VOL. 9 No, 3
SUMMER, 1965
The Journal of the National Traction Engine Club
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NATIONAL TRACTION ENGINE CLUB
OFFICERS FOR 1965 Chairman : REVD. PIIILIP WRIGHT, M.B.E., Hon.C.F., Roxwell Vicarage, Near Chelmsford, Essex. Tel.: Roxwell 644 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. TECHNICAL SERVICES AND SPARES SECTION BRIAN ORAM, ESQ., Bourne House, St. Mary Bourne, Andover, Hants. (Tel.: St. Mary Bourne 260).
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS FODENS LTD.
BEDFORDSHIRE TIMES LTD.
ALAN DUKE
J. RUSSELL
S. A. HARRISON
THOMAS WOOD & SON LTD.
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CLUB NEWS These notes are being written in June at the height of the Summer which so coincides with great activity in all the aspects of the Rally season. Most members will be engaged in either taking part with engines if owners, or without, if they are not ; in any case most of you will probably be taking photographs of engines. There is an item under each heading to bring to your notice. The last item first. Mr. G. W. Buckley of 482 Hagley Road West, Quinton, Birmingham 32, is a keen photographer and took many views of beaches, etc. whilst on holiday recently in Majorca. Unfortunately when he received the processed colour slides back, thirteen beach scenes were missing ; these had been replaced by thirteen traction engines. It would appear that the latter were taken in the Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire or Bedford area, since engines belonging to Messrs. D. Davis, B. Hailey and T. C. Fensom can be easily identified. If the possessor of unexpected beach scenes reads this, perhaps he would get in touch with Mr. Buckley to effect a " swop ". Each year the City of Gloucester hold a Carnival with a procession through the city. This year this event will be held on Saturday, 24th July. The organisers are the City Entertainment and Publicity Committee and they have extended an invitation to any interested engine owners to take part. Further details may be obtained from the Town Clerk at the Guildhall, Gloucester. There were many manufacturers of traction engines and examples can be seen on the Rally fields of the products of most of them. Although Taskers of Andover were not a large manufacturer, they did, nevertheless, turn out quite a few engines, but this is a make rarely seen. This is probably because the company set about forming a museum of their products and purchased back many of the engines they had made that were still in existence. There are now 23 engines in their collection at Andover. Although the collection is not open to the public, members of this club have been invited by A. B. Fuller, Esq., J.P., a director of the company and the person primarily responsible for the collection, to a private vicwinq day. This is on Saturday, 9th October, 1965, between 12 noon and 5 p.m. No special arrangements or booking is necessary, nor is any charge made for admission, but production of current membership cards will be required. Will those members attending please note that taking photographs will NOT be permitted, but some photographs will be available for purchase. These will be copyright by Taskers and will cover a number of engines, some of which may not be on view. A cold luncheon will be available from 12.30 p.m. to 1.30 p.m. at a cost of 5/- per head and will be available only to persons in possession of a meal ticket. These may be obtained from Mr. E. A. Fillmore beforehand and a definite booking must be made together with a remittance. This is an opportunity to visit something unique in the traction engine world and we trust that many members will avail themselves of this offer. Every year the Chairman has had responsibility for a good part of a big Diocesan Church Stand at the Essex Show. This year he persuaded Leslie Smith to run his fine model (quarter size) of the Wallis & Steevens engine and the Garrett drum for the two days of the show. As a result over 7,000 people were attracted to the church stand ; this is known because each one gets a free leaflet and over 7,000 were given away. The subject was the parable of the sower and many of Philip Wright's old implements were used also to illustrate the theme. Set out below for the information and guidance of members are the comments of an eminent 1- ondon firm of solicitors who number amongst their clients certain professional bodies representing road users. Their comments which affect our activities arose in the course of general correspondence on the subjects mentioned. It is regretted that members individual queries cannot be answered, nor can correspondence on the items mentioned be entertained. Members are recommended to consult their own legal advisers on any specific points and, in order to assist, the relevant legislation is quoted. DRIVING LICENCES It should be noted that in the Road Traffic Act, 1960, Section 257 (a definition clause), it is stated that:
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" Driver, where a separate person acts as steersman of a motor vehicle, includes that person as well as any other person engaged in the driving of the vehicle." Lord Goddard in Wallace v. Major (1946) 2 AER saw this Section (then Section 121 under the 1930 Road Traffic Act) as being designed " especially to meet the case of a steam wagon in which one man is making the wagon go, by working the regulator, etc. . . . , and another person is directing the braking of the vehicle and steering it ". He concluded that the object of calling the steersman a " driver" was to make it possible for him to be liable for negligent driving. However, although a steersman is thus deemed to be a driver, he may be exempt from the provisions requiring drivers of motor vehicles to have licences. See Road Traffic Act, 1960, Section 98, sub-section 4, which reads as follows: " A person may, without holding a licence, act as steersman of a motor vehicle, being a vehicle on which a speed limit of 5 miles per hour or less is imposed under this Act, under the orders of another person engaged in the driving of the vehicle who is licenced in that behalf in accordance with the requirements of this Act." Turning now to the licence which is required by the driver, it is first necessary to look at Section 98, sub-section 1, which states that a person shall not drive a motor vehicle of any class or description unless he holds a licence authorising him to drive a vehicle of that particular class or description. The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations, 1963, divide motor vehicles into groups and it will be seen that, in the Schedule to the Regulations, Road Rollers fall within Group 4. A driver (and a steersman of vehicles which are permitted to exceed 5 m.p.h.) must therefore have passed a test and obtained a licence stating that he is authorised to drive a vehicle in Group 4.
SAGA OF THE STEAM PLOUGH HAROLD BONNETT " I have always been fascinated and inspired by steam engines of any kind, more especially I have liked plough engines," writes Mr. Bonnett. " They seem superior to any other kind of traction engine . I had to write a book about them." His book is a detailed account of the way in which steam power has been used for land cultivation and it describes the social and economic conditions which led to the development of the machine for this purpose. Though essentially a story with a British background, it includes the traces of a story in other parts of the world. While not intended primarily as a technical work it provides a general historical review of steam ploughing and includes lively accounts of the author's personal experiences in actual work in the fields with the steam plough. This book undoubtedly fills an important gap in the saga of the use of steam power for the 36 illustrations. 42s. benefit of man.
PUBLISHED BY
GEORGE ALLEN AND UNWIN LTD.
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McLaren 8 n.h.p. Engine No. 681 " Iron Duke". New to Harris of Hook Norton in May, 1898. Seen at Banbury Cross in 1912.
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Fowler 7 n.h.p. Road Locomotive Class R1 No. 12434. New to Harris of Hook Norton in September, 1911.
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THE UNVEILING OF THE JOHN FOWLER MEMORIAL PLAQUE The unveiling of the John Fowler Memorial Plaque took place at the National College of Agricultural Engineering, Silsoe, on Tuesday afternoon, 13th July, 1965. Sir Gilbert Fleming, Chairman of the governing body of the National College of Agricultural Engineering, announced Mr. John Crawley, who, he said, would now unveil the plaque. Mr. Crawley thanked the Chairman of the governing body, the Governors and Dr. Payne the Principal, for their kindness in accepting this plaque which had been contributed to by traction engine clubs all over the country. He said that he had come here this afternoon purely to witness the ceremony, but due to an urgent telephone call received from Major H. L. Drewitt, O.B.E., President of the Road Locomotive Society, stating that due to circumstances beyond his control he would not be able to be present to perform the unveiling, he, Mr. Crawley, had been asked to step into his shoes with only a few minutes' notice. He therefore apologised for any shortcomings in his address.
Mr. Crawley went on to say that he had very much pleasure in welcoming amongst them today the great great grand-daughter of John Fowler, Mrs. McLeod, and he thought it especially fitting that she should be here today to witness the unveiling ❑f this memorial plaque to her great ancestor. He said that he felt that a great debt was owed to the Chairman and Committee of The Road Locomotive Society for initiating this project as up to the present time there had not been a memorial erected in this country to John Fowler, and whilst there is a memorial at Darlington of the steam plough, he was very proud to have the opportunity of unveiling this, the first memorial to the great man himself.
Mr. Crawley went on to say that at a very early age, as a result of a visit to Ireland and seeing the famine which was rampant in that country, John Fowler returned to Elleland to apply his undoubted talents to the increase of food production. His application of steam power to agriculture or mechanised farming as we call it today. has been one of the greatest benefits to mankind, the result of which was felt throughout the world. and it is most fitting therefore that this plaque should adorn the walls of this college. The plaque, which was sculptured by Hammon Davies wh❑ is a member of the Royal Society of Sculptors, is extremely attractive as can be seen by the photograph on the opposite page. The top right hand corner depicts John Fowler, whilst beneath him in the bottom right hand corner can be seen the farm gate with the horse symbolically being pushed out of the picture, whilst in the middle is the Fowler ploughing engine at work with the plough coming up the field and in the distance the second engine can be seen. In the top left hand corner is the factory of Messrs. John Fowler & Co. (Leeds)
Ltd. which symbolises the engineering industry which grew up as a result of John Fowler's application of steam power to agriculture. After the unveiling ceremony was over, Mr. Crawley assembled all members of The Road Locomotive Society and representatives of the clubs and societies present in an adjoining ante-room and addressed them as follows: Gentlemen, you will no doubt have been very surprised to have seen me perform the very pleasant duty of unveiling the John Fowler Plaque in Place of the President of The Road Locomotive Society. Major H. L. Drewitt, O.B.E. It is my sad duty to have to tell you that the reason for our President not being present is that our Chairman Mr. F. C. L. Stokes died as a result of a heart attack whilst travelling in the car with the President to the ceremony. It was your President's instructions that I carry out this duty, and under no circumstances were you to be told of the sad reason until after the unveiling, as your President felt that it would have been Mr. Stoke's wish that you all enjoy the ceremony and that it should not be marred by the sad passing of one who had done so much work towards the fulfilment of this memorial. Mr. Crawley then called upon the Reverend P. A. Wright, M.B.E., to say a prayer as the members stood in honour of the late Chairman of The Road Locomotive Society.
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John Crawley unveiling the John Fowler Memorial Plaque at Silsoe. Left to right: Doctor Payne (Principal), Sir Gilbert Flemming (Chairman of the Governing Body), G. H. Glover (a Director of Fowler-Marshall Ltd.), Mrs. McLeod (great great grand-daughter of John Fowler), John Crawley, who performed the unveiling.
The Memorial Plaque.
Underneath the plaque is a list of donors,
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EAST ANGLIA Two E.A.T.E.C. winter meetings have to be reported, one an excellent film show kindly presented by J. I. Case & Co., showing scenes of their work in America. The other winter meeting was a report of a previous success, the visit to Fleam Dyke Pumping Station. Here members had the opportunity to inspect a pair of large tandem compound pumping engines, one at work and the other on stand-by. Full credit must be given to the " crews " for maintaining them in wonderful condition. So far this year we have already had many shows, carnivals and fetes with engines attending, but our main event has been the E.A.T.E.C. Rally at Braintree on Whit-Sunday and Monday, organised in conjunction with the Braintree Carnival Committee. We must say that the weather was kind to us, and the rains came after most of the engines had left the field. Two newcomers appeared at the rally, neither could be described as a " traction engine ". Arthur Clarke's 89 key Gavioli organ made its first public appearance at one or our rallies and scored a great success. In fact, the public address system had difficulty in competing with it! The other new arrival was a most unusual Aveling & Porter oil engined roller belonging to Mr. A. G. Walford. Perhaps, it clipped in through the hack entrance, hut even so it attracted a great deal of interest, particularly the steam roller type chimney and copper top. The Whit-week issue of the Braintree and Witham Times looked splendid with a full colour photograph of our " Parade of Traction Engines " taking up the best part of the front page. This was the first rally at which the club's new system of coal allocation was used, the principle being to give each engine enough coal for the journey to the rally and for the two days at the rally. Most engines appeared to leave with full tenders, although it is not known how the allocation was adjusted to suit the oil engined roller! A strong engine group attended the Maldon Midsummer Fair this year, and we were delighted to see the Concours d'elegance go to Jim White's Aveling & Porter roller, in spite of strong competition from the twisted brass secti❑n. The cup for driving skill was won by Jack Shuttlewood. As someone said, "it looked as though he had done it once or twice before! " B.F.B. BEDFORDSHIRE David Harrower of Cockernhoe, near Luton, has been putting the final touches to his 1908 Single Cylinder 7 h.p. Foster Agricultural Engine No. 3682 which he acquired some time ago from Knights of Old. Since he bought it, it has had a new firebox, new tubes, been re-lagged, new bearings, and of course he has carried out the host of other jobs usually associated with a major overhaul of this kind. A small static show at Watford during the Easter week-end included among the eight engines present Luton Traction Engine owner Rex Goddard's Burrell Agricultural Engine No. 3728 " Ironica". He obtained this 7 h.p. single cylinder 1916 engine about two years ago from Mr. Harold Darby of Sutton. near Ely, and has since restored it in Mr. Fensom's yard at Friars. Wash, where he has received a great deal of practical help and expert advice. The engine has ben fitted with a new smokebox and re-lagged, generally reconditioned, very thoroughly de-rusted and very nicely painted. In fact, an example to us all of what can be done with limited means but limitless enthusiasm. At the very successful Herts. Steam Preservation Society Rally at Great Wymondley, Mr. Fensom had an addition to his usual well-known contingent of engines. This was his 1910 Burrell 6 h.p. single crank compound spring mounted Agricultural Engine No. 3126 which he acquired some four years ago from Overman Bros. of Weasenham St. Peter's, Norfolk. This engine has taken some time to restore owing to Mr. Fensom's very many commitments in the steam world. However, it has been well worth waiting for, as it now reflects the vast amount of work that he and his sons, Albert and George, have put into it. This engine has had a new smokcbox and has been re-tubed at the Fensom's old established Agricultural Engineering Works at Colmworth.
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Woburn Park
RALLY Saturday, 31st July and
Sunday, 1st August Gates open 10.30 a.m.
GRAND PARADE commences 2 p.m. on- each day
* Rally Secretary : JOHN CRAWLEY, FIELD HOUSE, TURVEY, BEDFORD
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Incidentally, a recent job at this works has been the re-assembly of a 4 h.p. two speed Burrell Tractor, owned by Mr. Eric Choke of Piggotts End, Hemel Hempstead, Herts. This engine was obtained as a boiler on wheels and a vast quantity of parts. A new set of tubes have been fitted and the job passed by the boiler inspector. Also a new chimney has been supplied. So this means we shall have another local engine making its appearance at our rallies. Last Winter, Harry Woodinp of Yardley Hastings, Northants., took his 1907 7 h.p. Proctor Single Cylinder Agricultural Engine No. 33471 to Mr. NewelIs of Queen's College Farm, Oakley, Beds., to do some threshing. This engine was acquired by Harry some time ago from Messrs. InskiP of Clifton, Shefford, Beds., and was driving his 45 year old Ruston Hornsby Threshing Drum which used to be used by Raunds, Northants. Co-operative Society ❑n their three farms. This job, which lasted two week-ends, gave the local traction engine enthusiasts a great deal of pleasure, and the whole ❑utfit looked very pleasing doing again the job for which it was originally intended. Paddy Patterson of Stevington, Beds., has at last, after about two years of patient negotiation, bought and had taken to his farm the Marshall Single Cylinder Piston Valve Portable Engine No. 89249 that was used in a Saw Mill on the Shuttlewoi Eh Estate al Old Warden, Beds. D.J.P. COTSWOLD Although it is now some time since the last Cotswold area notes, we are still in existence, if somewhat few and far between. Probably the most interesting news is from Swindon, where Messrs. R. Edwards & Sons, the well-known showmen, have commenced renovation in earnest of their 7 n.h.p. Burrell No. 3651 " Kitchener ". This engine has stood unused, but under cover, for about thirty years. After making an excellent start, however, the eldest son, Bob, unfortunately fell ill and has been in hospital, since when work has been at a standstill. We all wish him a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing further progress on this very fine engine. Also stored under cover is Burrell 5 n.h.p. No. 3950 "Progress ", ex Cox of Abingdon. At a later date it is, I believe, hoped to renovate this engine also. Both these engines were originally supplied new as haulage engines, and were later purchased by Messrs. Edwards, converted by them to showman's, and used ❑n the fairground as such for some years before being laid up. From their collection of derelicts at Fairford, Messrs. Edwards have sold another traction engine. This is a Fowler 7 n.h.p. S.C., believed to be No. 13140 (confirmation or correction please), which has gone to the Reading area. Without doubt this was by far the best of the engines there, being basically very sound. with little wear, but unfortunately rather rusty and robbed of a number of fittings. The last commercial owner was near Hungerford, Berks., and before that the engine belonged to and was used by Mr. Vines of Hardwicke, Gloucester. Another acquisition by Messrs. Edwards is a Davey Paxman colonial engine converted to portable. I have not seen this or obtained full details yet, but will try and do so for the next area notes as it sounds interesting. In the north of the area, Neville Melhuish of Chipping Norton has sold his Wallis Simplicity Roller to a Mr. Herbert of Redditch who is overhauling it. I believe the boiler has been to Midland Rolling at Birmingham for re-tubing and other minor repairs. Neville's Fowler S.C. No. 11699 " Pride of Hanley Castle " is out of hibernation and was at the Birmingham Science Museum Rally in May. From there it was taken to Worcester for the rally there later in the year. At nearby Hook Norton, a new enthusiast whose name I do not know, has acquired a roller from Passey's of Benson. This is an Aveling & Porter 8 ton slide valve single, and is reported to be in good order, As yet I do not know the works number of this engine. Further south, near Malmesbnry, the two very derelict portables near Braydon Pond have been sold. Joe Powell of Ashton Keynes has acquired the very aged Brown & May of 1872, and towed it home with his Garrett "Lord Raglan ", The Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies has been acquired by
STEAMING
J. Proctor's Burrell " John Bull" No. 2796, a double crank compound of 8 n.h.p. Built 26th February, 1906.
W. Payne's Burrell "Lusitania" No. 2868, a double crank compound of 6 n.h.p. Built 15th December, 1906.
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tti
Cylinder Lubricators MARINER
A drop every moment, not once a week protects the machinery and makes it run sweet ! BEFORE the next Rally, be it Woburn or Warrington, be advised and have the Cylinder Lubricator and its terminal Check Valve RECONDITIONED for as little as £3. Post them to the makers :
WM. COULTHARD & CO. LTD.. DURRANHILL, CARLISLE
INSURANCE for Steam Vehicles Special Terms for Club Members Write to :
TENNANT, BUDD & SIMSON LTD. 92 Fenchurch Street, London, E.C.3
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53
another new enthusiast in the Malmesbury area. This engine is a 5 n.h.p. S.C. of about 1890 or 1900—the maker's number has been obliterated. Another job for " Lord Raglan" was to attend a Carnival at Stroud on Whit-Monday in aid of Cancer Research. As I was away at the time I was not able to oblige with one of my own engines—progress details on these are given below in conclusion to these notes. The Foster single has been completely reassembled and repainted. It has now been driven to Sheepscombe tor the titling of a new front ring to the smokebox and repairs to the spud pan. After this it is possible that the engine will be sold as I cannot find sufficient time to run three engines. The Fowler single has been stripped down for overhaul of the motions and plumbing. At present it is at a local engineering works for some welding —tender repairs, a new spud pan, and a strengthening plate in the bottom of the smokebox. It is hoped to steam it about August or September before being laid up for the winter, when further work such as re-lagging the boiler will be carried out. Last, but certainly not least, the Burrell No. 3917 has now had new rubbers on the front wheels, though I have not yet managed the back ones. A round trip of about 100 miles over Easter to the Rally at Madley, near Hereford, was accomplished with every satisfaction, and no trouble apart from the packing blowing out of the water gauge on the return journey. Since then the engine has been steamed several times for pleasure or odd jobs, and on June 19th attended a village tete at Leonard Stanby where it attracted much attention and interest. R.C.J.W. DEVON It is with much regret that 1 have to record the sudden death of a wellknown Devon steam enthusiast, Fred Stenner, on March 9th, at his home at Eggesford, at the age of 60 years. Fred was a keen and devoted follower of steam, and his experience and knowledge of engines was extensive, particularly Burrells, which he had driven and worked with in his earlier days in threshing and contracting, and his enthusiasm in more recent times towards engine preservation, and his cheerful, helping hand and friendly advice to our younger engine owners in particular was always valued and will be greatly missed. Another obituary to record is the destruction of Exeter's last working steam roller, well known to many, Messrs. Glossop's veteran Single Cylinder Aveting No. 4988 (Reg. No. FX6938), which was cut up at their Pinhoe yard during the week ending October 17th, 1964. It is known that the firm had been approached on a number of occasions by persons interested in saving the engine, but as has happened elsewhere to engines owned by this concern, she was marked down for scrap and it seems last minute attempts to save it were ignored. She was still in working order as far as is known, although in shabby condition. For some years now, this old Aveling was the only steamer to work in the City of Exeter, since the City Council's 14 ton Marshall was cut up in 1958 and Messrs. King's Asphalt removed their Burrell No. 4061 (Reg. No. U0945) to other parts soon after, and it is thus a great pity that No. 4988 has been scrapped, for we are unlikely to see steam power used again in the city's streets, and local and historical significance alone was more than justification for her preservation, either workable or static. As City of Truro's Fowler roller has now been sold, it appears that municipally owned steam rollers are extinct as far as the West Country is concerned. Work continues on several other engines in the county, in preparation for the Devon Club's Rally scheduled for June 12th and again to be held at Umberleigh Barton, North Devon. Mr. D. E. Dicker has fitted a new smokebox to his Wallis Expansion Engine, and Mr. Jim Muxworthy is making considerable progress in rebuilding his veteran 1894 Marshall Traction No. 23368 (Reg. No. TA2758). He used his little Babcock Roller No. 95/4011 (Reg. No. YB7978) during the late autumn on a rolling job on Exmoor, laying in a new roadway to an isolated
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ark.
Charles Thurston's Burrell " King Edward V11" No. 2780, a 8 n.h.p. double crank compound. Built on the 1st November, 1905.
J. Studt's Burrell "Prince Albert" No. 3279, a 8 n.h.p. double crank compound. Built on the 9th March, 1911.
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farm, which involved some steep stretches amidst magnificent scenery, well recorded in tine film by our member Mr. Trigger. I understand that Mr. George Tribe is about to build a canopy for his Compound Aveling Traction No. 6407 (Reg. No. TA2759)—more for protective purposes than appearances! After standing derelict for a long time in North Devon the little 4 h.p. S.C. Marshall Portable No. 36382 (Steaming, October, 1962) was recently removed to South Molton Road and is understood to have gone to Lamb of Bromsgrove. Anther derelict old Marshall Portable that has stood, partially scrapped, for many years on Lord Exmouth's estate near Christow (8 miles west of Exeter) suffered an inglorious end early in March, when it was " knocked up " by local gipsies. As most of the easily removable brass had long ago vanished, including the maker's number plate, the identity of this A.G.C. old portable will probably now remain unknown. EIRE In May, 1965, I was in Belfast, N. Ireland, and the Transport Museum in Belfast has a Fowler Traction Engine Compound No. 15662 in preservation. This engine, I understand, was donated by the Belfast Corporation. While in Belfast I called in at the yard of J. & J. Harkness, Cartage Contractors, and saw the following two engines in steam after their day's work in the docks and shipyards of Belfast pulling loads, i.e. castings, etc.: Garrett Tractor No. 3341 of 1919 and Garett Tractor No. 33545 of 1919. This firm also has Garrett Road Locomotive " Vera " on rubbers, which is only used when ships are being launched, as it does some particular job. This firm also has Garrett Tractor No. 33348 of 1918 which is used only for snare parts. It is interesting to note that Messrs. J. & J. Harkness also have two engines at work every day in Belfast in this year and age. One of the drivers told L.D. me that the Garrett tractors could easily pull 40 to 50 tons. N. STAFFS. & CHESHIRE The first major turn-out of engines was to the Biddulph (Staffs.) Carnival, Steam Party and Barbecue, when eight engines paraded through the town and on to the field. Everyone was given a great reception and the day was a great success. Two fine entries at this event were Colin Dale's Burrell S.C.C. " Little Mac " No. 2950 towing living van, travelling workshop and water-cart, and Jim Dakins' Foster Compound " Winnie " No. 12539 towing Foster 54 in. threshing base, living can and water-cart. On the following day the latter outfit travelled over thirty miles to Draycott, ready for the Steam flatly a fortnight later, and caused much excitement during the fifteen miles of built-up area through the Potteries. The immaculate Burrell Special Scenic " Ex Mayor " No. 4000 represented the club at the Castle Howard Old Time Fair, driving the lights on Sam Crow's dodgems. Burrell Showman's " Rajah " No. 3509 drove lights and organ at the Fair at Endon Well Dressing over the Whit week-•end. Restoration is proceeding steadily on the unique single speed Ruston & Proctor No. 51737 of 1913. Built as a straw burner for export to Argentina but never shipped, it was commandeered by the War Office and converted to Class S.P. and eventually ended up literally inside a hill on Anglesey, where it was discovered by Jack Doyle who towed it home behind a Land Rover. Burrell Road Locomotive " City of Exeter " No. 3395, ex the late, and very much missed Jack Sandham. has been sold to Mr. Crowther of Long Preston, so no doubt the North Country lads will soon be seeing her. Fowler Roller No. 18663 is at present undergoing the full treatment in the back garden of Eric Brown in Burton-on-Trent. Brian Nicholson's Marshall Traction Engine No. 78085 " Lindy Lou " has been re-tubed and is being repainted. This Marshall has done very little work and is mechanically perfect. The Sentinel S.4 Wagon No. 8884, ex Geo. Davis of Liverpool, which appeared last autumn in chassis form, is rapidly being completed from the
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supply of new spares acquired in the Isle of Man and brought home as personal luggage by various enthusiastic Sentinel holiday-makers. Interest in vans and trailers increases. Alan Barber has acquired a showman's living van to go behind his Foden Traction No. 2654, and Geo. Lea another one to go behind the Foden " D " Tractor No. 13222. Work is going on under the eagle eye of W. J. Hughes on the ex Wedgwood, ex Criddle's of Liverpool, Super Sentinel Tractor No. 5558 (Reg. No. PD1854). The Mann Tractor "Tiny Tim " No. 1287 had a good run to the Biddulph event in the capable hands of Alan Baker, its performance being very encouraging to all those who have done so much work on ft. The 7 n.h.p. Burrell S.C.C. Traction Engine, number at present unknown, from Bickerstaffe, Lanes., has come into the Cheshire area, and we look forward to seeing it at our events. J.P.S. SOUTH YORKSHIRE The main event in this part was the Wilsic Hall Rally held on 22nd/23rd May, for which we were favoured with good weather until the prizegiving on the Sunday, when a short stoma intervened, and held up proceedings for quarter of an hour. Travelling down to this event Ted Meadoweioft had the misfortune to pick up some water which had a high detergent quality with his Fowler Showman's " Prince of Wales " No. 14948, and this made some tubes leak. However, he managed to arrive at Wilsic Hall, and by feverish work on the Saturday morning and a good wash out, helped by G. E. Liversidge's Tanker " Prince " No. 8992 (Reg. No. TI4148) just made the opening Grand Parade, which shows the stout stuff engine owners are made of. The trophy for the best engine was carried off by Mr. J. M. Crowther of Lung Ridding>, Pleston, with his line Aveling & Porter Tractor " Oberon " No. 11839 (Reg. No. SM6448) and who also won a five gallon drum of cylinder oil by travelling the longest distance. A full report will be given in the next issue. Following our Rally, members headed their engines towards Lincoln to take part in the event at North Hykeham, whilst the showmen's engines made for the Steam Fair at Castle Howard. The two Fowlers belonging to J. & R. Reynolds recently carried out an unusual job of keeping a brickworks in action for seventeen hours a day, whilst the boiler was under repair. These were Fowler No. 15323 " Excelsior " (Reg. No. HR3697) and Fowler No. 14893 (Reg. No. WW3643). The Aveling & Porter Tractor No. 9228 has been taken to Wistaton, Cheshire, to Jackson's for overhaul by its owner W. Payne, who recently had the misfortune to spend a couple of weeks in hospital, but is now out and about again, and attending rallies with his model engine " Little Giant " just to keep his hand in. The Garrett Showman's Tractor No. 33459 " Samson " (Reg. No. '1t64) attended the Steam Fair at Castle Howard with its owner Mr. A. Gosney of Sheffield, and Ted Meadowcroft took his Fowler " Prince of Wales ". Mr. L. C. Byass also made the journey with his Foster Showman's No. 14632 " Success " (Reg. No. AAU370) together with the 89 key Gavioli organ. A portable engine has been found to replace the dummy one at present on Screeton's Gallopers (ex Percy Sheran) and is at present being overhauled, and will eventually be fitted, to make this marvellous ride steam-powered once again. Some stripping down work has been done on the Fowler Engine No. 11111 owned by P. Screeton, and overhauling is in progress. The Fowler Roller owned by A. Fearnley has been overhauled and relagged, and recently was tried out for a couple of days on a small working job. This is No. 19353 (Reg. No. YG914). The Sentinel No. 5407 (Reg. No. FA1803) which used to belong to Mr. L. D. Hadfield of Sheffield has been sold to Mr. Winkfield of Bletchley, and was due to take part in the Rally at Great Wymondley at Whitsuntide. The Rally scheduled for 21st/22nd August at Nostell Priory, had to be brought forward to June owing to the field being ploughed up, and members should now erase this date from their calendars. .K .11.
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8 n.h.p. Burrell Road Locomotive No. 2701 "Black Prince". New to Harris of Hook Norton in September, 1904. Later owned by J. Hickey & Son. Converted to a showman's engine for Fred Gray of Hampstead. Now in preservation.
Murphy's Burrell "Tucker" No. 3547 (Reg. No. FT643), a 8 n.h.p. double crank compound. Built on the 19th February, 1914. Here seen with a broken axle.
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Super Sentinel DG6 No. 7953 (Reg. No. KP8414). New in 1929 to Thomas Wood & Son Ltd. of Swanky, Kent.
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WALES & BORDER COUNTIES Now that the tar-spraying season is here once more the rollers of Wales are again hard at it. Those seen at work recently were the two AvelingBarford 8 ton singles owned by the Borough of Rhondda, the Aveling & Porter 12•} ton compound owned by Mountain Ash U.D.C., and the Aveling & Porter 8 ton Class AB compound owned by Cardiganshire C.C. The little 8 ton compound Fowler No. 15489 (Reg. No. CA6327) mentioned in the previous notes on Denbighshire C.C. has been bought by Lloyd Jones Bros. of Llanfair D.C., Ruthin ; though intended for spares for their similar late type other Fowler cx Merioneth C.C., she was found to be too good to butcher in this manner and has ben put back to work on hire to her previous owners Denbighshire County Council! A small private Steam Party was recently held at "The Ashe ", Bridstow. Ross-on-Wye, the borne of member D. C. Hackett, both the veteran Hornsby 8 n.h.p. S.C. No. 5997 and the Wallis 3 ton Tractor No. 2811 being steamed. A very enjoyable afternoon's steaming was experienced by all present, and the hospitality being first class. I understand that the Sentinel tarsprayer owned by D. Hawkins of l'Ontycymmer has been sold to Mr. Honeychurch of Shrewsbury. This is a DG type No. 8070 of 1929. WARWICKSHIRE Further meetings of Warwickshire traction engine enthusiasts have been held. In April twenty people met at Mr. A. Palmer's home in Henley-inArden. A general discussion was followed by a show of films of rallies and engine restoration work. The May meeting was held at Hockley Heath, when forty people gathered at Jack Marshall's home to see his Ransome Agricultural Engine No. 15012 (Reg. No. N04034) in steam for the first time since his renewal of the topwork. The meeting later moved to a nearby hall where the formation of the Warwickshire Steam Engine Society took place. Mr. A. Palmer was elected Chairman, Mr. R. J. Blenkinsop Vice-Chairman, and Mr. T. H. Charman Secretary. The meeting was concluded by showing films brought along by members. Oldberrow House, home of Mr. A. D. Smith, was the June meeting place. A large field was made available and Mr. Marshall steamed his Ransome over from Hockley Heath and permitted members to try their hand at driving and steering. A short length of temporary track was laid down the drive and Mr. Smith's 2 ft. gauge railway locomotive " Lady T iixborough " was kept busily running up and down throughout the evening. The locomotive is an outside cylinder 0-4-0 saddle tank built in 1918 by W. G. Bagnall, No. 2088. Members were also able to see Mr. Smith's Burrell Showman's Engine " Nero No. 3669 (Reg. No. G6470) on which work continues. A new set of tubes have arrived and it is hoped that the engine will be in steam by September. Mr. A. Palmer has bought the last Warwickshire County Council steam roller. This is Aveling & Porter No. 11236 (Reg. No. NX8887) which was built in 1925. It is a 6 n.h.p., single cylinder, piston valve engine of 10 tons and was allocated to the Shipston-on-Stour depot. At the time of purchase the roller was at Bomford & Evershed's works at Salford Priors in anticipation of repairs being carried out. Mr. Palmer steamed the roller from Salford Priors to Shinston-on-Stour to collect a living van which he has also bought from the W.C.C. and then returned via Stratford-on-Avon to Wootten Warren where the roller and van are being kept. The most urgent of the repairs required has been completed, this was the welding of a crack in the firebox. The roller is now going to be used to roll a new road on the farm where it is kept, after which it is to be re-tubed and generally overhauled. This work, which is expected to take up most of next winter, will be followed by the repainting of the roller. Mr. T. D. Brown of Shirley took his ex-Merionethshire County Council roller to the Birmingham Rally which was held on May 16th. This 8 ton compound is Fowler No. 21629 (Reg. No. FF4913) and was built in 1937.
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Also present was Mr. A. J. Barton's roller Fowler No. 15935 (Reg. No. NX3268) which has now been named " Kenilworth ". This was its first rally and it was steamed from Kenilworth to attend it. Other Warwickshire engines present were Mr. J. Marshall's Ransome, Mr. R. G. Snodin's Foden Wagon No. 848 (Reg. No. DD4894), and Mr. J. R. Harding's D.G. Sentinel Tractor No. 9236 (Reg. No. AAM483) which was built in 1936. Neville Meihuish of Chipping Norton again supported the Birmingham Rally. This year he brought " The Pride of Hanley Castle", a 7 n.h.p. single cylinder Fowler Agricultural Engine No. 11699 (Reg. No. AB9028) which was buit in 1909. Mr. F. Lobb's Showman's Engine "Sparkle ", Burrell No. 1945 (Reg. No. CF3355), attended the third annual Whit-Monday Rally at Stanford Hall, near Rugby. This was the first time a showman's engine had appeared at a Stanford Hall rally and it was arranged that " Sparkle " would generate for an organ which was expected. Unfortunately the organ was unable to attend and so " Sparkle ", after joining in the grand parade, was positioned alongside Screeton Bros. gallopers where it made a fine picture as it stood generating for its own lights. T.H.C. WEALD OF KENT A rally (not organised by the Weald of Kent Club) was held at Detling on May 29th, and Mr. D. Eastwod took five of his engines—Burrell Showman No. 3285, Burrell three speed 5 n.h.p. No. 3941, Fowler Road Loco No. 9456, Allchin G.P. No. 3251 and his Advance Roller. A sixth engine, Garrett No. 34461, a No. 4 compound tractor converted to a roller by the late Mr. C. W. Lambert, was unable to go as it was undergoing a reconversion back to a tractor and this is well under way, though as harvesting, hop-picking and fruit-picking are approaching it is unlikely that the job will be completed until the winter. The Wallis & Stevens Advance No. 7972 owned by Fordyce Bros. of Orpington continues to appear from time to time on roadworks, immaculately maintained by " Smoky ' Joe Sheppard its driver. It is reported, however, that a similar engine (No. 7790) owned by Tunbridge Wells Corporation will finish work when this year's boiler insurance runs out. Repairs to Mr. R. A. Whitehead's Wallis Oil-bath Tractor No. 7289 (1912) have been proceeding throughout the winter. Work executed to date consists of a new firebox, front tube plate and tubes, refacing of the throttle valve and port face, new smokebox, reconstruction of the front spring assembly, reconditioning of all boiler mountings and a new tender (not yet finished). In the scrap dealer's yard at nearby Strood of M. Lynch & Sons. I examined an Aveling & Porter Compound Roller No. 8550 (Reg. No. KM512), weight 8 tons, which had recently arrived from the nearby Rugby Portland Cement Company at Halting (obvious from the cement dust caked on everything). Originally it was owned by K.C.C. I understand that the firm are to restore the roller and keep it as a showpiece as they have done with a Ruston & Proctor Portable No. 52279 Single Cylinder 5 n.h.p. and standing on the roof of a weighbridge building. Also in their yard is an Aveling & Porter Single Cylinder S Type No. 12590 Oil-driven Roller with twin flywheels, weight 8 tons. This has been used by M. Lynch & Sons to roll parts of their yard but is in a sadly neglected condition and was previously owned by Amalgamated Roadstone Company or Corporation. It is understood that it is not intended to cut either of these up for scrap but the fate of the oil-driven roller is uncertain. R.A.W. /F.J.B. WEST OF ENGLAND Probably the first public appearance of a traction engine in the West this year was when at Easter " Trevithick " (Ruston & Hornsby No. 169167) visited the motor-cycle grass-track racing near Hayle and as an added attraction to the afternoon's events was invited to parade around the arena. Her slow, silent and stately movement was in complete contrast to the noisy motor-cycles. Mr. George Symons, himself a well-known racing man in the Isle of Man T.T. races in the early 1920s, drove his engine and Miss K. M. Gregory was "steersman ".
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GEORGE TIIIILOW & SONS LIMITED
STOWMARKET • SUFFOLK 'Phone : STOWMARKET 3185 (3 lines)
Solicit enquiries for items they can supply for Steam Engines, amongst same are :— BOILER TUBES CHIMNEYS WITH OR WITHOUT BRASS OR COPPER TOPS INJECTORS, GAUGES, ETC. PACKINGS
PAINTS
SUCTION HOSE
ENGINE AND CYLINDER OILS All enquiries will receive prompt and careful attention Over twenty Cornishmen made the long journey to the Beaulieu Rally at Whitsun by coach. Also, during the Whitsun week-end, " Gladiator" with Messrs. Anderton & Rowland's organ made their usual contribution to the Redruth Whitsun Fair. "Gladiator" was a very fine sight, having just been professionally re-painted in original colours. What a sight it must have been years ago when several such engines were lined up and generating at Redruth Fair. We must, however, be thankful that " Gladiator" still remains to refresh memories of the older admirers and to demonstrate to the younger generations what an impressive form of silent power preceded the present diesels. The Redruth Gladiator Club is certainly spreading a great deal of pleasure as well as contributing to charities. The Devon Traction Engine Club were again unlucky with the weather when they held their second Rally at Umberleigh on June 12th. As they had such bad weather last year, and as the morning of the 12th was anything but promising, it was surprising and very gratifying to see so many people present. Obviously, there is great interest in the movement in North Devon, and in spite of the weather the large crowd evidently thoroughly enjoyed a good show. No doubt our Exeter correspondent "A.G.C." will supply a full account of this rally elsewhere. Once again the Cornish Traction Preservation Club's Rally on June 19th and 20th was held at St. Eval in good weather—in fact the Sunday was such a glorious day that many people who would probably have attended if it had ben cooler or cloudy, could not resist the call of the Cornish beaches and the attendance at the rally was rather less than last year. The rally was opened by Mr. Jim Lewis of Yeovil, well known as a frequent contributor to World's Fair and as a life-long lover of steam engines, with many years' experience of driving showmen's locomotives. Mr. Lewis also co-operated with Mr. Mills with the commentaries. Among the interesting assortment of veteran and vintage cars and motorcycles present was a 1901 Locomobile Steam Car from Caine, Wiltshire. Two of the engines resident at Coombe, Camborne, were steamed the thirty miles to the rally. "Bo Peep" A. & V. No. 5541 (Reg. No. PP581) belonging
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to Mrs. Pettitt, was driven by Mr. F. G. Dobbs. As " Bo Peep " requires a fill-up of water every three miles, and as watering places are more widely spaced than that, she has to be attended by a car with a water tank. My estate car will just accommodate a 30 gallon tank at the rear, and this makes a very convenient method of taking water to " Peep " and saves a lot of time on the Tourney. The return journey to Coombe was made in drenching rain on the day after the rally. McLaren No. 547 was driven by my younger daughter Kathleen, and the writer attended to firing and manipulating the pump. We did not leave Coombe until late as it was not decided whether to take the Mac or not until the Friday evening so she was late arriving at the field on the Saturday. Mr. Winn drove the engine most of the way home on Thursday last, but a lot of time was lost owing to a gauge glass packing up and suitable rubber rings could not be located so asbestos string and graphite were substituted and the journey was resumed to within five miles of home where we parked the engine as it was too late to continue driving. Kathleen was again steering, and she and Mr. G. Symons completed the trip on the following morning. It was Mr. Winn who in 1958 drove the Mac the 251 miles from Great Tew to Coombe, and he is still keen enough to come all the way from his home at Bude to grasp any opportunity of driving. " Trevithick," with a new chimney and nicely cleaned up, set out for St. Eval, but after getting half-way a serious leak occurred in the underside of her tank and to her owner's great disappointment she had to be abandoned. " Trevithick " is now at Mitchell awaiting a new bottom plate for her tank. At the rally, in contrast to the diminutive " Bo Peep " was the huge McLaren Plougher " Hero ". This engine develoned tank leakage when returning from the West of England Rally last year. Since then a new tender and tank have been made and fitted by her undauntable crew, the brothers C. and R. Daniels and R. Wood. They have made a very substantial job of it and although not yet finished the engine was able to take her nart in the rally much to the astonishment of many who had thought it impossible to get her ready in time. Two organs were playing to large audiences, " Gladiator " providing the power for Messrs. Anderton & Rowland's organ and Mr. B. H. Broad's Garrett doing likewise for Mr. Jonas's imposing instrument. Mr. H. James's Marshall No. 34022 was almost unrecognisable in her smart new paint, and outstanding in splendour was Mr. Alford's Fowler " Brunel " and Mr. Gillbard's Marshall " Cressing Temple ", both brought by transporter and consequently immaculate on arrival. Another much-improved engine was the S.C.C. Burrell No. 2417 " Britannia ". now owned by Mr. R. G. Phillips of St. Austell and formerly by Mr. H. P. Corin. Messrs. R. Dingle & Sons contributed the Wallis & Steevens ' Advance " Roller No. 8095 " The Favourite " conspicuous in her orange livery. and Mr. G. Hawkins was
represented by his Fowler Tiger Tractor " Firefly " (with a tiger's tail protruding from the tank!), his Wallis Oil-bath Tractor and his Robey Express Tractor " Barbara " as well as the McLaren Pioughcr. " Firefly " drove a children's roundabout during the rally. Messrs. Conoley & Co.'s fine Marshall Roller " Hilda " was also present. and a newcomer to Cornwall was a smart A. & P. Tractor No. 6093 (Reg. No. D2800) now owned by Mr. Sleeman of Newquay. I saw this tractor at Alton Towers a few years ago when it was in a rough state, and apart from the registration index it is hardly recognisable as the same engine as it has been equipped with showman's fittings and nicely re-painted. With it was a very useful trailer with a 200 gallon water tank and ample accommodation for tools and sundries. No Cornish rally would be complete without Mrs. Mewton's Burrell
" Millenium King ", Mr. Hooper's A. & P. " Jubilee " and Mr. C. H. Parsons's " Cornish Maid ", and this trio was present as usual. An interesting assortment of ploughing equipment as used many years ago was disnlaved and the uses of the various relics explained by Mr. R. Morse to keenly-interested viewers who had little idea as to how land cultivation was carried out when horses were the only source of power available. A " Steam Get-together " will be held at Coombe, Camborne. on July 24th, at which about ten engines are expected to be in steam. This is primarily for members of the " Great Western Society ", but any member of the N.T.E.C. or of the R.L.S. or other similar organisation will be welcome.
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The tenth West of England Rally will be held near Redruth on August 21st and this year we hope to have a models tent again. The models exhibition was a great feature of our first rallies, but owing to the untimely death of the late Mr. E. Bowden who organised it with Mr. Richards, we have had no such display for several years. The Fowler Compound Roller No. 18873 (Reg. No. CV3579) has been sold by Truror City Council to Mr. Wheeler of Lanlivery, Lostwithiel. The new owner has an cnginering business and has the fadilities as well as the will to carry out the necessary repairs. Mr. C. H. Parsons has sold his Merryweather Fire Engine to Mr. H. P. Corin of Pensilva. This was supplied new to Lostwithiel in 1904 and is now being extensively restored. The Clayton & Shuttleworth Compound Traction No. 48279 is now at Mr. R. Morse's premises near Redruth. She has been purchased by Mr. D. Solomon of Blackwater who has removed the tubes and is now awaiting a boiler inspector's visit. The engine was propelled from Marazanvose by two large tractors, one pulling and one pushing. Her last owner, Mr. G. Solway, died suddenly recently and sympathy is expressed to his bereaved family. Mr. D. Solway, his sou, has just plepated the C. & S. liautiutt couvetted hum C.P.G. roller, for hydraulic test.
ORGAN RECITAL AT TURVEY (Midway Bedford - Northampton)
SATURDAY, AUGUST 7th Don Robinson's well-known 89 Key Gavioli Organ powered by John Crawley's Burrell No. 3610 " William V " will be playing from 3 p.m. onwards.
Donations in aid of Turvey Church gratefully received.
REFRESHMENTS AVAILABLE.
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WORCESTERSHIRE Work has continued during the winter and spring at Hartlebury on the repairs and reconditioning of several of the engines which Mr. Eric Middleton kindly allows us to store there. Mr. David Walker has been reassembling his Burrell Showman's Engine " Princess Marina " No. 3847 (Reg. No. CL4483) now that he has got his boiler back again with a new firebox fitted to it and has fitted new brake rings on the rear wheels. Mr. Robert Millward is also reassembling his Ruston " Lincoln Imp " No. 52607 (Reg. No. HP2201) after welding repairs in the backhead along the foundation ring. Mr. M. G. Troman's ex Caerphilly U.D.C. Aveling & Porter Roller No. 14061 (Reg. No. TG447) is looking very much different to when I wrote the last report about her in the September, 1964, issue. Mr. W. G. Stacey is doing what he can when the opportunity occurs to renovate his Brown & May Roller No. 8130 (Reg. No. BP9887) and return her to the tractor she was before being converted to a roller by Easton & Johnson of Taunton some time in the 1930's. Mr. Frank Holl has persuaded Mr. Neville Meluish to lend him the Fowler Agricultural Traction Engine " Pride of Hanley Castle " No. 11699 (Reg. No. AB9028), Worcestershire Traction Engine Register No. 117. So we now have an engine back home on her home ground again after many years. Mr. Holl remembers seeing her new on show at the Worcester Show at Pitchcroft in 1904, when she was purchased by Messrs. Tilt Bros. of Hanley
Castle, Worcestershire. I have recently driver her round Mr. Middleton's field at Hartlebury and she is in remarkably good order for her age.
The main event of the season around here will be the City of Worcester Show on Pitchcroft at the end of July. Engines will be on show in steam on Friday, July 30th, and the rally proper will be held on Saturday, July 31st. Several meetings have been held between us and the city councillors responsible and at least twenty engines are expected to attend which should include several newcomers. Mr. T. G. Hunt has kindly promised to bring his organ that I have mentioned above together with " The Leader " and " The Rover". A small Steam Party was held at Hartlebury on April 11th and Mr. Millward brought his Garrett " Rob Roy " down from Halesowen. He loaded the tender and several transmission parts on his trailer off the " Lincoln Imp" Ruston which is owned by his brother Robert and took them back to his
home for general overhaul. Mr. R. Brazil from Chesham, Bucks., came to the Millwards' home at Lodgefield Farm, Halesowen, on his way to the Birmingham Rally. He brought his Foden Tractor No. 13266 " Pride of Bucks." on a low-loader. She also started her journey from Halesowen to Birmingham on the lowloader, but after about a mile the low-loader broke down so the Foden had to be lit up and unloaded and she towed the low-loader back to Halesowen and then went to Birmingham under her own steam. The low-loader was repaired the next day (Monday) and that night at 11.30 p.m. the Foden was loaded up again which was an awkward job that took several hours and the Millwards got to bed at 4.30 a.m. they tell me. New engine at Birmingham Rally. Mr. Marshall from HockIey Heath has recently bought a Ransome, Sims & Jeffries Agricultural Engine No.
15012 and has carried out extensive repairs to her. I am informed by Mr. Nash of Blackhalve Lane, Wednesfield, Wolverhampton, that he has an Aveling Compound Roller for sale at £250 and a Foster Threshing Box for £80. Mr. Peter Hough, a farmer of Bloxwich, who owns Foster Argricultural 5 h.p. No. 12458 of 1910, has recently had a new firebox, smokebox, smokebox door, chimney and bottom half to the boiler barrel fitted. Repairs are now completed and the engine is hard at work cutting up wood with a circular saw which has been its task since he bought the engine in 1947. J.T.
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GWENNIE WILLAN
Arthur Wedgwood and Foden No. 5218 "Gwennie Willan" with the Candy Queen at the Opening of the Confectionery & Allied Trades Exhibition. Gwennie Willan, the 50 years old Foden steamer used to advertise Hall's confectionery, has ended her first publicity tour. She operated ❑n C licence and road tax was £102. The tour lasted from October, 1963 to December. 1964. Gwennie, however, is not done for yet. Halls were so pleased with results, another tour commenced in February. We have received from Mr. Arthur Wedgwood a full report on his eventful mission. He was brought up in steam, which is the equivalent
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of sail to a mariner, and when his contract with Halls was fixed, he felt, he says, like a captain who has been given back his ticket after 30 years deprivation. He asserts that his single-minded, single-handed tour was just a matter of routine operation. Well, maybe the Foden gave him little trouble but we rather doubt that his puffing billy tour of Britain was without incident. It says much for Mr. Wedgwod's skill as an engineer that his selfreconditioned Foden gave him no engine trouble. During his fourteen months' tour there were, in fact, only three minor engine mishaps, none of which were discreditable either to himself or Gwennie. On good Welsh smokeless coal his lob was a picnic and 16 miles on give and take roads could be covered without addition to the fire. A good forty miles was the water limit and only once in a very dry year did he get down to the last black half-inch at the bottom of the glass. This was on a strange road in the Highlands and with only a mile or so to go to safety he was lucky to be near a farm in these sparsely populated parts. With the nump still working, the Foden, of course, blows her head off when the tank is emptied. But Mr. Wedgwood always maintains a safe reserve of miles by habitually driving with the glass three-quarters or more full. Mr. Wedgwood likens his job to that of the driver of a Stanier Black 5 daily doing the Blackpool—Euston run. He concedes that the physical conditions are dissimilar but only recalls one occasion when he was soaked to the skin and numbed with cold. That day he would gladly have left the footplate for the first hotel. His itinerary run was a 50 mile stretch over the Yorkshire moors and one can imagine the bleak, daunting landscape he saw from his cab. But Mr. Wedgwood went on. He had a sales appointment and never did he fail to make one of these. There were times, too. on mornings of hard frost when he would gladly have left the sheet on Gwennie's cab. At one time on the A.1 travelling down from Newcastle, the pipe underneath the water tank, connected to the filter box on the footplate, was frozen solid even although there was a full head of steam in the boiler. This cold spell lasted and with the controls like icicles Mr. Wedgwood took to wearing driving gloves for the first time in his life. Other experienced " ton link " drivers will anpreciate that it was a real task in these arctic conditions to keep the cylinder oil moving to the requisite Parts. Frost thickens it to grease even although a steam heater is fitted to the mechaniell lubricator. Again condensate in the long copper tube from the distribution block may freeze and block the oil. Gwennie and Mr. Wedgwood covered most of England. Scotland and Wales. In mountainous Carmarthenshire the one and only major mishap occurred. The main brake. the large diameter cast steel drum keyed to the rear axle. failed through old age. After 50 years it was worn thin. So, as a result of the extrerrt pressure necessary in this area and the heat thereby generated, it collapsed inwards and assumed the shave of an egg. Not only was the brake now useless but way could no longer be maintained with the brake off as serious damage threatened the levers and band. Mr. Wedgwood took the drum off the axle and drove on the flywheel hrake to Elworth Works. This necessitated using low gear and the reversing lever on the up to 1 in 5 gradients between him and his destination. It was a harrowing experience. At times it was necessary to drag the nearside rear wheel on the grass verge. The tyre was new and suffered abominably, not least from flint cuts. From our works, Gwennie chuffed down to the Confectionery Exhibition at Earls Court where she appeared on Hall's stand. Then a round of race me-tings, carnivals and seaside . resorts . followed, a tour which included a three-day stay in Lord Montaktes grounds where the famous Beaulieu vintage car museum stands. During Derby week Gwennie was stationed at Tattenham Corner and on the day of the Oaks attracted the attention of the Queen and the Queen Mother. Reflectively looking back, Mr. Wedgwood states that his job could be likened to that of the master of a tramp steamer who oft-times was involved in passenger ship activities. Sometimes, owing to accommodation difficulties
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he had to sleep hard. At other times he was softly embraced by the civilised comforts of the best hotels. Of one thing he is sure: you have to love steamers to tackle such a job. Mr. Wedgwood not only finds them of endless interest ; he stales that since he acquired Gwennie two years ago he has made more friends than he did in a lifetime not bereft of friends. People's kindness to him on the tour was astonishingly warm and he would like to thank them all through Foden News, Gwennie is now a source of living for Mr. Wedgwood and he has had offers to exploit her charms and his own experience long after Hall's second contract has expired. He vastly prefers the vagabond life to his previous one as a bottling company's engineer : on the other hand there are considerations which may lead him to sell Gwennie and continue in semi-retirement in Blackpool. Will he ever have the heart to sell Gwennie—old faithful that did a 41 mile trip over Shag without gear change or water pick-up, and did the run from Manchester to Slough in two easy days ? Gwennie that conquered Caerphilly Mountain on a tour of Wales that would astonish the most modern Mod into a healthy respect for the quality of a vintage Foden Gam, Mr. Wcdgwood, we doubt it! SOME LOG BOOK ENTRIES DATE— Today at full speed the reversing lever started to reciprocate to and fro across the quadrant. I instantly closed the regulator and, as the wagon accelerated, my spirits slumped to zero as I visualised the extent of a valve gear smash great enough to set up reactions to force the retaining latch out of the slots. At rest I found that the trouble was simple: the small tension spring that holds the latch down had broken. DATE— Today at speed a hell of a clatter started under the oil splash guard. Cause—breaking of the underneath bolt of the L Press forward eccentric strap. A replacement bolt was fitted and after that, anticipating other fractures in brittle, ageing steel, I replaced all the old bolts with new. DATE— Elworth Works. Mr. Joe Moston and I have now completed a modification to the brake operating system which will relieve me of some of the shocks and anxieties caused by daft car owners who are so ignorant that they don't know that you can't safely pull up immediately in front of a steamer. Otherwise, this 50 years old steamer has safely fitted into the thickest modern traffic conditions, on the roads and in city centres. DATE— Fitter's Yard, Sankey. After the tour Gwennie has passed her annual boiler inspection with flying colours and Mr. Walter Filter is assisting with a number of small jobs of no mechanical importance but which it pleases me as an engineer to have done.
THE NATIONAL TRACTION ENGINE CLUB Annual Subscription £1 from the month of joining. Members receive Steaming published quarterly. Choice of six different badges at 6 /- post free : Showman's Engine, Ploughing Engine, Tractor, Wagon and Steam Roller. Membership Secretary : J. R. BONSER, 6 ROKEBY GARDENS, WOODFORD GREEN, ESSEX.
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W.D. 5-tonner. Dr. J. L. Middlemiss of Hexham, Northumberland, sent us the old sepia photograph from which we have made this illustration. It shows Foden No. 7062 which was supplied new as a chassis to H. C. Bauly of Bow, London. A body was added and it was sold to the War Department, where she saw service with the 606 Coy. A.S.C. After the war by 1921 she had been sold to Northampton Corporation Waterworks. The man standing-by is Mr. Robert Brown of Hexham, who enlisted in 1914 and had the job of delivering Fodens from the works to Bulford on Salisbury Plain and sometimes across the Channel.
Atkinson Vehicles Limited, Walton-le-Dale, Preston. 7th May, 1965. Dear Sir, On behalf of the directors of the above firm, the writer is attempting to locate a steam-propelled vehicle made by " Atkinson's ". Any information which you can give in this matter would be very gratefully received, and also information on details of wagons proper, as all company records have long since been destroyed. We remain, Yours faithfully, p.p. ATKINSON VEHICLES LIMITED. M. LIST BRAIN, Publicity Department.
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STEAMING A LETTER TO THE CHAIRMAN FROM NEW ZEALAND P.O. Box 3, Tokomaru,
New Zealand. Dear Sir, Dad took us to see a film called " The Iron Maiden ". We thought it was a good film. I have a matchbox model of a traction engine, it is green and red. When Dad works on his traction engine I help him. Once I chipped inside the tender and I helped with the stay tubes. I screwed while Dad held the thread up in place inside the firebox. It is good fun. Dad said he will buy me a real traction engine one day, but I will have to wait a little while as I am only 7 years old. Will you please write and tell me about the rallies you go to ? Yours faithfully, JOHN STEVENSON. A LETTER TO THE VICE-CHAIRMAN FROM AUSTRALIA 4 Evans Street, Invermay, Tasmania, Australia, January 22nd, 1965, Dear Sir, We are a very small society but each member is the owner of one or more traction engines, road rollers or portables. We have at present eight or nine Marshalls, two Fowler ploughing engines, one Fowler traction engine, four Foden traction engines, Clayton & Shuttleworth portable (very old), Ruston & Proctor portable, Birdsall traction engine, Buffalo Pitts traction engine, 1928 Marshall road roller, and have recently completed negotiations with a local government body for the acquisition of Burrell 8 n.h.p. Compound Road Locomotive No. 4090. We also have a nucleus of parts to rebuild and a 2-Krauss industrial locomotive including a slightly used boiler built in 1936 and disused since 1946. I am at present engaged in doing a few jobs on my Compound Foden No. 1264. Could you supply me with the address of any enthusiast or owner who could inform me whether it is possible to remove the rear springs and spring links on a Foden compound traction engine without completely dismantling the back axle assembly. I wish to remove the springs and spring links for the purpose of overhauling the pins and link eyes which are very badly worn. If you would like a list of engines and numbers owned by members of our society or photographs of same I can supply them on request. As things are at present we own an average of over two engines per member of the society. You can well imagine that about 80 per cent of our " engine " week-ends are spent working on one or other of our charges. We desperately need some more " active " members. There are numerous people interested enough to come and photograph an engine under steam driving a sawmill, pulling stumps or rolling a road, but very few seem as if they could ever manage to maintain or enjoy working on a traction engine. I am usually very busy at week-ends as I own Marshall Steam Road Roller No. 84113 which is at present at Devonport. I often work Saturday and sometimes Sunday rolling new roads for the local road building contractors. I am a fitter and turner by trade, and have a certificate to weld on boilers which comes in very handy as major repairs on some of our older engines have been necessary. Yours faithfully, P. J. MARTIN, Honorary Secretary, Tasmanian Steam Preservation Society.
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THE DEATH OF F. C. L. STOKES
Frederick Charles Longley Stokes died of a heart attack whilst in the car of Major H. L. Drewitt, O.B.E., en route to Silsoe in Bedfordshire for the unveiling of the John Fowler Memorial Plaque at the National College of Agricultural Engineering on Tuesday, 13th July. Fred Stokes' (as he was known to his friends) interest in steam goes back to when he was a small boy of three years of age when he would spend hours watching the steam driven paddle boats and in later years his interest developed to traction engines and road locomotives, and it is a tribute to his enthusiasm that at the time of his death he was Chairman of The Road Locomotive Society. For thirty-five years he was employed in the Civil Service and in 1920 transferred to the Ministry of Aviation where he did valuable work in his capacity as engineer. Fred was born at Crawley in 1899 on March 9th and retired just under twelve months ago. He was one of the early members of The Road Locomotive Society and did so much of the spade work on the John Fowler Memorial Plaque which due to the excitement of the day brought on his fatal heart attack. He leaves a wife to whom we all extend our heartfelt sympathy in this her hour of grief in the passing, not only of her husband, but also of a well-known, wellrespected enthusiast of the steam engine.
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NEWSFLASHES Brian Money of Chipping Norton has purchased AVeling & Porter Roller No. 7829 (Reg. No. FX7009), built in 1912. This was last used by Allen & Ford of Wokingham in the 50's. G. Adamson of Warrington writes to say that Liverpool City Museum are having their Wallis & Steevens Tractor No. 2931 re-tubed. The Reverend Stebbing writes from Tacolneston to say that Mr. Walter Keeling of Crays Hill has sold Fowler AA Ploughing Engines Nos. 13880/1. The former to H. Squirrell of Hitcham, and the latter to S. Marsden of Icklingham. Mr. George Keeling has sold the BB set Nos. 13481/2, which were new to F. Keeling & Son on the 10th June, 1913, to H. Squirrell of Hitcham and K. Steward of Cockfield respectively. Mr. G, E. Rawlinson has sold AA Fowler Ploughing Engine No. 13877 to K. Steward of Cockfield, and BB Engine No. 14213 to T. Waspe of Bradfield Combust. R. Barnes writes from Potters Bar that he has recently located five portable engines at Hoddesdon. These are used to heat greenhouses. He was able to identify Marshall No. 90128 (converted to oil firing), Ruston & Hornsby Type A No. 44298 and Robey No. 44112. Peter Stevens of 27 Westward Drive, Pill, near Bristol, would like to hear from fellow enthusiasts in the area with a view to forming a local club. Edward Taylor of Minehead writes to say that Burrell Roller No. 4062 (Reg. No. YB9360), belonging to W. J. King, was recently at work roadmaking on the Parks Estate at Periton, Somerset. D. Stanley of 39 Hamilton Road, Handsworth, Birmingham, offers to help any engine owner within reach with cleaning, etc.
THE ROAD LOCOMOTIVE SOCIETY The Road Locomotive Portable Engine Section urgently require details of the following engines. Numbers, details of cylinders, horsepower and names of owners, etc. are specially recuiired. If anybody is able to supply any information about any of the engines listed below, would they kindly send details to : Keith M. Vigus, Perkham Field, Barton, Winscombe, Somerset. SUSSEX Robey, Barrows and Stewart portables at Mile Ash Nurseries, Angmering. Portable which can be seen behind a big garage from a nearby cafe at Cross-in-Hand, six miles from Uckfield on the Hawkhurst road. HAMPSHIRE Marshall owned by Mr. Gidding, Sawmiller, Bartley. Marshall No. 86949, restored and believed to be in the New Forest area. CO. DURHAM. Duplex Marshall at Ward's, Sawmillers, Wolsingham. BUCKS. Fate of Marshall at Stoke Lane Pumping Station, Grays Park Road, Stoke Pogis. LONDON Large Marshall, sold by Messrs. Dennis of Braunton, N. Devon, in 1963, for, it is believed, work in the London Docks.
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Foden Wagon No. 2056 (Reg. No. M2545). New in January, 1910, to White & Co. Ltd. Sold in 1921 to E. & H. Edney of Waterlooville. The steamer in our picture is transporting an aeroplane, owned by Graham White, to an aviation display held at Bournemouth in July, 1910. It was the town's centenary year. The display was held between Southborne and Wick. Several lanes were partly filled-in to make a runway and hoardings were erected to make an enclosure excluding those who wanted a look-see for free. These facts could only be relevant to aviation's infancy. The greatest height attained at this display was 4,000 feet. A Frenchman achieved it in a monoplane afterwards bought by Graham White. Today, just 55 years later, a man has walked in space and speeded-up the possibility of a moon landing. The Hon. C. S. Rolls, founder of Rolls-Royce, fatally crashed in a biplane at this Bournemouth display. White & Co. operated the steamer from their Holderhurst Road branch in Bournemouth. The photograph was kindly sent in to us by Mr. J. A. Figgins, 43 Ripstone Gardens, Highfield, Southampton. Every September he holds a two-day model exhibition at Moorlands Hall, Southampton. Working fairgrounds, road engines and organs are on show and a large fairground organ provides nostalgic music by playing each day the tunes irrevocably associated with hobby horses, hoop-la stalls and other attractions blazingly lit under the purple canopy of night. Mr. Figgins also hangs two to three hundred large photographs of steamers and contrasting modern vehicles. Local firms operating Foden steamers and present-day vehicles are represented, among them Brickwood, Strong, Rank, Pickford, Baker and White. Modern tankers from the Wincanton fleet, will be exhibited this year as an example of excellent design and maintenance.
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DIARY OF EVENTS Approved by the National Traction Engine Club
Saturday, 24th July.—Ashcross, Taunton, Somerset.* Secretary: J. Harding, 101 Wembdon Road, Bridgwater, Somerset. Saturday, 24th July.—Carshalton (Surrey) Veteran and Vintage Transport Rally.* Secretary: K. J. Fidgen, c/o Louis Newmark Limited, 101 Bell Street, Reigate, Surrey. Saturday, 24th July.—Chandlers Ford, Eastleigh, Hants. Secretary : A. A. Dunford, 8 Forrest Road, Chandlers Ford, Eastleigh, Hants. Saturday and Sunday, 24th and 25th July.—Kegworth, Derby.* Secretary: N. S. Brown, 30 Borrowell, Kegworth, Derby. Saturday and Sunday, 31st July and 1st August. —Redford Club, Woburn Abbey.* Secretary: J. Crawley, Field House, Turvey, Bedford. Saturday, 7th August.—Woodcote (Reading) Veteran Vehicle Rally. Secretary: G. Rogers, Pen-y-ghent, Beech Lane, Woodcote, Reading. Saturday and Sunday, 7th and 8th August.—Pickering, Yorkshire.* Secretary: J. R. Hardy, 2 Wolsey Gardens, Sherburn-in-Elmet, Leeds. Saturday, 21st August.—Redruth, Cornwall.* Secretary: M. J. Pearce, 31 Trevu Road, Camborne, Cornwall. Saturday and Sunday, 21st and 22nd August.—Market Bosworth, Hinckley, Leics.* Secretary: R. A. Lees, 14 St. Catherine's Avenue, Market Bosworth, Nuneaton, Warwicks. Saturday and Sunday, 21st and 22nd August.—Hailey, Witney, Oxon. Saturday and Sunday, 21st and 22nd August.—Nostell Priory, Nr. Wakefield, Yorks.* Secretary: W. L. Thorpe, Eastfield, Cemetery. Road, Ryhill, Wakefield, Yorks. Saturday, 28th August.—Egham & Thorpe Agricultural Show.* Secretary: Miss Vera L. Bayley, 3 Braywood Avenue, Egham. Sunday and Monday, 29th and 30th August.—Bressingham Hall, Diss, Norfolk.* Secretary : C. Knights, " Rosslea," Wilderness Lane, Harleston, Norfolk. Sunday and Monday, 29th and 30th August,—Longleat House, Frome, Somerset.* Secretary: P. G. Barber, c/o James & Crockerell Limited, Durrington, Salisbury, Wilts. Monday, 30th August.—Church Stretton, Salop.* Secretary: D. W. Smith, 44 Sandford Avenue, Church Stretton, Salop. Saturday and Sunday, 4th and 5th September.—Masham, Ripon, Yorks. Secretary (not advised). Saturday and Sunday, 11th and 12th September.—Wistaston, Crewe. Secretary: S. L. Wedgwood, Holcombe House, 173 Congleton Road, Biddulph, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs. Saturday and Sunday, 18th and 19th September.—Lowton, Warrington, Lancs. Secretary: I. D. W. Russell, 45 Melling Lane, Maghull, Liverpool. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of these dates, but no responsibility can be accepted by the N.T.E.C. for alterations. Those events marked with * have been confirmed by the organisers. In the case of Agricultural Shows no rally events as such are provided, but the engines will be in steam as static exhibits with an occasional parade.
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gVILASMACO The Autumn issue of Steaming will again be a Rally Number. If Rally Secretaries, Club Members, or any other interested persons would submit reports and photographs taken at Rallies held during 1965 these will be considered for publication in this issue. All unused photographs will be returned. Press date for this issue : September 30th. All contributions to the Editor, Field House, Turvey, Bedford.
BOOK REVIEW The World's Commercial Vehicles, 1830-1964, by G. N. Georgano. 81 in. X 51 in. 152 pages. Illustrated. 25s. net. This unique world-wide survey of commercial road vehicles covers over 130 years of production ranging from Hancock's steam carriage of 1830 to the latest diesel-engined goods and passenger vehicles. The book includes details of nearly 4,000 manufacturers from 32 different countries listed alphabetically according to proprietary names. In addition, past and present addresses, dates of manufacture and a description of the types of vehicle produced and their motive power are included. This book is a companion to The World's Automobiles written by the late G. R. Doyle, which was revised and brouQht up-to-date by Mr. Georgano, and The World's Motorcycles by Erwin Tragatsch. Mr. Georgano's new book greatly extends this combined survey of the world's road vehicles.
FOR SALE OR WANTED Exchange.—Mint 200 pag illustrated and indexed A._& P. 1914 parts catalogue for S.C./S.V. rollers for Marshall, Burrell, Fowler general catalogue. For Sale.—Pressure gauges: Burrell (200 lbs. w./p.), £3 ; Fowler (140 lbs. w./p.), £3 ; Marshall (150 lbs. w./p.), £3. Makers, plates : Aveling & Porter, Fowler, Marshall, Burrell, £2 each.—List, s.a.e. to P. G. Gledhill. " Bosworth," 13 Villiers Avenue, Newtake, Newton Abbot, Devon. Wanted.—Steaming issues : January and April, 1959 ; April and July, 1960 ; Mint copies preferred.—Ballard, 164 October, 1962 ; January, 1963. Shakespeare Road, Gillingham, Kent. Wanted.—Any information or photograph regarding S.C. 7 h.p. Allchin No. 1437. Sold to Messrs. Jas. Graven of Ely in 1929.—Any information to E. F. Forth, Stexton, Scarborough, Yorks. 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.—Conies of the Showman's Engines photographs on pages 51 and 54 are available at ls. 4d. each or 4s. 6d. per set of four.—From J. Crawley, Field House, Turvey, Bedford.
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For Sale.—New books: Garrett's of Leiston, 43s. 3d.; Saga of the Steam Plough (early April), 43s. 3d,; Steam Fair, 1964, 6s. 6d.; A Pictorial History of the Carrousel, 105s. Od. Records : 12 in. L,P.s, " Irvin's Marenghi, 40s. Od.; " Cushing's Marenghi," (1) Marches and Overtures, 35s. Od.; (2) All Time Favourites, 35s. Od. All post free. S.A.E. for lists.—G. R. Hawthorne, 19 Bridle Path, Woodcote, Reading. For Sale.—Set of two coloured prints, size 44 in. X 31 in., plus a If in. border, Foster Showman's Tractor and Clayton Traction Engine. Price 5s. 6d. A(including postage).—J. Crawley, Field House, Turvey, Bedford. Wanted.—Copy of Steam Road Vehicles, by L. M. Meyrick-Jones.—Dr. J. L. Middlemiss, Redesmouth Road, Bellingham, Hexham, Northumberland. Wanted.—Mather & Platt dynamo in working order for showman's engine in preservation.—Details, price, etc., to Box 1, " Steaming," Field House, rr"rvey, Redford. For Sale.—Burrell 1927 D.C.C. 2 speed 8 ton Roller with cab and new side sheets. £350.—L. Cole, 3 Lawnswood Gardens, Leeds, 16. Tel.: Leeds
674050. For Sale.-1909 Marshall 10 ton O.H./S.V. Compound Roller, originally
a Traction. Not restored but in good working order. Ex Somerset C.C. For Sale.-1913 Marshall 16 h.p. Double H.P. Semi-Portable. Good order. Wheels located to convert into really attractive big portable. For Sale.-1916 Marshall 10 h.p. S.C. Portable. Partly stripped for restoration. Excellent boiler. Offers for the above. For Sale.-1923 Marshall 10 ton S.C. Roller. Very good condition. Restoration started. Available end of September. Best offer. Write in first instance to A. G. Coombes, " Appleford," West Town, Ide, Exeter, Devon. For Sale.—Set of four coloured prints, siza 94 in. X 51 in., plus a 2 in. border. These have been specially printed for framing with special attention to the colour accurne- The engines cl2rictecl are: Fowler Showman's Engine "Kitchener" (The i ro.: •glen), Fowler Sinr4lc 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.—Tube expanders, stay tapes, tubing and beading tools, all sizes. —For further particulars write to: I. Jones, " Fowler," 55 Meadvale Road, St. Mellons, Cardiff. Wanted.—Front axle for spring-mounted Burrell road locomotive, 5 h.p. size, also spring for same. Also any good gears (3-speed Burrell, 5 h.p. size). —R. T. Pearson, 137 Pilkington Avenue, Sutton Coldfield, Warwickshire. For Sale.—Author's autographed copies of Saga of the Steam Plough. Price 42s., post free.—H. Bonnett, 3 Ridge Side, Haw Lane, Bledlow Ridge,
near High Wycombe, Bucks. For Sale.—Ploughing Engine Photographs. Photographs of postcard size are available of illustration on the following pages of the " John Fowler Memorial ' issue of Steaming : 20, 22, 24. 32, 33. 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 46, 48, 50,52, 53, 56, 57, 58, 60, 61, 62, 65, 66. 73 and 74. Is. 3d. each post paid.— .1. Crawley, Field House, Turvey, Bedford. For Sale.—Burrell 1891 Traction Engine 8 n.h.p. No. 1522 S.C. 2-speed in good condition. Boiler recently repaired, new tubes, lagging ail new, boiler fully insured, paint work good except boiler needs painting.—Offers to: J. A. Wright, Church Farm, Scarning, Dereham, Norfolk. Tel.: Dereham 206. For Sale.-8 in. Driving Belt, 32 ft. long. Hardly used.—J. Crawley, Field House, Turvey, Bedford. For Exchange.—Ransome, Sims & Jefferies Tractor No. 39088 offered in
exchange for Foden Wagon or Tractor on pneumatics. Cash adjustment either way.—G. Main, 42 Station Road, Cogenhoe, Northampton. Wanted.—Twisted Brass, small size (14 in. across corners diagonally). New or used to suit Showman's Tractor.—Box 2, Field House, Turvey, Bedford.
BY APPOINTMENT TO HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN SPECIALISTS IN WATER TREATMENTS AND DESCALENTS
Consult :
HOUSEMAN & THOMPSON LTD. SPECIALISTS IN WATER TREATMENTS AND DESCALENTS
THE PRIORY • BURNHAM • BUCKS. for
D.M. water treatment
Aveling & Porter Roller No. 14113.
Built 1931 for Bedford Corporation.
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, tha scale or corrosion which results can only be prevented by efficient water treatment. Published by National Traction Engine Club for private circulation Printed by Stonebridges Printers Ltd., 32 Brere.ton Road, Bedford