anti-Balance Plough, one Mole Draining Plough, and one Butterfly Harrow (requires attention).—John Crawley, Field House, Turvey, Bedford.
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DIARY OF EVENTS
18th July.—Appleford Traction Engine Rally, Abingdon. Secretary: G. R. Hawthorne, 19 Bridle Path, Woodcote, Reading Berks. 18th July.—Cranbourne, Dorset Traction Engine Rally. Secretary: F. S. Loader, 422 Charminster Road, Bournemouth. 18th and 19th July.—Colchester Traction Engine Rally, Essex. Secretary : C. C. Woodley, 63 Sedgwick Street, Cambridge. 18th & 19th July.—Bellamour Park Traction Engine Rally, Rugeley, Staffs. Secretary: S. I,. Wedgwood, 173 Congleton Road, Biddulph, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs. 18th & 19th July.—Old Leake, Boston, Lincs. Traction Engine Rally. Secretary: Miss E. Smith, Chapel Road, Old Leake, Boston, Lincs. 18th & 19th July.—Wragby, Wakefield, Yorks. 25th July.—Ashcross Traction Engine Rally, Taunton. Secretary: J. Harding, 101 Wembdon Road, Bridgwater, Som. 25th & 26th July.—Kegworth Carnival and Traction Engine Rally. Secretary: N. Brown, 19 Borrowell, Kegworth, Derby. 1st, 2nd and 3rd August.—Woburn Traction Engine Rally. Secretary: J. Crawley, Field House, Turvey, Bedford. 2nd & 3rd August.—Bressingham Hall Traction Engine Rally, Diss. Secretary : A. Bloom, Bressingham Hall, Diss, Norfolk. 3rd August.—Hurst Show, Nr. Reading. 3rd August.—Church Stretton Traction Engine Rally, Salop. Secretary: D. W. Smith, 44 Sandford Avenue, Church Stretton, Salop. 8th & 9th August.—Pickering Traction Engine Rally, Yorkshire. Secretary : J. R. Hardy, Ulleskelf, York. 22nd August.—Woodcote, Reading Veteran Transport Rally. Secretary: G. Rogers, Pen-y-Guent, Beech Lane, Woodcote, Reading. 22nd August.—Redruth West of England Traction Engine Rally. Secretary: M. J. Pearce, 31 Trevu Road, Camborne, Cornwall. 22nd & 23rd August.—Market Bosworth Traction Engine Rally. Secretary : R. A. Lees, 14 St. Catherine's Avenue, Market Bosworth, Nuneaton, Warks. 28th, 29th & 30th August.—White Waltham Old Time Fair and Steam Week-end. Secretary: J. L. E. Smith, Shottesbrooke Park, White Waltham. Maidenhead, Berks. 5th & 6th September. Wistaston Traction Engine Rally. Secretary: S. L. Wedgwood, 173 Congleton Road, Biddulph, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs. 19th & 20th September.—Kelvedon Traction Engine Rally. Secretary : R. D. Smith, Inworth, Kelvedon, Essex. 17th October.—National Traction Engine Club Annual General Meeting followed by the Annual Dinner.
The October issue of Steaming is the Rally Report issue. A write-up, programme showing engines present and suitable photographs should be forwarded to the Editor as soon as possible.
IT APPOINTMENT TO N.M. THE QUOIN
Consult:
HOUSEMAN & THOMPSON LTD. SPECIALISTS IN WATER TREATMENTS AND DESCAtENTS
THE PRIORY • BURNHAM • BUCKS. for
D.M. water treatment
Garrett " Suffolk Punch" Tractor No. 33180. Built in 1919. Whether he is nursing ' a boiler of an Ocean Liner, or a Power Station. for a living, or tending a traction engine for a hobby :
For longer life and greater efficiency Engineers all over the world recommend D.M. Water Treatment. If one is using hard or soft water, the scale or corrosion which results can only be prevented by efficient water treatment. Published by National Traction Engine Club for private circulation Printed by Stnnebridges Printers Ltd., 32 Brereton Road, Bedford