Steaming 1984 Vol.27 No.4

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The Magazine of the National Traction Engine Club

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Membership of the National Traction Engine Club is open to those who, whether engine owners or not, have a genuine interest in the preservation of self propelled steam road vehicles, portable engines etc.

President (and Technical Services): S.J. Wharton, Southern Down, Minster Lovell, Oxford OX8 5RD. Vice Presidents: P.R. Barker; Anthony S. Heal. Chairman: P.G.C. Barber, 77 Amyand Park Road, Twickenham, Middlesex TW1 3HG. Vice-Chairmen: J. Crawley, Field House, Turvey, Bedford MK43 8DU, Eric A. Fillmore

The annual subscription is £8.00 for individuals, £10.00 for family membership and £5.00 for pensioners. The Club's magazine Steaming is sent free to members during January, April, July and October, and other benefits of membership include advantageous terms for boiler insurance as well as access to advice on technical matters.

General Secretary: George Beck, 127 Greensted Road, Loughton, Essex IG10 3DJ. Membership Secretary: Mrs Fay Wood, 'Windrush', Hail Weston, Huntingdon, Cambs PE19 4JY. Treasurer: C.J.C. Barber, 77 Amyand Park Road, Twickenham, Middlesex TW1 3HG. Chairman, Rally Sub-Committee E.A. Fillmore, 34 Northwick Park Road, Harrow, Middlesex HA1 2NU. Chairman, Engine Owners Sub-Committee: M. John Wharton, Southern Down, Minster Lovell, Oxford OX8 5RD. Chairman, Steam Apprentice Club: Sylvia Dudley, 42 Russell Shreel, Woburn Sands, Buckinghamshire MK17 8NX National Sales Officer: K.D. Shakespeare, 91 Peplins Way, Kings Norton, Birmingham B30 3NJ. Insurance Officer: J.S. Hirons, 98 Hailey Road, Witney, Oxfordshire 0X8 SHQ. Public Relations Officer: A. Fookes, Spent Penny Farm, Craigs Lane, Mount Bures, Colchester, Essex CO8 5AP. Publicity Officer: S.J. Gray, 9 Walnut Way, Ickleford, Hitchin, Hertfordshire SG5 3XT.

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• ing binder

Each binder can take up to twelve copies — that's three year's issues. Produced in royal blue with the magazine title and club motif nicely blocked in gold on the spine — a fine addition to your bookshelves and an excellent way of keeping your magazines in good condition whilst near at hand.

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ep.Price £3.60 Available bypost by from NTEC Sales, 91 Peplins Way, Kings Norton, Birmingham B30 3NJ, or at rally stands.

New from NTEC Sales JIGSAW PUZZLES John Hem.Ank's fine we/er t.ultruf prints of Fowler engines arc now available as 345 piece wooden jigsaw puzzles — just the thing for Christmas presents. Pictured here is the puzzle depicting the ploughing engines — the road loco print is also available (see Summer 1982 issue). Price £7.50 to members (use the mail order slip)

The Magazine of the National Traction Engine Club Volume 27 Number 4

Autumn 1984

Editorial

Editor:

Being responsible for the production of the Club magazine gives us the excuse to visit rather more rallies than would otherwise be the case. Maybe we should be doing other things, but we can almost convince ourselves it's part of the duty. It was, therefore, a geographically widespread selection of rallies that caught us wondering, towards the end of the season, whether the appearance of many engines is going slowly downhill. We judge, of course, from their external appearance. Doubtless all engines rallied nowadays have sufficient boiler safety. A few appear mechanically to be less than adequate, but many more are visually disappointing. Back in the days when engines were tools for the job in hand, appearance must have come second to performance; nevertheless most owners or drivers kept a tidy machine, probably well polished and brassed up even if the paintwork was long past its best and nearly worn away. This year we have glimpsed some decidedly tatty machines — not well kept, mellowed examples, but quite slovenly ones. There were uncleaned, weird shaped chimney caps. Ill prepared, poorly applied paintwork. Lettering and lining out that is unauthentic or out of keeping. Replacement items that bear no relationship to what the maker originally provided — or even what a hard-up owner might, perforce, have had to substitute. Unncessary and overdone additional decoration — yes, we know old drivers adorned their engines, but somehow their efforts didn't jar. It may be our imagination, but it does seem to be quite rare for our friends in the veteran and vintage car or the historic commercial vehicle interest, or in the field of railway preservation, to turn out vehicles that are other than authentic and restored correctly for their period. Why the difference with road steam engines?

Roger West, 14 Charles Street, Market Harborough, Leicestershire LE16 9AB

Assistant Editor: Derek Rayner, 'Invicta', 9 Beagle Ridge Drive, Acomb, York Y02 3JH.

Display Advertising: to the Editor

Small Ads: to the Editor

Distribution and Change of Address: Mrs Fay Wood, 'Windrush', Hail Weston, Huntingdon, Cambs PE19 4JY

The Editor will be pleased to consider contributions of suitable articles, shorter items or photographs for inclusion in future issues. All material so submitted is voluntary and payment cannot be may for any material published, although expenses incurred may be met. The opinions expressed in the magazine, with the exception of those printed as Club annoucements, are those of the contributors and do not indicate the views of the Club as a whole. All items are held copyright by the contributors and/or the NTEC.

This issue

ISSN 0260 - 2962

Club News 152 Sewards of Petersfield 156 The Corbridge Rally 160 Sugar 'n Steam 164 Back to 'Vize 166 Important Sale 168 169 Snapshots Affiliated Clubs Diary 170 In the Pit 172 The Good Old Days 173 174 ATLAS After Sinsheim 176 Steaming Around, compiled by Derek Rayner 177 193 Round the World Letters, Books 194 New Members, Small Ads 196

Published by the National Traction Engine Club Ltd at 14 Charles St, Market Harborough, Leicestershire. Printed by AB Printers Ltd, Leicester.

Purchased last year by McMullen & Sons Ltd, the Hertford brewers, Sentinel DG4 8694 has since received mechanical and body attention before being repainted in the firm's original livery. It is posed here outside the brewery and we hope to publish pictures of McMullen steam wagons of fifty years ago in the next issue. (McMullen & Sons Ltd)

Next issue: The press date for any news items, recent photographs and small advertisements is 24th November 1984.

Kevin Lockyer Derek Rayner Lyndon Shearman E.C. Hill Ted Davenport

Robin Walker

Cover

151

ausI rk'bwo From the Chairman Since the publication of my last notes, the club has held its 1984 Annual General Meeting, this year in Birmingham, and there have been a number of Committee meetings. Our Club's application to the Charity Commissioners for charitable status has proceeded slowly but surely, and almost all the legal hurdles havo now boon surmounted under the capable direction of our honorary legal adviser, David Tew. The necessary separate trading company, required to carry out those trading activities of the Club not permitted to a registered Charity, has been incorporated and is ready to commence trading when the Charity status has final approval. Elsewhere in this issue of Steaming, members will find notice of an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Club which we are calling to approve certain changes in the Articles of the Club company which will, after their approval, be incorporated as the National Traction Engine Trust. We hope that the charity status applications will then be completed before our next Annual General Meeting. Another matter that has received your Committee's attention has been insurance of steam vehicles and steam vehicle events. During the winter of 1983/4, a number of our engine owning members reported difficulties that they had experienced in insuring their engines and arranging boiler inspection through the Club's official brokers of long standing, Messrs Tennant Budd Ltd. This led your Committee and Officers to investigate a number of alternative schemes and also to review the Club's own insurance cover. The Club and a number of members have now taken up insurance under the scheme put forward by brokers John Scott & Partners which we believe have been advantageous. Your Committee has also recently looked at a variety of ways in which the reserves, which have been put aside over a number of years for preservation, might most usefully be put to work. A number of suggestions have been received from members and all have been fully discussed. We are considering the possible use of 152

computer facilities for the better storage and retrieval of engine records and useful data, and we have also looked at the possibilities of restoring an unique steam propelled engine. In particular we have been most interested in the preservation of the Hornsby steam crawler which has for so long lain derelict on the northern shores of Vancouver Island, Canada. We have only recently learned that the engine has been moved and that there are local plans for its restoration as the centre piece of a logging museum; our investigations concerning this unique engine are continuing. Despite the Coal Strike, we have not heard of any rally that has been prevented by lack of coal, although many of those held, particularly in the southern parts of the country, have been a good deal smokier than usual due to the total absence of their usual hard Welsh coal. The National Coal Board's coal rebate scheme for members using British mined coal continues this year and any individual members or approved rallies that apply to our Treasurer, producing supporting invoices or other evidence that they have purchased such coal during the year commencing 1st November 1983 to 30th October 1984, will in due course receive a rebate through the Club, of £1.50 per tonne purchased for preservation uses. In closing, I would like to mention that the Club is still searching for an Assistant General Secretary who can in due course take over the duties of General Secretary from George Beck. George himself has totally recovered from the hip defect that used to plague him, but would like to find a colleague to gradually take over his duties during the next year or so. If any member is interested in discussing this with either myself or George, we should like to hear from you. (Peter Barber)

From the Secretary An Extraordinary General Meeting We have to hold an EGM of the Club to approve two formal resolutions needed as a final step towards the conclusion of our

application for Charity status, and I accordingly set out below formal notice of that meeting. EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING In accordance with Article 17, I hereby give notice that an EX I HAURDINARY GENERAL MEETING will be held at THE GREAT WESTERN ROYAL HOTEL, PADDINGTON, LONDON on Saturday 3rd November 1984 commencing at 2.15pm. AGENDA 1. Chairman's Opening Remarks 2. To consider and approve the following SPECIAL RESOLUTIONS. A. That the requisite alterations for the omission of the word 'LIMITED' be made to the Memorandum of Association of the Company, and that the provisions set forth in the printed document marked 'A' now laid before this Meeting be approved and adopted as the revised Memorandum of Association. B. That the leyulalioris set forth in the printed document marked 'B' now laid before the meeting be approved and adopted as the revised Articles of Association of the Company, to the exclusion of all the existing Articles. C. That the name of the Company be changed to NATIONAL TRACTION ENGINE TRUST. 3. Closure. George Beck, General Secretary, 1st September 1984.

Engine Owners Column Traction Engine Insurance The Club's Insurance Officer, John Hirons, has asked me to write some notes for members now that the new JOHN SCOTT & PARTNERS Insurance Scheme has been in operation for over six months. Some improvements have been made in the cover provided and details of changes are included in the notes below, where appropriate. • Cover can be effected on a Compre-

hensive basis, with the value agreed. If an accident occurs then the policy pays the cost of repairs up to the value agreed. Trailers and living vans can be similarly covered. The Comprehensive policy also covers the cost of recovery of the engine from the scene of the accident or breakdown. This recovery item is only included in the Comprehensive policy. For a reduction of 30% in premium Third Party Fire & Theft is available, whilst Third Party Only costs £25.00, but I certainly hope more members will opt for Comprehensive cover. Accidents do happen — there have been at least two this year in the area where our office is situated. Even the cost of recovery can run into hundreds of pounds. • Boiler Insurance is included in all the covers but the inspection can be arranged with whichever inspection company seems most suitable in each part of the country. Members are left to arrange this inspection themselves and can, therefore, get the best local service available. In the case of the 'Ajax' Lloyds Syndicate we can make the necessary arrangements as they do not deal direct with the public. Please note it is not necessary to send in your Boiler Certificate so long as you tell us the date of the last inspection for entry on your NTEC Disc. ■ Use for occasional lake dredging, steam ploughing and road rolling jobs can be covered, but a specific cover note must be requested each time the machine is thus used. Static demonstrations, e.g. threshing and similar activities are included. If you take Comprehensive cover or Third Party Fire & Theft then the Insurance applies when the engine is in use, parked up or in transit on a low loader. There are no restrictive clauses as to the value of parts, which will be remade (if necessary) to original designs, if they cannot be replaced or repaired. • Agreed Value Policies are issued where a satisfactory photograph is supplied or a written valuation is obtained from a suitable person. Where the value has been Agreed no more questions are asked as to value when a Claim arises. Theft of engines rarely occurs but models are vulnerable. We insure models in exactly the same way as full-size engines. • Engines used to pull trailers giving rides for which payment is received require special Insurance. It is usually best to make sure this is included within the Rally Organisers Policy, for which no extra premium may be charged. If the Engine Policy is to be

From Alan Martin's Collection

26

Built in Andover, purchased by a firm in Andover and photographed in Andover was this very parochial Tasker 5 ton wagon, 1781 of 1919 (H02417). It is seen here in the London & South Western Railway Co's goods yard about 1920, in the ownership of Parsons & Hart, furniture removers.

extended an extra premium is usually required. • The approved NTEC disc is issued to all those insured who are NTEC members. This shows the date of expiry of the policy and the date of the last boiler inspection. Thus safety officers can readily ensure that engines are both insured and tested to the standards laid down and in accordance with the NTEC Code of Practice.

OUR MAGAZINE 25 YEARS AGO

Poor attendances at 1959 rallies at Woodford, Essex (40001 and Crystal Palace (25001 were taken to clearly indicate that suburbia were not so interested in the hobby as dwellers in more rural places. Harold Bonnett, secretary had indicated his desire to stand down at the AGM. Engines still in use in Essex were reported by one Steve Neville —

Any queries in respect of the Scheme can be directed to DAVID FRANKLIN of JOHN SCOTT & PARTNERS LIMITED whose advertisement appears on the rear cover of Steaming. The firm will also arrange most other kinds of Insurance and can advise on Tax Planning, Life Assurance and other personal and company policies. (David Franklin, John Scott & Partners Ltd.)

presumably a lad in short trousers. He reported it was well worth the effort of locating Patten's ploughers, and Keelings of Crays Hill still used sets. Burrell 3949 PRINCESS MARY had just been sold by Preslands — the last showmans in use in the area. In the advertisements, Gravens of Ely offered Marshall S type portable 85220 'overhauled, tested and painted some years ago, since when it has been sheeted under cover', but perhaps portables didn't appeal at all in October 1959 for the engine doesn't seem to exist today. Fowler 8hp road loco 15462 'was sold by auction for £240 plus commission!' We presume the exclamation to be contemporary horror at escalating prices. 153

Transport Trust Annual Awards The winner of the Transport Trust Award for 1984 is the National Tramway Museum at Crich, Derbyshire. In 25 years the amateur run museum has developed a working exhibition of the tramcar and its artefacts that is a major educational and tourist attraction. In 1985 the Trust will have been in operation for 20 years and to mark the occasion a new Award Scheme will be introduced. Four awards will now be presented annually covering each field of transport preservation covered by the Trust — road, rail, air and inland water. Nominations of organisations or individuals for these awards will be welcomed by the Trust up to 1st March 1985 (nomination forms and further details are available from the Transport Trust at Marylehone Station Offices, London NW1 6JR(. No restrictions are placed on whoever may receive the award, except that professional restorers carrying out commercial ventures will not qualify.

Future dates Rally Organisers Conference The Autumn 1984 Rally Organisers Conference will take place at the Great Western Royal Hotel, Paddington, London on Saturday 13th October at 11.00am. Formal notice and invitations will be sent to Rally Organisers and Affiliated Clubs in the usual way.

Day course on tractors The Institute of Agricultural History and Museum of English Rural Life announce a one day colloquim entitled 'The History and Development of the Farm Tractor' to be held at the University of Reading on Saturday 10th November 1984. It will appeal to all farm tractor enthusiasts and the subjects covered will be development in design and efficiency; the manufacturers; replacements of the horse by tractor; recent trends and future prospects. After assembly at 10.00am four speakers will present five papers of about 40 minutes duration plus 20 minutes discussion, before finishing at 5.00pm. Places are available on a first come first served basis (maximum 50 persons) at a registration fee of £10 which includes lunch and other refreshments on application to Dr S.B. 154

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By the way The small Kentish village of Ruckinge, half a dozen miles south of Ashford and on the edge of Romney Marsh, was presented by A veling-Barford with a set of these village signs to mark the Festival of Britain in 1951. Although now replaced by more prosaic signs of a standard County Council style, this example has been repositioned opposite Court Lodge Farm, and another stands adjacent to the school in the centre of the village. (Derek Rayner)

Ward, Institute of Agricultural History and Museum of English Rural Life, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading RG6 2AG.

London Area Social Meetings Meetings of club members and friends are held in London on the last Tuesday of each month from October to April inclusive (but excluding December). The venue is the upstairs room in 'The Cock Tavern', Great Portland Street, London (corner of Margaret Street and adjacent to Oxford Circus). Meetings start at 8.00pm and all are welcome. It has again been possible to arrange most of the 1984/5 programme by this time, and details are given below for members to note within diaries etc. TUESDAY,30th OCTOBER 1984 opening Traditionally, the meetings of the season are members

own slides, and visitors are requested to bring some along — of this season's new faces, or older slides of halfforgotten engines. TUESDAY, 27th NOVEMBER 1984 Dave Rollins will he entertaining those present with a series of slides on the railways of America and their locomotives. No meeting in December TUESDAY, 29th JANUARY 1985 An interesting evening with Sandy Ross talking about Steam Rollers. TUESDAY, 26th FEBRUARY 1985 The subject is Burrell Gold Medal Tractors, and the speaker Ron Walker, owner of one of these popular engines. TUESDAY, 26th MARCH 1985 'Charity began at Home' — an illustrated slide talk by Roger West on how the NTEC affiliated Welland Valley club developed its own premises. TUESDAY, 30th APRIL 1985 Speaker to be announced in the Winter 1984/5 issue. (London Meetings organiser — Bill Timmings, 308 Hertford Road, Lower Edmonton, London.)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR THOSE NEEDING ECONOMICAL REPAIRS ON THEIR TRACTION ENGINES

PINIONS

SPURS

BEVELS

All types and makes of bevel gears, spur pinions, spur wheels, helical gears etc, rebuilt to standard.

B. & C. Reconditioning (Gears) Ltd Unit 7, Lower Ardglen Estate, Evingar Road, Whitchurch, Hampshire RG28 7BB. Telephone: Whitchurch 3701

Personal Our congralutations to Mavis and Nevil Miller on the occasion of their Golden Wedding anniversary on 22nd September 1984. Nevil is a member of long standing and has contributed many interesting items for our magazine in the last few years from his present home in Pietermaritzberg, South Africa. Congratulations, too, to one of our American members, Joe Kuester of Clintonville, Wisconsin, on he and his wife's Golden Wedding anniversary on 28th August 1984.

Correction Poor proof reading by the editor would seem to be the reason for an error in the equation to give the size of a dynamo pulley, detailed on page 119 of the last issue. It should read: flywheel dia (inches) dynamo pulley dia x engine speed (rpm) = (inches) dynamo speed (rpm)

and not as printed (the example in figures is correct). We thank Mr W.C. Walker of Edmonton and others for pointing out our mistake.

Fowler 8 ton compound roller 15969 of 1924 — one of nearly fifty engines that gathered at the 1984 Rushmoor rally. (Robin Walker) 155

SEWARDS of PETERSFIELD 1886-1969 Kevin Lockyer and Bob Seward

Until 1969 the small Hampshire market town of Pa....field had only one museum; it was a museum of steam traction beginning in 1886. In the old buildings, one could see the engines and trace the history of a firm typical of many that were born with the introduction of steam power to agriculture. The exhibits had once been in everyday use by the very people who now so lovingly cared for them, and though the engines and other items are now dispersed, their story is well worth setting down on paper. This then, is the history of the firm of W. Seward & Son, as told by the last remaining member of the original Seward family to have worked steam engines commercially. The business was started by Walter Seward in 1886 after the dissolution of his unsuccessful partnership with another local man named George Ewen, who then also started his own company. Walter had a large workshop in Chapel Street, Petersfield, where he would repair engines and farm machinery. In later years, next to the workshop and yard, he had built a three storey house for his family to live in. The first engine Walter bought for himself was a 6hp single cylinder Marshall agricultural — makers number 14242 and new on 15th September 1886. At that time Marshalls were still building three shaft engines with the perch bracket and front axle etc mounted under the front end of the boiler barrel. Walter wrote and specified that they were to build the engine with the forecarriage mounted under the smokebox; Marshalls asserted that the smokebox would not be able to withstand the weight of the front end of the engine, and it would be likely to collapse after a short while. After much debating, however Marshalls relented and built the engine as the customer required, but they insisted that they could not accept 156

responsibility for the consequences. The three shaft Marshall subsequently worked for nearly fifty years without mishap and never so much as lost a day's work through health'. After 1886 all Marshall traction engines were built to this design with the forecarriage under the smokebox, giving the characteristic layout that we know so well today. Together with his new engine Walter bought a 54 inch threshing drum and elevator, thus introducing

the first threshing set to the business. This venture proved so successful that Walter placed an order with Marshalls four years later for another general purpose engine and drum. By the time the second order was placed, iviarshaiis had adopted the four shaft layout; other than that the new purchase was the same as 14242. Six horse power single cylinder number 17821 was delivered by rail on 21st February 1890, and another set was ready to start work.

Marshall 6hp traction 14242 of 1886, Walter Seward's first engine. It is pictured in later years standing in the workshops in Chapel Street, Peters field. The brass band around the top of the cylinder block, the lagged firebox, and the injector clackbox were all added by Walter Seward between 1886 and 1889. The lagged firebox was fitted to convince local farmers that the fuel they were supplying was not going to waste when threshing! Also notice the round valve gear rods. (collection K. Lockyer)

Although Walter was more than pleased with his Marshalls, he wanted a compound engine, as he had heard of their power and economy, and so in 1895 he took delivery of 6hp Fowler compound agricultural number 7453. When he ordered the engine, he specified it to be built as lightly as possible. This instruction was carried out and the engine was delivered by rail in November of 1895. After using 7453 several times Sewards found the Fowler was breaking wheel spokes at an alarming rate, and others were coming loose in the hub. The makers were notified, and a replacement pair of rear wheels was dispatched, but they were of a smaller diameter than standard. To this very day, the engine retains a very individual appearance given to her by these smaller rear wheels. 7453 had a very good reputation for power and was economical in the use of water and coal. She often pulled a threshing drum, elevator and living van up Hawkley Hill, a hill even now considered steep with a sharp hairpin bend half way up. This the Fowler would always do non-stop in top gear, and with no effort at all. Steam rolling was added to the business in 1896 with the acquisition of 10 ton Wallis & Steevens single cylinder roller 2377, delivered in February of that year. This engine was modified in April 1901 by Seward's works engineer, George Colewell, so that it could be used as a convertible of sorts. The large cast headstock was retained over the smokebox and a perch bracket was built beneath it. Front and rear wheels were bought from Wallis's to complete its conversion for the role of a traction engine. In its later life it was nearly always used as a roller, for a further traction engine was seldom required. Another Wallis & Steevens single cylinder roller was acquired in 1900. Another 10 ton model, it was works number 2183, new in 1891, and thus bought second hand from Wallis's. For some reason, Sewards only used it for a year, and then in December 1901 part exchanged it at the Basingstoke works for a new but identical 10 ton single, number 2570. The Petersfield firm now had three agricultural engines and two rollers in their fleet. In 1903 Sewards were engaged in a contract to cart building materials to Longmoor, as a large Army camp was being built there, later to become famous as the home of the Longmoor Military Railway. The camp itself is still in use. Several of the Seward traction engines were being used to tow trailers to Longmoor, but as they could only do one job at a time, and the

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Fowler compound traction 7453 of 1895, here outside Fowlers works, posing for her official photograph. (collection K. Lockyer)

threshing season was just beginning, Walter decided to buy a new McLaren 7hp road locomotive with a half cab, two speeds and compound cylinders. McLaren 726 was delivered in late 1903 and was at once put to work at Longmoor, thereby releasing an engine for threshing. It was a powerful engine and popular with its drivers; its only failing being that it was prone to smashing spur wheels. In the eight years that Sewards had her, they replaced the spur wheels several times. The rolling side of the business was by now doing well and the need arose for another machine, so Walter placed yet another order with Wallis & Steevens. This time he took delivery of a 10 ton compound roller with overhead valves. It was number 2819, delivered in January of 1905 and the roller carried the name EMPRESS OF THE SOUTH on her motion covers. EMPRESS was only the second compound roller Wallis had built, and was unusual in being fitted with a differential, and a roping drum. This was because the engine was really a 5hp road loco built up as a roller. Wallis's overhead valve cylinder blocks were very tall, and with the safety valves being mounted transve,rsely across the top, instead of down the centre line, it meant that once the brass columns to take excess steam through the roof were in place, the driver could not see very much of

the road ahead! Walter Seward bought only Wallis & Steevens rollers because of their short wheelbase and left hand steering; both were considered a bonus when rolling sharp curves or narrow roads. A possible opening for road haulage in the area was seen by Walter in 1907, so following some investigation he bought a second hand Wallis & Steevens 3 ton single cylinder tractor, which was then five years old, and had been originally supplied to a company in London. Number 2667 was quickly nicknamed THE POPGUN because of its size and fiery temper, but as the machine was found to be next to useless as a tractor, it was later converted to a 3 ton roller, using fresh parts supplied by Wallis. On one occasion THE POPGUN was rolling a drive leading to what is now a rubber factory in Petersfield. The driver, Bill Clarke, was so busy watching the road surface he was rolling, that he did not notice a low archway ahead of him. The next thing he knew was that there was a terrible rending of metal and the chimney was leaning back at a rakish angle, after colliding with the brick arch! Unfortunately for Bill, the boss had been watching the proceedings, and came over to talk to him: "What're we gunna do now master?" asked Bill, "We can't leave 'er loike this. If I drive 'er 'ome loike this, I'll be the laughing stock 'a the town!" "Serves you right!" Mr Seward 157

replied, "You'll bring her home like this, then p'raps you won't do it again!" In this area today, we have the Surrey County Show, the successor to what years ago was the Guildford Show. It was there in 1911 that Jim Seward, Walter's son, went looking around the stands of the various traction engine manufacturers. Burrells were so represented, and one engine on display was a three speed 6hp double crank compound road locomotive. Jim immediately fell in love with this magnificent engine, and when he reached home later that day all he could talk about was the Burrell, and how fine she was. Walter finally agreed to buy the engine, and it was delivered by rail a week or so later. At Petersfield goods yard the chimney was put back onto the smokebox, for that item and the half cab had been removed for rail travel. Steam was raised, and the engine then driven to Seward's field in Tilmoor Road, Petersfield, with the cab following in the L&SW Railway's delivery cart! Numbered 3211 and carrying the name THE DREADNOUGHT the engine looked resplendent in its dark green paintwork. The new arrival was mainly

engaged on furniture haulage work in the area and one particular job was to move a farmer and his family from Eastbourne to Worthing. The engine set off for Eastbourne pulling two empty pantechnicons and an open wagon, reaching its destination the next day. The farmer's furniture was loaded into the pantechnicons and the farm tools and implements into the wagon. Everything was transferred to Worthing and unloaded without incident. Jim Seward was driving on this occasion, and before departing for home looked around Worthing for a load to haul back to Petersfield instead of just returning empty. Not finding business he had to return regardless. On the way home they were caught in a tremendous thunderstorm, and lightning struck the engine, A blue electric flash was seen to run along the regulator rod from the handle to the block until eventually going to earth, lighting the cab of the engine with a weird blue glow. When they even tually arrived back in the yard, Jim got down from the engine just as the telephone started to ring. He rushed inside to discover it was someone in Worthing wanting a load of furniture to be carried to Petersfield! The next day one of the tractors (there were

Wallis & Steevens 2377 of 1896 was soon altered to become a convertible and is pictured here working at the belt in its traction engine form. This photo was taken about 1902 and the figure second from the left is Jim Seward senior, then in his early twenties. The site is in Petersfield behind a pub called 'The Volunteer Arms', now renamed 'The Welcome Inn'. Butser Hill is in the background. (collection K. Lockyer)

two by this time) was dispatched with a pantechnicon for Worthing. The only trouble that Sewards ever had with THE DREADNOUGHT was not long after they bought it; a leak developed from under the cylinder block, and got steadily worse. As she was still under guarantee, Sewards called Burrells in to fix it. Several men came from Thetford. They removed the motion and cylinder block to replace the gasket, reassembled, test steamed, and when all was found to be steam tight, left, having done a good job. Later that year Jim Seward lengthened the canopy by a foot or so to give added protection to the motion, otherwise the engine remained unaltered until the day it was sold. An unusual contract undertaken by Sewards was the demolition of Castle House in Petersfield Square. This was a large 16th century manor house, and was to be knocked down to enable a new post office to be built on the site. THE DREADNOUGHT was selected for the job and was driven into the centre of the square in front of the fated building. After being well chocked, the wire rope was run out, and with several extension pieces, encircled the house. The pull began. Slowly the rope cut through the ancient brickwork like a cheese wire and the house collapsed onto itself. After several more pulls, all that was left was a large pile of dusty masonry. This was in 1913, but it was not until nine years later that the post office opened for business, indeed, more or less as it appears today. During the World War 1

M.,. • 1.4/ Z.-- • Burrell three speed road loco 3211 of 1911 THE DREADNOUGHT. This splendid scene was posed in Station Road, Petersfield in 1912 and shows some 149 Conservative Party members (mostly ladies and children, so possibly the gentlemen walked!) on their way to Basing Park at the invitation of Squire Nicholson, their local Member of Parliament for many years. People in the photograph are from left to right — Charlie Brooker (steersman standing by front wheel), Albert Cook, Jim Seward (driver), and, in the sailor outfit, a lad named Herridge. Bob Seward, then aged 7 years, is sitting in the front wagon near the engine. The wagons were all made by W. Tasker of Andover. (collection K. Lockyer)

DREADNOUGHT mainly worked on Government contracts, hauling three trailer loads of dirty blankets from Southampton docks, returned from the trenches in France, to the Petersfield Electric Laundry. Clean ones would be taken back to Southampton for shipping out again on their return journey, and so the job would go on. The Burrell was one day approaching the laundry with her usual three loads behind, and being driven by Jim Seward, when suddenly the engine lurched to one side. One of the rear wheels had broken through a man-hole cover, so accompanied by the sound of sharp barks from the chimney, Jim threw the regulator wide open and once quickly, as just then DREADNOUGHT had pulled herself free, snapped it shut so that the leading trailer would not follow a similar course. After considerable shunting, the engine and loads avoided the hole and arrived safely at the laundry only a matter of a few hundred yards along the road.

In about 1916 the Army wanted to requisition the road engine for war service. Sewards knew very well that they would not get her back in the good condition she was then in, so decided to hide her, perhaps until the war was over. Apart from the yard and workshops in Chapel Street, Walter owned a large field in Tilmoor, Petersfield, and DREADNOUGHT was driven to the middle, and, after being well greased, a large hay rick was built around the engine, hiding it completely! Here she stayed for a number of months, undiscovered, but eventually the authorities became aware, and once again wanted the machine. However, Walter sold her to J. Gale, a haulage contractor of Winchester, who paid £1,000 for her. After several other subsequent owners, she returned to Petersfield with Walls Brothers, locally well known showmen, who fitted a long canopy and dynamo bracket. The brothers did not like her over much for whenever she worked hard at

generating, the barks from her exhaust could be heard miles away. THE DREADNOUGHT was finally cut up by Hardwicks in 1948. 1911 also saw the arrival of Wallis & Steevens 4hp 'Oilbath' tractor number 7258. The engine was fitted with compound cylinders, a half length cab, side tanks, and had all copper pipework. The engine was named KING OF THE ROAD, but this was soon shortened by all to THE KING. It was bought by part-exchanging the old 1903 McLaren road locomotive. The McLaren was re-sold by Wallis to Mr Hillary of Micheldever and ended her days with Mark Loader of Bournemouth. Several modifications were carried out on THE KING which included shortening the side tanks by 18 inches so that they did not ground when the engine was working off the road, and enlarging the access holes in the side of the oil bath casing to make gland repacking easier. As far as Sewards were concerned, the little engine was a credit to her makers, and a better steam tractor did not exist. She had ample power for her size and 'steamed like the best of them'. Her two regular drivers, Bob Seward (Jim's youngest eon) and Bill Fiander, had no complaints at all. It was THE KING that went to move furniture from Worthing after the return of the Burrell road loco mentioned earlier.

(to be continued) 159

The Corbridge Rally

If the purple engine on the cover of last autumn's magazine surprised many, few would have expected it to invade the English tally field wilhit ► the year.

1. The Realisation of a Steam Dream Tore Blom To be able to enter an English rally field with our Munktells traction engine was something we dreamed of during the long time of restoration, which I described in last Autumn's issue of Steaming. After our pleasant trip to England in 1980 we knew our engine would present a most unusual sight, but due to the heavy expense we never made any attempt to get across the North Sea. So even after our second season following the rebuilding of the engine, the dream had remained just a dream. But in the autumn of 1983 we had a letter from the South Tyne Traction Engine Society by way of Chris Kilgour, in which he asked of our interest and possibilities in coming to their next rally in 1984. We did not know what to answer, but certainly we were interested if the expenses 160

were covered. We tried both Swedish and English tourist boards for support, without success. As the engine was made by the firm providing the M in the present title of Volvo BM, we asked the firm if they could use the opportunity in some way, and in return take on some part of the costs. Nothing happened in a long time, and we thought the idea wasn't going to work, but suddenly in early spring we had the information from Volvo BM that they would, in co-operation with their English firm Volvo UK, and the Tyne club, arrange everything for us. In return my father Ruben, my brother Tage and myself would be with the engine for some days at the Royal Highland Show at Edinburgh, as well as the Corbridge rally. After some small troubles we found it all clear about three weeks before sailing on 6th June. The engine was taken from our home at Gotene by lowloader to the ferry, pushed on and

Munktells 5605 versus the children of Corbridge. (Rnger West)

secured among the tourist cars in the car deck — by courtesy of DFDS TOR LINE it was classified as a caravan or similar! The engine was released at Newcastle and loaded up by the Tyne club president, Hubert Nixon, with his Volvo trailer, thought to be the oldest of its kind in the UK. Mr Nixon was accompanied by our contact Chris Kilgour, and the club secretary, Mrs Henderson, and we went from the harbour to George Byerley's place at Welton Hall for storage until the engine was going to the rally. This was for us to be a most fortunate meeting, as Mr Byerley was kind enough to take care of us for several days of free time, and showed us a lot of the attractive Northumbrian landscape. We owe him a great 'thank you' for his enthusiasm and generosity; he was showing great hospitality. The rally site at Corbridge was indeed a most suitable place for such an event and the weather was good about all the time. A lot of interesting engines and personalities made it an unforgettable memory for all three of us.

The fact that our engine won the trophy for the best general purpose engine in the show completed our delight! After the rally we had some days free before going on to Scotland, and we took the opportunity to visit Tom Varley at Gisburn and other museums. In Scotland we were surprised to learn we would not be able to move about with the engine. Possibly we would be allowed to steam it and let it slowly tick over. It was a matter of smoke and noise, they said. Also the engine's 10 ton weight was a bit worrying for the organisers of the Royal Highland, and it was not allowed to stand on the grass. A special wooden platform was made for it, just at the side of 20 ton dumpers on the same grass! However, the engine was a good eye catcher for Volvo and all day there was a very good crowd standing around our steaming exhibit. We left the Royal Highland Show and returned to Sweden on Midsummer afternoon 22nd June, after a seventeen day tour away from home. Our successful journey was very well recorded by Swedish newspapers all over the country; they all honoured the trio with their prize winning engine. Certainly our steam dream had come true to realisation, and we wish to thank all those involved with organising and working out our wonderful journey to the United Kingdom. We really did enjoy our time. — Ruben, Tage and Tore Blom.

Reuben Blom (by the steering wheel) with sons Tore and Tage (lower) enjoying their steam dream. (Roger West)

2. Scandinavian Scenestealer The word having got around of the impending brief visit to Corbridge Rally of the Swedish engine, this year's annual South Tyne Society's rally in June probably received a larger number of enthusiast visitors than in previous years. But not only did those longer-distance visitors find the object of their curiosity — the Tynedale Park rugby field was a particularly pleasant location, close by the attractive town of Corbridge, and the entry list offered quite a few engines not seen outside the north east area. The rally is one of those events which form the backbone of the traction engine season — a club rally. Run by the local South Tyne Traction Engine Society it forms the highlight of their club year, complementing social meetings during the rest of the twelve

Strange companions — Fowler road locomotive 15649 and the Swedish Munktells at Corbridge. (Roger West)

months (see Affiliated Clubs Diary). The Bloms and their engine were obviously being made very welcome; the local enginemen found the MUnktells of great curiousity and there was a constant stream of interested owners and crews plying Tore and Tage with questions — all ably answered in excellent English!

The engine itself took to its new experience of the rally field ring with immediate skill — taking on the children's tug-of-war duty was no problem (had it been practising back home in Sweden?), considerately allowing the youngsters to just keep the upper hand. Although it was perhaps almost automatic that Ruben 161

and his sons would take the glass bowl presented for the engine having travelled the longest distance, their winning of the George Byerley Cup for the best agricultural engine was truly deserved; the engine is a meticulous and admirable piece of restoration. Most noticeable to the English owner was the near silence of the Munktell's chain drive, which made some consider how noisy is the best of traditional British gear drive.

However, keeping the Scandinavians from taking all the interest were several other interesting entrants. First time on the rally field for some years, and newly reboxed, was South Tyne president Hubert Nixon's Fowler single cylinder ploughing engine 13910 — the sole survivor of the tiny 8hp DD class, originally built for export to Germany in 1914, something that didn't come to pass. Two formerly local Aveling & Porters represented the roller section; 10 tonner 10005 and 8 tonner 10921 JULIA were both exceptionally neat and tidy machines and the latter, with chimney saddle and flywheel etc nicely graphited, well deserved the cup for rollers. Hubert Nixon also presented his fairly recently acquired Burrell showmans 2651 LADY PRIDE OF ENGLAND, on which he has already done many jobs, and Foster 13111, familiar enough looking in outline but of the rarer 8hp class. Sporting a new green and red livery (its third good job in recent years) was Sentinel DG6 wagon 8562, now owned by George Allison of Darlington. Although Harry Lyon exhibits his 6hp Robinson & Auden 1376 quite widely, the superb proportions of this rare engine make it one well worthy of repeated viewing by the connoisseur. And probably considering itself King of all the entrants was B.M. Stafford's Fowler A9 road locomotive 15649, a workmanlike and mellowed engine that looks as if it could set off on a real job at a moment's notice and, indeed, an entrant the previous weekend on the HCVS Tyne-Tees run. The Corbridge rally was early on in the miner's industrial inaction and, diplomatically, the coal had arrived from 'an unknown source'. Whether the neighbouring local cricket club subsequently made representations is not known, but the progress of the junior game played at Sunday morning lighting up time was certainly difficult to make out for engine crews with odd moments to spare. We hope the Munktells didn't think English engines always had to put up with such stuff!

162

Aveling & Porter 8 ton C-type roller 10921 of 1924, getting teddy to smoke out the Corbridge cricket field. (Roger West)

Cruise the beautiful sealochs and canals of Scotland in an original coal-fired Clyde Puffer. Good food,

comfortable accommodation.

Send large SAE for free brochure to Rachel and Nick Wager, The Change House, Cilium Ferry, Lochgitphead, Argyll PA31 8QH (Tel 054 65 232).

Another Black Country Museum Event Len Crane advises us that he is organising another event at the Black Country Museum, Dudley, West Midlands (not very far from the M5, exit 2), and we hope members will just about receive this issue in time for the dates are 13th/14th October 1984. Last year's happenings were favourably reported on in our Winter 1983/ 84 issue; this time the accent is still on heavy haulage with hopefully more exhibits, including guest (or jest?) appearances of newly discovered engines from the fleet of Amalgamated Heavy Haulage Co.

'To Steam Wagon drivers and mates,,, An organizing meeting of the National Amalgamated Society of Firemen, Cranemen, Boilermen and Electrical Workers will be held in the Wheatsheaf Hotel, High St, Manchester on 25th June. Chair will be taken at 7.30pm. Mr Robert Dennison (organizer), Stockton-on-Tees, will address, the meeting on the aims and objects of the above society. All who are interested are requested to attend. A strong invitation is given to nonunionists. Entrance fee, rules, cards 1s 4d [7p1.' (From The Commercial Motor, 16th June 1910).

What do you think of this ?

fr !FM F7 Br

As a postscript to his series of tractors, Sentinel on articles concluded in the Spring issue, Joe Thomas sends this mystery picture from his collection. It shows an unidentified Sentinel S4, seemingly in use as a tractor unit for a high-capacity articulated trailer bus. Although both the Sentinel and the trailer are signwritten with names or locations which would undoubtedly give us more clues to what and where, the negative has been expertly and infuriatingly retouched to render the legends just, but completely, unintelligible.

The main clue comes from the photographer's name and address stamped on the rear of the print — 'E.H. Bereketzade, Karakoy, Nordstern Han, Galata — Istanbul'. Thus it could be that the scene was posed and

photographed in Turkey. The bus passengers are naval personnel and Istanbul, astride the Bosphorus, has for long had a strong naval presence. Was this lightweight looking bus body — which seems to have some 50 seats — built for use by the Turkish Navy? The insignia and wording on the body side would probably tell all! The view of the canopied rear platform, with its wrought iron balustrade, gives one other small clue — the Ford motif on the lower framing. As to the Sentinel itself, Joe Thomas has a front view of works number 9095, possibly a tipper, new in 1934, and lettered on the front apron TURK KOMURU YAKAR (Turkish Coke and Fuels). The spotted out lettering of the words on the cab door of the Sentinel pictured here could have been the same title; not many S4s can have reached Turkey and it is tempting to consider 9095 as the machine in our picture. Although it looks from the picture as if the Sentinel has a water tank behind the cab, it is not clear if this has been 'formed' in the photographer's studio. S4s had two water tanks beneath the coal bunkers behind the driver's and mate's seats, but it is not unreasonable to think an export to an arid country such as Turkey might require extra capacity in the form of another tank behind the cab. But this is all assuming that the picture was taken in Istanbul... We should be interested to hear observations from readers.

'Two Mann's 4-ton tipping wagons, good running order, year 1916, sacrifice £40 each; also 5-ton Mann's wagon, first-class order, £80. Blackford Bros., Hillidge Place, Leeds.' (A small advertisement in Commercial Motor, 5th July 1927. The 4 ton vehicles offered could be works numbers 1115 and 1116. Both belonged to Lockwood & Elliot of Grange Moor, and the latter passed to Black fords in about 1923; 1115 may have done similarly. The 5 ton wagon was probably either 1248 or 1299 (built 1918). They were last licensed for use in December 1926.)

HEDGES & BRICE Boilermakers and Steam Restoration Engineers Sellindge Kent Phone 0795 538128

or

Phone 030-381 3394

163

Sugar 'n Steam Derek Rayner A family concern which relied on steam for road transport in the early years of this century was the Liverpool sugar refining firm of Fairrie & Co Ltd. The production of their sugar was essentially a two part operation; the growing and part pi ocessing of the cane overseas, and then the transport from the docks to the refinery, and subsequent final processing, in Liverpool. Sugar cane railways in the tropics employed steam locomotives to haul the raw materials from the plantations to the mills where, after processing, the sugar was bagged and loaded on board ship. On the cargo's arrival in this country, a fleet of steam wagons was employed to take it to the refinery, and, later, the finished product towards the user. As befitted a Lancashire firm, Fairrie relied very heavily on I eyland steam wagons for their transport, and built up quite a fleet by the early 1920s. The accompanying list is from the records of Alan Duke; there is no known 'official' list of Leyland wagons, the information being collected from various sources, and it is consequently lacking in some details. Leylands, incidentally, numbered their wagons from 1 upwards in each class — for examplo H1 to H160, F21 to F280 or so. This number was followed on the maker's plate by another, the relevance of which is unknown; it may have been an order or batch number since the same number could appear on several machines. Fairrie were taken over by Tate & Lyle Ltd in 1935. Some of the then surviving wagons were incorporated into Tate & Lyle's own extensive fleet (of Leylands, Fodens, Sentinels and Atkinsons), but the others appear to have been disposed of about that time. There could have been an earlier association between the two firms, however, for two Sentinel wagons built in 1919 are understood to have been lettered with the Fairrie name. These Model C 8ton 'Special Stan164

Weighing and sampling bags of raw sugar. The Standard Sentinel is lettered for Fairrie & Co and fleet numbered 3, but the inscriptions are one of the products of heavy retouching on the original photograph, so the proper identity is in doubt. It could be one of Tate & Lyle's Model C 8 tonners mentioned in the text; an unidentified Sentinel actually owned by Fairries in their fleet, or some third party's vehicle appropriated by Fairries through the artist's brush! (collection J.N.E. Fairrie)

Leyland wagons owned by Fairrie & Co Ltd, Liverpool fleet Leyland type number registration and number date notes 1 82112 H 82091 2 H 46-259 3 N1228 H 4 82044 H 1 B2363 H 152-10bb replacement for first number 1? 85570 H 1912 15) TB1269 F2 24-1682 1920 (6) 7 TB1336 F2 28-1682 1920 last licenced 1935; also recorded as number 31 possibly Tate & Lyle's fleet number TB2622 F2 67-1682 1920 last licenced 1935 (8) TB2624 F2 68-1682 1920 last licenced 1935 (9) KB8709 10 F2 71-1682 1921 converted to 6 wheeler on pneumatics in 1935. Numbered 1 in Tate & Lyle's fleet until sold for scrap 11/46 to W.J. Jones, Wallasey 12 KB8716 F2 72-1682 1921 converted to 6 wheeler on pneumatics in 1935. Numbered 2 in Tate & Lyle's fleet until sold for scrap 8/47 to E. Kelly, Liverpool KB8810 F2 1921 last licenced 1934 Note — fleet numbers in brackets are only suggested by their chronological order, they are not confirmed. Photographs of Leyland F2 72 appear in Steaming Vol 12 No 2, and Steam at Work (Beaumont, 1981)

dard' Sentinels were works numbers 2378 and 2417, originally registered AW 5094 and AW 4979 respectively. They later apparently exchanged identities — a not uncommon occurrence amongst fleet vehicles where repairs and rebuilding could result in the cabs and aprons of vehicles (and therefore the works plates) being replaced on different chassis. It is not known whether the Sentinels were

new to Fairrie, or new to Tate & Lyle (Henry Tate & Sons Ltd until 1921) and merely lettered for Fairrie. They are later recorded as Tate & Lyle's 35 (AW 4979) and 37 (AW 5094). For much of the information contained in these notes I am indebted to J.N.E. Fairrie, Alan Duke and Joe Thomas. Further photographs or information, however small, would be very welcome.

A 1910 Juggernaut

Tipping bags of raw, part processed sugar into the receiving bins at Fairies' refinery ar Liverpool. The fleet number 15 on the Leyland wagon indicates the likelihood of more vehicles than are shown in the accompanying list. This wagon's road registration number is undiscernable but SLR- 13412 at the front offside could be a local Liverpool licence number. (collection J. N.E. Fairrie)

'Steam wagons are rapidly displacing the horse pantechnicon for removal purposes over long distances, and removal contractors are practically compelled to enlist the services of mechanical traction. An increasing number of firms now own their own machines; an old established South London firm, Messrs. Walter Winning & Co. is amongst these. After a hiring experiment, they purchased in May last, a Foden, and this, we are informed, has the longest wheelbase and the largest carrying capacity of any vehicle of this type. It was specially made to the firm's order, with a 151/2 ft wheelbase, the driving wheels being set 2ft 7in farther back than on the standard type of machine. A longer chain is used. Messrs Winning and Co's business motto has always been 'Keep moving', and their business-like Foden, painted red with red lettering on a deep chocolate ground, certainly emphasizes that they are by no means standing still. In this rapid age, one must be well abreast of the times. The accompanying reproduction

[unfortunately not suitable for further reproduction here — Ed.] from a photograph shows machine and trailer with a usual load of seven tons. A new and larger 'lift' of the firm's own design has recently been fitted, and this has carrying capacity of from four to five tons. An extra bunker has been fitted at the rear of the driving wheels; this was made and fitted at the Co's depot. It carries 5 cwt of coal, and is a great convenience on long journeys. We learn that the wagon has been very satisfactory, it can average 60 and 70 miles a day, and has run upwards of 700 miles so far, with regular work in view.' (From The Commercial Motor, 20th January

Fairrie fleet number 7, Leyland class F2 wagon 28-1682 of 1920, poses during a delivery run with refined sugar. Note the safety chains between wagon and trailer. (J. N.E. Fairrie)

'An enterprising Leeds engineer named Hemsworth recently arranged a 'cheap trip' by traction engine from Chesterfield to Baslow and back. Those who availed themselves of the opportunity were placed in carriages, and the engine was employed to draw them. The result, however, was not a happy one. In the first place, the

1910. The wagon was Foden 1869 (M2215), new in 1909 and supplied through agents H.C. Bauly, of Bow, who built the body. It worked for Winnings until 1918, and then via dealers reached J. Parry of PwIlheli in North Wales.)

engine broke down on the return journey, and the excursionists had to walk back for some distance; and in the second, the engineer found that his having driven the engine at a greater speed than four miles an hour had involved him in a penalty of £5, and costs.' (From Wellingborough & Kettering News, 27th August 1881.) 165

Lyndon Shearman muses on the weekend they took engines back to their birthplace

I suppose, really, it was a daft idea to take my little Brown & May portable engine back to its birthplace at Devizes — the distance from my home in Halifax, West Yorkshire, is over 200 miles. And it's not quite the same, agreed, as bring engines back from Mozambique or Australia, or appearing at an English rally with a Swedish engine, but the germ of the idea really grew, and culminated in a small but delightful gathering of Brown & May engines at Heddington and Stockley Rally an the first weekend of July 1984. I should, at this stage, thank all those people who gave encouragement and helped to put the display together, particularly George Hyde, organiser of the Heddington rally. The plan was to gather together as many Brown & May engines as possible and also to take them the four miles or so into Devizes on the Saturday morning, returning to the rally field about lunch time for the opening. There were, of course, drawbacks. Brown & May closed down over seventy years ago; they exported heavily and the bulk of the production was of portable engines. The few engines which do remain in this country therefore are all very old, and by no means all are 166

Back to Vize

steamable. Further, it was not going to be easy with portables to make the trip to Devizes. In the event, none of these problems held us back. We travelled down from Halifax on Friday, 6th July — by coincidence just 130 years to the day that Brown & May had placed an advert in the Wiltshire Gazette announcing the firm was open for business. I had taken the engine there the previous weekend, having called at the Banbury rally and exhibited there en mute — another story... On arrival, I found that George Hyde had arranged for Albert Lucas to haul my engine, on its trailer, up into Devizes with his Field Marshall tractor. Ken Stenner had brought his Brown & May 8262 all the way from Devon behind his David Brown tractor, so he had his own motive power. Roy Inns had his little Brown & May oil engine 114 on its own trailer, which my friend Alan Mountford agreed to tow with his car. Joe Powell's portable 868 was due to arrive on a lorry, so he too was fixed up and finally, our fourth steamer, Brian Barton's portable 4561, had been transported to Heddington by low loader but was not expected to journey into Devizes — being a more local resident Brian can take his engine 'up the 'Vize' anytime

he wants. Friday night therefore saw flurries of handshakes between people who had never met before but who had a common interest in Brown & May, and last minute arrangements were made and plans for the morrow discussed. On the Saturday Alan and I were early at the engine, polishing brass, coaling and watering and raising steam. Soon we were off on an eight mile trip to town behind Attie! t's Field Marshall, almost certainly the first time the engine had been back to its home town since it was built. Ken Stenner followed and Alan was to follow later and catch up. We had barely left when we met Joe Powell's engine, so his crew turned round and followed us. If I live to be a hundred I shall never forget that morning. The Marshall threw out gunshot exhaust beats as it heaved us onto the Downs; from the top we could see the rally site spread out far below. Two bemused policemen watched us pass, then waved as they overtook us further on. Lyn, my eldest son, sat in the trailer with a good view of everything, while I clambered about, checking the water barrel was secure, the engine's scotches were tight, or simply stood soaking in the atmosphere As we came into Devizes we hail as tailhaek of traffic, so stopped briefly almost opposite the old Brown & May works to let it clear and gather the engines before going through the town in procession to the Kennet & Avon Canal wharf where the engines were to be displayed awhile. We stayed at the wharf until noon, creating a good degree of interest, and then returned through the town, stopping again outside the old works on Estcourt Street. Here we took film of the event. It was hard to imagine, among the modern traffic, how the engines had been hauled from the works by horse teams all those years ago; now for a few brief moments they were back. But strangely enough, the row of cottages inscribed 'B & M 1874' were not even there when Joe Powell's engine and mine were made! I should add here that my engine's works number has not been identified, though by reference to contemporary literature we know it

was built in the 1860s. The engine spent very many years in a derelict condition on a hillside in North Wales and was rescued from there for restoration by the late Roger Wyeld in Norfolk. We were unable to tarry too long, for we had to be back at the rally field. Arriving there, the Brown & May engines led the grand parade to start the rally, after which they were displayed together. The setting for Heddington rally is delightful; it is a little village tucked away under the downs, reached only by country lanes. The Ivy Inn, by the rally gates, serves Wadworth's beers, a present day product of Devizes of equal quality to Brown & May engines of yesteryear. As a stranger to the area, the rally was most interesting to me and I saw many fresh engines. But I cannot mention everything — just let me quote from the small volume in which I write a record of my engine's exploits: 'To sum up the weekend, I cannot remember enjoying a rally more... People very, very friendly.' And so the following weekend we took our portable away, once again, from Wiltshire to our next event, Blists Hill Museum in Shropshire. Who knows if we will return to Heddington & Stockley but what marvellous memories we already have. My only regret is that Roger Wyeld, from whom I bought the engine, could not be with us to see it back at the works. He was a very ardent Brown & May man and would have approved wholeheartedly of our weekend's concept, and enjoyed participating in it.

More from Chilcomb

'Aveling & Porter, Limited, the famous traction engine and road roller builders, of Rochester, is finding a large demand for its compound tractors constructed under the 1896 and 1903 Motor Car Act'. (From The Commercial Motor, 7th September 1905).

The Tasker engine collection of the Hampshire County Museum Trust at Chilcomb House, Winchester, continues to progress toward complete restoration. The Rushmoor event at the end of July provided the museum with their first opportunity to rally Tasker 1352 of 1905 (H05600), one of the maker's later 'Economic' class single cylinder engines. The design of the Economic' possesses a number of unusual features well worthy of study. Robin Walker's picture (top) shows the excellently restored machine in gleaming green and black livery. The next engine to emerge restored from. the Chilcomb workshops will probably be the sole surviving Tasker wagon, 1915 of 1924. It was photographed (bottom) by Ian Taylor in July whilst being moved in readiness for work to commence later this year; another rare item to look forward to on southern rally fields. 167

'important sate ...I SOUTHMINSTER ESSEX 40 31ilos I row Loudon 31.E.Hy.). By order of the Burnham-on-Grown anti Steeple Steam Fiona,' Companies, who are disbanding

CATALOGUE OF OF AN

IMPORTANT SALE OF

5 COMPLETE SETS OF

STEAM PLOUGH TACKLE Comprising a Set of Aveling & Porters (new in IRO), 3 Sets by Fowler, and an Anchor Tackle by Fowler All the Sets are equipped with Ploughs, Cultivator., Living Vans, and all Accessories. They are now being rain in the District and eau be seen al work by appoialment.

ERNEST J. GALE is instrunt,d, Sell thr ahoy, lo ,!action, in his

SALE YARD, SOUTHMINSTER,

On TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14th, 1919, At 12 30 o'clock Calklogucs may be obtained Nom the AUCTIONS, winger (Tel 3) and Burnham-on•Crouch,

Scud

John Den, County Prinks, Chelmsford

We are grateful to Mr R Newbury of Southminster, Essex for sending the catalogue of this 'important sale' at Southminster in October 1919. The pamphlet came to light in his house which was previously lived in by the family of the auctioneer's principals To add to the interest of its pages Mr Newbury has been able to locate a local press report of the sale in the superbly named Burnham-on-Crouch and npngie Hundred Advertiser, and Alan Duke, as is usual, can add details from his extensive records. The two companies mentioned were separate concerns, although conceivably connected in some way. The Burnham Steam Plough Company owned Lot 1 — a pair of Aveling & Porter's 'latest type 14hp compound ploughing engines, numbers 8890 and 8891', new in March 1918 and fitted with 500 yards of rope. The lot also included a cultivator, water cart, living van and spares, and the tackle was described as 'in first class order'. It was knocked down in front of 'a very representative company' to Mr F.H. Cooke, of Tower End Manor, Spalding, Lincolnshire for £3100; present day enthusiasts will no doubt recognise the works numbers 168

for the pair survived until the 1950s and now form part of George Cushing's fine collection at Thursford. The other principal lot owned by the Burnham company was the last one, Lot 24, 'a set of John Fowler & Co's 16hp ploughing engines, numbers 3545 and 3552'. Alan Duke says these were originally fitted with Church valves, and new in June 1879 to R. & J. Page of Bedwell, Essex, but by the time of the sale they had been fitted with new boilers by the Oxford Steam Plough Company. Fowlers' records note the pair as sold to the Burnham concern by the Southminster Steam Ploughing Co. in October 1919, but Alan feels this should be the other way round. As the newspaper report records that the lot failed to reach its reserve and was withdrawn, it could well be the Southminster company made a private deal after the sale. The pair were still good for many years work, moving again in 1921 and spending the next ten years around Boston and Tattersall in Lincolnshire. The other business, the Steeple Steam Ploughing Company, was owned by one R. Haydock, and the second lot offered comprised what must have been its principal set — Class RB Fowlers 14213 and 14214 new in March 1914 to P.H. Lee of Overton, Hampshire. The Steeple concern had owned them since 1918, and they were still in good order and went for £3000, a relatively better price than the Avelings because Lot 2 comprised the engines only; the Fowler cultivator, plough and harrows, and van, water cart etc. each being separate lots; the cultivator alone fetched £200. Tho buyer of these 14hp engines was Mr W.G. Smoothey of Rochford, Essex, and he retained them until his own dispersal sale in July 1940; by that time they were registered HK 9840 and HK 9841. The former is still extant, located now in Kent. Lot 10 was Fowler 1466, a 14hp (12hp in the catalogue) double cylinder ploughing engine 'fitted with new boiler (supplied by the Oxford Steam Plough Co), recently re-built throughout'. It had been new in March 1871 into Essex and acquired by Haydock in 1918 but no trace of it is recorded after the sale — it seems it fetched £600, so surely must have worked again. The pair of the latter engine, Fowler 1470, would appear to be Lot 11 — this was merely noted as 'in

running order' and may have been awaiting its turn for rebuilding. Lot 12 was a Fowler '14hp double drum ploughing engine' and Alan Duke says this was 4082 of July 1881, an 8hp engine built in July 1881, and at one time with Bomford & Evershed (see Steaming, Spring 1981, page 76). Both these engines disappear from records after the Southminster sale and were probably in poor condition for the newspaper briefly mentions an engine as selling for a mere £65; it must have been one of these two. Of the misceilaneous lots (the remaining tackle to go with the various engines plus spares etc), vans fetched £50 to £85, water carts £20 to £29, and ploughs and cultivators up to £80.

'We purchased two of your steam wagons in 1901, a third in 1904 and two more in July 1908 and March 1909, respectively. Our experience of their running is satisfactory over long distances for which the wagons have been almost exclusively used. The later type of wagon is a material improvement upon the original design; they are good climbers and generally reliable.' (A.T. Morgan, a director of J. W. Cameron & Co Ltd, Lion Brewery, West Hartlepool, in a testimonial to Mann's which was reproduced in Commercial Motor, 16th February 1911. The further history and identity of these five wagons from Mann's Patent Steam Cart & Wagon Co is a mystery.)

'STEAM writes:- I had an algument with a driver about the steersman's having to get a licence to steer. I claim that we are not compelled to do so. ANSWER:- The law is not settled on the point you mention, but there have been only a few convictions against steersmen for driving without a licence. They have generally occurred in the City of London, where the police appear to keep a look-out. We believe that an appeal from such a police-court decision would be successful. At the same time, some employers prefer to have two licences, and it is necessary when the second man is being taught to drive. The Commercial Motor Users Association awaits a test case.' (From 'Answers to Queries' in The Commercial Motor, 20th January 1910.)

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More snapshots of working scenes in days gone by are kindly sent by member E.C. Hill of Brede, near Rye, Sussex. The first shows Aveling & Porter KND type convertible 8438, registered AP 9373. It was delivered new in 1914 to East Sussex C.C. and photographed in 1948, working as a roller at Pett, near Hastings with Mr Hill by the hind wheel and driver Rufus Packham on the footplate. Last licensed in 1953, the roller's subsequent fate was no doubt the scrapheap. The yard of Reeves & Selmes, threshing and rolling contractors at Peasemouth, Rye features in the other two pictures, which probably date from before 1921, for the engines do not carry registration index numbers. The two well cleaned and sheeted up Aveling agriculturals with the group of workers and their bicycles, no doubt depict going home time on a Saturday midday. The engines are now unidentifiable, as are those in the last picture. Here, the roller appears to be an overhead valved compound Aveling and the traction engine behind the portable, a very old single cylinder three shaft Aveling.

'BEAN'S EXPRESS LP ( htt‘i )0%1•f•.

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Bean's Express of London E.C. must have used this 3 ton Foden wagon on fairly light haulage work around the city — cartons, skips, bundles and the like. It was one of two, Foden 2086 (M2567) or 2090 (M2568) that were purchased in 1910 via agents H. C. Bauly, who put on the carriers bodies. Bean's director Percy Allen gave Fodens a testimonial for their 1.912 catalogue — 'they are still running as well as when first new. We may say that we never find it necessary to have a second man with these wagons.' Allowing 15% for depreciation on its (450 price (less tyres), the first wagon had running costs of E395.2s.0d (L-395.10) per annum, or 5.9d (2Y7p) per vehicle mile. (Welland Valley Club collection) 169

ME-1MM-, gllaulo

The following information is offered in good faith for the benefit of all readers but whilst we endeavour to be accurate, no responsibility can be accepted by the Editor, the NTEC or the relevant Affiliated Clubs for erroneous information, or changed circumstances.

)0nalow usual night in month

affiliated club

Members are invited to participate in meetings of Affiliated Clubs. The information provided here has necessarily to be in brief form but regular meetings usually consist of lectures, slide shows etc; many clubs cater for associated interests and are not exclusively steam based. There are generally no charges but fund raising raffles may take place. Intending visitors should note that arrangements often change near holiday times and during summer months, and are therefore strongly advised to check before travelling any distance.

venue

contact

NORTH Lancashire Traction Engine Club

1st Sun 8.00pm (not May, Aug)

Pack Horse Hotel, Church Lane, Culcheth, Warrington

A,R. Porter, 96 Greenway Road, Timperley, Altrincham, Ches. (061-973-5852)

Leeds & District Traction Engine Club

1st Tue 7.30pm (Oct-Apr inc.l

Canning W.M.C., Dewsbury Rd, Leeds

N. Boyes, 1 Brownroyd Walk, Bradford BD6 1SB (0274-676227)

Morecambe Bay Traction Engine Club

3rd Thu (Sep-May inc.)

Park Hotel, Bowerham Road, Lancaster

Mrs F.M. Carr, 27 Norfolk Ave, Morecambe, Lancs (0524-4119561

South Tyne Traction Engine Society

1st Wed

Railway Hotel, Haydon Bridge

Mrs B. Henderson, 29 Lambton Close, Woodside Park, Tyne and Wear (091-4134184)

Ulster Traction Engine Club

last Wed 8.30pm Granagh House, New Street (not July, Dec) Randalstown, Co. Antrim

Geo. Little, Lismore, Lisdoart, Ballygawley, Co. Tyrone, NI (066-253-235)

1st Fri 8.00pm (Oct-April)

Town Hall, Wragby

F. Strange, 7 Kennedy Close, Brigg, S. Humberside DN20 8DG (0652-548901

last Fri. 7.30pm

Three Tuns, Bishops Castle, Shropshire

A. Semple, Brookfield, Waterwheel, Minsterley, Shropshire (074-374-479)

1st Mon 7.30pm

Mowsbury Golf Club, Kimbolton Road, Bedford

Mrs. L. Worbey, 35 Old Hale Way, Hitchin, Harts SC5 1XJ 10482-32107)

EAST Lincolnshire Steam Engine Preservation Society

WEST County of Salop Steam Engine Society

MIDLANDS Bedford Steam Engine Preservation Society

To keep up to date with weekly news of the Preservation movement you need

gORLITS FAILti Incorporating The World of Preservation rallIP

Order NOW from your local newsagent. In case of difficulty (or for a free specimen copy) write to:

THE WORLD'S FAIR LTD, 2 Daltry Street, Oldham, Lancashire OL1 4BB

170

National Vintage Tractor and Engine Club

last Thur 8.00pm

Somers Arms, Leigh Linton, Worcester J.L. Thomas, 5 Minett Ave, Rushwick, (A4103 to Hereford)

Worcester (0905-421252)

Notts & District Steam and Vintage Machinery Club

3rd Wed 8.00pm

Forest Folk, Blidworth, Notts

B. and L.M. Wright, 133 Dale Lane, Blidworth, Mansfield, Notts (0623-7943381

Warwickshire Steam Engine Society

1st Wed 7.30pm (Sep-May inc.)

Warwickshire C.C. staff restaurant, Northgate House, Northgate, Warwick

T.H. Charman, 7 Highland Road, Lillington, Leamington Spa (0926-38041)

Welland Valley Vintage Traction Club

check contact

Old Swan, Kibworth, Leicestershire

D. Wing, Oakleigh, West St, Welford, Northampton (0858-81-306)

Fairford & District Steam Club

2nd Tue

Commodore Club Whelford Road, Fairford, Glos

Mrs J. Yells, Ivy Villa, Cirencester Rd, Fairford, Glos. (0285-712232)

Hertfordshire Steam Preservation Society

3rd Mon

Flamstead Football Club, Friendless Lane, Flamstead, Herts

Mrs J.C. Emerton, 55 Moat Lane, Limbury, Luton 10582-5813551

Old Steamers Traction Engine Club

3rd Thur 7.30pm Cowley Community Centre, Cowley, Oxford (Sep-June inc.)

Three Counties Steam Preservation Society

3rd Tue 8.00pm

The Maltings, Farnham, Surrey

P.G. Smart, Longdene, Sleaford, near Bordon, Hampshire GU35 OQP

Lake Goldsmith Steam Preservation Co-op, Australia

rallies about April and Oct

Lake Goldsmith, via Beaufort, Victoria (100 miles Melbourne)

John Norris, RMB 364, Beaufort, Victoria 3373 (053-495512)

Melbourne Steam Traction Engine Club, Australia

1st Wed (annual rally early Marl

Knoxfield (18 miles Melbourne)

Steam Traction Society New Zealand

3rd Sun

Maewa, Fei'ding, New Zealand

SOUTH

OVERSEAS

Peter Baker, 53 Bagley Close, Kennington, Oxford OX1 5LT (0865-735887)

(for overseas visitors anytime) D.N. Moore, 31 Sunbeam Ave, Ringwood East, Victoria 3135 (870-5184 home; 669-8568 work) (for overseas visitors

anytime) Mike Barnes, Monmouth St, Fielding, NZ (063-34869 (for overseas visitors

anytime)

Armstrong-Whitworth 10 ton roller number 10R/2 apparently patching a country road between Market Harborough and Kettering — in reality a set piece at the Welland Valley club's Steam Harvest in September 1982. (Roger West)

Mit

Ted Davenport My pictures show an incident that occurred to my Garrett 4CD tractor sometime in the early 1930s — probably 1931 or 1932; I cannot remember now! It happened at Crewe Gate Farm, near Crewe, in Cheshire, where I had been engaged by the farmer, Mr Barker, to bale two bays of hay. We had arrived at the farm late on in the day, and having set the baler through the shed between the two bays, looked around for somewhere to put the engine for the night, away from the shed. Back from the building was a suspicious slight rise in the ground, which apparently indicated an old culvert, but Mr Barker assured us it was sound enough to take the engine, end nut very deep — he knew that because he had once had a pig get into it. And so we parked up for the night. The following mauling we rilistici steam, and as I drove over the ground I had suspected the previous day, the rear wheels of the engine sank in. It apparently sank to the bottom of the pit; not very deep, as Mr Baker said — so we thought we could pull the Garrett out with its own rope fixed to one of the shed posts. But when we tried this the engine dropped down even further as it moved forward! The pit was in fact a manure tank some 12 feet in depth, and had a good thick crust near the top of it. What had supported the pig was by no means strong cnough for an engine. When the Garrett had first sunk in, whereas we thought the hind wheels were on the bottom, the weight was really supported by the underside of the tender on the side wall of the tank. Ncy.v vv had pulled uu,.el-vuo VII the latter and into the tank and you could stand on the edge and put your foot on the top of the flywheel! How to get out? I knew Fodens at nearby Sandbach had a steam crane at their works, built onto the rear of a Foden wagon. I went over and saw the foreman of the Transport Department, but he couldn't help me — he said it was Friday and the men would be leaving off early. So I visited Fred Hackney close by and he advised me to return to Fodens to see Mr Rosyans, telling him Hackney had sent me. An order would then be made out for the crane engine to come to our assistance. The Transport Foreman ordered two men to get up steam on the crane wagon and come over to Crewe Gate where they eventually arrived about 3pm. We positioned various packings, got chains onto the Garrett and then the Foden crane raised the engine about six feet. At that point the

172

gearing on the crane broke, leaving the tractor hanging as shown in the photograph. We started work again on Saturday morning, but without any success. So we decided I would bring out my Fowler compound road engine and Fodens would get one of their tractors with a winch on it for the following Sunday morning. Eventually, by fastening a snatch block about 4 feet up one of the steel shed posts and running a wire rope from the Fowler through the block to the front of the Garrett, and with the Foden tractor winching the crane wagon sideways, we succeeded in our task. The cost for the help from Fodens was £24. (Alan Duke kindly adds more identity to Mr Davenport's engines — the Garrett 4hp tractor was works number 33812 built in 1920 (registration BJ5151) and which Mr Davenport had purchased from Robert Ryder, a showman at Birkenhead, through W. Sundan of Congleton. It later went to an owner at Stafford. The Fowler road engine was 12741, a class D2 engine built in 1911 for H.W. Hughes & Co of Llanelidan, Ruthin. Mr Davenport purchased it, by then registered CA7187, from Jones Bros of Rose Mare, up in the Halkin Mountains, North Wales. It was driven back from there the 45 miles to Cheshire. /n 1942 the Fowler went to W. Holland, a showman from Salford, on condition that it would take two foul-wheel trailers and a two-wheel centre from Wilmslow to Platt Fields, Manchester, which it did.)

In the pit

The Garrett tractor in the pit (WE. Davenport)

Fowler 12741, used in the rescue of Davenport's Garrett, photographed on the road between Congleton and Holmes Chapel in 1932. (WE. Davenport)

The Good Old Days 'DIFFICULTIES OF TRACTION ENGINE OWNERS. It seems that the difficulties of traction engine owners are never to end. Like the people who have been immortalised by the world's dramatist, they are a long suffering race and they have our entire sympathy. If we owned traction engines, we should, we fear, be inclined to assume an angry demeanour very often, and we should most certainly belong to a Traction Engine Owners Association. What between pettifogging policemen and vexatious county surveyors, the life of traction engine owners cannot be described as a happy one. In our March issue we mentioned the cases in which local authorities had prosecuted traction engine proprietors for damages to the highway, and this month we have to record two prosecutions by the police. At Coleshill, Warwickshire, John French, engine driver of Dudley, was summoned for driving a traction engine along the highway at Bickenhill without having someone on foot preceding it by at least twenty yards, on March 10th, and Messrs H. and T. Danks, engineers, Netherton near Dudley, were summoned for causing the engine to be so driven. The offence was admitted, although Mr Danks said he kept four men attending the engine

instead of three so that every possible precaution might be taken. French stated that he was driving the engine, and he asked the man who should have been there to go in front but he was stupid and would not do so. The second prosecution was one in which Thomas Shaw, farmer, was summoned before Wellington justices in Shropshire for allowing a traction engine belonging to him to be used in the county without taking out a licence. Mr Burke, for the defence, admitted the offence, but said his client had a licence for the county of Worcester. In both these cases penalties of £2 and costs were inflicted. We assume we must not complain, since if the law is broken we suppose a penalty must attach; but we should like to overhaul the law relating to traction engines dearly, and our friends may take it as a certainty that we should introduce some reforms. Why on earth for example a traction engine owner should be compelled to take out a licence for every county in which his engine travels any more than men using carriages or bicycles, passes our comprehension.' This editorial paragraph appeared in The Implement & Machinery Review for May 1892. The following month's issue contained a letter from William

Shaw of Harley, Much Wenlock, who identified himself as the Shropshire farmer descended upon by the might of the Wellington justices. He wrote of eleven further summons he had received for 'paltry offences' under the Locomotive Acts, and his anticipation of three more from subsequent events during the first week in May 1892, when he had taken his engine, four wagons and a van out of Shropshire, through Cheshire and into Lancashire, where he was to undertake a large contract'. At Northwich he was accosted by a policeman asking for his licence. Shaw claimed he did not need one as he was only travelling through and not working for hire, but the policeman said the engine was not allowed without a licence, and further, wanted to know why they were still on the road at 7.30pm. Shaw said he could be on the road until 8 in Shropshire, but apparently the witching hour in Cheshire was 7. He was told to expect to 'hear of these matters at a future date.' Shaw's troubles were not over however, for he then relates that the following day's travelling carried on until 8 the doesn't say if he was still in Cheshire by then) when they pulled on to a green sward by the roadside, 'leaving a good 81/2 yards for passing'. He and his four men then retired to rest — they had been on the road for four days. Despite the very precise assessment of his location no less than three policemen knocked on the van door accusing him of breaking the law by letting a lighted engine remain on the Queens highway. And, of course, Shaw was expecting to hear more of that, too.

Steaming up The Wolverhampton Express & Star recently treated its readers to an instructional article on wallpapering. It concluded: 'Continue hanging the lengths as soon as they are pasted, butting joins precisely and wiping off any excess paste. Use a steam roller on the joins to ensure a good firm seal.'

173

ATLAS

There can be few names in the annals of road steam haulage that rate higher than that of Norman E. Box. And of his famous engines the name of ATLAS is equally well known. Thus it was that the last minute news that 'ATLAS is coming out', and was to attend Elvaston Castle Rally near Derby in early July, ensured a goodly number of enthusiasts assembled over the weekend in question to witness the engine's debut. ATLAS was new to Box from Fowlers in May 1928, a class B6 Super Lion road locomotive, works number 17105 and registered VM21 10. It was fitted with a crane jib attachment a n l neneco.y rope drums etc, and spent the next decade moving loads of enot !nous weight and physical size the length and breadth of the country, both solo and in concert with Box's other engines. The Fowles later passed to Pickfords for similar work, and then to an owner in Liverpool before entering preservation. Congratulations are due to owner

left: working days — TALISMAN (Fowler 16263) heads ATLAS about 1929 en route to Liverpool with a 90 ton stator on an eight wheel 100 ton Fowler trailer. (collection A.J. Martin) below: Elvaston Castle 1984. (Bob Payne)

above: Elvaston Castle 1984. The engine is again in Fowler's original livery of black with orange/brown panelling, lined red and yellow. (Bob Payne) right: Elvaston Castle 1984. (Richard Nelson)

George Trubshaw of Stoke-on-Trent on his restoration — largely single handed — of an engine many have been wanting to see in steam for a long time. We hope this pictorial feature will suffice to welcome to the rally field the sole survivor of an exalted fleet, for this is not the time or place to detail the exploits of the engines of this distinguished heavy haulage contractor. Although there has been much written of Box and his engines, it is fragmentary and in scattered sources; it would be nice to think that before long a full and detailed history in words and pictures could appear as tribute to a road steam legend.

right: Trafford Park, Manchester 1928 and a nearly new ATLAS. Note how the engine's present day appearance matches this picture. (collection A.J. Martin) 175

....after c5inslleirn Continuing Robin Walker's photographs of preserved engines in Germany and Switzerland 1934 Zettelmeyer roller number 610 displayed outside the premises of A. Waggerhauser Strassenbau at Kircheim, near Stuttgart in May 1983.

A horse drawn portable steam generator for use in tunnels and on building sites, built in 1892 by Maschinenfabrik Oerlikon (number 149) and now on display in the Swiss Transport Museum in Lucerne.

Another exhibit in the museum at Lucerne — superneated piston valved compound Garrett roller 29763 of 1911. It was previously owned by Stuag, Schweiz Strassenbau Unternehmung AG. 176

imsfffm EcouBoA Compiled by Derek Rayner

We have all read of exploits in days gone by of showland drivers, who to get from say, Nottingham Goose Fair to Hull Fair, have driven their charges at relatively high speeds for many miles to get there and be open for the start of the event. Although it's unlikely that similar journeys would be undertaken today, even so, from time to time, epic travels are made by rallying engines. We may recall some of the names from days just past — Charles Gregory and his McLaren travelling 251 miles across southern England into Cornwall; John Middlemiss and the Durrell BUSY BEE fiuni Northumberland to Cambridgeshire; Jack Wakefield with his John o' Groats to Lands End run on Burrell

tractor COCK 0' I HE NORTH and later on the same route, a right merry bunch with four Sentinels and a Foden. Then, more recently, Tom Varley's Yorkshire wagon from Edinburgh to the Home Counties on a promotional run for whisky, and Steve Durance with his Marshall roller on a sponsored trip from Derby to Blackpool — with, for an encore, a further excursion to Banbury and back with two other Derby-based rollers, Most of the journeys mentioned have been spread over two, three or more days. There must, however, be a someone among our readers who holds the record for who has travelled the most miles in a day with a rallying engine. We would like to hear from

anyone who considers that he (or she) holds such a record. For the purpose of this exercise, a day is considered to be a 24 hour period, starting at midnight. Claims to fame should be sent to Derek Rayner, with some substantive evidence i.e. between which points; route taken (exactly); date; for what purpose; with what engine; what was being pulled, etc. The most interesting journey of each type of engine will be published in these pages in due course. I should like to thank all those listed below who have sent in contributions for this issue. Also received have been several club publications and marked up rally programmes. Additional information is always welcomed from regular contributors and anyone else who may wish to write to me (address below). If it's too late for one issue, it's always in time for the next! Banbury Steam Society, Lake Goldsmith Steam Preservation Co-op Ltd I Australia), Lancashire TEC, Notts & District SVMC, Road Roller Association, Scottish TES, Sheffield & District SS, Southern Counties HVPT, Steam Plough Club, West of England SES, and H.W. Coates, A. Crockford, S.W. Daws, A. Gray, M.S. Fletcher, K. Flinton, G. Hallam, Tyrone G. James, M.C. Jones, A.J. Ross, L.R. Shearman, G.R. Turner and B. Ward. Press date for the next issue is the last day of October 1984. Information, news and letters by then please to D.A. Rayner, 9 Beagle Ridge Drive, Acomb, York YO2 3J H. Press dates for future issues are the ends of January, April and July 1985.

AVON A steam up was held in the village of Priston, close to Camerton where part of the film 'The Titfield Thunderbolt' was shot many years ago. The venue was the Ring of Bells public house and engines included Alec Powell's 1914 Aveling showmans tractor 8376 (KT2828), Bill Vaughan-Jenkins' 1924 Clayton & Shuttleworth roller 48946 IYA9576) and the pair of Sentinel wagons owned by John and Vince Goold — S4 models 8843 (UJ2112) in timber tractor form and 9032 (US5430).

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE Quainton Road/Rail '84 drew large crowds in excellent Easter weather. Several engines were out for the first time in new ownership and these included Peter Williams' 1920 Aveling tractor 9225 (CJ4160); R.A. Turner's 1915 Fowler roller 14342 (ex Reeder

DOROTHY, Marshall compound traction engine 87087 of 1933 on the belt at Hollycombe in October 1981, (Roger West) 177

brothers of Nottinghamshire), Mick Cherry's 1913 Aveling roller 7920 (0H6783) and Phil Cherry's 1937 Aveling roller 14184 (LS3967). Regular attenders included Jim Hutchen's Garrett tractor 33284 (DX3099), and a similar 4CD owned by Doug Williamson, 33782 of 1920, (BL5337); the Aveling rollers of Martin Fagg, 10048 (FX8307), and Phil Honour, 9314 (HR4399) — the latter having steamed from Little Chalfont to the event. A small charity event at Boarstall, not far from Brill, was attended by Phil Cherry's Aveling roller, Peter White's 1910 Burrell agricultural engine 3201 (BP5919) and 1915 Tasker tractor, 1666 (AA5639), owned by David Last. The Chiltern T E Club's 24th annual rally was held at Coleshill near Amersham in July. It was a first appearance at the event for Bush, Smith and Wright's Garrett road locomotive 27946 (0168181 VERA, and another first time attender was John Boughton's 1937 Fowler roller 21635 (0SV263) — not CS7852 as shown in TER. Others present included Jim Hutchen's Garrett tractor, Martin Fagg's Aveling roller and John Crawley's newly boxed and painted 1926 Foden 6 ton wagon 12364 (TW4207). Another engine here for the- first time in steam was G. and E. Bolton's 1910 Clayton agricultural 43200, which attended last year's event whilst still under restoration. 178

The original of this picture — the second to be reproduced by us from the Beamish Photographic Archive — is entitled 'First Steam Roller to come into Leyburn'. To driver John Edmunson (centre), the occasion apparently merited display of his badges and medals. He has brought into town an engine well hung with supplies on the rear canopy supports, and a roof top pile of kindling wood. The actual date is unrecorded, but the Aveling & Porter 12 tonner is works number 4185, new in 1898 to William Wear & Co of Hexham, No 23, and presumably in their ownership at the time of the photograph.

Roy Lipscombe's 1926 Fowler ploughing engine 16646 (RD4520) was also at the show.

CAMBRIDGESHIRE An auction at Linton, Cambridge, in mid May had Sam Alper's 1904 Burrell showmans 2668 (NM257) BRITANNIA and a 1918 Robey portable engine among the lots on offer. The Burrell was sold to an enthusiast in Buckinghamshire for £31,000 but the Robey failed to make its reserve price and was not sold. A regular annual event is held at Peter Coulson's premises at Alconbury, Huntingdon, where many enthusiasts take time off from organising events and have an informal evening of talk and refreshment. This year's star attraction was the Saunders' family's Burrell special scenic showmans EX MAYOR, (WT8606), making it's first appearance after extensive renovation work. This engine is painted in the original Tuby colours of dark blue. Others in

this same colour were the Coulson's own engines — Garrett showmans tractor 33380 (CT4565) and 1936 McLaren tractor 1837 (AAM801). Further visitors were Tony Warwick's Fowler Tiger tractor 15632 (SP8063) and Fowell engine 91 of 1902 (CE7856) owned by the Parrish brothers. Most of the engines at Peter Coulson's event also attended the Brampton rally and country fayre in June and were joined by Jim Rochester's fine little Burrell Gold Medal tractor 3626 (AH221) and a couple of Aveling rollers, Doug Colvin's 1911 6 tonner 7080 (E5346) and a younger model, 12468 of 1929 (LJ322) owned by Bill Story. John Middlemiss was present with Burrell showmans BUSY BEE, whilst son Lody showed his 1920 Foster agricultural 14418 (LVN891); another roller was Russ Bulley's Wallis 6 ton Advance 8047 10U6002).

'DIEM

011:11 For further details contact

We specialise in the construction and repair of locomotive type boilers. Firebox construction can be of the traditional flanged and rivetted design, or flanged and welded. Construction is to the appropriate British Standard Specification and all welding is by coded welders to BS 4870. Work being done is approved at all stages by an engineering surveyor from your boiler insurance company. Construction of tubeplates, smokeboxes, tenders etc, also undertaken.

Roger Prldham, Hollybank, Chilsworthy Beam, Gunnislake, Cornwall. Telephone Tavistock (0822) 5276 Daytime, 832945 Evenings

CHESHIRE

CORNWALL

Ernie Speed of Nantwich has sold his 1924 Aveling compound roller 10893 (NX6283) to Mike Johnson, who lives near Northwich. It was steamed home by its new owner in one day which is no mean feat with an unfamiliar engine. The thirty two mile trip took Mike and his friend some ten hours. Jim Stevenson's well travelled 1924 Aveling roller 10906 (MB5846) has been having firebox repairs; a patch was welded into the back plate and in consequence, Jim missed one or two of the early season events.

Engines attending the Royal Cornwall Show at Wadebridge in the north of the county in early June included Bernard Broad's Garrett showmans style tractor 33353 (BJ4236) and Tom Crago's 1915 Marshall agricultural 69303 (NM340) TITAN, and Len Crane's 1929 Fowler crane engine 17212 (RF6092). The show was graced by the presence of Prince Charles, Duke of Cornwall. Another Fowler present was 1920 showmans THE IRON MAIDEN, 15657 (FX6661) owned by George Hawkins and now rebuilt. This latter

Posed at Alderholt Rally in 1983 is WATTIE POLLOCK, Foden 7hp agricultural engine 3384 of 1912. (Robin Walker)

engine also attended the rally at St Merryn, and was, at the time of the Royal, not completely finished off as far as the lining was concerned. Other engines at the Royal included A.T. Hooper's Aveling roller 9096 (AF6001I and Richard Sandercock's Burrell road loco 3996 (E9597) CONQUEROR. Another event in the county was held near Launceston under the auspices of the local Rugby Football Supporters Club. Many items of veteran transport interest were present, and steam was represented by Richard Sandercock's Burrell, R.B. Deacon's 1902 Marshall agricultural 38024 (TA629), Tommy Crago's Marshall and Dr Dyke's Sentinel S6 8928 (UJT333) among others. A show near Falmouth was attended by the Gladiator Club's fine Burrell showmans engine 3159 THE GLADIATOR, accompanied by their 1870's Gavioli trumpet organ, Joe and Dennis Warren's Foden wagon 11208 (YA7952), and Roy Richards' two rollers, Marshall 88096 (DAF 560) and Aveling 7641 (FX6996). Marshall agricultural 34022 of 1900 (TA2876) is now in the ownership of Tyrone G. James. It has recently had a repaint and a new three quarter length canopy fitted and thus finished it was rallied at St Merryn in May and later attended the Royal Show at Wadebridge. Hedley James' Burrell roller 4060 (RL5549) is to have a new smokebox and tubes fitted at Ray Loader's premises. It is hoped that the engine will be back on the rally fields in 1986 after a fifteen year absence. Another engine to go to Loader's yard at Yeovil for attention is 1909 Burrell showmans road loco 179

3103 (TA945) owned by Joe and Dennis Warren; it has already had the cylinders rebored and slide valves refaced. An engine to leave the area is David Hick's 1921 Fowler BB1 ploughing engine 15529 (EJW510) now at Roger Pridham's for repairs. It has been sold to Bob Gunn and will be leaving the Duchy to go to the Bristol area in due course. John Dyke has sold his 1903 Wallis traction 2672 (AF4740), the engine having gone to a new owner in Powys, Wales. John is still working on his father's 1921 Foden wagon 10530 (TA1216) PRIDE OF THE WEST, whilst his own Burrell showmans 3423 STAR is away for boiler work.

CUMBRIA Mention was made in a recent issue of Garrett tractor 27342 (BJ668), noted under repair at Southport. The engine was new in 1909 to Charles Hewson of Glasgow and has seen service as a showman's tractor, and also as a roller. It is now back to it's original form, owned by David Jones of Kendal. Purchased in 1940 by Donald C. Stewart of Bridge of Don, Aberdeen, the Garrett survived to be included in their 1975 sale, was subsequently purchased by Mr Hirst of Hampshire, who then sold it to Geoff Bradshaw in Essex in 1977.

Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies 7hp single 11412 of 1894 is owned by Tommy Fleming of Nurney, Co. Carlow and seen here at Upton Rally in June. (Geoff Hayes)

DERBYSHIRE Noted as being for sale is Bill Gardiner's 1928 Foden wagon 13120 IVM45361. The wagon was recently repainted in Ind Coope brewery colours; it is understood that Bill is hoping to buy something larger.

EIRE Heavy showers on the day and night before Upton Rally in County Cork at the beginning of June put paid to engine events on the Saturday, but that did not deter the large crowds that turned up on what turned out to be a beautiful day. Unlike many English rallies the event did not disintegrate at 5pm on the final day and two hours later it was still going practically full blast. The site is near to an organisers dream — several permanent stand pipes for watering engines; permanent buildings for stalls etc; toilets and a tea room — no beer tent here! Continuous demonstrations took place of threshing by tractor, threshing and hay clipping by horse mill and steam sawing by Marshall 12hp portable 70081 and a rack saw, the outfit being owned by Tim Nagle of Kinsale. Of the traction engines Fowler, Marshall and Ransomes, Sims 180

Another entrant at Upton — John Rochford's elderly 6hp single Marshall, 17287 of 1889. (Geoff Hayes)

& Jefferies were well represented with venerable examples of the latter two marques. Clayton & Shuttleworth, Foden and Fowell were also evident but only one roller — Fowler 17068 of 1927. Unusually, to English eyes, not one Aveling or Burrell was to be seen!

ESSEX A mini-rally was held at Michael Matthews' premises at Easter. The 1983 event, a small steam up of a couple or so engines, blossomed this year and eight full sized engines were present. They included Michael's own Wallis & Steevens agricultural and small Ransomes portable, which were

joined by, amongst others, Steve Neville's Burrell road loco 3593 (KE3865), Mark Money's 1933 Sentinel 8784 (YD6587) and Ransomes agricultural 38088 (D06883) owned by Martin Broad. A first rally at Blake Hall near Ongar was a great success for promoter Kim Kent. One visitor to the event from south of the Thames was Terry Maynard from Kent who brought along his 1925 Aveling tractor 11251 (PE3617) and joined Brian Nevard's 1924 Garrett tractor 34539 (CF5488) and Gordon Heaps' Fowler conversion 17287. A local roller which appeared was 1914 Aveling 8242 (BH7171), owned by Carthorses Car & Van Hire. AgricultureIs included Martin Broad's 1927 Ransomes and also 1909 Foden road engine 1294 (T83792) belonging to Mike Retman. The showmans class was represented by Wally Hicks' 1913 Foster tractor 13036 (FE1079) PRIDE OF ESSEX, and Lance Statham's Fowler CARRY ON. The event was the rally debut of Brian Bourn's tiny single cylinder Burrell roller 3973 of 1924. Around ten engines attended the tenth Saffron Walden steam up, in excellent weather in the middle of summer. This is a well established event, now run by the local Round Table, and this year's show included such stalwarts as Steve Neville with his Burrell road loco, David Nourse with 1916 agricultural Garrett 32936 (ER603) and the 1899 Clayton & f huttleworti traction 32900

(HK9836) of Cyril Philp. An engine which has returned to the rally fields after a long absence was George Swann's 1918 Garrett showmans tractor 33358 (615CVX I, whilst another tractor there by the same maker was Terry Young's 31633 (BJ1696). Robert Pumfrey was also in attendance with his 1914 Ruston Proctor traction 50278 (CE7949). An engine to change hands is 1898 Fowler B4 agricultural 8224 (HK9982). This is now owned by Ted Rawlinson and remains in the county.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE The county's Vintage Motor Transport Club put on on excellent show on Staverton airfield between Gloucester and Cheltenham. An unusual sight was a steam roller engaged on stone crushing — Mike Hynd's Baxter crusher was being powered by Nigel Partridge's 1927 Aveling roller 11880 (DW5598), KNAPP, a task more usually reserved for a traction engine. The roller's name was most appropriate for the job, however. Another Aveling was George Vine's 1905 model, 5697 (DD6064), and ploughing engines were represented by Colin Waite's 1916 Fowler 14256 (KE3135) GENERAL FRENCH. One engine which caught the eye was ex- Percy Cole Fowler showmans engine 11108 of 1909 (YA92) DREADNOUGHT, previously in the Lincolnshire area and in very poor

Contrasts in chimney tops as engines line up in the ring at the Blake Hall rally, Essex on 1st July 1984. (Roger West)

condition. After extensive renovation work, the engine was making its first local appearance, turned out in an attractive light blue livery, contrasting well with owner. Duncan Price's other engine, 1917 Garrett 4CD showmans style tractor 32969 (BJ3280).

HAMPSHIRE An auction sale took place at Longparish in July, under the orders of Captain A.A.L. Wills. Under the hammer were Aveling road loco 8471 of 1914 (AF4478), Burrell traction 3695 of 1915 (TB2740) and Burrell agricultural 2159 of 1899 (BW4424). The latter sold For £13,000, and all three were purchased by David 1-lirst. Fowler ploughing engines 15344 (NM429) TWEEDLEDUM and 15345 (NM430) TWEEDLEDEE (the former in a dismantled condition) parted each others company when sold for £2,800 and £8,400 respectively to Ray Loader and a Mr Chapman from Northamptonshire. Also included in the sale were some tackle of a steam plough nature and other engine related equipment. A second event was held by the Andover Vintage Club near the town in June and although the main attractions were internal combustion engined machines, steam was represented by a couple of Foden products owned by local enthusiasts: David Hirst's 1912 wagon 3210 (M4257) and 1923 tractor 10694 (PC9928) owned by A. and D. Hard iman . The Hampshire Farming Museum was opened in July near Upper Hamble Country Park. The three acre project

More brilliant sunshine at Much Marcie rally in July 1984 where McLaren 435 of 1892 paraded resplendent in its attractive dark and light green paint work. (Robin Walker)

has seen the restoration of early 19th century barns, pigsties, stables and hen houses. Plenty of livestock and vintage farm machinery are in evidence together with a farm house, where displays of traditional crafts are being mounted. The County Council run museum has three steam engines present from the Tasker collection at Chilcomb and they were in steam on the opening day. The trio were 1872 built overtype stationary engine number 111, the Economic type traction 1352 (H05600), recently restored, and the last Tasker engine built, 10 ton roller 1933 of 1926 (0T8201 I. Wallis & Steevens Expansion engine 7115 of 1910 (H05815) owned for several years by the late Reg 'Boxer' Old from Braishfield is now in the hands of Nigel Isaacs. Boxer died in mid 1980 and the engine formerly named BOXER'S BEAUTY, has now, after a considerable amount of restoration work, been christened HAMPSHIRE RAMBLER. Norman Goodland, local author and broadcaster performed the ceremony, which included pouring a glass of ale over the engine's front and was filmed and later shown on Norman's regular TV show. Netley Marsh rally at the end of July was blessed with excellent weather and what a scorcher the event turned out to be — certainly the hottest show for some years. The tiny New Forest village was taken by 'all the huff and puff and piston power of 182

steam traction engines' to quote the local newspaper reporter. The most unusual engine, and maybe star of the show, was Colin Knight's 1928 Aveling tandem roller 12023 (162854), believed to be the only one in England. One genuine showmans engine was present — E.F. Gale's Burrell 3890 (CR6645) MAJESTIC — whilst agriculturals included Don Culley's Fowell 97 of 1907 (CE7893) and Mopley Engineering's 1913 Wallis 7293 (BH6808). Other steam rollers were Wallis 7742 (CR6315) owned by K. Honeybun, a consecutive pair of Babcock & Wilcoxs, 95/4013 (Y65089) and 95/4014 (YB5088), both new in 1926. Two more rollers were Christopher and Stephanie Harnett's 1929 Aveling 12081 (RF5715) and David Hallam's 1923 Fowler 12 tonner 1 5902 (KR8728). Aveling roller 10651 of 1923 (KK5265) has come into the area. It was previously in Berkshire and is now with Colin Knight.

HEREFORD & WORCESTERSHIRE An engine noted as being for sale was 1923 Fowler roller 15851 (NX3974) owned by D. Allen. The asking price was £4,500.

HERTFORDSHIRE This season has brought several newly overhauled engines back onto the rally scene, together with a few changes of ownership. The Saunders

family's Burrell showmans 4000 EX MAYOR has made its inaugural appearance since rebuilding with a new firebox etc and a new coat of paint (or no doubt that should be many coats of paint!). Not only does EX MAYOR look good, but also she sounds in excellent form. After this two year project, the Saunders appear to be looking for a new challenge; they may have found just that in the shape of a very derelict Garrett 4CD tractor they have purchased. Another derelict engine to enter the area is the sole remaining Lampitt traction engine. Gordon Heeps has purchased the 1887 engine from Jack Wharton, and we look forward to seeing this rare engine, works number 6 (BW4433), in the same immaculate condition that Gordon keeps his Fowler conversion. Colin Piggott of Stevenage has sold his ex-Eddison Aveling roller 10190 (FX8654) to the Birmingham area. A Fowler is reported to have taken its place although details of this are not known at present. The Vickery family have had their Wallis 'Expansion' roller back in steam again after an eight year absence, during which time they have fitted a new firebox. The engine is 2357 of 1896 (H06139) and it made its return at a fete in Redbourn at the end of June. A second rally was held at Great Amwell in June and an excellent crowd was undoubtedly the result of some very fine weather. There were several showmans engines in attendance, including Lance Statham's Fowler CARRY ON, Jack Joyce's Fowler VALIANT and the newly turned out Burrell EX MAYOR. The award of best engine at the rally to this latter machine was certainly fully justified. Other engines present included Steve Neville's Burrell road loco MAN OF KENT, Gordon Heeps' Fowler tractor conversion 17287 (UW1329) and Eddie Prior's 1928 Aveling tractor 12152 (SC1577). It was also nice to see McMullen's Brewery Sentinel DG4 wagon at the event. This was one of its first appearances since overhaul and repainting in the new owner's livery, the wagon previously having been used and rallied in Yorkshire. She is 8694 of 1932 (YG746). The Herts Steam rally this year was run in conjunction with Classic Car at Knebworth Park. This event was very well attended and enjoyed excellent sunshine; the show offered a huge selection of classic cars, the resident narrow gauge railway system plus a large gathering of road engines. Strangers to the area that were

LANCASHIRE

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present were Robert Finbow's Garrett tractor 33566 (AD9069) and Herbert Epton's 1939 Foster tractor 14639 (BWV338); both these engines are dressed in showman's guise. James (Engineers) Gilbert of I eighton Buzzard brought their recently acquired 1923 Tasker tractor 1902 (KL9885). This engine was built as a tractor, converted to a roller by the makers in 1925 and sold as such when the I asker collection was broken up in 1969; it has subsequently been reconverted to a tractor. A 'ale appearance was made by 1907 Burrell showmans tractor 2876 (PB96151 and now owned by E. Choake. This engine worked for Wall Bros of Petersfield, Hants, when in showland use. After two years off the road, D. Howarth's Fowler ploughing engine 15336 of 1919 (D01927) was back in steam — the front wheels and axle have been rebuilt during this period. Away from its home territory was 1911 Aveling roller 7080 (E53461, this interesting little engine has changed hands relatively recently to Doug Colvin of Wellingborough, and has been fully rebuilt with a new firebox and repaired gearing. The McMullen Brewery Sentinel was also in attendance.

Some recent additions to the Dorothea Casting and Pattern Service: Marshall clack box Aveling clack box Fowler screwed cylinder cock Fowler flanged tank cock Fowler auxiliary steam valve Fowler water level plate Conical washers Screwed boiler plugs Burrell lame blowdown Burrell steering worm Burrell spring indicator Burrell crosshead guide BB1 upright shaft brasses 1381 exhaust nozzle BB1 front axle bushes BB1 3rd shaft brasses K7 3rd shaft brasses Fowler DH slide valve Fowler T3 hp piston A & P alumin. pinion cover Fowler oilers Convex beading Wire bound flexible hose

KENT An early season event was the rally held in Dover at the end of April by the Dover Transport Museum Society. Known as the Cobweb Rally, the show was intended for members to blow off the cobwebs from the winter's laying up of their exhibits and it attracted some 30 exhibits, including the 1930 Wallis Advance roller 8064 (OU 5078) owned by John Ullman. Engines for sale in the area were Ted Manton's Aveling showmans style ticietui 7778 (0S803), and an elderly Burrell traction — 1897 built 2051 (CF3638) owned by Will Day. The rally at Sellindge at Spring Bank Holiday was a very wet affair but the 'show must go on' attitude of the organisers and exhibitors resulted in an enjoyable event for those who braved the elements. Engines present included John Naylor's Burrell traction 3655 (FU822) belted up to a saw bench, Jock Murray's 1927 Advance roller 7920 (0T4606), Neil Herridge's similar 7979 (0U285), Bill Pierce's 1920 Fowler road loco 14754 (N0459), and 1907 Burrell agricultural 2909 (AF3517) THE CORNISHMAN owned by Colin Tucker. Marshall general purpose 84562 of 1929 (KP6969) of D. Harding was also present.

The Lancashire TE Club's May Day Steam at Abbotsfield Park was again jointly organised with the Urmston & District Model Engineering Society and some sixteen engines attended from both the host county, and Cheshire and Yorkshire. Walter Fitter's Foden agricultural 2312 of 1910 was in attendance, whilst another from the same maker was Greg Barlow's 2654 1E5684) built a year later. Roy Tideswell's Aveling 10873 of 1924 (NT4368) roller, purchased last year and since re-boxed, was present together with another newly acquired Aveling — Brian Allison's 1927 tractor number 11839 (SM6448). There were two Sentinels at the show — Peter Froud's DG4 8714 of 1932 (KG1123) and Peter Clare's Super 5665 (RS5540), originally supplied to Aberdeen Coal & Shipping Co in 1924. Alan Porter's 1913 Burrell roller 3535 (TB2710) continues to prove troublesome; whilst steaming through Lymm on one of Alan's many journeys with the roller, the crankshaft broke adjacent to the eccentrics, and this just after the roller had stormed up a quarter mile long bank of 1 in 7 without any trouble. Fortunately, one of the crew owns a 1952 Scammell drawbar tractor, and this was used to tow the roller and living van the rest of the journey. Next day, dismantling began and by the end of the month of May, the broken shaft and flywheel were at a local engineers for repair. Within another month, the offending item had been repaired and during a hectic weekend at the end of June all the bits were reassembled and the roller was mobile again. A new event was staged ai the Kirkholt Working Men's Club on the south side of Rochdale over the Spring Bank Holiday. Tom Varley's showmans HIS LORDSHIP was present, as was .1. Hesslewood's 1919 Aveling tractor 9081 (KN5785). Another tractor was Burrell Gold Medal 3245 of 1910 (AH054) owned by John Cooper, and other engines included Peter Clare's Sentinel, Barlow's Foden and a couple from across the Pennines, Lyndon Shearman's 1860s Brown & May portable (number not known) and Brian Dunford's Garrett tractor 33632 of 1919 (TB3740). The event was held in streets outside the WMC in the middle of a housing estate and in common with several other events on this particular weekend, the Sunday was very wet. Nevertheless people came to the event and on the Monday fine weather attracted crowds aplenty. The following weekend in the far north of the county, George Coles 183

USHERS COUNTRY BITTER'

Sentinel brewer's dray 9307 of 1937 looking the part as it stands outside its owner's beer tent at the 1983 Stourpaine event. (Bob Payne)

drove his 1913 Clayton agricultural to the Hark to Bounty Inn at Slaidburn. There he joined David McNamee's two engines, Aveling roller 11837 of 1927 (EP3696) and recently acquired 1940s Marshall portable. George Howard was also at the event. He has made a superb job of the recent rebuild of his 1919 Burrell tractor FORESTER, 3808 (AH570) but sadly has recently suffered increasingly ill health and feels no longer well enough to drive it on the road. It is presently on loan to the National Commercial Vehicle Museum at Leyland, but will be going to one or two events each year by low loader. A charity event at another pub was that organised by Jim Crompton adjacent to the Bowling Green Inn at Charnock Richard, close to the motorway. Three engines were present, Andrew and Sue Whitney's Fowler ploughing engine 13481 of 1913 (N0796), and Jim Waterworth's pair of Burrells — traction 3307 of 1911 (AH7457) and roller 3305 (TB3722) 184

made at Thetford in the same year. Both came from Kent some time ago, and in the case of the roller, it was a home coming for it was previously in Isaac Ball's fleet. Mid June saw the excellent little rally organised by the Morecambe Bay Club being held in fine weather at Stodday, with a good selection of exhibits in attendance. Noteworthy engines included J. Wareing's 1934 Sentinel wagon 9003 (VE9963), Hubert Nixon's Burrell showmans LADY PRIDE OF ENGLAND and John Looker's 1938 Aveling Barford roller AD073 (CUP396). Also there were & Clayton Oliver's Robert Shuttleworth rebuild OLD ENGLAND, George Howard's Burrell tractor and the Aveling tractor belonging to Brian Allison. A part dispersal sale was held by Tom Varley at Gisburn in early August of his well known collection of steam engine rarities. Some items were already restored and have been exten-

sively rallied; one or two others were awaiting completion. Details of the ten engines that came under the hammer are — • Aveling & Porter single cylinder traction engine presently unidentified by works number but of quite early date. Brought back from Australia last year this interesting if oddly proportioned engine requires much work; £5700. • Marshall traction engine 56187 of 1911 ITA24381; £7000, a price probably reflecting the fact that the engine was previously a roller. • Aveling & Porter showmans engine 4885 of 1901 (ME6052), still in the process of rebuilding; £28000. • Burrell ploughing engines 776/777 of 1879. The fully restored 777 demanded £13000 whilst the largely complete and reboilered but unfinished 776 fetched £8000. The pair now form part of the collection at the Museum of East Anglian Life at Stowmarket and have returned, appropriately, to very near their birthplace. Then three wagons brought back from Australia in fairly recent years — • Atkinson 'Colonial' wagon 72 of

1918; £29500. Now in Kent. • Foden 'Colonial' wagon 4086 of 1913; £17750. Purchased by a collector in Germany. • Aveling & Porter wagon 9282 of 1921; £18800. Lastly two Yorkshire wagons with a more local history — • Yorkshire WG model 2118 of 1927 (UA1163); £18500. • Yorkshire WG model 2108 of 1927 (UA 17881; £21500. A 1919 Stanley steam car also in the sale fetched £8000.

LEICESTERSHIRE The organisers of the Kegworth event were fortunate to have a fine hot weekend. Most of the engines came here after visiting Rempstone (see Nottinghamshire notes) but first time attenders at this show were A. Henton's 1903 Allchin traction 1261 (AY9878), Ron Maddison's 1928 Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies 39088 (U02296) from Staffordshire, Foster traction 14422 of 1924 (CT6708) owned by Mrs R. Watts from Northamptonshire and J. Brown's Ruston & Hornsby agricultural 169167 of 1933 (TL5452). This was the last traction engine built by the Lincoln firm and is named TREVITHICK.

••••

A couple of showmans engines attended, these being Mrs Chamberlain's 1921 Burrell DRAGON and the Hardy family's 1920 Fowler HEADWAY. Graham Love, who in the past has done sterling work in winching engines out of the rally field during the wet rallies of previous years came again this year with EXCELSIOR, his superb Fowler road loco 15323 IHR36971, having completed an extensive renovation in recent months. Fortunately his winching services were not required this year, as the weather remained fine. The first engine to enter Kegworth rally field thirty years ago in 1954 was also present; Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies 42036 of 1932 (11_2366) was at that time owned by the late Tim Sage and is now owned by the Sage family. On the Saturday night of the rally, some of the Fosters in attendance were put together in the arena for a line up — the engines of Paul Scholey, John Bosworth, Mrs Watts, Mrs Swingler and Rev Teddy Boston. Many photographs were taken and the question arose — how about someone organising (or fostering?) a rally solely for these Wellington Foundry built engines?

e.....•••••••

An engine noted for sale is 1918 Ruston Proctor tractor 52329 (CT5554), owned by G.E. Stubbs.

LINCOLNSHIRE Enthusiasts and organisers celebrated Stamford rally's 21st birthday in style with a fine show at Burghley Park. The engine entry included Peter Coulson's McLaren tractor 1837 (AAM801), F. Gibbons' unusual Robey traction 29330 of 1910 (CT4101) and Phil Ives Garrett tractor 33987 (BJ5597). Edgar Shone's Foden timber tractor 13068 (EU3764) and John Crawley's 1921 Sentinel Standard wagon 3899 (ET1969) were two of the wagon types to be seen whilst showmans engines included Mrs Chamberlain's Burrell DRAGON, 3912 (C04485) of 1921. This year Gosberton again had a good sunny Sunday for their rally. Four engines were in attendance at this small event — two Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies and two Fosters. The Ipswich built engines were J. Cooke's 27461 of 1918 (F11176) and Roy Pratt's 30004 (R6968) of the next year. The Lincoln products were Arthur Waling's tractor 14589 (UT2109) LORD OF THE ISLES and Mick Dawson's 14066 (FE1589) ENDEAVOUR. The latter had earlier made its first appearance since extensive overhaul at the 25th Carrington Park Rally.

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Foster Wellington tractor 14066 of 1915 has been missing from the rally scene for a number of years, but is seen here at its owners yard near Boston in June 1984, fresh from a three-year overhaul. The engine has been reunited with its original 1915 registration — FE1589 — which was carried for only a short time between new and the unrecorded time when it was commandeered from its original owner in Kettering, Northants for service in World War 1. (Clive Hollingworthl

A mid June steam up took place in Wandle Park, Merton to the south of the capital. This was the second such event staged by Fred Beadle as a follow up to the annual rally put on by the Council for a number of years. Unfortunately the attendance was somewhat down this year on previous years and the weekend offered mixed weather. Those engines which visited the event included Robin Cakebread's Aveling conversion 7056 of 1910 (MD4517), Ian Bennett's Robey tractor 33957 (FE5043) VILLAGE QUEEN, Denis Brandt's McLaren agricultural 435 (FI 51, and from Essex, Retman's 1909 Foden traction engine 1294 (TB3792).

NORFOLK An open day was held at the Downham Market premises of Jeffery Reed's Steam Museum, opened for the first time in good weather at Easter. Jeff's unique 1920 Tasker showmans tractor 1822 (H02930) was the star of the show; also present were 1912 Burrell roller 3388 (TB3718) owned by Neville Playford and Allchin agricultural 1527 of 1911 (CF3650), owned by Miss M. Stubley. 185

By contrast, some extremely unkind weather at Spring Bank Holiday resulted in the engines being unable to move around at Norfolk Steam Engine Club's rally at Strumpshaw, Norwich. A good turn up of engines was apparent, even though other exhibitors seemed to have been put off by the inclement weather. Over two dozen steamers were present (including exhibits from the on-site museum owned by Wesley Key and included Foden wagon 13802 (VN2912), J. Green's 1913 Fowell agricultural 103 (AH5456) and Robert Brooker's Ransomes traction 27000 of 1916 (EW2321), a relatively recent acquisition. A type of roller not often seen in these parts was Ken Frost's tiny Wallis & Steevens Simplicity 7981 of 1930 (0U1789), company for Ken's Burrell showmans 3343 (DX3441) PRINCESS MARY. Our good wishes are extended to Ken, for a speedy recovery following his recent ill health. A special steam up took place at Thursford in late May when no less than six rollers were in action — all looking more or less as they did when engaged on their latter day commercial activities. There were four Avelings, a

Marshall and a Burrell and they made quite a picture, despite constant drizzle. Another item of interest here was the restoration of George Cushing's own living van, with which he spent some 12 years on contract work. It is a lovely Aveling van and it's spartan comforts suggest that it has been restored to it's 'as delivered' condition. Jeff Reed's Tasker tractor also attended an event run by the Anglia Vintage Machinery Club in aid of the British Diabetic Association at Hungate Park, Wisbech during the summer. It was in company with a couple of Burrell engines; the agriculturals of George Venni — 1244 of 1886 (AH5494) — and Richard Parrott — 2626 of 1903 (TB3717). A fourth engine was the Foster showmans tractor 14589 (UT2109) of Frank and Arthur Waling. The two little-rallied Burrell showmans engines in the county which were mentioned in the last issue as being available for purchase have both been bought by Arthur Mason.

This Fowler showmans engine was photographed by T. Bolton of Ely in, presumably, the yard of James Graven & Sons of the same town. We are grateful to Alan Martin for his thoughts on the identity of the engine. Gravens converted two ex War Department Fowlers to showmans specification in the early 1920s — 14865 (class R3) and 14934 (class TE2). The former is probably depicted in our illustration; it was a compound 7hp road locomotive built in 1917 to the order of the Ministry of Munitions for the WD. The double lift pipe valves on the belly tank are a pointer to its identity. The inscription on the canopy sides is mere advertising for Gravens, being written onto the negative in the photographers studio, and the engine, after conversion, was sold to north east England. It was owned from 1931 by Wm. Murphy, a showman in the Tyneside area, named TRYER THE 2nd. Thanks are due to Alex Garden for sending the photograph. 186

NORTHANTS The Rushden Historical Transport Society presented their annual cavalcade in the grounds of Knuston Hall in May when, among an excellent collection of motor vehicles, cycles and tractors, several steam engines also appeared. These included Jim Rochester's 1914 Burrell Gold Medal tractor 3626 (AH221), David Atkin's huge Z7 class Fowler ploughing engine 15670 and Phil Ives' 1920 Garrett showmans tractor 33987. Rollers present included Doug Colvin's 1911 Aveling 7080 1E5346) and John Ablitt's 10718 of 1923 (NM3825).

NORTHERN IRELAND Rock-hard ground after three almost rainless months made driving in of posts an unaccustomed problem for the members of the Ulster club preparing for the Shane's Castle Rally — usually the local climate presents quite the opposite problem. A total of 22 steam vehicles attended. Despite a dockers' strike which preceded the rally, our visitors from England and Scotland, Tom Varley and Bob Craig, were able to attend with their vehicles. Tom brought his 1872 Howard traction engine 201, recently restored to working order following its return from Australia. Bob brought his 1925 Wallis & Steevens Advance 6 ton roller 7833 (H06397) formerly from County Durham. Apparently Tom and Bob were able to persuade the dockers that their vehicles were not 'freight' and therefore they were not subject to the ban on commercial vehicles which had been imposed. From the Irish Steam Preservation Society's collection at Stradbally, County Laois, we welcomed Tom Tynan with Mann's steam cart 1216 of 1917 (U4249), making its first appearance at Shane's Castle. Travelling even further was Gerard Crosse from Donaskeigh, County Tipperary, who brought his 1905 Allchin 8 hp traction engine 1311 (HR5059). This engine has just had a new firebox fitted, the work being completed only days before the rally.

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE The beginning of the rally season in the county started the same as last year — wet. The organisers of the eleventh ONCA rally at Thoresby Park on May Day weekend must have thought that their luck was in when during the previous week the weather was fine and sunny, but rain came on Saturday and all day on Sunday, making the field extremely slippery. A good selection of engines came along, however — appearing for the first time was Aveling roller 7583 (TF395)

Marshall's 1921 Steam Tractors catalogue contained two pictures of their own winks ltecturs and trailers which, they stated, 'could be Inspected try appointment' This illustration shows a line up of three of the four-strong fleet — works number 62387, recently moved to Nottinghamshire and mentioned in the county notes, is in the centre, filled with a feed water heater. (Welland Valley club collection)

owned by S. Parrott from Lincolnshire. Irving Barraclough arrived on Sunday morning from near Rotherham with his Fowler Russian type road loco 14893 of 1917 (CT6888), complete with new canopy and rubbered rear wheels. The Flear family from Lincolnshire brought along both of their Fowler ploughing engines 13881 (N0372) and 14375 (13E7595) and from just along the road came Wallis & Steevens roller 252/1 (BP861135), owned by the Baines family, Other engines included John Bosworth's Foster traction 14410 (UP6481) and, in the capable hands of R. Siddall, Mr Pierce's 1926 Babcock & Wilcox roller 95/4009 (YB7976). Although a wct weekend meant a low public turnout, attempts were made to get engines into the arena on both days, but this was not to be on the Monday when conditions were too wet for any movement at all. Most of the engines moved on from Thoresby some three weeks later to the Ashfield rally, run by the Notts & District club. Here, the weather was very good indeed with the sun shining beautifully for the weekend; 26 engines came to the event — two first time attenders were Pete Gull's 1928 Aveling roller 12079 (PH9633) and Len Crane's Fowler crane engine 17212 (RF6092). Two engines making a welcome return to the rally scene after some years off for major work were the Garrett traction 28249 (FX8223) owned by Bruce Ragsdale, a 1910 engine, and Graham Love's Fowler road loco EXCELSIOR 15323 of 1918 (HR3697). Both have been reboxed, among other work, which should enable them to continue their

appearances at the events for several years to come. The oldest engine at the rally was 1884 Aveling & Porter traction 1995 (BT3939), owned by Aveling-Barford at Grantham. In July, Thoresby Park played host to the National Vintage Tractor and Engine Club's rally. Up to three years ago, this event was held at Bothamsail, just across the A614 from the Park. There were three local engines at the event, Pete Gull's Aveling roller, the Wallis & Steevens roller owned by the Baines family and Doug Ragsdale's Burrell showmans style tractor 4073 (VF5265). Another local attender was Jack Schofield with his gallopers. Others included the Museum of Lincolnshire Life's Ruston Proctor traction 46596 (SFE 519L), and Dave Eansworth with Fowler agricultural 9230 of 1902 (NP3049). A fresh engine to come into the county has been brought from the London area by Peter Gull of Charborough. Marshall 62387 is presently in roller form but was built in 1913 as a compound 5 ton tractor and used for general haulage purposes by the makers around their Gainsborough works, registered 6E1877. Later converted to a roller — probably by Marshalls — it was by 1936 with Coles of Sleaford, who later sold it to Northern Ireland where it became JZ6160. The Redburns of Enfield retrieved it from across the water in more recent years, selling it in 1974 to a Mr Politi before later re-acquiring it. Peter purchased it in June and is hoping to turn it back to its original tractor form, and to reclaim its first registration number. (It will be

Interesting to learn of DVLC's deliberations on this — Ed.) It is nice to hear of a conversion where the history of the engine warrants it — and of an engine returning to within a dozen miles of where it first worked. Mike Beeby gathered a good cross section of entrants together for this year's Rempstone rally, and four entries were making some sort of debut at the event. Ron Maddison from Staffordshire, who bought his engine last year from North Wales, exhibited his 1928 Ransomes tractor 39088 (UD2296), whilst John Crawley came from Bedfordshire with 1926 Foden wagon 12364 (though really the wagon is no stranger to Rempstone being a frequent visitor when owned by the Parkin family from Castletord). P. Richardson brought Edgar Shone's Foden tractor 13068 of 1928 (EU3764) and finally, A. Henton from Leicestershire showed Allchin agricultural 1261 (AY9878), an engine purchased new in 1903 by the present owners grandfather for his threshing business. This season is the first year of rallying for the Allchin. Engines providing working demonstrations included John Bosworth's Foster traction 14410 and Harry Palmer's 1904 Ruston Proctor portable 29011 on saw benches, whilst on a threshing drum was Paul Scholey's Foster traction 2775 (FW3333), Many of the 34 engines in the line up were old time attenders such as Bill Ford's 1915 Fowler agricultural 14600 (H05590) and Mrs Sansome's 1911 Fowler ELSA. Except for a brief rain storm on the Saturday, the weekend had good weather.

OXFORDSHIRE Cogyes Fill111MUSeU111 near Wilsey was the location of a small gathering of engines over the Easter weekend. The event was blessed with glorious weather and several county crafts were demonstrated at the museum to entertain the visiting public. Jack Wharton's two showmans engines, KING GEORGE VI and SUPREME were there, as was Aveling roller 4872 (BW6965) owned by Nigel Heath, together with Jeff Shackell's 1904 Marshall agricultural 41151 (BH7607), driving a threshing drum. This year's Holton rally was opened by TV personality cum steeplejack, Fred Dibnah. Perhaps the rarest exhibit was Garrett road loco 27946 of 1909 (0168181 VERA, owned by John Bush and partners from Wales. The engine was used by Harkness's in Belfast until the early 1960s, latterly for retrieving the heavy drag chains used when launching ships down the slipways. Other first 187

timers at Holton were the Bolton's 1910 Clayton traction 43200 (3E8003) and Geoff Wheeler's 1920 Ruston & Hornsby traction 113043 (CE7977). Up from Somerset came the Abbey Hill Group's Aveling roller 5623 (HR3510) whilst local engines included Jim Hutchen's now unique Garrett Suffolk Punch tractor 33180 (BJ4483) and Bob Markham's Hornsby traction 6557 of 1889 (FL2598). Showmans engines were provided by Jack Wharton with the addition of a couple of Burrell tractors — Peter Barker's 3458 (AB8795) DEFIANCE and Jack Lawrence's 3631 (OR27291 KATHLEEN. Fowler roller 15935 of 1923 (NX3268) has been sold by D. Plant to Peter Best of Abingdon.

SCOTLAND An excellent little show staged by the Scottish society in conjunction with the New Lanark Conservation Trust at the Mill Yard, New Lanark resulted in an attendance which over-

whelmed the organisers. There was excellent weather and good publicity and it is hoped to put on a bigger and better show next year at the same venue when more room will be made available. This is very much dependent, however, on the amount of assistance forthcoming from members. Beside a big turn out of veteran and vintage exhibits, steam was represented by Murdoch-McKenzie Ltd's Fowler roller 17471 of 1929 (G M1523), Marshall roller 83452 of 1928 (SY3582) owned by Wood and Rees, Jimmy Drummond's 1927 Fowler tractor 17260 (E59796) and a Merryweather Gem horsedrawn fire engine belonging to the Lothian & Borders Fire Brigade. Reversing the loss to Scotland of a Fowler roller (reported in the last issue), July saw the arrival at Huntly, Aberdeenshire of Sentinel 9213 (UJ 58621, previously in the ownership of Derek Rule in Essex, and widely rallied by him in eastern England. The 1933 built S4 has now returned to its

Thanks are due to A.B. Graham of Dunlop, Ayrshire for sending this picture of one of Mann's steam carts. The design was intended for direct ploughing and featured a rope haulage drum between the rear wheels. Our example is work's number 1401 built in 1919, registered 05360. Leeds licensing files record the tractor with Hull Co-operative Society in 1922 and it was probably

new to them. By 1925 it had been acquired by Robert Borland, a Stewart on, Ayrshire, threshing contractor, from Adams Bros of Dumbarton. Borland thought it a good tool for baling hay as it could be fired from the ground. It was he who changed the front wheels for the Foden ones fitted in the photo, but in 1936 the engine was sold to Robert Howie & Sons, timber merchant from Dunlop, for hauling and loading round timber. Another timber contractor, Thomas Mair from near Troon, acquired the Mann's in 1941, and it was scrapped at the end of World War 2. Alan Duke kindly provided the works number, date and the engine's early pre-Scottish history. 188

first working home, for following its use by the makers as a demonstrator, it was purchased in 1935 by the Glendronach Distillery near Huntly and used until 1954 for carrying coal, grains and casks; thirty years on the company (now part of the Teacher's group) has re-purchased the wagon, already in its former distillery colours, as part of it's heritage. The steamer has also been re-united with the trailer it formerly hauled from the distillery — traded from it's more recent owner for a quanitity of the distillery's product! The Sentinel will be loaned to Grampian Transport Museum at Alford, and also be steamed for important visitors to Glendronach, and journey to promotional events. Local enthusiasts Bill Barrack and Sandy Gray were guests at the S4's homecoming reception and will no doubt be able to provide welcome advice to the new keepers.

SOMERSET A large crowd was attracted to the Abbey Hill rally at Yeovil in early May where some 21 engines were assembled. These came from places as far afield as Kent and Cornwall as well as other places closer to hand. Mike Hillary's big 1912 McLaren traction 1160 (H05570) was present as was David Maidment's Allchin traction 1173 (KE1984) AQUARIUS. From Cornwall came Bill Lobb with his 1926 Garrett tractor 34789 (YB7841 I and from Kent, Thomas Wood & Sons brought their 1921 Burrell 3931 (WY15631. Among the showmans engines were James Gilbey's Burrell scenic PERSERVERANCE II and Portland Plant Hire's Burrell 3949 (N08287) PRINCESS MARY. The following month, the Royal Bath & West Show had another excellent attendance. There were several Burrell engines present, including Sam Hillman's 1905 agricultural 2767 (YA1683), Brian Caseley's 1919 road loco 3824 (YA366) and in the showmans category James Gilbey's scenic and Ted Gale's MAJESTIC. Other engines included Paul Antell's 1910 Robey traction 29333, Colin Waite's 1916 Fowler ploughing engine 14256, and Arthur Field's Fowler roller 18652 (TK4285). On the saw bench was Des Penny's 1916 Ransomes traction 26995 (EW2320). A local firm which produces alternative fuels found opportunities for trials here — the effects of the miners strike being noticeable — and the straw logs which were available seemed to keep steam on the engines without much problem. Perhaps there is moral here with all the pollution and

ABERDEEN & NORTHERN MARTS LTD

SALE BY AUCTION of TRACTION ENGINE, STEAM and DIESEL ROAD ROLLERS and two MOTOR CARS on SATURDAY, 3rd NOVEMBER 1984 at 1pm Instructed by Trustees of the late Mrs A. Cowie • Marshall single cylinder traction engine 78312 of 1924, ROB ROY (fire damage to rear wheel rubber and paint work) • Marshall road roller 75653 of 1922, ROSE • Fowler compound road roller 16235 of 1924, HIGHLANDER, fully restored • Fowler compound road roller 16961011927, HEATHER, fully restored • Avelino & Porter road roller, fully restored Boiler reports available for all the above • 1948 Triumph Renown car • Marshall diesel road roller • 1970 Austin 3 litre, 30000 miles, one owner Further details from

Aberdeen Northern Marts Ltd, Auctioneers, KIllybrewster Mart, Aberdeen (telephone Aberdeen (0224) 41331).

hazards caused by stubble burning taking place in the autumn.

STAFFORDSHIRE The Bass Museum celebrated 'Heritage 1984' by dedicating its annual May steam event to Burton on Trent's famed fairground architects, Orton & Spooner. Supporting the collection of photographs, carriages, mounts and a living van on display were eight visiting engines of a fairground nature. They were Savage centre engine 422 of 1887 in Jack Schofield's gallopers, Garrett showmans tractor 33074 of 1917 (BJ3451) belonging to Peter Timmis, Mrs Swingler's Foster showmans style 14564, Howard brothers' Fowler RENOWN and the Burrells of Phil Swindlehurst — RAJAH, the Walker brothers — SAINT BRANNOCK, Frank Lythgoe — DOLPHIN, and the recent conversion NELL GWYNN of Doug Ragsdale. To complete the showland theme, there was a good selection of visiting rides, organs and sideshows for the public to enjoy. A rally which started last year in extremely wet conditions, was held again this year in May — and in somewhat better weather. The Tamworth event was organised by the Rotary Club of Tamworth Anker, and engines which attended included Mrs Sansome's Fowler agricultural 12761 (397TR0), Lloyd Jackson's superbly restored Fowler ploughing engine 4223 (AC9061), celebrating it's centenary this year, and Bill Hunt's Foster showmans engine 14446 (DH4593) THE LEADER, new in 1921 and used by Pat Collins in showland service. Members of the North Staffs & Cheshire Club were saddened to hear

of the death of one of their engine owning members, Jim Sear, during the week prior to the early season Klondyke Steam Party. Jim, in partnership with John Bradbury, owned both 1926 Fowler roller 16665 (UM3918) and 1975 built replica Savage engine 905 (OAH 14P). He was a familiar sight at the steam museum and his cheerful advice will be sadly missed. In steam at the museum's party were Tideswell's Aveling roller 10873 (NT4368), Alan Williamson's 1933 Sentinel S4 wagon 8884 and the Jeffs brothers 1931 Fowler roller 18507 (SM8832). Amongst others present but under repair and not in steam were Denis Waters' 1930 Fowler roller 18651 (VF9312) and the Club's Aveling roller 8316 (E5335) built in 1914.

SUFFOLK An event titled Steam at Stowmarket was held at the Museum of East Anglian Life in early June and was attended by several engines from the surrounding area. These included Kath Barrett's Burrell showmans tractor PETER PAN, 3433 (AH0108), Natal Taylor's Wallis traction 7497 (N04710) and the Museum's own Burrell traction 3399 (AH5446) EMPRESS OF BRITAIN. Another Burrell was the magnificent showmans scenic belonging to Paul Rackham, 3938 (XL9086) QUO VADIS. Some 40 engines attended the Thurlow rally at Spring Bank Holiday which, in common with the many other places, suffered from extremely heavy rain and poor conditions underfoot. Nevertheless the engines present included some long distance visitors such as Wally Clark from Somerset

with the Abbey Hill Group's Aveling roller b623 (HR3510), Martin Fagg from Hampshire with his finely restored ex-Eddison Aveling roller 10048 (FX8307) and those two excellent Burrell showmans engines, QUO VADIS and EARL HAIGH, the latter owned by Stan Burgess. Wagons included two belonging to Edgar Shone, his Sentinel S8, 9105, and his DG6, 8213. Among the many vintage vehicles participating in Ipswich Transport Museum's Pageant of Transport at Christchurch Park were a couple of traction engines, namely Jim Ockenden's 1908 Marshall 49725 (BW4509) from Essex, and the more local 1916 Wallis 7497 owned by Natal Taylor. The Marshall drove a Ransomes drum and Nicholson straw pitcher owned by Eagle Bros. A small country fayre was held at Baisham new Beccles, attended by a couple of engines, Robert Brooker's Ransomes traction 27000 (EW2321) and Brian Green's Burrell agricultural 3106 (N0439), built in 1916 and 1909 respectively. Developments at the Gisleham brick and pipe works south of Lowestoft may eventually include a steam museum. John Green, owner of Fowell agricultural 103 of 1913 has bought the site and whilst using part of it for his plant hire business hopes to retain some of the existing buildings as a museum of brick making and agricultural equipment, including some items of steam interest. Last year, a steam rally was held on the site and Mr Green is keen for this to contiriue. At the other museum near Lowestoft, at Carlton Colville, Armstrong Whitworth roller 10R22 of 1923 (DX4602) hod an outing to the wedding reception of two museum members who met whilst running the bookshop. The roller presented a very elegant appeal dlice, tastefully decorated with white ribbons, bows and horseshoes. The same roller also went along to the official opening of a new 101/4 in gauge miniature railway at the Suffolk Wildlife and Country Park at Kessingland. This opening also commemorated the 80th anniversary of the opening of the Leek & Manifold railway in Staffordshire and the 50th anniversary of it's closure; appropriate because the locomotives used were scale replicas of the Leek & Manifold locomotives. The. Park is owned and operated by Mr Nicholson one time owner of Burrell showmans engine EX MAYOR. An engine to have moved recently is the Aveling roller of Philip Campling. This is 10079 (BJ7116) and is ex Felixstowe BC; it has been waiting 189

ERIAtS F.4.91111 CCP[CAM JOSEPH COLESaSON IAME.ASPHALT4X0

. WEST TOMO

Foden C type 6 ton tipper 12952 was delivered new in 1926 to E.A. Simpson of Rye, Sussex; by the time this photograph was taken — at an unknown date — it was being used for road aggregate haulage and the like by Joseph Coles & Sons Ltd of Bristol, numbered 4 in their fleet. Mr L. Derrick, who kindly sent the picture, drove for the latter firm for many years and tells us they had nine Fodens and two Garrett six wheelers.

repairs for several years, having suffered the ravages of the dreaded firebox moth — thinus platicus. A roller to come into the county is Aveling 10784 of 1924 (PU3094) now owned by Martin Hunt; it was previously with Jim White in Essex.

SURREY Some engine movements have taken place resulting in Pentus Brown now owning Foster 14638 (VL4777), a 1933 traction previously in Staffordshire, whilst 1917 Tasker tractor (H02040) is now with 1741 Hardwick's of Ewell.

SUSSEX The annual commercial vehicle run to Brighton took place in early May. Nowadays it is part of a three day event at London's Battersea Park, and sponsored by the Wincanton Motor Group. The many and varied lorries and buses taking part were joined by 190

several steam wagons which successfully completed the 50 mile run to the coast. Sentinel were represented by David Goddard's DG6 8571 (KF6482), John Harrison's Super 6504 INT8347), Arnold Brook's Super 6327 (NE4770) and Edgar Shone's 1930 DG6 8213 (GF8655). An interesting event at the end of June was the Marshall Day at the Amberley Chalk Pits Museum. Not all the engines were Marshalls, as some of the site residents at the museum are Avelings. One, Aveling Barford AG758 (FRM973) was seen marshalling the Gainsborough visitors around and proclaiming for all to see that when she grew up, she wanted to be a Marshall (can't think why — DAR), but later in the day, she seemed to have had second thoughts and wanted to be a Burrell (there's no accounting for taste — DAR). However, it was the day for Marshalls and those present were 6hp

traction 14242, 7hp traction 46276 (a resident), 7hp traction 49725 (John Ockenden), road engine 57304 (Geoff Hunt), 5 ton tractor 73900, traction 74871 (Les Birch) and 79669 (the 8 ton West Sussex roller on loan to the museum). There were also a number of diesel tractors and a threshing machine. Altogether it was good collection and a excellent idea which might be followed at other suitable places with other makes. The Southern Counties Ardingly Spectacular in early July caught the best of the weather and attracted a good turn out of exhibits of all kinds. Steam engines present included Wallis & Steevens agricultural 7227 of 1911 (HR3577) now owned by T. Beaven, Mrs D. Langley's 1895 Fowler traction 7459 (BW4506) and two showmans conversions — 1918 Garrett 33374 (CE8250) owned by Boxhill & Headley Pest Control Ltd, and Jim Searle's 19050 (CV5630). 1931 Fowler Wagons included the Sentinels owned by W. Rivett — 6887 (DL 5478) — and HMS SULTAN — DG4 8393 (DX9048) — together with Mrs Peggy Hampshire's 1930 Foden 13716 (RP9208) driven by Bob Tarrant. Far from home in Warwickshire was Michael Davis and his Fowler BB1 ploughing engine 15182 (H05869).

WALES Visitors from England again formed the bulk of the engine exhibits at the Plas Coch rally on Anglesey in mid May. It is held near that famous place with the long name, Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllantysili ogogogoch and visitors came from far to the event. A fairly local engine was Paul Taylor's fine Aveling roller 6544 of 1908 (H01572) from Penrhyndeudraeth, whilst visitors included James Gilbey's Burrell tractor 3192 (CR6229) ST BERNARD, Jack Johnson's Burrell tractor 3862 (MA8472), Steve Milos' Aveling convertible 9264 of 1922 (EJ966) in roller form and Andrew Semple's Ruston & Hornsby tractor 52607 (HP2201). Lon Crane's Fowler crane engine 17212 was also present. The Foden wagon recently purchased by Robin Gibson in a dismantled condition has been sold to the Warrington area; little or no work was done on the wagon whilst it has been in Wales. Mike Jones' Marshall 5ton tractor 68754 (CH2462) has now been moved near to his home, after being parked in a field for some ten years. Following the move, some 50 hours were spent dismantling the engine down to cylinder block, boiler and firebox; it was then delivered to Stuart Woodbine's works in Derbyshire for major repairs, including new firebox and backhead, Work will

of 1023 (DM2621) owned by n.T. Pearson and the Jeffs brothers' Fowler roller 18507 (SM88321 dating from 1931. Other visitors included John Mayes' 1882 McLaren agricultural 127 (H05618) and Paul Antell up from Dorset with his 1910 Robey traction 29333 (AD9899). An Aveling roller noted as being for sale in the Hertfordshire area has been purchased by Perks and Tennant of Halesowen. It is 10190 (FX8654), a 1922 single. Another engine to change hands is Allchin general purpose engine 1105 of 1899 (FP1024), now in the ownership of R. Hunt.

WILTSHIRE A vintage working was staged by the South Wiltshire Agricultural Preservation Society in mid May at Foothill Park, not far from Salisbury. A good deal of effort went into the organisation and it was pleasing to see a very worthwhile end result in an excellent setting. Powering a rack saw bench was John Antell's 1909 Fowler traction 11491 (AH6486) and, as one might expect, John was making the job look easy.

YORKSHIRE This year's Sheffield & District Steam Society's event at Oakes Park, Sheffield in early July attracted an appreciable engine entry that included

the unique (to this country) 1910 Buffalo Pius engine featured in the Iasi issue of Steaming and which is owned by the Taylor brothers. Also present was another ex-Australian engine, 10hp McLaren 1332 of 1912, owned by Brian Hardy and in the capable hands of John Carr. Traction engines present were Bruce Ragsdale's 1910 Garrett 28249 (FX8223), resplendent after the fitting of a new firebox and now named BRUCE, together with the Museum of Lincolnshire Life's 1913 Ruston Proctor 46596 ISFE 519L1. Doug Ragsdale brought along his Burrell showmans style engine 4073 (VF5265) and this performed the useful task of providing electrical power for Jack Schofield's gallopers during the event. Within the gallopers woo Savage centre engine 422 of 1887. An engine not much seen out is Marshall agricultural 35554 of 1901 (N026), owned by Ian Jackson. It did

however, appear on the Harrogate Stray in early June at a Carnival Day organised by Harrogate Lions to mark the centenary of the spa town's incorporation as a borough. An engine offered for sale is Burrell single crank compound 3918 of 1923 owned by Ken Ellwood; engine changes already effected include the purchase by Brian Kellett (owner of Burrell 3686 MEPHISTOPHELES) of Brian Dunford's 1929 Sentinel DG4

continue meanwhile on refurbishing the remaining items prior to refitting on the repaired boiler in due course. Lloyd Jones 1929 Sentinel tar sprayer 8122 10F57831 was out for the Wrexham Rally on Spring Bank Holiday Sunday. It was the first time

for over a year that the Sentinel had left Llanfair DC yard. The restoration of the old Aveling roller 2439 lEY1382) ex Anglesey CC continues to progress. The front end has been replaced, including a new headstock. The 1889 engine awaits boiler fittings

and will then be steamed so that she can be turned round in the yard to facilitate the removal of the back tank and bunker and the fitting of a new one.

WEST MIDLANDS The unique rally held in the streets of Birmingham in May attracted a wide selection of exhibits, some 18 in number. these included Gordon Limb's Foden tractor 11788 of 1925 (TD3236), Ruston & Hornsby roller 114059 (CJ4853) owned by Trevor

Daw, Wallis & Steevens Advance 7933 (0T5326) of M.G. Richards, Peter Hough's 1930 Aveling roller 14062 (HV861), Fowler roller 15977

The ever-immaculate LORD ROBERTS — Burrell 3057 of 1908 — gleaming beneath the shade of the trees surrounding the engine area at the Rushmoor rally in July 1984. (Robin Walker) 191

8009 (YD7509), and the sale by Bill Milner of 1930 Marshall traction 85620 (TF2954) to Stephenson's in the east of the county. The latter already own a pair of Fowler ploughing engines. Bill has subsequently purchased Aveling & Porter tractor 9183 (KE18) THE PIRATE from the Wakefields in County Durham. The National Vintage Tractor & Engine Club's event at Murton in early July was attended by a couple of steam engines; Bill Hawkeswell took along his newly acquired 1929 Garrett tractor 35225 (0U3239), and Derek Rayner steamed in with his 1915 Aveling roller 8506 ICT50121 WHITE ROSE. A week prior to this event, Derek's roller, together with his newly repaired and repainted Eddison living van, took part in the Lord Mayor's Parade through York held in conjunction with the four yearly York Festival and Mystery Plays. It was the first time back on the road for the living van following the accident in September 1983, reported in our Winter 1983/84 issue. Incidentally,the driver of the car involved has subsequently been convicted of a road traffic offence. Also on the York parade were a couple of traction engines; Wallis & Steevens 7774 of 1923 (CT6081) owned by Alison Raley — which won a prize along with the NFU float — and John Machin's 1910 Fowler 12170 (WY5321), which also pulled a float. Eight days after the parade occurred the fire which severely damaged York Minster. Despite the engines having passed along adjacent streets the owners declare there is absolutely no connection between the two events! Of the 30 or so engines which attended the 20th rally in the North Yorkshire town of Masham, only three were rollers, namely Mick GainesBurrill's Aveling 12088 (WK5769) and the Fowlers of Andrew Craske, 15589 (U8709), and Malcolm Stirk's 17585 (UA81 781. This is in direct contrast to the relatively large numbers of this genus seen here 10 to 12 years ago. However on the opposite side of the engine line and dotted about the field generating were numerous converted engines including two newcomers to the event, Ben Farrow's Fowler 18875 of 1931 (TY8176) and John

Fowler BB1 ploughing engine 15336 of 1919 at work at the 1970 Roxton event. (John F. Clay) 192

Marshall's Burrell 4062 of 1927 (YB9360), recently come into the county from Lincolnshire. Another first time attender was Richard Preston's Ruston & Hornsby 1933 of 169166 agricultural (TL3433) QUEEN BESS, previously belonging to John Crowther. Stuart Harrison drove his 1912 Fowler road loco 12899 (BX 1927) the seventy or so miles across to Masham from the Morecambe Bay rally, a journey across some wild country with fearsome hills past Ribblehead. The trip took some two days to complete, and the engine lost a considerable amount of paint from the chimney and smokebox area — soon remedied with a paint brush on the rally field. An engine back on the rally circuit after being fitted with a new firebox is Harrison's 1899 Marshall 32092 (PY5827) BLACK BESS, and Eric Wood was at Masham for the first time with 1910 Burrell traction 3218 (TB3959), recently purchased from Frank Pennett. John Smith's exAustralian Fowler single 9544 of 1903 was also entered; it now sports registration plate DS6584. There were, unfortunately, many basic errors in the rally programme details, some now perpetuated for a good number of years. It is hoped that 'Wallis & 'Sentinal', 'Burrill', Steevans' and 'Clayton Shuttleworth' will be corrected for the special 1985 programme when this well organised event comes of age and celebrates it's 21st birthday.

ROAD ROLLER ASSOCIATION

I0 R.R.A.

The RRA was formed in September 1974 and to celebrate the tenth anniversary, road making demonstrations have been planned at Crich Extravaganza and the Leeds club's Harewood House rally. It was at the 1974 Harewood event that the Association was first promoted, so it is fitting that this should be one of the venues to celebrate this anniversary. A meeting took place at Halifax early in 1974 organised by today's RRA President, Lyndon Shearman, and there was, at the Harewood event, a class included specifically for motor rollers, organised by Derek Rayner, then engine secretary of the Leeds club, and now the Association's Chairman. The Association has gone from strength to strength in the intervening decade and as well as the summer events, members now eagerly look forward to the winter weekend convention, incorporating the AGM, for the high standard this event now sets. The venue is not fixed but it has become a general policy to take the meeting to the members and, at the same time, to hold it at a location with some road roller or industrial archaeological interest. Recent venues have included Gainsborough, Ironbridge, Rochester, Bristol and Derby. The 1985 event is planned on or near the South Coast, probably in Sussex.

Pc)\,o7J)

\'/ToTcf4lo'3, FRANCE A visit in May to the newly opened mining museum of the Association du Centre Historique Minier situated in the buildings of a closed colliery at Lewarde, near Douai in northern France, found that two of the exhibits are large British built portable engines of World War I vintage. Robey 35544 and 12hp Ruston Proctor 51427 are both of about 1916. A French built portable is kept among the preserved railway exhibits in the former main line loco shed at Longueville, near Provins, Seine and Marne, south east of Paris. The portable was built by Merlin & Cie of Vierzon, Cher, number 107 of 1931 and is named LA PELLEGOUSSIERE (your editor's ability to correctly use even a good French dictionary limits his translation of this to The Husk Shoveller — so make what you will of that!) Derek Rayner glimpsed two probably French-built portables during recent train journeys — one at a cafe on the left side of the line between Lyon St Clair and Lyon Port Dieu stations, the other in the Savoy Alps between La Roche-sur-Foron and Cluses (right side this time). On the same topic Tim Keenan reports a portable plinthed at a caravan park in the centre of Tours, and another actually being steamed (surely rare for France, this?) for a threshing demonstration at Artenay, about twelve miles south of Orleans.

MALAWI The Fowler ploughing engine pictured in our Spring 1984 issue, on display at a museum at Blantyre, is identified as works number 10077 and David Phillips of Reading University

A wet and dismal homecoming for a Marshall compound S type roller, photographed by Ian Taylor on 22nd May 1984, soon after it was unloaded at Southampton Docks. The roller, presently unidentified and with quite a bit of superficial damage probably caused by inexpert handling in transit, has come from Portugal. By August it was languishing in a plant dealer's yard at Colnbrook near Slough, believed to be for sale at about £3000.

Robey portable 35544 at Lewarde Museum. (Frank Jones)

kindly adds more historical information from Fowler's remaining records held there. Numbers 10076 and 10077 were recorded as Z5 compound ploughing engines with long fireboxes, despatched in June 1906 to the Rhodesia Cotton Co; no subsequent history appears in the records. David remarks: 'It is worth pointing out that in the registers the clerk originally wrote Z2 as the class and then changed it to Z5. Whether this was just a clerical error, or reflects something more fundamental, I cannot say.'

NETHERLANDS Yet another Dutch museum features a working portable, reports Raymond Watson. The Fen Museum at Barger Compascuum, near Emmen, is still under development but offers Garrett portable 32736 of 1915 working a peat blocking machine, a task probably unique to this museum. Potential visitors should try to check beforehand which are working days — believed to have been Wednesdays and Saturdays during July and August this year. 193

PORTUGAL

An Aveling Enigma

Readers holidaymaking in the popular Estoril area of Portugal may like to know of a steam roller easily accessible for viewing in Belem, Lisbon. Alongside the railway line from Estoril to Lisbon, and near Belem station, a JOP (public works committee) yard preserves as a museum piece just inside its gateway, one of the number of German built Henschel rollers imported into the country. This survivor is Henschel 2522 of 1929, a piston valved compound of perhaps 12 tons nominal weight, complete with all fittings but now a somewhat rusty yellow painted relic. Also present is a small locally built petrol engined footpath roller of intriguing design, and a German built trailed scarifier. Travel to the tourist spot of Belem is also possible from central Lisbon by charming 1920s vintage wooden bodied four wheel trams.

SOUTH AFRICA Peter Mostert sends us an update on the whereabouts of his Fowler traction engine 10777, formerly the amazing Mealie Sheller, featured in our Spring 1982 issue. Having himself moved to the south of the country, Peter sent the Fowler, together with a Marshall threshing drum and a 10 ton wagon, for display at a museum at Middelburg, Eastern Transvaal.

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Paul Flint sends this picture of a fine old Aveling roller posed with its crew — but the engine's identity is not clear. The original sepia print, kindly loaned by a family friend, fails to properly reveal the number on the worksplate and the only information handed down with the picture is that it is thought to be the first roller to work for Folkestone Council. The style of buildings in the background does not bely this location, and the mode of dress might place the date in the 1890s. Folkestone Borough Council had two Aveling rollers about this period — 1640 of 1880, which was exchanged for 2754 in 1890. However, both of these were 15 tonners and just visible on the headstock of our example is the lettering R10, verifying it as a 10 tonner. The lack of an owners name plate probably rules out the roller's possession by a local authority — most chose to so adorn their property — so could it be a contractors machine, making the first visit of a steam roller to a village near Folkestone? We thank Alan Duke for his observations and attempting to distinguish the Aveling, and would be pleased to receive readers' comments.

Exported Fowlers I wonder if any reader has information concerning the pair of Fowler ploughing engines 16491/ 16492, EE class 20hp machines built in 1925, which were later reconditioned by Goymer of Barking and allegedly sent to India by the Overseas Food Corporation. I have been trying to trace these engines for some time; unfortunately, the records of the Overseas Food Commission no longer exist. Michael Lane in his book The Story of the Steam Plough Works, refers to the engines as being sent to India, but I can find no corroboration for this and cannot locate anyone with any hard information. I would like to ascertain exactly when these engines were shipped, the port of discharge and to 194

whom, and where they were consigned, since they are almost certainly still in existence. Can any reader help, please? Incidentally, I have located a Ruston Proctor colonial engine in the Philippines, but which is in a rather sorry state. Protracted negotiations are under way with the owners and removal will be a problem. C.J. Paul 158 Mount Pleasant Road, Singapore 1129,

Sentinel trailers Following the question posed in the last part of Joe Thomas' article on Sentinel tractors (page 71, Spring

1984 issue), I made various enquiries on the use to which Beckett's put their large Shrewsbury-built trailers. Having only lived in this area for ten years I had to rely on others. It transpired that C.W. Beckett were either coal or timber merchants, but the museum at Kingston could only offer general information about the Thames-side river traders, and not about individual firms. I then did the obvious and talked to some watermen who are still working the river. Bob Balcomb, who now operates a passenger boat, told me the trailers were used for transporting planks and flooring boards from the riverside. The sides were later taken off, and the trailers were used until

1975, by then, of course, pulled by other later vehicles. It also appears C.W. Beckett had one of four steam powered cranes employed on Kingston wharf — the other three were mounted on rails. M. Skora

Tolworth, Surrey

Joe Thomas' article queries what use Beckett's long Sentinel-built trailers were put to. As a contemporary resident of Kingston upon Thames, I can recall these vehicles hauling timber to the various housing estates being developed within a radius of four miles from the riverside wharves. The timber was discharged from ocean-going ships to barges in the that i3 London docks in standards 165 cu ft units. After the barges had been towed to Kingston, the timber was transferred in the same units directly to the Sentinel trailers. Each unit weighed about 2 3/4 tons and four stacked two high (or it might have been six stacked three high) constituted the usual load. The open ends on the trailers enabled the bottom units to be offloaded with the minimum of manual labour, length by length, after the binding straps had been broken. P.J.F. Gammon

Ripley, Woking, Surrey

A 1937 Sale It is always fascinating to compare prices then and now, and I wonder if members would be interested in these details of a sale we went to on 20th May 1937, at Forman Bros yard at Branston, near I incoln. • Ransomes 7hp single traction 10419 — £18 • Ransomes 7hp single traction 14477 — £44 • Foster 7hp single traction 3297 — £32 • Foster 7hp single traction 12909 — £45 • Foster 8hp single traction 2746 — £120 • Robey 7hp single traction 34252 — £65 Five threshing machines fetched prices varying from £145 (Clayton & Shuttleworth) down to £30 (Ransomes); four 5-knife chaff cutters from £45 to £33; Hayes pattern jackstraws (elevators) from £28 to £5 but a Ruston straw baler demanded £170. Everything was in good working order. C. Maddison

Fulstow, Louth, Lincolnshire

STEAM TRACTORS and STEAM WAGONS. A facsimile reprint of a 1911 Burrell catalogue. 28 pages plus thin card cover, 1 1 in x 8%in, 40 illustrations. Published by MJ Engineering, 63B Southampton Road, Ringwood, Hampshire 8H24 1HE. Price £2.40 plus 30p postage. M.J. Engineering of Ringwood, Hampshire, have commissioned the reprinting of Charles Burrell & Sons' Stcam Tractors and Stcam Wagons descriptive catalogue of 1911. The original is another of the products of Broughtons Ltd, Thetford, who were Burrell's printers. The reprint is a good facsimile and has 28 pages of semi-gloss finish parchment coloured paper (as the original) with a thicker brown cover. The contents of the book are very similar to those of other Burrell catalogues, and include pictures of their works and various Gold Medal tractors in the different forms or types that were manufactured, together with photographs of the engines in use by a wide variety of owners. Some of the pictures can be found in the smaller Burrell Gold Medal tractor catalogue (1922) reprint by the RLS, but others are unique to this particular catalogue. The particularly interesting part is the section at the back which covers the cost of running a Burrell Gold Medal tractor, and this does make very interesting reading in this day and age. Finally there are two pages covering the Burrell steam wagon and a final general page covering other Burrell products. A new preface page by M&J Engineering provides a general description of the Gold Medal marque and a small introduction to M.J.'s 2inch scale models. it also identifies the engines in the photographs in the catalogue, a thoroughly useful addition to any reprint such as this. (R.A. Walker) STORIES OF ROUND TIMBER HAULAGE by Maurice H. Sanders. 128 pages, casebound, 9%in x 7 1/I in, 196 illustrations. Published by Cortney Publications, Luton. Price £8.95. Not quite a steam book, but one which nevertheless will be of great interest to many of our members. Between the volume's covers they will

find a wealth of delightful illustrations of all kinds of tractive power associated with timber haulage, and of the loads themselves. The collected illustrations, which form the main feature of the book, are complemented by a series of some 40 essays on various countrywide owners or subjects, covering horses, steam, petrol and diesel power from before the turn of the century up to the present day. The author has worked in timber haulage for much of his life. Traction engine enthusiasts will find many names now familiar on today's rally fields — either as still participating owners or of former owners of steam tackle. Steam is pictured on over a dozen occasions with Foden timber tractors and other conventional steam tractors handling pole trailers. The later purpose designed internal combustion engine tractors by Latil, Unipower and Douglas feature strongly as well as the inevitable name of Foden for longer distance road haulage. Although many — possibly most — of the illustrations are from snapshots taken by the crews or owners themselves, they lose nothing for that, and indeed, therein lies the charm of the book. The text very largely centres around the romance of timber haulage, and on turning the final page your reviewer, as one knowing little of the subject, did feel that he might have been treated to more of the technical aspects and intricacies of a job obviously demanding much skill and experience. However, that may have been beyond the author's intentions; certainly the pictures are a splendid assortment and the general production of the book is to a high standard. (Roger West)

CS

Fireworks For displays by our team, or self-fire packs for your event telephone 0279 504112 and speak to Cliff, or write to: 4 Belgrave House, Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire CM23 SAO. 195

THE VINTAGE COMMERCIAL VEHICLE MAGAZINE. A4 size (approx 11Y2in x 81/4 in) quarterly magazine published by The Vintage Magazine Company, Tavener House, Axbridge, Somerset BS26 2NN, from whom yearly subscriptions are available at £7.50 including postage. The first issue of this new quarterly magazine appeared earlier this summer. Its 48 pages contain 13

different articles or features that will appeal to a broad band of vintage vehicle enthusiasts, spanning the subjects of lorries, buses, the HCVS Brighton Run, models, vehicle preservation in general and the usual books, diary and museum columns. Club members will be particularly interested to know the steam content of the magazine; one of the main articles is by World's Fair scribe Peter

June-August 1984

MTO T. Miller, 4 Great Lodge Cottages, Great Bardfield, Essex. Family members — Christine, Tansy and Kiran, L.C. Goss, 93 Stephens Firs, Mortimer, Reading, Berkshire. M. Skora, 6 Marion Court, Red Lion Road, Tolworth, Surbiton, Surrey. L. Cutler, 29 Broadfield Close, Charlemont Farm Estate, West Bromwich, West Midlands, E.W. James, 95 Prebendal Ave, Southcourt Estate, Aylesbury. Family members — Margaret and Mark. P.B. Cozier, 4 Jack Straws Lane, Headington, Oxford. H.J. Edwards, 53 Pinner Park Avenue, North Harrow, Middlesex. J.K. Harding, 211 Wyndhurst Road, Stechford, Birmingham. J.N. Goodfellow, 41 Heston Grange, Heston, Middlesex. Family member — Susan. M.W. Painting, 19 Ryton, Belgravia, Tamworth, Staffordshire. R.A. Hunt, 17 Park Ridge Drive, Halesowen, West Midlands. A.M. Hall, Wallingfield, Wales Bar, near Sheffield. J. Davies, 16 Blantyre Towers, Worlds End, Chelsea, London. G. Sword, Thornfinn, Airdrie, Lanarkshire. S. Grego, 8 Lyttleton Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham. Christine A. Heath, 95 High Street, Langford, Bedfordshire, P.L. Stokes, 17 Woodstock Road, Exeter. S.M. Vickery, 36 Tassel) Hall, Redbourn, Hertfordshire. D.F. Perks, 91 Bowling Green Road, Wollaston, Stourbridge, West Midlands. A.C.R. Wigley, Willowbank, 8 RMD Waimate, New Zealand. G.E. Hughes, The Lodge, Kingsland Farm, Blakeney, Gloucestershire. L.F. Richards, Bonavista, 17 Godfrey Street, Bentleigh, 3204 • Victoria, Australia. T. Lydiatt, 87 Beach Road, Sparkhill, Birmingham. C. Shepherd, 42 North Road, Sidley, Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex. N. Cole, 35A Woodcock Hill, Kenton, Harrow, Middlesex. K. Turnbull, 71 Leggatts Wood Avenue, Watford, Hertfordshire. N.B. Westlake, 108 Aldershot Road, Church Crookham, Aldershot, Hampshire. F.E. Coleman, Stone Lodge, Lullings Farm, Borde Hill, Cuckfield, Sussex. R.F. Chapman, South Lodge Farm, Barnwell, near Oundle, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire. R.G. Smith, 28 Woodfield, Chipstead, Sevenoaks, Kent. P.R. Adams, 12 Cedar Drive, Witham, Essex. J.R. Kilford, 239 Coronation Road, Southville, Bristol. Family member — Eunice. R.F. Roberts, 28 Aldrich Crescent, New Addington, Surrey. M.J. Collier, Lilac Cottage, Holloway Lane, Harmondsworth, Middlesex. S.F. McPherson, 186 Claremont, Alloa, Clackmannanshire. E.K. Kerby, Flat 40, Carnarvon Close, Bingham, Nottingham. 196

Barnes on the subject of showman's engines, its five pages being illustrated by some interesting old photographs. The general presentation of this first issue is good and quite up to contemporary standards. We wish editor Graham Stamford well in his laudable aim of providing a regular magazine for the whole of the vintage vehicle fraternity, something missing for some time now. (REW)

H. Tyler, Melbourne Catering, Melbourne House, Church Gate, Whaplode, Spalding, Lincolnshire. D.R. Harrington, 27 Wheatsheaf Close, Horsham, West Sussex. A.A. Newell, Causeway House, Laugharne, Dyfed. Family members — Eileen and Glenn. K.A. Roche, 15 Regina Drive, Walsall, West Midlands. C.D. Williams, 2 Talyrafon Buildings, Dolgellau, Gwynedd, P. Emin, 1 Quai Jules-Courmont, 69002 Lyon, France. S.R. Askew, 2 Forest Court, The Forest, Snaresbrook, London. K. Thomas, 1 Liddell Road, Cowley, Oxford. E.E. Jordan, 41 Parklands, Ilkley, West Yorkshire. R,W. Hulock, 23 Greenloons Walk, Formby, Merseyside. D.J. Watts, 174 Baldwins Lane, Croxley Green, Hertfordshire. H.E. Reeves, Appledene, Berkeley Heath, Berkeley, Gloucestershire. M,W. Farmer, Box 2572, RAF Lakenheath, Brandon, Suffolk. N. Clarke, 6 High Street, Blyton, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire. R.J. Adams, 1 Jubilee Cottages, Feering, Colchester, Essex. D.J. Lane, 21 Paygrove Lane, Longlevens, Gloucester. J. Graves, 10 Holly Road, Woolmer Green, Knebworth, Hertfordshire. G.D. Mitchell, Old Cubley, Penistone, near Sheffield. G.C. Waite, 33 David Avenue, Greenford, Middlesex. Family member — Stephanie. R.G. Penn, 53 Compton Road, Shepton Mallet, Somerset. R.A. Neal, 47 Fairholme Road, Croydon, Surrey. r. Roscorld, 9 Waterings Road, Mylor, near Falmouth, Cornwall. D. Sullivan, Kilcolman East, Rathkeale, Limerick, Eire. J. Baines, 60 Crowhurst, Werrington, Peterborough. W.A.J. Hey, 2 Old Road, Mottram, via Hyde, Cheshire. J.C. Date, 31 Lymswell Road, Shephall, Stevenage, Hertfordshire. Family members — Claire, Ann, Charlotte and John. R.W. Miller, 45 Meadowmead Avenue, Regents Park, Southampton, Hampshire. W.J. Grouter, Three Springs, Gorley Hill, Fordingbridge, Hampshire, N. Wood, 'Delhi', Church Lane, Waltham, Canterbury, Kent. C.P. Fincham, 88 Charloak, Pandora Meadows, Kings Lynn, Norfolk. P.R. Wood, 32 Chantrey Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham,

Fowler's BB1 ploughing engine — from a printing block produced by Fowler for their agents etc, and kindly loaned by member H. Reynolds

R.S. Dore, 73 Brixham Road, Reading, Berkshire. R.L. England, Hawgreen Cottage, Ledbury Road, Staunton Corse, Gloucester. I. Clark, 46 Overhill Gardens, Brighton. C. Milton, 93 Powdermill Lane, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. G.C. Stephens, 136 Demesne Road, Wallington, Surrey. E. Hughes, 104 Carntall Road, Mossley, Co Antrim, N. Ireland. J.R. Benson, 19 Jackson Street, Brotton, Saltburn, Cleveland. D. James, 1 Woodyard Lane, Foston, Derbyshire. J.T. Boyling, Well Lane, I reddinick, St Issey, Wadebridge, Cornwall. G, Chiverton, 18 Bayber Road, Totton, Hampshire. Family members — Julian and Pamela. A. Hales Snr, The Hackney Stables, Manor Road, Wales, near Sheffield, South Yorkshire. Family member — Mrs Hales. B. Davidson, Claragh, Ramclton, Co Donegal, Eire. N.E. Flexman, Tripp Hill Cottage, Fittleworth, Pulborough, West Sussex. Shiela A_ Hammel!, 144 Devonshire Hill Lane, Tottenham, London. C. Shanks, 86 Southfields Road, Littlehampton, West Sussex. G. Gudgeon, 2 Dunhill Crescent, Leeds. Family members — Joan, Linda, Jillian and Richard. J. Falk, Am Stadtpark 23, D 8-500 Nurnberg, West Germany. T.A. Brace, Lovelace Cottage, Manor Road, Eckington, near Pershore, Worcestershire. R. Dingle, Stoke Climsland, near Callington, Cornwall. B. Farrow, The Grove, 63 South End, Bedale, Yorkshire. G.D. Nelson, 68 Ladrake Road, Crestwood Park, Kingswinford, West Midlands. K.J. Gardner, Ye Olde Brickfield, Chesham Road, Wigginton, near Tring, Hertfordshire. A. Lomas, 9 Williamson Road, Whaley Bridge, Stockport, Cheshire. J.H. Looker, Wharfdale, Burton, Carnforth, Lancashire. M.A. Russell, The Cottage, Gay Street Lane, North Heath, Pulborough, West Sussex. P.J. Walker, 66 Lavender Vale, Wallington, Surrey. R. Badby, 19 Thorntree Road, Northallerton, North Yorkshire. B.T. Smith, 90 Fitzroy Road, Bradford Moor, Bradford, West Yorkshire. J.F. Scott, 55 Preston Avenue, Alfreton, Derbyshire. W. Tinkler, Field House, Aikhead, near Wigton, Cumbria. R. Eslick, Carworgie Lodge, St Francis Road, St Columb Road, St Columb, Cornwall.

Birds-eye view at the 1984 Rushmoor event, near Aldershot, where the terraced seating around the military arena gives an excellent view of the engine parades and the general rally atmosphere. (Robin Walker)

R.L. McGreevy, Docentoatan 78, 21452 Malmo, Sweden. J.J. Cavanagh, 8 Orchard Way, Camberley, Surrey. B. Bean, 17 Hawthorn Road, Frimley, Surrey. Family members — Valerie, Rob and Toni-Marie. T.R. Duhig, 188 Mead Lane Caravan Park, Chertsey, Surrey. Family member — Jan. R.C. Langley, 1 South Common, South Chailey, near Lewes, East Sussex. Family members — Sandra, Emma and Ian. C.F. Baldwin, Beaconsfield Faim, Northway, Aughtun, near Ormskirk, Lancashire. A.J. Swain, 28 Dancer Road, Fulham, London. Family member Audrie. A, Lloyd, 7 Comberford Road, Tamworth, Staffordshire, N.J. Diane, 16 Burgess Green, Sho'den, Deal, Kent. J.B. Barbour, 2 Townhead Drive, lnverurie, Aberdeenshire. D. Bennett, 138 Berkeley Street, Nelson, Lancashire.. M.J. Evans, Rose Vale, Monks Hill, Westbourne, near Emsworth, Hampshire. J.J. Casey, 53 Sandown Road, Watford, Hertfordshire. F. Jacober, Glattalstr 151, Zurich, Switzerland 8052. D.E. Waterhouse, 13 Northdale Mount, Bradford, West Yorkshire. P.A. Ashton, 61 Hillrise, Market Weighton, North Yorkshire. Family members — Heather, Lisa and Debra, J. Jordan, 3E Ardmillan Drive, Rathcote, Newtonabbey, Northern Ireland. C. Woolley, PO Box 315, Randfontein 1870, South Africa. I.M. Taylor, 42 Nuns Road, Winchester, Hampshire. G.G. Sonneborn, Kurt-Schumacher Str 191, D5600 Wuppertal 1, West Germany. C. Frater, 13 Balcombe Road, Poole, Dorset. B. Pitt, 76 St Edwards Road, Gosport, Hampshire. C.F. Lancelotte, 63 Baldwin Road, West Knighton, Leicester. Family members — Patricia, Sarah and Richard. D.K. Bosworth, c/o Integrated Surveys, PO Box 1358 Safat, Kuwait. K. Taylor, Fairview, 24 Claremont Ave, Clitheroe, Lancashire. 197

M, Conroy, 1 Pine Road, Strood, Kent. M. Tudor, Moss Cottage, Moss Lane, Styal, Wilmslow, Cheshire. J. Graydon, 97 Burdon Crescent, Seaton Seaham, Co Durham. J.M. Harding, 31 The Drive, Peel Common, Gosport, Hampshire. M. Gilbert, 16 Bank End Cottage, Haverigg, near Millom, Cumbria. M.R. Ward, 75 Norwood Road, Bayswater, Auckland, New Zealand. T.D. Vanderplank, 44 Lawrence Close, Andover, Hampshire. Family member — Helen. R.S. Wright, 4 Leafield Road, Solihull, West Midlands. R.V. Thompson, 38 Ban Brook Road, Salford Priors, Evesham, Worcestershire. R.G. Stevens, 1 Woodside Cottages, Lowesmoore, Cherington, near Tetbury, Gloucestershire. J. Davis, Lime Tree Cottage, Bramley, near Basingstoke, Hampshire. M.J. Fenemore, 12 Cherwell Avenue, Kidlington, Oxford. P.M. Stearne, 8 Athol! Road, Whitehill, Hampshire. J. Lloyd, 33 Grosvenor Road, Ilford, Essex.

Small advertisements for bona fide SALES and WANTS, and appertaining to steam engines or associated items, are free of charge to National Traction Engine Club members. Advertisements should be in block capitals or typed, and to ensure publication must be accompanied by the advertisers NTEC membership number. Non-members rates for small adverts are 5p per word, with a minimum charge of £1.00, payable in advance. The publishers retain the right to refuse or withdraw advertisements at their discretion and do not accept liability for clerical or printers errors although every care is taken to avoid mistakes. ALL SMALL ADVERTISEMENTS TO BE SENT TO THE EDITOR. SEE TITLE PAGE FOR PRESS DATE.

NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS. The Business Advertisements (Disclosure) Order 1977 is now in force. This states that persons seeking to sell goods in the course of a business should indicate this clearly in the advertisement.

Steam car wanted by enthusiast. Interested in any type, any condition, although preference for Stanley 10hp. Complete car or replica considered. Please telephone Selby 704778. Gauge glasses — many sizes available. Send for list. — Ray Hooley, 16 Alexandre Avenue, North Hykeham, Lincoln (Tel 0522-682406). Ruston Hornsby transfers — full range of designs and sizes; send for list. Engines dated gratis. Full sets of publications available for most models. — Ray Hooley, 16 Alexandre Avenue, North Hykenham, Lincoln (Tel 0522-682406). Steam Plough Club — for all interested in steam cultivation, offering regular newsletter, events, visits, history and technical advice. Subscription £5.00 per year, OAPs £2.00. John Billard, Old Station House, Twyford, Berkshire RG10 9NA. Films — 16mm films on steam cultivation for hire. Ploughing by Steam showing machinery in action — ploughing, cultivating, draining and dredging — £9 per day; Original Fowler films made in the 1920s/1930s — land clearance, ploughing and cultivating, Gyrotiller prototype — £15.00 per day. Both taken together — £22 per day. — John Billard, Steam Plough Club, Old Station House, Twyford, Reading, Berkshire RG10 9NA. 198

For sale — Foster trailer wheels with pressed on rubber tyres, with axle; Wallis & Steevens 32in trailer wheels, with axle; three new Y2in Penberthy injectors; one %in Penberthy Halls automatic injector; various wheel valves 1in, %in and %in, non return check valves, steam gauges; thick wall copper pipe; two 12ft lengths of 1in copper pipe with brass unions. — Les J. Lambe, 84 Redditch Road, Stoke Heath, Bromsgrove (Tel 0527-313981. For sale — Foster traction engine catalogue; Foden Speed 12 catalogue — Les Lambe, address as above. Wanted — Unipower and Foden diesel timber tractor catalogues and instruction books. — Les Lambe, address as above. For sale — forks to fit Aveling & Proctor 6 or 8 ton roller — P. Gull, Retford (0777) 702808. Wanted — front rolls to fit 10 ton Fowler roller, also boiler clack valve; Aveling & Proctor boiler feed pump. — P. Gull, Retford (0777) 702808. Wanted — front wheels and axle, water lifter, for restoration of Marshall steam tractor. — P. Gull, Retford (07771 702808. For sale — back numbers of Steaming: Vol 4 No 4; Vol 6 Nos 1, 2, 4; Vol 5 complete; Vol 8 Nos 2-4; Vol 9 No 1 Fowler issue; Vol 10 No 1 Road Loco issue, 3, 4; Vol 11 No 2; Vol 13 No 2; Vol 14 No 2; Vol 17 Nos 2, 4; Vol 18 complete; Vol 19 Nos 1, 3, 4; Vols 20 and 21 complete; Vol 22 No 1, 3, 4; Vol 23 two complete sets; Vol 24 No 1. One copy of Engineers and Engines (American) August 1956. Also Iron Men Album Vol 25 No 6; Vol 28 No 4; Vol 30 No 5; Vol 31 No 6; Vol 33 No 6; Vol 34 No. 1 — A. Rogers, 2 Marton Hall Cottage, West Marton, Skipton, North Yorkshire BD23 3UB. For sale — copy of Chronicles of a Country Works (Clark) in good clean condition and complete but tatty dust cover; The Steam Engine, a treatise on steam engines and boilers, c 1890, half Vol 3 (D.K. Clark), in good condition. All magazines above and books open to offers; include postage allowance (excess will be refunded — A. Rogers, address as above advert. Wanted — good copy of A Century of Engineering by R.H. Clark. Please send details of price and condition to A. Rogers, address as above advert. For sale — Burrell 5hp 'Devonshire' engine 3918 — refer to Steaming Winter 1982/83 cover, also Model Engineer 18/30th November 1983. Recent first class boiler certificate; taxed to August 1985. — Tel Skipton (07561 3342 evenings. For sale — rare Garrett single cylinder portable, 7hp. Full working order, hydraulic tested and current boiler certificate. Part exchange considered. — Tel 084-44 3223 (evenings). Wanted — for 1907 Ruston Proctor 7hp traction; water pump body casting (or complete pump), also 14 tooth gear for second shaft. — H.A. Palmer, 10 Linby Lane, Papplewick, Nottingham NG15 8FB (Tel 0602 6341 54). Wanted — top and bottom water gauge fittings, wp 30psi, any hand, screwed %in bsp connections; ditto with 1/2 in screwed bsp connections; small Banjo pump about Sin or 4in steam cylinder; four condenser air pump valve discs, 7%in o.d., 1%in centre hole, %in thick, rubber Shore No 40 or would consider flat sheet to cut out same. — G. Hayes, 7 Bow Road, Auchtermuchty, Cupar, Fife (Tel 03372 88261. For exchange — new Burrell boiler clack box stalk 1 Yzin bsp with 3%in stud centres; similar required 1in bsp with 2%in stud centres. — King, Blackmill Farm, Headcorn, Ashford, Kent (Tel 0622 8903121. For sale — new stainless steel superheater coil for Sentinel S4 wagon, £150. ALSO cast chimney for Aveling & Porter roller, complete with top and bottom rings, height 49in, bottom dia 934in, top 11 in, £50. — H. Winterbottom, 484 Ripponden Road, Moorside, Oldham, Lancashire (Tel 061 678 0446 or 061 624 5702). Wanted — copy of Max Eyth's book Money and Experience, translated by Nicholas Geldard and retitled Steam Plough Stories. Any condition. — R.N. Dodd, 4 Halifax Road, Scapegoat Hill, Huddersfield HD7 4NS. Road Roller Association — for all interested in steam or motor rollers, road making machines, practices and history. Quarterly journal Rolling. Subscription £5.00 per year. — Membership Secretary, M. Deering, 32 Grampian Road, Little Sandhurst, Camberley, Surrey.

Wanted — copy of The Compleat Traction Engineman by E,E. Kimbell — P. Flint, telephone 0304 830521.

Books for the transport enthusiast and scale modeller — Locomotion, 42a York Road, Salisbury, Wilts (Tel 0722 332644).

Wanted — for Marshall S type piston valve roller, one pair cylinder drain cocks (spring loaded); one rear wheel scraper or parts; gears for steering (worm and wheel). — B. Tolworthy, 82 Harmondsworth Lane, Harmondsworth, West Drayton, Middx (Tel 01-897-6706).

Wanted — photographs of steam railway locomotive No 1 from Dinorwic Quarry taken at NTEC Rally on Clapham Common in Silver Jubilee year 1977. Also photos of No 1 and her sisters before retirement. — Greg Martin, Flat 3, 14 All Saints Road, Sutton, Surrey SM1 3DB.

Wanted — to complete my set of Steaming — issue Jan, April, July, and October 1957; also copies of Road Locomotive Society Journal. — M.A. Poole, 89 Glebelands, Pulborough, West Sussex RH2O 2JH (Tel 079 82 3616).

Wanted — for Fowler 7hp, displacement lubricator. — Geoffrey Fincham, 'Hydes', Everetts Lane, Shillingstone, Blandford Forum, Dorset (Tel 0258-860044).

Road and Stationary Steam Books — rare and out of print. 5 page list, 100 books, now available. Please send 50p plus SAE — Ray Roberts (Booksellers), Whiston Hall, Stafford ST19 5QH. Wallis & Steevens showmans type, 4hp steam engine with boiler certificate and Bedford low loader, all in good condition. Sensible offers invited. Tel 0306-884793. Traction engine enthusiast would like to help with restoring, rallying and general maintenance of a traction engine, roller etc, in Derbyshire/South Yorkshire area. Gate, Bradwell, via Sheffield S30 2JX. For sale — original makers catalogues; Fowler, Foden, Aveling and Savage. — Reynolds, 15 Hartshill, Bedford MK41 9AL (Tel 0234 53703). Wantod parts for restoration of 1926 Garrett undertype steam wagon: engine parts, or any undertype wagon engine with twin chain drive to rear axle; solid rubber tyres, sizes 180x720 and 160x850; 2 inch pitch roller chain; boiler fittings and any other suitable parts. — Michael Walters, 42 Jenkinson Road, Towcester, Northants NN12 7AW (Tel 0327-51613). For sale — 14 tooth, 2Y in pitch chain sprocket. — Michael Walters, address as above. Wanted — back numbers of Steaming: Vols 1 and 2, all issues; Vol 3, Nos 1 and 2; Vol 4, Nos 2 and 3; Vol 5, Nos 2 and 3; Vol 6, No 4; Vol 7, Nos 2 and 3; Vol 8, No 3. I am prepared to pay £3-00 for each of these copies in good condition. — Brian Mansergh, 10 Carlton Avenue, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, LA13 9AU (Tel 0229-31809 after 5pm). For sale — Fowler brass smokebox door plates; Aveling rampant horse; ROYAL LEAMINGTON SPA brass plate ex Fowler 15851; 4in Burnerd chuck, Myford fitting; six sets 4in chuck jaws; gauge glass cutter; Aveling water level plate; set of Yin to 1 in t/s drills, lubricators and tube expanders. Wanted — Steam Engine Builders of Norfolk — Tel 0432 271031. Wanted — a photograph of 5 ton Wallis & Steevens steam wagon delivered new to East Kent Brewery, Sandwich, Kent on 16th May 1911, number 7183, reg AA2436. — Tim Keenan, 8 Mutrix Road, Margate, Kent CT9 5JL (Tel 0843-34419). For sale — Weir steam boiler feed pump no.317151, year 1960, size 3in x 41/2 in. — G. Doherty, Artoney, Louth Village, Dundalk, Co Louth, Eire. Wanted — smokebox door ring THE BURRELL TRACTOR, or loan of same for pattern. Tel 084-44 3223 (evenings). Wanted — boiler tubes 2 1/2 in dia x 6ft 9in (11 gauge). — Tel 084-44 3223 (evenings). For sale — circa 1929 Blackstone model OPH single cylinder engine, 18hp, complete for restoration_ Also 1947 Lister D type. Tel 084-44 3223 (evenings). George's Tools — Alba 10in shaper, outstanding condition, £265; 5hp single phase mptor with control box and cable, £95; new English %hp single phase motors, £49; 10hp 3 phase motor, £16; new compressor receiver, £20; leg vice £10; paraffin pressure floodlight £21; quantity old yellow pine organ pipes from 1ft to 10ft long, £38 the lot; blacksmiths anvil, £48; tinman's anvil, £38; arc welding rods, variety of sizes, all 5p each; 8in lathe chucks £25; eight lathes from £50 to £200 each; quantity of small metric and BA nuts, bolts, set screws, grub screws etc, cheap to clear. PLUS usual assortment of good used tools and equipment. Buyers, sellers and rooters please note warehouse open most Saturdays 9 until 9 from mid-October to Easter, other times as convenient, — George Howard, 8 Vicarage Lane, Banks, Southport, Lancashire (Tel Southport 214584). Wanted — steam roller in need of renovation. Details to M.J. Collier, tel 01 897 3436.

Wanted — pair of brass front side lamps for traction engine, King of the Road or Powell & Hammer but must be original and in good condition. — M.J. Wharton, Southern Down, Minster Lovell, Oxford (TEI 0993 3336). For sale — single crank experimental steam engine made by W. Sisson & Co Ltd, Gloucester, 6Yin bore x 3t4in stroke, complete with surface condenser, 36sq ft cooling surface, motor driven Edwards air pump 5in bore x 4in stroke, convergent/divergent steam nozzle apparatus. All in absolute perfect condition and complete with all drawings of units and plant layout. ALSO four complete sets of Dobbie-Mclnnes steam engine indiratnrc in pnlished wonri races Offers invited — S Rouse, Old Road, Hartpury, Gloucester (Tel 0452 70 252). For sale — 22hp (USA rating) Buffalo Pitts twin cylinder traction engine, restored (see Summer 1984 issue of Steaming). Quite unique in this country and very few in the world this horsepower and make. Guaranteed attraction at any rally. — M.A. Taylor, 75 Moorview Road, Woodseats, Sheffield (Tel 0742 749243). Wanted — cross head guide for 10 ton Aveling & Porter piston valve compound, 1923 — G. Burberry, 185 Alwyn Road, Rugby, Warwickshire CV22 7RD (Tel 0788 815361).

Steam Search 1 Hidden within our puzzle are 20 words connected with our steam hobby — they may be makers names, parts of an engine or items we use around them. Find the words horizontally, forwards or backwards (the former are the easy ones, of course), and vertically, upwards or downwards, or diagona ly. The answers will be printed in the next issue.

P . A T_H R ESH I N G D R U M 1 BLKDVTYEBORSRF E TROTCEJEAKEMOSW LBPUFOWL ER TVAE I I TAMGKWYCTAPDYN VGAKTHMRELWBLAC I NTURB I ERSPVOTH N I HCL LANK EBGC IV GBHSASV I GBTDOAP VAEWL I OML EKSM I T ASTEAMWAGONHOLU NFJVOACKS I PGTFB ENGINE I NE FVCH IMNEY I ATVNS PAUDTTERRAGUEBE 199

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