III
ISSN 0260 - 2962
Vol 40 No 1 Winter 1996/97
LTD, SOAR CAE HILLS, LrIctsim,
The Magazine of the National Traction Engine Trust
THE NATIONAL TRACTION ENGINE TRUST Membership of the National Traction Engine Trust 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: Eric A. Fillmore Vice Presidents: Mrs Sylvia Dudley, 12 Hillway, Woburn Sands, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire MK17 8UL (Tr 01908 583006); Richard N. Parrott Chairman: R.J. Sandercock, Milford Farm, near Lifton, Devon PL16 OAT (Tr 01566 783425) Vice-Chairmen: R.T. Herring, Glebe Court, Fringford, Bicester, Oxfordshire OX6 9RJ (Tr 01869 277410); A.J. Semple — see be/ow
The annual subscription is £20.00 for individuals and £10.00 for Old Age Pensioners. The Trust's magazine Steaming is sent froc -to members during the early part of 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. Membership of the Stearn Apprentice Club is available to young people under 21; details from that section's Chairman (see right).
General Secretary: Mrs Susan Jackson, 153 Micklefield Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire HP13 7HA Membership Secretary: J.R. Cook, 'Do!fern'', Church Lane, Kirkby la Thorpe, Sleaford, Lincolnshire NG34 9NU Treasurer: J.T.G. Harris, The Bank, 36 High Street, Rothwell, Northamptonshire NN14 2BQ (Tr 01536 710399) Chairman, Rally sub-Committee: A.J. Semple, Penyghent, 8 Chelmick Close, Church Stretton, Shropshire SY6 7BY (ix 01694 723139) Chairman, Engine Owners sub-Committee: R.J. Pierce, Goblands Farm, Court Lane, Hadlow, Kent TN11 OLT (Tr 01732 850853) Chairman, Steam Apprentice Club: John Durling, Hawthorn Cottage, Stubwood, Denstone, Uttoxeter, Staffs ST14 5HX (' 01889 591188, 0800-2100 only) Chairman, Technical Board: J.M. Newnham, Penlands, High Easter, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 4QW (17 01245 231283) Administration Officer: J.R. Smith, The Poplars, Grange Road, North Frodingham, Driffield, East Yorkshire Y025 8LN (.zr 01262 488722) Insurance Officer: D.S. Smith, 21 The Ridgeway, Astwood Bank, Redditch, Worcestershire B96 6LS (u 01527 893427)
6-eft11i1 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.
An excellent souvenir of the event of 1996 ••• whether you took an engine, watched from the roadside or stayed at home to tidy the garden, the official Moonlight Productions video of the Trust's Road Run makes a splendid record of the day.
Stean-i fan the
Price £5.50
85 mins running time
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. • 'ke:e4"°21" ilh Available by post from Colin and Val Brown, 90 Devon Road, Luton, Bedfordshire LU2 ORL. (cheques to NTET)
Available from: Moonlight Productions, 14 Arran Avenue, Sale, Cheshire M33 3NQ or NTET Sales, 80 Devon Road, Luton LU2 ORL
inc. pasta
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+401?1,10...1PlrA•CiF1.5:£SPIE1,1/EN. IT
Price £18.00 inc postage and packing
The Magazine of the National Traction Engine Trust Volume 40 Number 1
Editorial
Winter 1996/97
This issue contains comprehensive notes (Trust News section) on matters currently being addressed by the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs. Serious headlines appeared a few months ago, warning of vehicles older than twelve years being banned from the wads — and if that threat to historic machines appears to have passed for the time being, it is not exactly because commonsense suddenly prevailed throughout the offices of European transport administration. It all emphasises that the whole of the vintage vehicle interest has to come together to be strong and to be effective in lobbying for its cause. Distributed with this issue of Steaming is a loosely inserted Questionnaire, provided by the FBHVC. The Federation has asked all subscriber organisations to send copies of this form to their membership during the first months of the year and from the results collected from the survey a considerable amount of facts and figures will be assembled as suitable armament against politicians and legislators. Some readers will maybe doubt the usefulness of engine owners completing the form, with many of the questions riot easily matching the machines we own. But that matters not — please don't treat the Questionnaire with disdain. Sit down for five minutes (that's all it takes), with a reasonable frame of mind, and join in the effort to make sure the Federation has the best possible information on the historic vehicle movement. Like it or not we live in an age where statistics are needed to counter arguments. Many of us have other vintage vehicles and if you are not likely to receive a further foam through your membership of allot! ier affinity club, this may well be your chance to make these machines count towards the survey. Apart from the five minutes of time, you need only to provide an envelope and stamp. Those who quibble about coughing up a few pence should contemplate what might happen if the FBHVC and its member organisations become unable to monitor what is going on in European transport legislation. (To enable the inclusion of the Federation's Questionnaire with this issue, we decided to delay distribution of the magazine for a few days.)
Editor: Roger West, 14 Charles Street, Market Harborough, Leicestershire LE16 9AB Iv 01858 467326) Assistant Editor: Derek Rayner, 'Invicta', 9 Beagle Ridge Drive, Acomb, York Y02 3JH Display Advertising: to the Editor Small Ads w the Editor Distribution and Change of Address: John Cook, 'Dolfarni', Church Lane, Kirkby la Thorpe, Sleaford, Lincolnshire NG34 9NU The Editor is pleased to consider contributions of suitable articles, shorter items or photographs for inclusion in future issues. All material submitted is voluntary and payment cannot be made for any material published, although expenses incurred may be met. The opinions expressed in the magazine, with the exception of those printed as Trust announcements, are those of the contributors and do not indicate the views of the Trust as a whole. All items are held copyright by the contributors and/or the NTET. Next issue: The press date for news items, recent photographs and small adverts is 23rd February 1997. For the date for Steaming Around see that section. ISSN 0260 - 2962 Published by the National Traction Engine Trust at 14 Charles St, Market Harborough, Leicestershire. Printed by AB Printers Ltd, Leicester. STEAMING
Winter 1996/97
This issue 4 13 27 28 30 32 36 52 53 55 56
Trust News Road Run Round Up Renewing a firebox Sentinels for Timber Merchants Fowlers visit Dorset Marshall Metamorphosis Steaming Around, compiled by Derek Rayner Around the World Letters New Members Small Adverts
Joe Thomas Eric Sawford Earle Warwick
Cover The Sentinel Motor Waggon Works catalogue issued about 1919 was an 88 page hard backed book full of everything a potential owner needed to know about their steam wagons. Several full colour plates were included — the above example shows 4 ton Standard 1509 of 1917, supplied to A. & W. Evans Ltd of Leicester. It had a special high sided body and tarpaulin sheet rail. The milling company had previously had two Thornycroft and two Foden steam wagons, hut seem to have moved on to petrol lorries after the Shrewsbury machine. 3
Trust News From the Chairman Recently, to enhance the display at Dingles Steam Village, I have repurchased a number of engines which were sold by my late father to the early preservationists — for about £100 each including delivery. The new owners did what work was needed to get the machines going and to make them presentable. If the boiler needed work the engine was probably cut up. Most of these engines are now twice the age they were when first preserved, as are their owners, who have done their bit and are retiring from active steaming. The engines are worth at least a hundred times more than when they bought them. They have had a lot of fun and made a good investment. A few points come to my mind.
About fifty former Dingle engines survive, most, thankfully, as built. Two rollers have become traction engines (but they were sold without any rolls), two more are now showmans' conversions and two tractors are similarly converted. Such work carried out a generation ago could be in danger of becoming accepted as original. It is tor the owner to do as he will with his property, but I feel it is for the movement to discourage conversion of engines and would like to suggest that a certificate of authenticity be displayed on those engines that can rightfully claim it. It seems to me, having just taken the fireboxes out of two engines with boiler reports quoting thicknesses ultrasonically tested and apparently suitable for service, that any boiler not
From Alan Martin's Collection
75
Two Aveling & Porter rollers at work on resurfacing the forecourt of Buckingham Palace in London, no doubt a prestigous contract to have secured. The machines are John Mowlem & Co's No 1 Aveling 5633, a 10 ton single, and, to the right, Geo Wimpey & Co's No 13, Aveling 3678. This is one of the inside flywheel, single speed 8 tonners.
yet rebuilt should be. It is where one cannot measure, around the stays etc, that the worst areas occur and to get a true picture the fusible plug and a couple of stays should be removed. I3oth of the old boxes I have removed have many pits where the metal is less than 1/8 in thick and why should any other seventy year old boilers be any better! A third concern is the poor quality of boiler work being carried out by some repairers. I hear too many stories of awful things being done; presumably for owners who do not know better — or they would not accept the work. However, the inspectors should know and should reject poor work. One reason for the Trust's Code of Practice was to achieve consistent standards. These clearly do not exist and hopefully our Technical Board's scheme to approve inspectors will help to address this problem. I believe that we owe a debt to the men who saved our engines thirty or forty years ago, and we can repay it by passing on to the next generation machines that are in authentic condition, and in good order for another such period, rather than patched up for the next season. CAVEAT EMPTOR. (Richard Sandercock)
Engine Owners Column A retiring Chairman ... As I was unable to attend the AGM in Bristol, I would like to use this opportunity on the occasion of my retirement from the Chairmanship of the Engine Owners sub-Committee to thank my fellow Committee members for all their help and support. They function as an excellent team with very worthwhile achievements. I am reluctant to mention names, but I must particularly thank Jim Newnham, our Honorary Safety Advisor, for his wise counsel and the years of hard work he has put into the Traction Engine Code. I must also thank Sylvia Dudley, who has kept our minutes and co-ordinated the printing and dispatch of over five hundred Codes. I am delighted Richard Pierce is taking over from me. He has my full confidence and I wish him well. (Michael Davies)
... and a new incumbent You will just have read Michael Davies' farewell remarks. It is with much sadness we see Michael stand down as chairman of the extremely important Engine Owners sub-Committee. He has been responsible for seeing through the Engine Code of Practice from beginning to end and he has managed, by hook or by crook, to get together an excellent team of people who are experts in the various facets of the Code. Whilst not all owners acknowledge that the Code is necessary, the vast majority now realise that it is, and will increasingly be, an essential ingredient of the engine movement. And so, as Michael stands down, he can take pride in the fact that whatever he has done be it Code, Engine Driving Courses, or just keeping a wary eye on those who would harm our hobby, he has always had the engine movement at heart. Our thanks go out to him. To continue where Michael left off, you will see we have the Driving Course again — in 1997 on 10th/11th May in the south-west. We hope that, as last year, the course will be full, for we see this as a very positive way of securing the future, by passing on knowledge and experience. So that all engine owners may have a chance to air their views, we are organising another Engine Owners Meeting, to be held, as last year, at the ACU Building at Rugby on 1st March. This time, we shall have to ask for STEAMING
Winter 1996/9 7
payment for the buffet at lunchtime — details are set down in the Future Dates column. The meeting is your chance to influence what your Trust does for you, so do come along. It is open to all engine owners and crews. Finally, some bad news! Owing to increased production costs and the sheer size of the document, the Code of Practice will now be priced at E25 inc postage and packing. I still consider it good value! Part VII, which completes the file, is in the final stages of production and will be available shortly. (Richard Pierce, chairman, Engine Owners sub-Committee)
Technical Board By the time these notes appear in print, it will be into the New Year, and for that reason will do no harm to have a short review of 1996 as well as a note of recent events. NTET CODE OF PRACTICE AND SCHEME OF EXAMINATION. In April this year, a meeting was held with the Chief Engineer of SAFED, the organisation which is the successor to AOTC and IAIC as the representative body of the major companies involved in the examination of boilers and other plant. It was hoped that this meeting might have resulted in better cooperation between us — and to some extent it has — but the situation has not changed with regard to some of the companies' attitudes towards our Scheme of Examination. Unfortunately there is nothing that we can do about this. As members have every right to decide for themselves whether they want to adopt the NTET Code, inspecting companies also have every right to lay down the terms on which they will accept business. Likewise, members are also free to place their business wherever they like and can go elsewhere if they don't like a company's terms. Going elsewhere is now easier with the NTET's new insurance arrangements in place and increased access to independent boiler inspectors. Complaints continue to be received from members whose boiler inspectors have agreed to carry out the annual examination under the NTET Code then, having done so and committed the member to paying for it, come back and say that 'Head Office' won't accept the NTET Scheme and demand a further fee either for reviewing it, or pressurise them into buying their own company schemes. Phrases like 'rip-off' and 'sharp practice' frequently feature in these complaints but, once again, there is nothing the NTET can do
Officers and Committee 1997 This column lists, for the information of members, the Officers and Committee of the Trust for 1997. The addresses/ phone numbers of those with special duties are given inside the front cover of each issue of this magazine; others may be contacted by phone or via the General Secretary or sub-Committee Chairmen. Names marked with an asterisk* are appointments by the Committee and are non-voting positions in Committee. President E.A. Fillmore Vice Presidents Sylvia Dudley R.N. Parrott Chairman R.J. Sandercock Vice Chairmen R.T. Herring A.J. Semple (Rally Organisers chairman) General Secretary Mrs Susan Jackson" Treasurer J.T.G. Harris * Hon Solicitor T. Driver* Hon Safety Adviser J.M. Newnham* Membership Secretary J.R. Cook Hon Editor, Steaming R.E. West Hon Sales Officers Colin and Val Brown* Hon Public Relations Officer I. Dean* Committee The above and also: I. Barraclough (S. Yorks, Ts. 01709 850346) J.R. Bosworth (Derbys, 7s. 01332 880405) N. Boyes (W. Yorks, sss. 01253 811876) R Ridley (Northants) P. Clare (Lancs, IT 01706 366021) M.O. Davies (Warks, Tr 01295 770217) J. Durling (SAC Chairman) W. Evans (N. Wales is. 01978 780749) T. Holt (Cumbria, Tr- 01524 271584) B. James (Norfolk, Tr 01328 701417) M. Mason (Cambs) S.J. Parrott (Bucks, Tr 01844 201282) R.J. Pierce (Engine Owners chairman) D.S. Smith (Insurance Officer) J.R. Smith (Rally Authorisation) R. Vickery (Devon, Tr 01684 569292) M, Ward (FBHVC and Notts, Tr 01623 882856) Representatives R. Mattless (NV Tractor & EC)* Auditors (and registered office) Menzies, Barley House, 57 Church Street, Staines, Middlesex TW18 4XS
5
Sub-Committees 1997 This column lists the members of the Trust's sub Committees for 1997. Names marked with an asterisk" are co-opted; others are elected Committee members or appointed Trust officials. Addresses/phone numbers of the chairman appear inside the front cover of each issue. Rally sub Committee A.J. Semple (chairman) J.R. Cook P. Cooper" T, Evans R.T. Herring B. James J.R. Smith K. Stott" Engine Owners sub Committee R.J. Pierce (chairman) R. Back* I.K. Barraclough M.O. Davies Sylvia Dudley M. Mason J.M. Newnham" R. Pierce R.J. Sandercock D,S. Smith R.M. Vickery M. Ward Technical Board J.M. Newnham (chairman) H, Pounder" R. Swithinbank* G. Tennet"
about it. We will continue to try to persuade these companies to take a more reasonable attitude but, in the end, members' only remedy is to take their business elsewhere. IIMEPENDENT BOILER INSPECTORS. One independent boiler inspector has been granted approval under the NTET Code and will be making his services available to members. He is Ian Farrance of 2 Hawkins Close, Poulner, Ringwood, Hampshire BH24 1UQ la 01425 479683). A formal notice of his approval appears elsewhere in this issue. An application for approval has been received from another individual and is under consideration. It is to be hoped that others will come forward so that members will have the widest possible choice of inspection services. An article on the approval process will be published in a forthcoming issue of this magazine. TECHNICAL ADVICE TO MEMBERS. Requests for advice have been received ,trom a number of members. These are sometimes dealt with by one Technical Board member, as appropriate, but in more complex 6
cases the problem is looked at by all members. Those Trust members who have responded to advice given have expressed satisfaction: I can't speak for the others but they haven't complained! May I remind members that all requests for advice/assistance should be routed through the General Secretary so that a proper record can be kept and requests can be passed directly to another Board member if I am away. (Jim Newnham, chairman, Technical Board)
Weekend Workshops Keeping steam on the road is primarily concerned with maintaining an engine in good, safe and efficient mechanical order. During the winter months numerous engine maintenance activities take place in preparation for the forthcoming season. Naturally there is often some reluctance, particularly among new engine owners, to take their engine apart to find out why it is still working, given that steam traction engines are adept at continuing in operation with all manner of wear and tear. It has long been the intention of the Engine Owners sub-Committee to seek to extend the scope of training beyond that of the annual Engine Driving Course. The opportunity now arises to introduce the concept of the Weekend Workshop. These one day, or in some cases two day, Workshops will cover specific engineering topics which engine owners may not feel confident at attempting on their own the first time round. There is no hard and fast rule in the way in which our Weekend Vvorkshops will operate — they are tolerably flexible according to circumstance. The most important criteria is that a maintenance task needs to be done, and a competent person is on hand to do it. This is then the ideal opportunity for a small group to come along, to observe the operation, and to learn how it is done correctly. The first Weekend Workshop will address the question of Valve Setting (see the advertisement elsewhere in this issue for details). It will take place over a weekend. The activities will be recorded in one way or another, such that soon after the event a complete set of written notes will be produced for future reference. If, in future you intend to replace tubes, pack valves, scrape bearings, re-tyre wheels, replace stays, fireboxes or indeed anything that you consider that others may be interested to observe and find out how it is done,
then perhaps we can set up another Weekend Workshop. If so please contact: Richard Vickery, The Orchard, Loxbeare, Tiverton, Devon EX16 9RH.
1997 Engine Driving Course We have received the unfortunate news that due to a recent land acquisition by the local authority, the West Somerset Railway are now denied access to their rally field — the very field which we were to have used for our 1997 Driving Course. As a consequence we have had to relocate the event, and it will now be held at Coldharbour Mill Wool Museum in the village of Uffculm, Devon. This is only some 15 miles further west. In 1797 the Fox brothers, Thomas and Edward, bought the waterpowered mill at Coldharbour, producing serge and worsted. Increased output necessitated extra power so in turn two beam engines and latterly a 300hp Pollitt & Wigzell compound steam engine were added. The latter engine is in full working order, steam being generated from a pair of 5000 gallon Lancashire boilers, one of which remains in use. The beam engine is well on its way to restoration and the water wheel is next in line for attention. Also present is a fascinating display of original spinning and weaving machinery — all in working order. We trust that this venue will prove to be equally attractive and our course will certainly go ahead, given that we g oufficiont There arc a number of tasks on and around the site that need to be addressed on the weekend before the course. If there are any Trust members in the locality prepared to lend a hand I would he most grateful if you could drop me a line or call — Richard Vickery, The Orchard, Loxbeare, Tiverton, Devon EX16 9RH (v01884 881234).
Rally Organisers Column Recent industrial action at offices of Royal Mail has resulted in a serious loss of correspondence, both to and from, my address. The 1997 Request for Authorisation forms were dispatched in September and all those returned to me have been acknowWinter 1996/97
STEAMING
!edged. The Newsletter following the Autumn Conference left here on the 31st October. Please do not hesitate to contact me, by telephone, if you have not received any of the above or are waiting a reply on some subject. May I ask you all to pass on this message in an attempt to forestall disappointment. The preliminary Rally List containing all those who replied by the 1st December, has been sent to the Overseas Tourist Offices. The final List will be available, as usual, to delegates attending the Spring Conference. (Smudge Smith, Rally Approvals Officer, address inside front cover)
Insurance Officer's Notes New Insurance Policy The uptake on the new insurance policy is extremely encouraging, but it will be in the early spring when we can make a better judgement. However, a substantial commission cheque is on its way to the Trust for the business done thus far.
Late November sunshine nicely illuminates Bob Whitehead's ancient Fowler ploughing engine at the Trust's 1995 AGM visit to Richard Pierce's farm at Hadlow, Kent. In its long working life a Burrell patent single crank compound engine replaced the original single cylinder and the hind wheels were recast at Thomas Wood's foundry at Crockenhill, Kent.
Events cover The Rally Organisers are now preparing their own enquiries to secure an enhanced deal for rally cover: watch this space. Recently a number of organisers have asked for help in preparing their invitation letters and advice on including insurance requirements. Don't forget that the Rally Organisers Code of Practice includes specimen forms for this purpose — but don't include or sign any risk absolving disclaimers! (Dave Smith, Insurance Officer)
of the EU. It has not been reported in these pages since steam vehicles are not currently subject to roadworthiness testing and so the whole process was of only background interest to the Trust. This changed very suddenly. The World's Fair was right and the full story is detailed below. Quoting from the current issue of the FBHVC News Sheet: 'Through
the FIVA transport consultant, the Federation has been monitoring the RTD carefully to ensure that the all important Section 4(3) (which allows member states to establish their own testing standards for vehicles considered to be of historic interest) remained in place undiluted. It was expected that the Directive would have become law early in the year, but the kerfuffle over mad cow disease
The National Traction Engine Trust Engine Owners sub Committee
FBHVC News Banned from the Roads? 'UNDER THREAT' was the banner headline used by The World's Fair in its issue of 15th November. It referred to an amendment to the Consolidated Roadworthiness Testing Directive IRTD) which, if passed, could effectively eliminate all vehicles over about twelve years old from the roads of Britain and Europe. Recent issues of the Federation News Sheet have described in some detail the importance of the RTD which has been making its way through the legislative processes STEAMING
Winter 1996/97
Important Notice: - a change of venue for the
PRACTICAL ENGINE DRIVING COURSE This course will now be held at
Coldharbour Mill, Uffculme, Devon on 10th and 11th May 1997 NOT as previously advertised in the Autumn 1996 issue For further information send sae to Sylvia Dudley, 12 Hillway, Woburn Sands, Milton Keynes MIC17 8UL 7
The Engine Owners sub Committee presents its first WEEKEND WORKSHOP The topic will be Valve Setting demonstrated on Fowler A7, BB BB I and Z7 class engines. It wffl be held on 12th/13th April 1997 at Hill Farm, Avon Dassett, Warwickshire. A practical and informal workshop for NM members. For further information send sae to Richard Vickery, The Orchard, Loxbeare, Tiverton, Devon FX16' 9RH
took political priority and it was not until the end of the summer that the RTD started its final steps towards adoption. 'It was to be expected that amendments would be tabled during its passage through the European Transport Committee early in October, but it was also expected that any amendment which changed the nature of the RTD would be resisted by the Transport Commission and voted down at the plenary session on 24th October. In the event, the first expectation was fulfilled, in an unexpectedly direct threat to the continued use of old vehicles, but the second was not, making for a very worrying situation. 'The proposed amendment to Section 4)3) says: Member states must nonetheless ensure that vehicles which do not meet the minimum requirements relating to braking systems and exhaust gases are not to be used on the road. 'Seeing that this amendment, if allowed to proceed to law, would wipe out the whole historic vehicle movement in Europe, the preparatory steps were taken to mount a publicity campaign aimed at getting the amendment withdrawn. Preparations included the limited distribution of a press release, drafted on the morning of Monday 4th November. (We have since heard that a senior UK representative in the Transport Directorate was called out of a meeting at 4pm that same day to be shown a copy. This says much both for the FBHVC's influence and for the speed of modern communications.) 8
'Meanwhile, Reg Dawson, FIVA's Brussels transport consultant, was sounding out opinion in the corridors of power and lobbying appropriately. Very soon, Reg had obtained confirmation that the Transport Commission will oppose this land some other) amendments, and will continue do so. In the face of such opposition, the only way the amendment can become law is for a unanimous vote in the Council to overrule the Commission, a situation which is believed to be inconceivable. 'The Federation is watching to ensure that the inconceivable is given no hint of life. 'If anything demonstrates a need for a strong, well funded, FBHVC, this is it. Continuous Licensing (remember the fuss?) would not have stopped anyone using their old vehicles, it would just have made it unnecessarily difficult and expensive. This amendment would stop the legal use of most vehicles over about a dozen years old, and would thus kill the whole movement stone-dead if allowed to go ihrough. Anyone whu quibbles about coughing up a few pence needs to contemplate what might happen if FBHVC and FIVA become unable to monitor what is going on.' I might add to the above notes from the FBHVC by stressing that this is an environmental protection measure by the 'green' lobby. It may be that on this occasion we have won the day but the issues will not go away and continued vigilance is essential. New Rules and Subscription Structure The new rules were approved at the Federation AGM in October. Copies of the rules can be obtained from their Secretary. At the Conference last March, resounding support was given to the suggestion that the Federation should expand and improve the services it offers. A large majority expressed approval that future fees should be levied on a per capita basis. The figure mooted was 1 p per member per week, say 50p per year. Meanwhile the Committee has decided that the Federation must move to a position where it no longer has to rely on donations to meet its financial needs before it takes on any further commitments. With this in mind the Chairman announced at the AGM, before the new rules were adopted, that the Committee wishes to change the basis on which fees are collected from the present banded structure to a per capita system. The Committee recognises that clubs need time to
adjust their own budgets and will thus not introduce such a system until renewals due on 1 June 1998. The amount has yet to be set, but it will not approach the 50p mooted by the Conference and probably no more than half this amount. Renewals due in June 1997 will use the existing structure and any increase will be limited to that required to match inflation. The method adopted by the NTET to implement this change will be for our Committee to decide. It may be that the Federation fee will be shown as a separate, but compulsory element or that the subscription be increased to Exx, including yy pence fee to the FBHVC. The 18 months warning gives plenty of time to plan the method adopted.
New Secretary Michael Holt-Chasteauneuf will be taking over from Jim Whyman during December. Michael is a qualified engineer in his mid-50s, bilingual in English and French. After a brief period in the RAF, he worked in civil aviation, becoming general manager of British Caledonian's Contract Services Unit. After the take-over of B Cal, Michael established his own business development consultancy. His interest in motor cars started at a young age, he was racing MGA and Lotus18 cars when they were but a few years old. He has always had an interest in club and sport administration, and has been active in both the Jaguar Drivers Club and the Jaguar Cer Cliih end recently A cnmmentetor at historic motor events. Clearly he is yet to be introduced to the delights of Steam!
Review of Registration Procedures for Rebuilt and Radically Altered Vehicles This review, now being carried out by DVLA, is aimed principally at kit car manufacturers and builders who, understandably, are keen to secure a registration number from a donor vehicle that is more than 25 years old. The problem that arises is that many kit cars are in essence new vehicles and should be given new index marks or 'Q' plates. Steam engine owners are not likely to be affected unless their engines are embraced by the 'Rebuilt' part of the proposed regulations. If a steam roller is rebuilt into a tractor or traction engine then a change of class will be involved, readily identifying the vehicle as a rebuild. Other rebuilds Winter 1996/97
STEAMING
may not be so obvious although the Road Locomotive Society's records will show the origination specification for the engine. The result would be the loss of the original registration number and the issue of a 'Q' plate. This may be regarded by some as an intrusion into the individual's freedom to do as he likes with his property. The contrary view may be that once an historic vehicle is changed from its original specification it is no longer 'historic' and does not deserve to be accorded the same status. Our friends in the Veteran Car Club go to great lengths to prove authenticity and, once satisfied, issue a plate to be carried on the vehicle. Perhaps the traction engine movement should consider something similar? It was under consideration by the Trust at the time of Peter Barber's resignation as Chairman. (Michael Ward and Peter Smart, steam representatives on FBHVC)
Steam Apprentice Club As the new Chairman of the SAC, perhaps I may introduce myself to members. I have been a member of the NTET land before that the NTEC) for over twenty years. I don't have an engine of my own but served a thorough apprenticeship under Steve Neville and have subsequently helped several owners with their engines. My involvement with the SAC started in 1992 STEAMING
Winter 1996/97
The Review column in our last issue included the newly published Wincheap Memories, a book which with its wealth of interesting pictures of transport around Canterbury, has sold well from the Trust Exhibition and Sales unit. Pressure of space in the Autumn issue meant we could not include this excellent print from the book, which author Paul Tritton submitted with the review copy. It shows what is thought to be Aveling & Porter single cylinder road engine 2092 and it is engaged at collecting gravel near the East Kent village of Kingston. The pair of traction wagons seem to have been backed up the narrow track to the loading point ready to be hauled out when loaded. The 8hp engine was new in 1885, and acquired by George Finn secondhand. Robert Brett is the driver on the footplate of the Aveling and at the left, shotgun over his shoulder, is John White, owner of Reed's Mill, a local windmill.
when we moved to York and I asked around to find out who was doing what with the SAC, so that my two sons could become involved. When I learnt that the answer was 'nothing' my wife, Fiona, and I decided that perhaps we should start something. We helped several youngsters in Yorkshire for a couple of years until my company moved us back to Derby. At this point John Bosworth decided that his own commitments meant that he had to stand down and I was pleased to accept the invitation to take over; I will be aided and abetted in this by Fiona. Those of you who were at the Autumn Conference or the AGM will have heard me before on the subject of adult help for the SAC. When we had a meeting at the GDSF, all of the adult helpers were together — five of us? Since that time three people (or couples) have offered their services, in Cheshire (Ma!pas), County Durham and East Anglia. I hope that eventually we can build up the adult support so that there is someone in every rally/ club area. Please contact us to find out more
about what the SAC is trying to do and what you can do to help, our telephone number is inside the front cover. (John Durling, chairman, SAC)
Trust Trophies The recent AGM at Bristol offered suitable occasions to present Trust trophies. Some were given shortly after tea at the conclusion of the official business, others were saved until the end of the evening dinner. As well as selecting worthy recipients from the West Country, this year some of the trophies were specially reserved for endeavours in connection with the Trust's Road Run in September. The J.T. BEEBY CUP for Steam Apprentices was awarded to Nick Shillito from Garforth, Leeds, for his involvement and participation in Steam Apprentice activities throughout the year. The DACRE LACEY CUP — presented to Colin Wait for his work 9
NOTICE OF APPROVAL Having satisfied the requirements for approval under the NTEC Code or Practice
MR IAN FARRANCE Trading as FARNCARE INSPECTIONS of 2 Hawkins Close, Paulner, Ringwood, Hants BH24 1UO Tr 01425 479683 Fax 01425 473765 has been approved to carry out examinations of pressure systems in accordance with Part IV of the NTET Code of Practice ik
in the field of restoration of steam vehicles and in particular the restoration of ex-King's Foden Wagon. The ARTHUR NAPPER CUP was presented to Alan Sparkes on behalf of the Stanton Drew Steam Group for their involvement with the preservation of engines and the Stanton Drew rally and various other charitable activities in the Bristol area.
The JOHN CRAWLEY BOWL — presented for outstanding service to the movement — was given to Brian James for his committee work and safety management on behalf of the NTET at the 1996 Road Run. The ERIC MIDDLETON TROPHY was awarded to Russell Bulley for the inspiration and research of the 1907 RAC Run which formed the framekwork for the 1996 NTET Road Run. The EDNEY SHIELD is awarded for personal service to the Trust and this year went to Allen Eaton for his support in making available the Hollowell Rally field as a base for the Road Run and his help and involvement with the organisation. The BAKER TOC H CUP — awarded to Frank Marchington on behalf of the Buxworth Steam Group for their generous financial support as the major sponsor for the NTET Road Run. The PERCY HIRONS BOWL was chosen for presentation to the Daniel brothers for long and devoted involvement to the field of preservation and their association with the West Country engines and rally movement. The CHOISEY & SIMPSON CUP
— was given for outstanding engine preservation and continued support of the movement to the Antell brothers. The CURTIS BOWL was received by Richard Willcox for his position as liveries officer of the Road Locomotive Society and his involvement with engines and their use on the road. The GOLDEN FILM SHIELD is awarded as the premier club trophy for outstanding work in the world of traction engine preservation. For his unstinting participation in overseeing the publication of the Engine Owners Code of Practice the shield was presented to Michael Davies, retiring Chairman of the Engine Owners subCommittee. The list of award winners was drawn up by Robert Herring, with grateful help from a local member, and the presentations were made by Trust Vice-President Sylvia Dudley.
AGM Collection Following the Bristol AGM and before the evening activities, Bob Garnett and Richard Dean kindly repeated the showing of vintage boiler explosion slides from the National Vulcan collection that had previously been screened at the GDSF. A collection was made at the conclusion of the show and Bob is pleased to have been able to forward £114 to Bristol Childrens Hospital.
Obituaries Tom Brown
One of the last agricultural engines to be used around the Bedford area was Clayton & Shuttleworth 48154, owned by threshing contractor H. Wagstaff of Elstow. It is seen here in the winter of 1947-48 with driver Ken Ives, working ,a Marshall drum and an elevator at Lynn Farm, Elstow for farmer Prole. Notice all the working tools around the bunker. The 1918 built 7hp engine survives in preservation with David Philpot of Luton. (collection Ken Ives, per Michael Watts) 10
Thomas D'Arcy Brown of Clevedon, Somerset died in July 1996. Born at Acocks Green, Birmingham in 1930, Tom completed his education at Shirley College by gaining School Certificates in a number of subjects. On leaving he wanted to take a formal engineering apprenticeship but his father advised against, and he joined the Birmingham City Council. There he completed a course in municipal administration, specialising in local government. But Tom still yearned to be close to things mechanical. In 1961 he joined the Central Electricity Generating Board, and rose quickly to the post of Assistant Engineer. He married Sheila in 1967 and moved to Hockley Heath, where sons Thomas and David were Winter 1996/97
STEAMING
born. In 1974 he was posted to CEGB Bristol, and the family moved to a new home at Clevedon. His hobby interests were road and rail steam and vintage cars. Many can remember the faithful black Rover 100 he drove for many years! In 1962 Tom tendered for and purchased Fowler roller 21629 from Merioneth CC. This 1937 built engine was a Tiger tractor which the Council had converted to a roller. He always regretted that the tractor parts were disposed of, perhaps to the World War 2 scrap drive of the early 1940s. After purchase he moved the roller to Hockley Heath where it joined Ransomes 15012, owned by Jack Marshall. These two engines formed the nucleus of the first Hockley Heath rally which Tom arranged in 1965. His keen attention to administrative detail soon found him appointed as engine steward for the events. Then, in 1972, he took up the same position at the Town & Country Festival which he ran until serious illness twelve years later. Taking early retirement in 1985 Tom devoted himself to Alzheimer and senile dementia care and local Church activities, with which he was continuously involved up to his untimely death. He will be remembered by many for his quiet encouragement and sound engineering advice. (Trevor Da w) Roy Swain Last summer on the rally field at Weeting, the traction engine movement lost one of its keenest supporters when Roy Swain collapsed and died. Roy was born into the uncertain times of the mid 1930s and, after a wartime childhood, was educated at Bishops Stortford College where he was sometimes in trouble for paying more attention to John Patten's ploughing engines than he did to lessons. Although he showed promise at school, there was never any doubt STEAMING
Winter 1996/97
in Roy's mind that he wanted to become a railway engine driver. He started work as a cleaner at Bishops Stortford later progressing to fireman and moving to Stratford and Enfield. It was here that the regular manning policy brought him into partnership with his beloved N7 tank engine, number 69665. The crews did their own cleaning and how old '65 used to shine. Roy passed as a driver whilst still in his early 20s and remained at Enfield during the closing days of steam on the Liverpool Street suburban services. He also spent a short time as a main line fireman at Kings Cross where he came to know the famous Gresley Pacifics. Roy had by then become involved with steam on the road and, as the twilight of steam on the railways approached, he bought Burrell traction 2921 VIOLET from Walter Keeling. He also helped out Bert George with an Aveling tractor and spent a lot of time with two other engines — Foden tractor 13068, on which he worked for nearly forty years, spanning five different owners (including myself), and Sentinel 9074, which he had been firing on the day he died. Many of the adventures of that time were shared with Stan Hills and Tom Redburn (both alas now dead) and with his lifelong friends Bill Timmings and Gordon Wells. As an eleven year old schoolboy, I was gradually taught how to do things (and how not to do them) and I will always be grateful for those lessons. Roy always maintained that with steam engines nobody ever knew everything and nobody could afford to stop learning. How right he was. Increasing family commitments meant that VIOLET eventually had to be sold but, after a short and very stormy spell with a 12 ton Aveling roller which he named CANTANKEROUS, he bought the 6 tonner GENTLE ANNIE from Ben Taylor of Wimbish. He was always grateful to old Ben for letting him have the roller at less than market price rather than selling it to another interested party for a much higher sum, and he repaid his thanks by letting Ben see it at work from time to time. Like a lot of others, I have many happy memories of times spent with Roy. Over the years I must have covered thousands of miles with him on various road and rail footplates as well as spending hours laughing with him at his inability to perform even the simplest of restoration tasks without the aid of a big hammer. He never claimed to be an engineer but could work wonders with any engine using the most basic facilities and, often,
materials that other people had thrown away. He would never throw anything away himself 'just in case'. The only time I can remember seeing a machine beat him was about thirty years ago when he picked up his BSA Bantam and flung it across the yard having broken the third successive set of piston rings during fitting. He drove every engine, rail or road, up to but never beyond its limit, and expected his fireman or steersman to keep up. He detested thick smoke from incorrect firing and, although he was usually as black as the ace of spades himself, always demanded a clean footplate. Roy suffered health problems in recent years and moved from electric train driving to the job of crossing keeper at Elsenham station, right outside his front door. He soon set about tidying up the station helped by other staff including his son Michael, and was very proud when they won an award in the Best Kept Station competition. He was never happy with the disintegration of British Rail prior to privatisation and was glad to take early retirement when it was offered. He then spent increasing amounts of his time with engines at New Buildings Farm, Great Chishall and in the summer with his great friends Barry and Marilyn Two, covering huge distances with their S4 Sentinel. He always looked forward to his trips to Cornwall with them but, sadly, it was not to be last year. He had a very special relationship with the Foden (which he always regarded as 'his engine') and was especially pleased to see his roller back on the road last year. As a loyal EATES committee member, NTET member, organiser of the rail and road steam shows at Elsenham and as friend, adviser and helper to many he will be sadly missed. We send our condolences to his family. (Peter Richardson)
Now complete ... The Trust's
CODE OF PRACTICE for Traction Engines and similar vehicles Price f25.00 each including postage (cheques payable to National Traction Engine Trust) from — Mrs Sylvia Dudley, 12 Hillway, Woburn Sands, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire MK17 BUL
11
Affiliated Clubs Three Counties Steam Tour The East Anglian Traction Society's commemoration of the 1907 RAC Commercial Vehicle Trials will take the form of a 100 mile charity road run embracing the engine building towns of Thetford, Leiston, Ipswich and Colchester. Details were set down in our Summer issue. Entries are now coming in well though Ransomes machines are poorly represented at the time of writing. However finance, as ever, is a problem and any ideas from Steaming readers on sponsorship etc would be most welcome. Contact is via Robin Harding, 59 Conies Road, Halstead, Essex C09 1BD (by post only, please). Amalgamated Miniature Traction Engine Club The Amalgamated Miniature Traction Engine Club, AMTEC, held its sixth AGM on 3rd November. The new committee elected was: chairman, Les Powell; secretary, Ron Hearsey; treasurer, Clive Hearsey, with John Scott, Dennis Bussy and Malcombe Hartley committee members. There is a full winter programme: 1st Dec — Boiler Making, Doug Turner; 5th Jan — Bits and Pieces and a video; 2nd Feb — Patternmaking, Frank Clark; 2nd March — Welding Techniques, Phil Green. All meetings will be held on the first Sunday of each month at Comberbach Village Hall, Northwich, starting at 2.00pm. The chairman in his message 'The Way Forward' said 'The club will be realigned to meet its original concept, that of a purely miniature traction engine and road vehicle club. AMTEC can cater for all the needs of the miniature steam enthusiast.' Enquiries should be sent to the secretary, Ron Hearsey, Sutton Junction, 2 Chapel Close, Comberbach, Northwich, Cheshire CW9 6BA (11 01606 891104).
Street tube station (Central Line) walk north on Vere Street and Welbeck Street — about 500 yards. For the rest of our 1996/97, programme, the following evenings have been arranged. TUESDAY, 14th JANUARY 1997 — A tale with a very local flavour for this evening. Ron Walker will tell of the discovery, rescue and restoration of the Cumberland Market roller. TUESDAY, 11th FEBRUARY 1997 — The Round Timber Club will entertain on tree felling. TUESDAY, 11th MARCH 1997 — The new Chairman of the Trust's Engine Owners sub-Committee: 'The Way Forward'. TUESDAY, 8th APRIL 1997 — Railways in North America and South Africa are the subjects for Ray Rowe's show tonight. Further meetings are planned for the autumn and into 1998 and details will appear in later magazines. (Bill Timmings, London meetings organiser)
Future Dates Engine Owners Meeting Last year saw the restoration to the Trust's calendar of conferences, seminars and meetings of an Engine Owners Meeting — and a highly popular gathering it turned out to be with excellent and enthusiastic attendance. This year's meeting has been arranged for 11.00am on Saturday, 1st March, and again at the same venue, nicely situated in the midlands and close to motorway links — The Auto Cycle Union House, Wood Street, Rugby, Warwickshire. We are inviting all engine owners whether
These will again be on the second Tuesday of each month, starting at 8.00pm, with the room available from 7.30pm. Non-members will be welcome. The venue is 'The Duke of York', 35 New Cavendish Street, London W1. This is on the corner of Westmoreland Street and opposite the end of Welbeck Street. From Bond 12
Spring Conference for Rally Organisers and Affiliated Clubs The Spring Conference for Rally Organisers and Affiliated Clubs will take place at Auto-Cycle Union House, Wood Street, Rugby, Warwickshire on Saturday 8th March at 11.00am. Invitations and formal notices, together with details of the venue, will be sent out in the usual way, but newcomers are always welcome to these instructive and mutually beneficial gatherings. Discussions under various headings will take place throughout the day. Coffee will be served prior to the morning meeting from 10.30am; a buffet lunch (cost £6.50 per head) will be available during the midday break (prior booking is essential) and tea will be served at the conclusion of the conference at about 3.30pm. First time attenders are invited to contact General Secretary Sue Jackson for further details and bookings. (Sue Jackson, General Secretary, TY 01494 521727) Weekend Workshop
not to scale
London Area Social Meetings
presently Trust members or not — also regular crews etc. Do come along with problems or pieces of advice and join in an exchange of views and information. Coffee will be served prior to the morning meeting from 10.30. As last year, a buffet lunch will be available during the midday break, but this time the Trust will have to pass the cost on to those attending; the charge will be £6.50 per head. Prior booking for the lunch (but not the attendance at the meeting) is essential — via Sue Jackson, see below. Tea will be served at the end of the meeting, about 3.30pm. Detailed directions to the ACU building have appeared in recent issues of Steaming, but the location map is repeated here; Rugby railway station is ten minutes walk. (Sue Jackson, General Secretary, tr 01494 521727)
The first of the Trust's Weekend Workshops will be held on Saturday and Sunday, 12th/13th April. Please see the paragraph in Engine Owners Column and the display advert elsewhere in Trust News for enquiries and bookings.
A426 dual carriageway 3 miles disused bregeover Railway Station Cu WuNi Sircw!
RUGBY TOWN CENTRE
Engine Driving Course The 1997 Engine Driving Course is on Saturday and Sunday, 10th/11th May. For enquiries and bookings please refer to the paragraph in Engine Owners Column and the revised display advert elsewhere in Trust News. Winter 1996/97
STEAMING
Road Run Round Up The Trust's Anniversary Road Run in September 1996 was, it has to be said, a rather hectic event. It had to be — and it was always going to be — enjoyed, but most engine entrants had already completed a busy season of steaming and by September the days had become very short, so arrivals were understandably late, and departures early. Nothing has changed over the years in that the Trust is not in a strong position to organise events, so the workload fell on a limited number of people and despite the welcome number of non-owning members who came forward to act as marshalls, timekeepers etc., all were stretched to their limits on the day. We hope, then, that if this Road Run Round-Up is seen in detail to be somewhat fragmented, the whole all comes together as a sufficient souvenir of a much enjoyed and well praised event.
A modern farming monster holds back and pays due deference to Peter Fagg, Nigel Gough and the 1886 built Marshall agricultural — overall winners of the Road Run. (Dick Blenkinsop) STEAMING Winter 1996/97
Reflections on the Road Run John Champion, of Gloucester, a Trust member for forty years or so, sets down his impressions of the Saturday. My original intention had been to travel up to Hollowell on the Sunday, to see the tests, trials and other agilities being performed, but another engagement rather put paid to this. However, I would have been very reluctant not to have seen something of these anniversary proceedings, especially as it was held so close to my old 'stamping ground' around Northampton, so I drove up from Gloucester on the Saturday morning, hoping at least to see a few of the engines on the road. I returned home very glad that I did so. As I travelled north up the A43, the first rally sign appeared by the roadside near Towcester, and on the outskirts of Northampton, other large signs led me to the A50 Welford Road south of Spratton. A direction to turn left, and a few yards on brought me face to face with the little Aveling roller of Sandy Ross. I was in the thick of the fray before I realised it. In all my years of driving to steam rallies, I have never come across one so well signposted as this one — all concerned are to be heartily congratulated. At this stage I still needed to load my camera, so it now seemed prudent to find space and pull in to rectify this. As I was doing so, a Fowler ploughing engine appeared ahead of me, giving the cars in front the dubious choice of wheels in the ditch or scraped offside wings. Its crew paused to allow the cars to extricate themselves, but sadly my shot of AJAX blowing off furiously was too early on the film, and I only got half a picture! (The engine is one of a pair I used to know as IRIS and MAVIS). Shortly afterwards I came upon Paul Stratford, driving Dick Blenkinsop's Aveling-Barford roller, closely followed by CORN MAIDEN, a Ruston Proctor very familiar to me on Avon and Gloucestershire rally fields. Doc Romanes, on the little Wallis tractor GOLIATH! gave me a cheery greeting as he passed (which he always does, though I have never knowingly spoken to him) then one of the single-cylinder ploughing engines from the Beeby family. At the bottom of the hill, an immaculate Aveling & Porter roller, with living van, stood off the road, apparently in some sort of trouble, its young driver looking very puzzled and fraught, and his young lady crew seated on the towbar looking rather crestfallen. Although it was a good photographic scene, I 13
refrained from making a picture to avoid embarrassing anyone, but I noticed a few others did. I now thought it best to make my way up to the rally field to see the static and non-competing entries. Allchin 1546 and Fowler 14888 were jobbing around the field; the latter was the first engine I saw in preservation, at the Northampton Hospital Carnival in 1956. There was also a former Northamptonshire County Council Aveling & Porter roller, nicely turned out in green. I do not recall seeing BD5641 when I lived in this area, though our lone! roller, older sister BD5643 was brown, as I remember. It was nice to see the Allen/fowler roller again after so many years. After a chat with two Irish gentlemen as we watched the Burrclls CENTURY and the old King's 1896
The scene at the Hollowell field at 10.53 on the Saturday morning. Dick Blenkinsop puts his own Aveling-Barford roller in the viewfinder as driver for the day Paul Stratford warily eyes the group of timekeepers to the right.
TqkkBa, Grid
Stab* Group 14
Tony Marching ton and steersman confidently face the steepest part of the hill up to Brix worth with Fowler agricultural 13140. (John Maund).
A major sponsor for the Road Run and organisers of •
NEWBURY FUNTASIA, 3rd/5th MAY 1997
•
DERBYSHIRE STEAM FAIR, 24-26th MAY 1997
•
DERBYSHIRE COUNTRY SHOW, 23rd-25th AUGUST 1997
Newbury Showground, junction M4/A34
both on Hartington Moor, A515 Ashbourne-Buxton road.
Winter 1996/97
STEAMING
specimen (now named THISTLEDEW — yuk I I being released from their respective low-loaders, it was time for a pint of Batemans and a bacon roll from the refreshment tents. Then, while enjoying a post-prandial coffee and more chat at the Trust's Exhibition Unit, the rains came down — fortunately though, only of short duration. In the meantime, two Foden wagons were the first to return from their road runs. As I chatted with Colin Brown I happened to spot a plume of steam and the top of a living van in the distance, by Guilsborough church, and I decided to make my way out onto the lane. In the meantime Kelston Sparkes' Foden came in and only a few minutes elapsed before an immaculate Aveling tractor 9225 came up the road making no great play of the last mile home — a fine sight. Walking along towards the church it was not long before I encountered Fowler roller 18279, exhibiting rather more sedate progress, but none the less sounding very healthy — closely followed by Burrell showmans MARSHAL FOCH. After a few minutes came Burrell Gold Medal tractor JANE EYRE — I used to know this one as SUNRISE — running very briskly. Then came a lull. Approaching a glade of overhanging trees I heard a whistle and a 'tuppatuppa-tuppa' suggestive of a Foden in full cry, but I was surprised to see the 1886 Marshall of Peter Fagg come into view, running like a sewing machine,
The Daniel brothers ease their McLaren ploughing engine past Martin Fagg's Aveling on the exit from the Brix worth water stop — the latter was a most excellently executed arrangement by kind co-operation with Mawsley Machinery Ltd. (Dick Blenkinsop)
without a vestige of escaping steam. Although I had lived in the area for twenty or more years, Guilsborough village was new ground to me, and after passing the time of day with some fellow photographers by the church, and seeing Burrell DAPHNE come past, I walked on down to the village, meeting on the way
an unfamiliar Burrell roller 4044 and the Fowler Tiger tractor LORD DOVERDALE making very easy progress up the hill past the local ironstone built cottages. In the distance I saw a Foden wagon parked in the lay-by, and I wondered if it had fallen by the wayside, but as I got nearer I realised that it was
Burrell Gold Medal tractor 3626 runs past the estate cottages at Kelmarsh half way round Route 2. (Barry Job) STEAMING
Winter 1996/97
15
Giles Romanes at ease with his Wallis — the steerslady is one of our Dutch members as it canters ahead of normal traffic near Sprotton. (Dick Blenkinsop)
His face a picture of stoicism, Pete Wright watches with despair as his Ruston stands at the roadside yet again whilst Top Gear technicians readjust the camera and sound equipment. (Roger West)
Me i 1! ii num OR
16
Colin Wait's fine restoration of one of the rusty King's hulks which had already completed its run, presumably its crew had ventured out for a 'glass of lunch'. One of my best shots of this day evolved as Trevor Daw's Ruston roller, with trailers, appeared round the bend and I caught the two engines, siriA by SidP Passing me as I walked back to the field were Fowler agiicultutal ELSA with road train and showmans RENOWN, immaculate as ever in navy blue and gold, and steam enough and to spare. I also managed to get a shot of Hirst's Foden 13454 being passed by the Stanley steam car of Steve Parrott, which emerged from the lane at the appropriate moment. I set off for home by one of the routes (I had to select route 1 as time was of the essence), but was held up at the gate by the arrival of a large batch of engines: Wallis & Steevens PANTHER; the Dutch entry, Burrell POUS-NOUK-NOUK (still carrying its Gloucestershire registration AD7782); Burrell road loco CLINKER and the Yorkshire wagon. The latter I had heard reported as being in trouble by one of the observers, but here it was large as life — but with a very pronounced whine in the transmission. I met no further engines until driving into Guilsborough, but then I had to Act very quickly, fot in Lhe narrowest part what should appear but the New Zealand Burrell — and going great guns. If I had got out of the car I would have lost my door or at least given the Hawkins a heart attack — so I had no alternative but to shoot through my windscreen and hope for the best. The resulting picture was much better than I had hoped for — this is a magnificent machine. The next batch of engines I met were those I saw on arrival, with the addition of the Aveling tandem roller and Woodley's lightweight Sentinel. I was pleased to see the Aveling roller
The Union Coal Company Limited donated a living van, the sale of which raised funds, and also one tonne of coal for the Road Run overall winner.
Winter 1996/97
STEAMING
The low late September sunshine illuminates Jaap Kuitwaard's Burrell tractor POUS-NOUK-NOUK, turning out of Guilsborough High Street. (Dick Blenkinsop)
of Martin Fagg, which I had thought to be in trouble earlier. This time a photograph was not possible, due to the light and road conditions, but I was pleased to see that their problems were solved. Towards Brixworth, and a couple more Aveling rollers and Fowler traction VOLUNTEER and my final shot of the day — a new engine to me, Garrett roller ELIZABETH, entered by the Leeds enthusiasts. As I had approached Brixworth I was flagged down into the side of the
road by a Landrover, behind which was coming a very noisy Scammell tractor bringing back the huge Fowler road loco ATLAS out of steam — a sad sight, and very disappointing for its owner, who with the aid of Fred Dibnah his given such fine displays of road haulage over the last few years. Altogether I had had a most enjoyable day, though I could not see everything, and the organisers are to be heartily congratulated, whatever the financial outcome may be.
Perhaps I can make a few observations. Only one grumble, and that concerns the Photographers Guide, in which I could not fault the text but the maps and diagrams I found very difficult to follow, even with the aid of my road atlas. With an entry admittedly of up to seventy engines, it was a little surprising and disappointing to see nothing from the collections of Messrs Napper, Wharton, Fensome, or Greenway, all of whom appeared in the Road Run 1975. I see from the Chairman's remarks in the Autumn Steaming that Peter Fagg won the Silver Salver. Although I am a completely unqualified amateur observer, I would say this was richly deserved. It must have taken a fair bit of dedication to take an engine of this age round the course. Finally, I fully support the Chairman's remarks. If we have to wait another 21 years for such an event I shall be in my 87th year, and perhaps less than likely to attend!
The Judgements Trust Vice Chairman Andrew Semple assembled a most excellent panel of judges for the event (the list was published in the Road Run programme magazine). Here he comments on their deliberations. The road run was a wonderful spectacle and enjoyed by all who were there. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Steve Parrott and his committee and the helpers they gathered round them; Allen Eaton and the Hollowell Steam Group and, notably, Russell Bulley and Brian James for the hours they put into the event. Everyone's efforts led to the Run being the success it clearly was on the day. My particular thanks go to the team of judges who had the difficult task of selecting a winner for the beautiful salvers presented by the Chiltern Club. The team of judges were invited to represent other affiliated bodies, people with historic connection, or people who have been ambassadors for the steam movement over the years. We split into three teams and each team of five visited each of the STEAMING
Winter 1996/97
Rainwater glistening on the engine tyres shows that a heavy downpour is just over as Wallis & Steevens 7269 and Foster 14410 pause at the bottom of the hill towards Spratton for other engines to clear. (Peter Donovan). 17
ONINIVILSL6/9661 Jej 11/44
Aveling & Porter 10048 Aveling & Porter 10073 Aveling & Porter 10372 Aveling & Porter 12081 Armstrong 10 Fowler 18659 Garrett 28408 Ruston & Homsby 114059 Fowler 1642 Fowler 15170
M E Fagg T M Bowman D Viewing A W Hall M A George
N Baker A Caldow R A Walker R Foreman R Brown
Burrell 4049 Aveling & Porter 14113 Fowler 17022 Fowler 14321 Fowler 16008
Fowler 15183 McLaren 1552 Ruston Proctor 35501 Wallis & Steevens 2694 Fowler 18279
Burrell 4014 Wallis & Steevens 8052 Aveling & Porter 7385 Aveling & Porter 6531 Aveling-Barford AC624
G S Bruce J. Snell A J Ross A Biglands J Blenkinsop
D S Pond R Hullah T R Daw M J Beeby R Vernon P Wilson CF and RA Daniel P Wright G J Romares R Clements
Marshall 14242 Fowler 11594 Foden 13832 Burrell 3121 Allchin 1499 Fowler 12761 Wallis & Steevens 7269 Fowler 13140 Ruston Proctor 52266 Foster 14410
P Fagg S J Wing A M Davis D S Smith R G Poole S E Tomlinson H W White A Marchirgton B Wilkins J Bosworth
"ei
B1 B3 B4 B5 B7
G21 G22 G23 G24 G25 G26 G27 G28 029 G31
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9:39 9:52 10:20 10:55 9:57
10:54:27 11:13:00
9:34 10:55:15 10:13 8:09 8:15:37 9:27 10:23:43 10:04
m
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1 10.08 1 10.42 1 10.10 1 10.12 1 9.28 1 10.14 1 10.44 1 10.46 1 10.48 1 9.20 1 9.00 1 10,16 1 10.50 1 9.18 1 9 58
E
3,13 12:42:12 2.49 13:13:12
3,26 12:04:40
3.66 11:04:17 3,41 11:24:10 13:55:58 6.14 11:52:45 3.53 11:24:33 3,59 11:23:13 2.89 11:49:48 3.55 11:38:17 3.16 12:37:44 6.43 11:51:19
5.25 1.84 3.91
4,38 3.24 3.43 2.19 3.27 3.04 6,70 2.16 2.94 4.27
4.08 3.99
2.94 3.14 3,08 3.94 2.93 1,87
3.52 4.84
4.58 4.03
300 11,74 4.33
3.40 11:10:14
ti) 16 a
(John Maund)
17.68 8:19:27 4.87 10:34:06
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10:51 13:00:14 2.14 13:10:30 11:15 12:51:26 2.86 13:05:20 10:20 11:16:29 4.89 11:29:36 10:05 11:48:26 2.67 12:08:58 9:35 11:00:03 3.25 11:13:48 10:47 11:32:35 6.05 11:47:23 10:50 11:17:27 10.05 11:24:10 11:35 13:26:02 2.49 13:46:52 10:52 11:33:28 6,66 11:48:46 9:21 10:29:35 4.02 10:40:08 9:13 10:10:59 4.76 10:19:33 10:17 11:41:18 3.27 12:05:43 11:19 12:45:35 3.19 12:57:06 11:09 9:56
11:39:57 11:15:15 1 9.52 9:51 11:07:56 1 9.54 10:00 11:35:29 1 10.30 10:06 11:23:41 1 10.32 10:59 12:26:19 1 10.34 10:53 11:35:57 1 10.00 10:16 11:40:23 1 10.06 1 10.36 11:03 12:31:10 1 10.38 11:11 13:01:55 1 10.40
1 9,36 1 9.46 1 9.48 1 10.26 1 9.50
G6 G7 G8 G9 G10 G11 G12 G13 G14 015 G16 017 018 G19 G20
1 9,32 1 10.20 2 8.06 1 9.16 1 9,40
m2
-°
e f,
01 G2 G3 G4 G5
g
The facts and figures assembred
works n umber
65.81 74.86 38.89
103,52 11,44 49,85
134.75 129.28
94.34
45.27 14.34
73.87
84.75
;
_
10:50 13:00 13:35
13:44 13:45 12:05 13:12 11:58 12:32 12:44 14:44 12:34 11:10
13:15 14:08
12:52
12:34 12:00 12:01 12:35 12:18 13:17 12:37
11:35 12:07
11:01
11:40
d̀i a
2
11:30
12:20
12:30
12:00
11 6
43.73 55.65 70.52
14.72 56.09
92.19 56.97 68.19 55.28 51.03 56.07 141.48
137.37 42.19
93.35
20.52
67.88 61.72 43.40
133,17 145.25 67.86 48.68 107.98
137,04
70.08
t.
13.20 15.72 13,18
3.15 12.76
11.11 6.85 8.22 22.90 21.72 6.76 17,05
16.55 5.08
22.61
8.18 16.34 5.23 5.45 4.20
16.04 17.50 18.39 5.86 13.01
16.51
8.44 8.13
ac
E e
14:50 12:00 12:17 15:30 14:37
14:56 12:40 14:02 13:38
15:40 15:24
15:16 15:55
13:54
14:25 14:46 14:15 14:15 14:04
12:44 13:54 15:5C 15:02 12:56
12.3C
12:10
Z.! m
C
14:06 17:56 16:50
17:01 15:35 16:31 15:15 17:39 16:37 13:48
17:28 17:56
17:18 18:15
16:32 16:56 16:27 16:28 16:25 16:19
14:35 15:38 18:00 16:54 15:37
11:27 14:05
14:04
to x
,13
Y fi "
3.05 1,96 2,72
2.16 2.50 2.62 3.40 2.47 2.61 3.37
2.27 2,24
2.40 2.12
2.48
3,04 2.60 1.96 2.51 2.65 2.24 2.16 2.36 2.74 2.71
3.33 7.92
c.2
1. Further details of most of the entrants will be found on the Engine List in the Road Run programme magazine (copies are still available from NTET Sales). Entries lettered B were allocated after the press date for the List. Foden 13832 (G3) was entered in lieu of Burrell 3068; programme entries G30 (Fowler 1 5657) and F8 (Sentinel 9086) were non-arrivals at the event. 2. The chosen route is that declared on the entry form, but some entries, by the times quoted here, seem to have taken their own alternative itineraries and disappeared completely from the record. 3. Only watches at Spratton hill were synchronised (an error!). There will therefore be errors in the times between Brixworth hill top and the water stop. 4. No allowances have been made for lunch stops, of either brief or prolonged nature. 5. The table has many blank spaces. The reasons for this are legion, and should not always be considered a mark against the engine or c -ew, for our abilities to record all the times were somewhat stretched - and even more so with the measurement of water taken on. We trust the imperfection of the facts and figures assembled here will not be taken too seriously and can be looked upon as a good reason for another try sometime in the future. In the meantime, have fun in scrutinizing this effort.
Notes to the Tables
leave Naseby
CO
speed Route 3
O NIINV3IS
Z6/9 66Ja1u!M
miniature miniature miniature miniature miniature
M Wines
R Coleman D Jeffrey T Baxter J Sanderson E Collyer
Fowler 15653 Foden 13454
I Howard D Hirst
Foden 3398 Foden 3510 Sentinel 1465 Foden 10694 Foden 11850 Foden 13624 Sentinel 8571 Sentinel 9307 Stanley 735 Stanley 5573 Yorkshire 2108
Fowler 17212 Burrell 3996 Burrell 3669 Burrell 3849
L Crane R J Sandercock J W Middlemiss A 0 Hunt
J S S Calder D S Marston J A Woodley A Sparkes C R Wait D G Jones D W Goddard S J Parrott S J Parrott D W Goddard
Burrell 3130 Burrell 3257 Burrell 3395 Fowler 13141 Fowler 17105
Burrell 3846 Foster 14608 Tasker 1697 Aveling & Porter 9225 Avellhp & Porter 11839 Aveling & Porter 14060 Fowler 14805 Fowler 19456 Marshall 74962 Wallis & Steevens 7641
Burrell 3497 Burrell 3626 Burrell 3631 Burrell 3786 Burrell 4072
C Knight D S Cope M D Shepherd R M Whitfield J 0 Marsh R Hawkins M Ward E W Freeman M 0 Davies J F S Hervey-Bathurst
J Kuitwaard D J Harding P B Honour P G Williams B E Allison
J R Shackell J Rochester K Gamlen S D Hayes R A Walker
B21 B22 B23 B24 B25
Fl F2 F3 F4 F5 F6 F7 F9 F10 F11 B8
B2 B6
H21 H22 H23 H24
H6 H7 H8 H9 H10 H11 H12 H13 H14 H15 H16 H17 H18 H19 H2O
H1 H2 H3 H4 H5
8,18 8.26 8.10 8.34 8,30
8.58 8.54
8.28 9.14 8,48 8,20
9.10 8.32 8.46 9.12 8.36 9.26 8.38 8.40 8.44 9.38
9.08 8,56 9.34 8.12 8.16
8.00 8,04 8.08 8,50 8,52
3 8,14 3 10.18 3 8.02 3 9.56 3 10.28 2 9.06
3 3 3 3 2
2 2
2 2 2 2
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
2 2 2 2 2
2 2 2 2 2
8:54:12 8:46:14 9:21:59 9:36:23 9:53:36
10:08 10:08 11:12 10:08 10:08
9:56:29 9:35:56
2.77 12:06:59 2.86 11:54:56
11:47:29 11:44:33
9:15:05
8:44:31 9:44:33 8:24:08 8:37:34 8:30:43 8:38:47 9:59:05 8:28:26
2.60 12:09:31 2,87 11:56:46
10.13
7.30 2.00 13.82 8.56 13.25 10.64 15.16 6.92
5.71 9:32:52 7.40 10:22:01
5.86 9:25:33 3.85 10:23:53 6.64 9:37:58 6.05 9:28:00
7.65 9:00:31 7.15 9:26:39 5.39 10:27:23 6.66 9:25:19 6.45 9:35:12 6.05 9:57:42 6.55 9:12:59 4.72 10:27:01 6,40 9:26:21 6,36 9:31:01 4.97 10:33:48 3.52 11:21:01
5.77 7.87
5.39 9:04:41 7.03 8:54:31 6.73 9:28:37 5.37 9:46:05 6.19 10:01:02
11:54:00 11:44:11
8:37:01 9:31:23 8:19:28 8:30:40 8:23:50 8:20 8:31:00 9:48 9:55:43 8:08 8:24:54 10:03:54 10:30 8:57 9:08:33
8:21 8:33 8:11 8:17 8:15
8:39 9:27:22 9:37 10:14:18
8:32 9:19:08 9:00 10:11:44 8:48 9:29:33 8:36 9:21:38
9:02 9:49:52 8:55 9:30:05 12:00 8:16 8:52:06 8:42 9:20:37 9:28 10:19:10 8:38 9:19:27 8:46 9:28:49 9:05 9:50:35 8:24 9:06:10 9:20 10:18:29 8:37 9:20:06 8:43 9:26:24 9:24 10:19:34 9:47 11:05:25
8:03 8:07 8:41 8:45 9:09
2.31 4.33
2.90 3.58
6.89
6.00 3.42 9,64 6.52 6.54 5.78 13.37 12.74
8.18 5.83
7.01 3.70 5.35 7.07
5.27 7.20 9,75 3.16 2,88
5,35 7,46 5.48 7.67 7.05 6.32 6.60
6.80 7.69
4.29 5.43 6.78 4.64 6.05
9.61
63.20
12:53
12:53 12:40
9:29
10:07
10:09
9:50 10:34
9:42 10:59 9:54 9:47
10:53 9:43 9:48 10:54 11:55
9:17 9:41 10:44 9:40 9:51 10:15 9:29
10:14 9:53
9:25 9:16 9:50 10:11 10:19
9:29
9:00
9:03 10:05 8:37
10:45
11:00
9:45
10:15 9:40
9:43
9:26 9:48
10:00
9:40 9:25 10:00 10:15
5.37 27.36
22,24 4,49
72.24
31.35
27.01 62.47 48,39
30.91 50.59
98.85 34,80 81.45 76.37
145.22 37,83 113.50
74,09 33.63 53.50 44.65 251.49 54.55 47.45
73,05 94.81
59.81 42.78 80.07 53.45 62.91
0.65 3.30
2.68 1.70
8.70
5.80
5.00 11.57 8.96
3.72 6.10
11.91 11.81 9.81 9.20
17.50 4.56 13.68
8,93 4.05 6.45 5.38 30.30 6.57 5.72
8.80 11.42
7.21 5.15 9.65 6.44 7.58
35.24
56.14
244-72
190,27
118.00 65.79
15:14
62.03
15:52 15:12 14:52
14:36
15:42 15:21
15:43 15:25
14:55 16:32 16:44
16:06 15:26 14:24
15:04 14:31
15:32
47.60
route speed, minimum route speed, average route speed, maximum
13:22 14:28
14:40 14:29
10:05
9:06
9:11 11:30 8:54 9:11
10:36 12:26 11:34 10:47 11:07 11:50
10:50 11:05 12:15
9:46 10:24 11:59 10:18 11:24 11:45 10:13
11:44 11.25
9:55 9:36 11:15 11:40 11:50
15:40
12:55
16:36 16:37 15:56 13:25 11:28 18:54 14:58 16:22
14:36 14:37
15:03 16:39 16:20 13:48
15:48 14:15 17:42 16:34 15:04 15:50 15:40 18:01 18:00
13:34 14:50
15:39 15:05
16:33 16:20
16:40 13:50
21 64
4.95 10.12 6.35
6.34 6.48 6.75 10.19
1.96 3.34 4.95 2.59 5.06 9,10 3.40 8.13 21,64
3 89
8.13
4.84 5.76
4.42 3.76 3.82 5.54
4.55 5.13 3,22 3,85 4.32 4.43 4.09 3.10 3.35
5.43 4.70
4.35 4.67
3.69 4.01
3.34 5.04
engines and looked at three basic aspects as they left the field. • Appearance, cleanliness, trueness to type, paintwork, crew attire. • Mechanical condition, steam leaks, valve gear and motion, brakes and chocks, steering gear, pump and injectors,. etc. • Appearance and provision of loads, suitable spares such as plug, long shovel, spare gauge glass and packings etc. During the day all the judges were out on the various routes and took note of quiet running transmissions, hill climbing ability, steam excesses, consideration to other road users, freedom from smoke and any other item which occurred on the run. After the event each judge collated their marks for the engines and produced a short list of the engines which they rated as their best for the day. These results were then put together and produced a clear first, second, third and fourth. There then followed a group of ten engines with equal votes, these were listed as highly commended. The awards, which were presented by Trust Chairman Richard Sandercock on the Sunday are as follows: Overall winner and recipient of the engraved silver salvers presented by the Chiltern Club (one for the driver and one for the steersman) G1 Peter Fagg with Neil Gough — Marshall agricultural engine 14242. Second 'place G7 Herman White — Wallis & Steevens agricultural 7269.
20
Third place G16 Martin Fagg — Aveling & Porter roller 10048. Fourth place H15 Jimmer Marsh — Wallis & Steevens tractor 7641. Highly commended — a group of ten engines G2 Steve Wing — Fowler agricultural 1594. G23 Trevor Daw — Ruston & Hornsby roller 114059 B1 Nick Baker — Burrell agricultural 4049. H1 Jeff Shackell — Burrell Gold Medal tractor 3497. H12 Dave Cope — Fowler Tiger tractor 14805. H14 Bob Whitfield — Marshall tractor 74962. H16 The Hawkins Family — Burrell road loco 3130. H18 Ted Freeman — Burrell road loco 3395. 1123 Willem Middlemiss — Burrell showmans road loco 3669. F7 Edward Goddard — Sentinel DG4 wagon 8571. Miniature engine — silver salver donated by the Hollowell Group for miniature engines on the run. B24 John Sanderson — '/ scale Fowler road loco. Presentations of Edinburgh crystal were made by the Trust to: • The Hawkins Family who have given us all the pleasure of seeing their ten horse Burrell in action this summer — an appreciation of the expense and effort in shipping an engine literally half way round the world. • Jaap Kuitwaard and crew who brought his Burrell Gold Medal tractor over from Holland to take part in the
Allsorts. Regulars at the Queens Head, Brix worth share the car park with Aveling roller 7385, a miniature, Foster 14410 and Ruston 52266, both agriculturals and Wallis & Steevens motor GOLIATH! (Dick Blenkinsop)
run. This was particularly appropriate as the engine was also on the last run. • The Stanton Drew Steam-Up Group donated an engraved decanter for the event — this was awarded to Giles Romanes, the man who started the whole thing off when he was fined a fiver for having his engine on the road. He is therefore distinguished for starting the road run concept, and has completed both the Appleford run and now the Northampton run; a great character who represents the finest face of the steam movement.
Watch this space A small team of cameramen and technicians accompanied Top Gear TV presenter Tony Mason to the Road Run, spending much of the day on or around the engines, and hopefully taking away several hours of worthwhile tapes. When asked just before Christmas, BBC Birmingham could not be definite about when the piece will be screened in an edition of Top Gear, but it is scheduled and the suggestion was that you keep an eye on the programme listings through February' and March.
Winter 1996/97
STEAMING
Some Trivia
Trust Chairman, Richard Sandercock, with Road Run overall winners Peter Fagg (centre) and steersman Neil Gough as they display the silver salvers donated by the Chiltern Traction Engine Club. (Michael Gates)
The Hawkins family from New Zealand with their 10hp Burrell 3130. Three generations of enginemen are here — Bob Hawkins, with his wife Bev, stands centre left, and his son John on the extreme right, next to grandson Sam. Young Jamie is gingerly holding the Edinburgh crystal, with Nikki at the left. (Michael Gates)
Peter Donovan offered his services as a marshal/ for the event — and involved his wife too. In the times between passing engines he let his mind stray to trivia ... The cold wet conditions at the timekeeping station that Chloe and I were manning at the bottom of Spratton Hill were at least bearable from within a car. Our brief was to just record the time of every engine as it started the climb. After many years of timing racing cyclists, this should be easy. Unfortunately, in retrospect, this was a stage where most of the crews did not know the exact start and finishing point, if indeed they knew the hill would be timed. Hence the figures would be distorted by those engines which chose to pass us, then stopped to engage lower gears, or even worse, had to stop to allow the hill to clear. Others would work out the serious statistics — my thoughts drifted with the temperature. Sixty-two engines passed the timing point, plus five miniatures. What were they worth? Just how far had they travelled to be at Hollowell? Which English counties were represented? (No Welsh or Scottish based engines attended.) The occasion was enhanced by the excellent variety of engines in attendance, with in many cases a fine selection of trailers and living vans. The assessment of value is very theoretical as any engine is worth what someone is prepared to pay. However, based on recent sale prices, I allowed £12,500 for rollers, £30,000 for ploughing engines; £35,000 for traction engines; £50,000 for wagons and £85,000 to £100,000 for road locomotives. No allowance was made for trailers of any type. The value of the full size engines which climbed Spratton Hill, based on these figures, is £2,471,500. To assess the distance travelled I used a computer programme called AutoRoute. I usually selected the quickest route as those who were low loading would probably use the motorways or A class roads. This is not a fully accurate figure, but it will not be far out. If we ignore the distance from New Zealand, but cal-
The Chiltern Traction Engine Club Sponsors of the trophy for the overall winner Visit our Rally at Prestwood, Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire Saturday and Sunday, 5/6th July 1997
STEAMING Winter 1996/97
21
Near to the end of his successful run on Route 1, award winner John Sanderson takes it easy on the trailer behind his 13 scale Fowler road loco as the driver steers out of Guilsborough towards the rally field. (Dick Blenkinsop)
Back to 1907
culate it from Weeting, then the total out and home mileage for all the full size engines on the road run was 11,820 miles. The Daniel family from Bodmin appear to have travelled the greatest distance. At least four engines had travelled further than our Dutch friends, assuming the North Sea is the width I think! Whilst the attendance was excellent, some owners and areas were conspicious by their absence and so arose the thought, just where are the engines from. Twenty-seven English counties were represented. Nothing north of Yorkshire on the east and Cheshire on the west. All the west
country counties were represented, but surprisingly no engines from Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Essex or Kent. This was an excellent occasion, but surely not 21 years before the next gathering. Some of us are very unlikely to be around by then, and on a cloudy day what would we look down upon? An oxcuse for another run exists in either the Millennium, when such a run would be a glow in the otherwise abysmal fare likely to be on offer, or the Trust's fiftieth anniversary which would make more sense. To the organisers, engine owners and crews, and other helpers, thank you for an excellent weekend.
With quiet respect and submission, high ranking members of SoDEM on Burrell tractor 3497 give way as the Trust Chairman and Burrell 3996 majestically pass by at Guilsborough village green. (Dick Blenkinsop)
A few further snippets of information have come forward on engines in the 1907 Trials. Alan Martin has kindly provided additional details of the steam entries. The steam tractors were: • Burrell 2932 (AH017) • Foster 3633 (FE368) • Tasker 1382 (AA2199) with Tasker 1365 (AA2200) in reserve. Of the steam wagons there now seems to be no knowledge of works numbers, but some registration index numbers can be gleaned: • St Pancras Ironworks wagon LN6651 • Savage wagon AH013 • Yorkshire 5 ton wagon U726 The RAC Trials happened a long time ago and it was therefore with some surprise and excitement that Russell Bulley realised, just a week before our Road Run, that the Foster entrant, 3633 of 1907, survives in preservation in the north of England. It is presently dismantled and under long term restoration but, who knows, one day we may be able to see it nicely restored to its original condition, with pannier water tanks and feed water
Aveling roller 10048, van and water cart in a scene from the past on the Road Run Route 1 near Creaton. (John Maund)
heater. Although the engine was somewhat camera shy during the Trials, enough illustrations are available to give a good idea of its 1907 condition. Jonathan Cary writes on Serpollet and our question (page 42 of the programme magazine) on the continuation of his designs. Jonathan has seen Serpollet's name attributed to steam powered aircraft in the early 1930s. Who can add more?
Random Jottings Our final section is left left to Russell Bulley, whose inspiration of modelling the Road Run on the 1907 Trials gave so much to the atmosphere of the weekend. Hardly anyone found the time and opportunity to see and record everything on the Saturday, least of all Russell, but here are just a few of his notes, made later — a mixture of thanks, commiserations, and odd happenings. • I was pleased to see how much effort members had gone to with finding appropriate loads to put behind the engines and with clothing suitable for 1907 or their engine's history. I hope the latter shows up in the photographs that will appear in Steaming, though the clogs I spotted on some crews will doubtless have been missed by the camera. • My thanks go out to one of Mike Davies' tractor drivers who brought a large water tanker from Warwickshire and spent the day dispensing the ohso-necessary liquid at a number of places. I trust he enjoyed his day. Also involved with water was my brother, Meredith. He looked after the metered supply at Spratton and was grateful to the lady from a house opposite who kindly brought out morning tea and cakes. • Gareth Jones broke his Foden wagon — actually, the all important water pipe between the tank and the
Fowler ploughing engine 15170 crosses the rolling Northamptonshire upland countryside appropriately trailing a Steam Plough Works 6-man living van. (Dave Bagley)
, The Red Lion at Clipston provided a suitable lunch time stop where Routes 2 and 3 rejoined, and villagers were treated to a constantly changing exhibition of our speedier machines — Tasker 1697, Burrell 3996 and Sentinel 1465 feature here. (Roger West) STEAMING
Winter 1996/97
A1 7,. t o..
_
•
41
ert 1
111,0- •
Aveling tandem roller 6530 might be thought a reluctant performer on even a short road run — here it enthusiastically turns the last but one corner in Guilsborough before the rally field. Steve Parrott's S4 holds back — it trails someone's van that it has recovered. (Dick Blenkinsop)
injector. One of the local motorcycle club members who were acting as trouble finders, rose to the occasion, taking the offending part to vintage commercial owner Brian Freer at Stoke Albany. Brian welded it up but Gareth had had to drop his fire by the time all was mended. Two hours later the pipe was refitted, tank refilled and the Foden on its way again. l went out and found them, by then storming along to Market Harborough. Despite having a safe haven at hand (the Welland Valley Club's yard) the crew weren't giving up — "We'll not have those Sentinel boys saying we didn't get home." At Guilsborough, just before darkness came, the fire was badly clinkered and the hill to the village required a little more puff. The stop for a blow up and a rake through was watched by a family group and with obvious trepidation the father approached an unkempt and worried Gareth — "When you pull off would you give my daughter a ride? Just a few yards of course." Without hesitation the little girl was taken aboard. The look on the
faces of the family at the top of the hill, a good half mile further on, said it all for me — perhaps some more converts to steam had been won over. • Thanks, too, to the breakdown crews. The first call caused confusion, but Kevin Upson and his two-stroke Foden rose to the occasion, and one or two other similar rescues were equally well carried out. • Some commiserations — and explanations of a few of the blank spaces In the table. Mick George and his Armstrong roller spend much of the summer running out in the nearby Northamptonshire countryside, so it was particularly disheartening for him when the fusible plug played up at seven on the Saturday morning — he didn't really want to watch the Run! Pete Wright and friends overcame firebar problems on the Friday, but his patience was severely tried during the Saturday morning as TV presenter Tony Mason and Top Gear technicians virtually took over the Ruston as a mobile studio for the first three miles. I hope you find you look good on the screen, Pete.
Merrill Lynch 24
Boughton's Tasker tractor was to come by low loader on the morning of the run, but tyre problems on the motorway meant the unit's arrival was after most engines had left the field. The speedy machine eventually set off and managed the Clipston lunch stop with others, even though our timekeepers seem to have lost it. And poor old ATLAS, which failed at Brixworth with tube problems. I arrived later to find the crew missing — gone on another engine around the course, not wanting to miss out on a good time! • More thanks to the enthusiasts from other vintage vehicle clubs who supported us. As an instance — the motorcycle chaps. Chas Rycraft went round route 1 and found little trouble, and then thought he'd do it again. The rise to Brixworth village is steep and had almost caught out Charles on the first round. This time he'd take a good run at it — no signs ahead of engine smoke, so he wound the old girl up to a fair pace. The bike has hand gear changes, belt drive, and the foot controls are the opposite way round to the norm. As the crowd on the viewpoint admired the spirited approach of the British masterpiece, Chas realised the bend at the top of the hill obscured one of the miniatures — he stamped on the left hand pedal (the brake!), became momentarily out of control and ended up with an abrupt halt in front of the photographers' gallery. They responded with a round of applause!
'A public service of Darracq-Serpollet steam vehicles for the transport of both passengers and goods is being established between Epernay and Pierry and between Moussy and St. Martin d'Ablois, in the Marne district of France.' (from The Industrial Motor Review, October 1907) 'TO BE SOLD, cheap, splendid Steam Shooting Drag, to carry nine. — Apply Sutton, Haxby, York. (from the For Sale columns of The Industrial Motor Review, October 1907)
sponsored the Trust's Road Run
Winter 1996/97
STEAMING
Road Run reading and viewing STEAM on the ROAD. VHS, 85 minutes running time. Produced by Moonlight Productions in conjunction with the NTET. Price £18.00, available from Moonlight Productions, 14 Arran Avenue, Sale, Cheshire M33 5N0 or from NTET Sales. Early in 1996 the NTET decided to re-enact the 1907 RAC Road Trials on the occasion of its 'second 21st anniversary. Hollowell in Northamptonshire was the chosen venue, 28th and 29th September was the date. To everyone's great pleasure it turned out to be one of the best events of the 1996 steaming calendar. If, like me, you were unable to attend, or you were at the event but wondered what happened along the routes that you couldn't get to cover, don't despair — Moonlight Productions have produced an excellent video which very nicely complements the commemorative programme magazine produced by the Trust. The story starts with engines and equipment arriving and being prepared for the weekend's work and then continues with the cameo performances of the sixty or so entrants that it was possible to capture on tape. The Northamptonshire countryside around Hollowell, as well as having villages with hard-to-pronounce names, includes some fairly substantial hills and the video includes many impressive shots of engines being worked up gradients on each of the three routes. The objectives of the original road trials included the desire to identify the machines with the greatest fuel and water efficiencies and these endeavours were attempted at Hollowell. Included in the video are scenes at the water metering points and of the judges embroiled in their calculations, all dressed up in costumes of the period. The views of the award ceremony and engine line up towards the end certainly illustrate an atmosphere
Sandy and David Ross head a group of road runners through Guilsborough aboard their single speed Aveling 4 ton roller 7385. Clearly they are students of 19th century dress and posture. (Dick Blenkinsop)
of camaraderie and friendly rivalry among the crews during the weekend's events. Moonlight's production team obviously worked extremely hard covering the three routes in order to capture so many of the 72 engines that attended. Whilst some might consider that the lack of background music detracts from the overall ambience, it is narrated in the style that has become the hallmark of Jim Stevenson and I believe that this informative and often humorous
record of events is set to become obligatory viewing by young and old alike. A job well done. (Dave Smith)
STEAM ON THE ROAD, the NTET Anniversary Road Run, September 1996. 44 pages, 182 x 241mm, 45 illustrations, including colour on cover. Published by the NTET and available from NTET Sales, price f3.00 inc postage. Steve Parrott and his Road Run Committee are to be warmly con-
Some of the beautiful people stand in front of the engines which were paraded in the ring at Hollowell during a brief period of sunshine in an otherwise rainy Sunday (Roger West) STEAMING
Winter 1996/97
25
'Rollers, overrnets fnr drivers of. The Engineer stated that the time had now come when Overcoats usually supplied to the Steam Roller Drivers had become due, the last ones supplied having been in use for about 2 1/2 years, and he submitted an estimate from Messrs Marychurch & Bladder at Three guineas each [£3.151, as against 27/6 each 1£1.37 1/2 )] for the last set. This matter was deferred in order that the whole question of clothing to Corporation Employees might be considered.' (from the Minute Book of the City of Oxford Highways Committee, August 1919, extracted by Sandy Ross, present owner of the city's small Aveling roller 7385. The large increase in prices reflects the short period of high inflation after World War 1.)
Sunday home-time. Aveling 10048 is carefully eased on to its low loader for the ride back to the home counties. (Dick Blenkinsop)
gratulated for the organisation of the splendid NTET Anniversary Road Run which took place at Hollowell, Northamptonshire last September. For the weekend our indomitable Editor, Royer West, produced an equally excellent programme magazine and there was a deliberate decision to print extra copies to allow those who could not attend to have a souvenir of the event. Russell Bulley's story of the now famous 1907 Commercial Vehicle Trials takes up a large portion of the magazine. He concentrates on the steam vehicles involved, and a fascinating tale it makes. In total sixty vehicles were entered in the 1907 trial, of which eleven were steam powered. Eight were categorised as lorries and three were 5 ton, one-man operation, steam tractors, as permitted under the 1903 Heavy Motor Car Order to carry 120cwt including the trailer. The Burrell entry, engine number 2932, was eventually awarded the coveted first prize and henceforth the marque were known as Gold Medal tractors. Much effort was made at Hollowell to capture the ambience of the original event. Over sixty engines participated in the 1996 event, including some 26
magnificent road locomotives with appropriate loads, traction engines, steam tractors, road rollers, ploughing engines and steam wagons. These are fully detailed in the programme part of the magazine, with suitable comment where the entries could be compared with 1907 competitors. One could not help feeling the nostalgia generated by the event. The publication will not only enable those fortunate enough to be present, but also those who could not be present, to re-capture the splendour of the occasion. The highlight for the writer was a ride round the course in David and Diana Goddard's immaculate 1910 Stanley steam car. If only my bank manager will agree, I am in no doubt what my next car will be! The potted biography of the seventeen judges is of interest and demonstrates the talent actively participating in our hobby today. I hope we will be able to read of their deliberations in due course. The booklet is the same format as Steaming, and is well filled with pictures from 1907 and of many of the Road Run entries taken in recent years — all excellent quality illustrations. (Michael Lane)
'At the meeting of the Gwyrfai Rural District Council at Carnarvon a discussion has taken place respecting the damage done to the roads by heavy motor wagon traffic. The surveyor to that body recognises that motor wagons are equally entitled to the use of the roads with ordinary vehicles. Personally, he said, he was inclined to think That motor wagons did more good than harm to the highways, for during a certain portion of the year they acted as steam rollers. This view is not often officially represented to the local authorities. We shall be pleased to hear from any of our readers in districts where local surveyors take a similarly reasonable view of the matter.' (from The Industrial Motor Review, October 1907. The term heavy motor wagon usually indicated a steam wagon.) 'WANTED — Driver for Garrett's Motor Tractor, must not be afraid of hard work and long journeys. — R. J. Cole, Carter and Contractor, Ipswich.' (advertisement in the Situations Vacant column of The Industrial Motor Review, October 1907)
Winter 1996/97
STEAMING
Renewing a firebox How Unprofitable Repair Time can be Saved 'Steam vehicle repairing is highly specialised work, calling for spacious premises and plant and tools in some points differing from those commonly used in other motor repairs, especially in connection with boiler work. The illustration on this page pictures a corner of the boiler shop of G. Scammell and Nephew, Ltd, Foden agents and steam wagon engineers, of Spitalfields, London, E.1. For boiler repairs this firm possesses one of the finest equipments in the country, and one which ensures the completion of work in the minimum of time and at highly competitive prices. A complete firebox, for instance, can be renewed in less than a fortnight as against the three to four weeks usually required to fit a new firebox in, say, a Foden wagon. A wagon of the same make can be retubed in a single day, or have a new tube plate within two or three days. The renewal of the firebox in a locomotive type boiler is one of the most interesting of repair processes,
and not only is the work extremely interesting, but the accuracy and skill of the boiler makers is really astonishing. After the boiler has been dismounted from the chassis, together with its engine, it is picked up by an overhead crane (seen in the illustration) and placed over a pit of ample dimensions to allow the boilermakers free movement. The boiler is generally supported on two legs (as photographed) and in this position the whole of the work is completed until the boiler is ready again to be mounted on the chassis frame. The stays of the old firebox are speedily drilled out by pneumatic drilling machines and very soon the old firebox is removed, leaving the bare boiler shell ready for the new box and the new set of tubes with which the latter are always fitted. The new firebox comes from the machine shop drilled and ready to be fitted, and is mounted in position, riveted, and the new stays are screwed home. All this work, including caulking and refitting of the stay heads, is quickly completed by pneumatic tools. To Foden wagons it may be remarked, only the latest guaranteed Foden fireboxes are fitted,
The caption accompanying the original illustration reads — 'corner of the Scammell repair works where boiler repairs are carried out, and where, in the photograph, a number of new fireboxes are being fitted to loco type boilers. The air piping gives en idea of the extent to which pneumatic tools are used for the work.' Against the left hand firebox leans a board lettered GENUINE FODEN WELDED FIREBOX.
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Winter 1996/97
as by experience they have been found to give the best and most consistent service. At this stage, however, comes a thorough inspection, for which Scammells have arranged with a boiler insurance company, and, if he thinks desirable, the boiler inspector can witness the hydraulic test which follows the firebox renewal. There remains then only the final stage of testing the boiler generally, its mountings and safety valves, under steam, and in general adjusting the whole ready for replacement. In transport, time is so usually the essence of the contract that such abbrevation of the period during which a wagon is laid off idle for repairs will certainly be appreciated by owners.' (From a leaflet issued by G. Scammell & Nephew Ltd in the 1920s, reprinted from an article published in Motor Transport, 2nd August 1926.)
'Sale or hire, 6hp Burrell Compound Spring Traction, No 1931; 8hp Aveling; both in excellent order; 6hp Portable (wrought iron wheels), nearly equal to new. — Slatter, Salford Priors, Evesham.' (from Engineering & Machinery Chronicle, March 1903. The Burrell, a single crank compound, had been new in 1896 to R.N. Bunt of High Lendon in Gloucestershire. It was still being advertised for sale in Phillips Monthly Machinery Register in 1905 but between 1911 at least and 1932 it settled with Arthur L. Davidson of Bidford-on-Avon.)
27
Sentinels for....
Timber Merchants Joe Thomas One of the Sentinel company's important group of customers for steam wagons was the timber trade and quite a lot of my thousands of pictures of Shrewsbury built wagons show the front panel to carry the legend TIMBER MERCHANTS That trade, of course, was far more local in the first quarter of this century than nowadays and most larger towns would have had a firm trading in finished timber. However, it is not surprising that concerns that had enough business to warrant a steam wagon should mostly be found in a city or at poi ts where timbei (Milne in from abroad. My first photograph shows Sentinel Standard A model 2111, built sometime before 1919 for John Remer & Co Ltd of Liverpool — at the rear is an earlier example of the same type. The 6 ton vehicles are being hand loaded from an enormous pile of sawn timber planks, or it might be they are making that stockpile having brought the wood from the dockside. In the background can be seen a signal cabin on the high level railway, which some keen railway enthusiast may be able to identify and so reveal the location of the picture. Another 6 ton A model is depicted next, by J.B. Kind Ltd's No 2, Sentinel number 4364; it was constructed 28
,;*
Winter 1.996/97
STEAMING
about May 1923 and registered FA1493. It was designed to haul a braked trailer and seems to he finished in a very light shade of paint. Moving on to the Super Sentinel design, my picture is of 5532, new in July 1924 to P.H. Haydock Ltd, of Chorley, Lancashire. Many timber merchants seemed to find a simple flat bed body served their purposes but in this case the vehicle has a special body. The chassis members are only plated over only between their top surfaces and four bolsters with stanchions and roping rings are provided to take sawn timber lengths. Here is another light coloured livery which has also been nicely lined out and decorated, and this tradition is still carried on in the same part of Lancashire. Sentinels timber tractors are well known and I wrote of them in Steaming some years ago (Summer, 1983 et seq). The picture, courtesy Alan Martin, shows DG4 tractor 8650 whilst on test before being delivered in March 1932. It had been ordered by Thubron, Son & Kirkup Ltd of Sedgefield, Co Durham and was equipped with a seperate steam winding engine on the rear for hauling trees out of woods or loading trunks onto the timber jinker. The final picture shows a shaft drive S model put to work in the timber trade. In fact Brown & Son Ltd of Chelmsford purchased a pair of S4 wagons with matching trailers, and 9074 and 9075, accompanied by trailers 9076 and 9077, left Shrewsbury on 10th May 1934 — this photograph of 9074 was taken at the front of the works with the Sentinel company housing in the background. Note the staging behind the vehicle's cab to cater for lengths of timber. Both these Sentinels survive in preservation and 9075 was some years ago very accurately restored in the dark green livery of Brown & Sons by Doug White of Portsmouth.
S611111t(Rki1etin IIICIRIC4.
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Cruise the beautiful sealoclts and canals of Scotland in
an original coat-fired Clyde Puffer. Good food, comfortable accommodation.
'A road record in haulage of heavy goods betwixt Clyde and Tyne has been established. Machinery urgently needed in Gateshead was loaded on two 'Sentinel' steam wagons, was delivered, and the vehicles had returned to the Clyde with loads in less than 48 hours' actual travelling. The coal consumption of the two was less than a ton and the time of delivery quicker than by rail. — North Star, Feb 23rd, 1923' (from Sentinel Transport News, April 1923.1 STEAMING
Winter 1996/97
Send large SAE for free brochure to Rachel and Nick Walker, The Change House, Crinan Ferry, Lochgilphead, Argyll PA31 8QH (Tel 01546 510232). 29
Fowlers visit Dorset photography by Eric Sawford
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The great Dorset Steam Fair's enlightened practice of recent times in featuring each year machines of one particular maker, reached new heights last year. The range of Fowler products was impressively vast and one wonders if indeed there are any other contenders that could equal the display. Almost one hundred full size steam engines were accompanied by a wide variety of implements, trailers, living vans, diesel tractors, stationary engines and even a railway locomotive. And they came from literally all round the world, with repatriated expats from Australia, New Zealand and several countries in Africa — not to mention the near misses of the Russian types that never actually left these shnms Eric Sawford kindly sends a selection of prints to give a flavour of the event. Opposite are representatives of the Steam Plough Works ploughing engines. Single cylinder veterans from the 1870s (top) are 1368 MARGARET of 1870, and then 2861 (1876) and 3195 (1877) — 365 years in all. The huge Z7 15670 of 1922 shows itself off (bottom) against the temporarily populated Dorset slopes, as it eases back down the hill. On this page (top), 12275 came as a surprise entry for most visitors — the 6hp road engine was newly arrived from New Zealand and on its first public showing. There were many rollers on display and two of the small T3 class (centre) make interesting comparison, 16157 of 1924 to the left and 15965, built the previous year, on the right — an unusually small flywheel on this one. Another engine returned from afar is on the left of the final picture — 8721 of 1900 is a 85 road engine sent to Australia, and is seen 'rubbing shoulders' with the now unique 1931 Fowler wagon 19708 — it is 25 years since this relic was found by Tom Varley in a Leeds scrapyard.
MARSHALL METAMORPHOSIS Earle Warwick With the arrival of the Spring 1995 issue of Steaming out here in New Zealand I was very pleased to see the photo of the three Marshalls at Scargill, South Island. Perhaps I can be given the opportunity to make a few comments, corrections and additions and tell more of one of the trio. The man feeding the nearest chaffcutter is my father, Rick Warwick, beckoning to John Hawkins driving the nearest Marshall. It will be noticed by the observant that John is holding the jigger open; during the lunch break the engine had dropped in pressure, indeed, the fire had to be relit in order to recommence work (the beer tasted good). Knowing the engine had next to no steam, Dad was giving John a hard time by feeding the cutter as fast as he could. This did have some nice side effects, notably an impressive exhaust beat as the little Marshall struggled to drive the cutter. On board the middle engine (number 52609, not as printed) is my grandfather Logan Quigley. This is the first engine he purchased, in 1967, followed a year later by 10hp McLaren 957. The engine left Marshalls' works in 1909 and after being in New Zealand for several years was modified by its fourth owner, George Jackson, who fitted belly tanks, balance weights on the crankshaft and changed the steering from right to left. Also while in his ownership the engine had a new backplate fitted; apparently the original used to flex and break the gauge glasses quite regularly. What the problem was I don't know but the new one did the trick for as long as I've known the engine it has never blown a glass. One modification which we have made can easily be seen in the photo. Who noticed the loop in the regulator rod? This was done to clear the reversing link when we fitted a double purchase to the throttle in order to make the engine easier to handle. Previously at working pressure it was a two-handed effort to move it, and when it did eventually budge it was to 32
the wide open position and you were off like a bat out of hell, which was rather unnerving. Another annoying habit the throttle had was the way it self-opened when travelling, a problem also encountered on the third Marshall in the picture. Is this a universal Marshall fault? It was quite easily remedied by running a die down the top of the regulator handle pivot pin and fitting a simple locking nut to it. Finally, in my comments on the engines in the picture, 42370, which is owned jointly by John Hawkins and Logan Quigley, left the works in April 1905 and was supplied new to Greymouth County Council as a 10 ton convertible, with wheels and rolls. I hope readers will be interested in knowing more of the restoration of the machine. One day in August 1988 Grandad Logan had a phone call from Mr Hawkins, basically offering a half share in 42370 in return for undertaking the restoration. After no doubt
giving this proposal due thought Grandad gave a positive reply and so it was that in late September 1988 a small, rusty and very forlorn Marshall arrived in the yard, where problem number one presented itself; how do we get it off the truck? Not having the luxury of large forklifts with which it was put on, we got round it by placing a jack under the roll scraper bracket and lifting the front of the engine just far enough to chain it to the bulldozer blade, then we dragged it round in front of the workshop, where dismantling began almost immediately. First to come off was the seized gear change lever and forks, followed by most of the motion and then the crankshaft, lifted out with the front end loader on the tractor. The following day I had to go back to boarding school as the holidays were over — much to my annoyance. When I came home two weeks later I found Grandad had been busy; all that was left was the boiler sitting in the yard, every-
Marshall compound convertible 42370 of 1905 as it arrived at the Warwicks' premises in September 1988. Note the crossarm governors have been uncrossed and that, on this side, the machine has a roll as a hind wheel. (Earle Warwick) Winter 1996/97
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thing else was stacked neatly in the workshop awaiting our attention — well mainly Grandad's attention really, as I was always at school. He did leave the cylinder block for me to pull to bits, which was interesting as I'd never seen the innards of one before. Considering the engine had been sitting for around 30 years it was in quite good shape. The bores were still smooth with just a little bit of surface scale and the valve faces still had a film of oil on them. At some stage the low pressure valve had been refaced with a brass face. The theory ahnut this repair is that while working on the hills of the West Coast the engine spent a lot of time being notched right up, reducing the drive to the mechanical lubricator and consequently the supply of oil to the block. The council's engineers overcame this by driving the luby from the crosshead, a very crude-looking arrangement but one that no doubt served its purpose, somehow. Out of curiosity we put it back on when we reassembled the engine, but removed it afLei the first couple of steamings in favour of the more conventional system. The next time I came home from school the boiler had disappeared to the boilermakers and many of the smaller parts had been cleaned and painted with primer. Attention was then turned to larger items like the tender and gear guards. The tender needed a new footplate and back to the bunker, which Grandad bent by jacking up another of the engines and placing the appropriately sized piece of plate under the axle, suppoi led by two lengths of wood, and lowered the engine down on it. The result: a bent section that matched the profile of the back of the bunker perfectly. The tender was then primed and put in an out of the way spot. The gear guards were thoroughly cleaned, patched where rusted through and painted and lined and stored under cover in the grain shed, as were the crankshaft and flywheel. Restoration then ground to a halt as we awaited the return of the new boiler from the boilermakers. Finally, after waiting for nearly three and a half years our patience ran out and we asked for the boiler to be returned, which it duly was, in an unfinished state. The barrel had been rolled and fitted into the firebox, held in with two bolts on either side and a tapered punch on top. A frame had also been made to locate the cylinder block saddle on the boiler. The next few Saturdays were spent in Hawkins' yard drilling rivet holes. This job will not be easily forgotten, for most STEAMING Winter 1996/97
The reconstructed boiler of Marshall 42370, freshly completed. (Earle Warwick)
Almost back on four wheels again, this is how the engine appeared at Christmas 1992. Note that the hind wheel on this side is the traction engine one, the strakes long removed but showing the marks of their earlier presence. (Earle Warwick)
mornings the boiler was white with frost, resulting in very cold numb fingers all round; however, after about four weeks it was ready for riveting, and a day was spent doing the firebox seam and the steam chest saddle. Marshalls' obviously didn't want this to fly off as it is held on by forty rivets! the next Saturday we installed the tubeplate, using a length of railway iron slung by chain from a forklift hoist as a 'persuader', and drilled all the
holes for the rivets. The following week Grandad and I left home in the truck ready to bring the boiler home. The rivets were put in in no time and all the bits and pieces loaded onto the truck. It was deemed necessary by the two of us that a pub be visited on the way home to celebrate the end of the beginning; the boiler was finished and reassembly could proceed apace. I had left school by this stage and gained an apprenticeship as a fitter turner, so my 33
new found skills would come in handy. First job was to put the tubes in so that the boiler could be filled with water and checked for leaks. We hooked up the house supply from the pressure pump so it was hydrauliced to 701bs and little jets of water squirted out from all over the place, the firebox seam needed caulking all round, a skill which we quickly learned, along with two or three places on the saddle and around most of the tubeplate, although this had to be sealed by welding. Once the boiler was watertight it was sandblasted and primed and then the tender, axle bearings and shaft bearing brackets were fitted and the lot painted in the final colour. The wheels were sandblasted at the same time, painted and then fitted once the shafts and axle had been installed. The new perch bracket and the front axle and wheels were next and the engine was back on four wheels for the first time in many years. Once a front drawbar had been made and fitted the engine was pushed back into the workshop. Once in the workshop the crankshaft was lifted in and the bearings adjusted. When we tried to turn it over by hand it wouldn't move, even after the bearings had been slackened. After much pondering on what the problem could be it was discovered that one of the bolts holding the bearing brackets on was fouling the low gear pinion! Once this had been rectified we fired up the old W6 crawler and belted it to the flywheel in order to check our bearing adjustment. It was then that we discovered the bent crankshaft, and because of this the flywheel side bearing had to be left slightly loose to prevent it heating excessively. After finding the bent crankshaft we came to the conclusion that at sometime during its working
Marshall 42370 back in steam for the first time since the early 1950s. The temporary chimney and lack of exhaust pipe caused problems — not surprisingly — but at least the steaming provided a welcome milestone in the restoration. (Earle Warwick)
life the engine had overturned, as the offside rear roll had been replaced by one of the engine wheels with the strakes filled in, and numerous castings on one side had been broken. Next in line was the cylinder block which we lifted into place with the front end loader after the gasket had been marked out, smeared with graphite and put in place. Once the block was on the motion went into place and had a few runs with the W6 just to make sure everything ran smoothly. A few knocks emerged but these were quickly hunted down and sorted out. A set of fire bars was obtained from Frank Heron, who also
42370's usual mode of transport — hooked to the drawbar of 10hp McLaren road engine 957 of 1909. (Earle Warwick)
made the perch bracket, and John Hawkins managed to rustle up an old ashpan, which I had to modify to make it fit. Also at this stage the tender, wheels and steam chest were completely painted and lined. By now we had run out of parts with which to continue the rebuild so during the Easter break, 1993, I suggested we throw a fire in the engine. Having no chimney yet, I cut a hole in the top of the smokebox with the gas and jammed a length of old flue in, dragged the engine outside and kindled the fire. After about three hours nothing was registering on the pressure gauge, which worried us a bit. Fortunately, after checking round a bit we found that one side of the boiler was too hot to touch, and the other was stone cold. The southerly wind was taking its toll, so we hastily tied a few old sacks around the boiler and, like magic, the pressure gauge needle started to move. Once it reached 301bs we had a quick check round for leaks and then gently ticked the engine over. With a few more pounds on the clock low gear was engaged and the engine slowly run around the yard. Without an exhaust pipe to create a draught on the fire the engine quickly ran out of puff and had to be pushed back into the shed with the tractor — but at least we knew it worked. A couple of weeks later John delivered a couple of new tyres to our place and we duly set about putting Winter 1996/97
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them on. Being ambitious characters, we thought we'd have both tyres on, drilled and bolted to the rim in one day without too many troubles. Not so. It took us all day, with the aid of two tractors and a dozer, lengths of chain, ropes, crowbars and numerous theories, to get one tyre three quarters of the way over the wheel. At about four o'clock we called it quits after three or four hours of no progress, and went our separate ways. Sometime during the week while I was at work John dropped off a tool to push the tyres apart using a small jack. The next weekend wu had another go at putting on the tyre. We positioned the tractor against the nearside rear wheel so we didn't move the engine sideways with the dozer, and slowly went round the tyre, jacking it apart and pushing it on with the dozer. We did get the tyre on and the following Saturday did the other side and bolted it to the rim. Once the tyres were on we were able to steam the engine again, and with a crude blower hooked up to keep steam on, we managed a few trips down the drive over the next few weeks. Satisfied with the steam tightness of the boiler, the next job on the list was the lagging. For this we used Pink Batts, tied round the barrel with baling twine and spaced with strips of wood. With no old cover sheets to use as a pattern, Grandad marked around the various fittings and things on the boiler with cardboard and transferred it to the new sheets, with splendid results. Once fitted they were painted and lined, greatly improving the engine's appearance. All we needed now was a proper chimney. The base was expertly blacksmithed from a length of pipe by
Running around at speed on John Hawkins' property at Ashley, the newly restored Marshall gives enjoyment to John and his father Bob on the footplate. Bob has been a familiar figure at the Weeting, Norfolk rally for some time, but in 1996 and this year the whole family and their 10hp Burrel engine 3130 have been visiting Britain. (Earle Warwick)
Trevor Chinnery, the flanges profile cut from three quarter plate and welded to the base and the funnel after the beautiful cast brass top had been fitted. With the chimney on and painted the Marshall was at last complete after five years, and we were able to stand back and admire our handiwork on a job well done. Since then the engine has been out and about a bit, although not under its own steam, being far too slow to drive any great distance.
'TASKER 5 ton compound tractor practically as new and .2 SIX TON TRAILERS FOR SALE. CASH OR TERMS. Price and fullest particulars, Lewis Senior, Northern Wharf, Caversham Road, Reading. Phone 144. Telegrams 'Tractor' Reading' (from The Wiltshire Gazette & Hants County Paper, 19th Fahruary 1.915, cniirtpAy Peter Donovan. Lewis was a well known engine dealer and many hundreds of engines passed through his hands.)
POOLE &-GA-REY CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS Registered Auditors
FINANCIAL ENGINEERS Providing professional accounting and taxation services to business and personal clients. If you think you would like our help contact Martyn Poole any time at:
36 St Olav's Court, Rotherhithe, London SE16 2X113 0171 232 0707 Fax 0171 394 7510 Also at 15 Devonshire Road, Mottingham, London SE9 4QP Associated with Poole Mordant in Berkshire, Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk Poole & Carey is the practice name of Poole & Carey Limited (Limited by guarantee)
STEAMING
Winter 1996/97
35
Steaming Around Compiled from members notes and reports by Derek Rayner
A report from the Cheshire area gives considerable cause for concern. It relates to the auction of an Aveling 'engine' and the price of £18,000 paid for it. One wonders what the item was advertised as and whether the purchaser actually knew what he was buying, for at best, the assembled collection of bits can only be described as — well, a collection of bits. Does the Trades Description Act apply? The machine comprises a steam roller boiler and various other parts which have been put together to make it look like a steam tractor — complete, of course, with dynamo. A chain drive to a differential, however, is about as far away from standard Aveling practice as one can get! The machine has absolutely no pedigree and demonstrates the worst side of conversions. It will perhaps qualify for the prize for the most unoriginal engine when it is completed. Profit seems to be top of the list for reasons to 'convert' in this instance. Compare the price paid for this machine with those for the two very genuine engines at the Lincolnshire sale, admittedly with no boiler tickets: something, somewhere, just does not make sense. Hard on the heels of this unfortunate situation comes another Consultation Paper from the DVLA at Swansea. We remember the last one — on Continuous Licensing — and the furore which ensued. This latest paper
BEDFORDSHIRE This year was the first time that the Bedford SEPS had used the site at Old Warden for their Steam and Country Fayre, and it turned out to be excellent in all respects. The weather was very kind for a change and open 36
is entitled 'Review of Procedures for the Registration of Rebuilt and Radically Altered Vehicles'. It seeks the views of a wide section of the motoring fraternity including the police and motor trade, together with many clubs and organisations, about the system currently used and the future intentions for vehicles which come into the categories listed above. This is basically the issue of Q registration marks for vehicles of an uncertain age, identity or origin. Although the majority of the consultation paper concerns such vehicles as kit cars and motorcycles, it does impinge upon our particular hobby with the inclusion of a category for Radically Altered Vehicles. These are defined as those which are substantially altered from their original specification and the document indicates that these are the ones which are most likely to be issued with a Q mark. It goes on to say that there seems to be a certain amount of stigma attached to the issue of a Q mark on a vehicle and this will undoubtedly have some effect on its future value. In this category, for example, we might see it would apply to those steam rollers whose registered description is altered to a tractor or traction engine by virtue of their conversion. They may end up with a Q mark, and it is not impossible that by reference to their own records,
fields, trees, the house and airfield nearby which accommodate the Shuttleworth Collection all added together to provide a memorable event. Around sixty engines attended and these included a pair of Fowell tractions, 91 and 92 (CE7856/7857)
the DVLA could make this action retrospective. David Dean's letter and the subsequent correspondence in the last two issues of our magazine could thus take on a whole new perspective. The discussion related to authenticity of engines and engines being preserved in forms in which they spent their working days. It is clear that the Trust can lead the way here by taking the suggestion a stage further. Perhaps we should be issuing authentication plates similar to the Veteran Car Club's scheme, to those genuine engines whose owners have chosen to apply for them. Something of this nature, given the appropriate publicity, would undoubtedly lead to a relatively higher value being placed on an engine bearing such a plate. Those engines which have been radically altered would not be eligible for such a plate, and their value henceforth would thus reflect their bastardisation. I am grateful to those who have taken the trouble to send in information for this issue. Notes and news etc have been received from the following: Banbury Steam Society, Hertfordshire SEPS, North Staffs & Cheshire TEC, Scottish TES, Southern Counties HVPT, Somerset TEC, Steam Plough Club, Thames Valley TEC, West of England SES and Brian Allison, Len Ball, Martin Brown, John Champion, John Clifford, Ian Corfield, Anthony Coulls, Sean Cullen, Percy Dabbs, Gerry Doherty, Peter Donovan, Andrew Hall, Peter Haywood, Trystan Jones, Nigel Keene, Bob Moorman, Alan Porter, Trevor Rees, Chris Rhodes, Sandy Ross, Brian Shaw, Lyndon Shearman, Peter Short, Bob Smith, Graham Smith, Barry Thirlwall, Graeme Thirkell, John Toy, Deryk Vernon and Michael Watts — not forgetting Traction Engine Register for the detail references. Please note the press date for the next issue is the last day of January. Information, news, letters etc, especially, please, from our newer members — this is not an exclusive clique and anyone can contribute — by then to D.A. Rayner, Invicta, 9 Beagle Ridge Drive, Acomb, York YO2 3JH. Press dates for future issues are the last day of April and July 1997.
owned by the Parrish family and the two large engines — Peter Lidgitt's Fowler road loco 14115 of 1914 (XC9653), making its Bedfordshire debut, and that long distance traveller from New Zealand, Burrell 10hp traction 3130 of 1909 belonging to the Winter 1996/97
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Hawkins family. At least seven engines from the Saunders collection were present at the event and there was also a nice line up or Sentinel wagons. Included in these was Barry Weatherhead's 1924 Super 5256 (KC5071) in the livery of United Africa Co Ltd for whom it worked until 1961. Another Super, equally eyecatching, was Stuart Gray's 1925 model 6327 (NE4770) in Tate & Lyle colours. Steam cultivation was undertaken with Fowler BB1 15347 of 1919 (BE7542), owned by Denis Smith, and one of Ted Wootton's machines. The latter had prnhlems with its rope and Colin Piggott's K7, 16646 of 1926 (R04520), took over. Unfortunately this latter engine had a much shorter rope and so part of the field remained uncultivated. Another engine new to the event was Mike Dyson's 1918 Garrett 4CD tractor 33296 (BJ5510). An engine which has changed hands is 1908 Foster traction 3710 (CJ4222), purchased by Dave Davenport from Simon Bath.
BERKSHIRE Stealing the show at Knowl Hill rally in early August were, not road steam engines, but a small herd of water buffalo and the magnificent 1924 built Ruston & Hornsby No 6 steam navvy 887, owned by Ian Woollett. This required dismantling to enable transport to site but its subsequent re-erection and demonstration made the hard work worthwhile. The machine featured in a display of loading stone into a Scammell dump truck, which was well appreciated by the rallygoers. There were around fifty engines at the event, Fowlers predominating, STEAMING Winter 1996/97
The Haddenham rally in Cambridgeshire provided an excellent threshing spectacle at its 1996 event. The Marshall drum is being worked by 7hp Burrell agricultural 3935 of 1922. (Ken Go ward)
with the oldest present being 2013 (AL 8463), a ploughing engine built in 1873 and now part owned by show chairman John Keeley. Peter Lidgitt's road loco had much spectator attention in its first season out after rebuild: this is works number 14115 of 1914. Always of interest among the rollers was Shay drive Aveling 7411 (XP2915), new in 1911; the now unique machine is owned by David Spooner. An engine un its very first rally appearance was Dave and Claire Eve's 1903 Foster traction 2728 (V7917), although not quite finished after a long overhaul. Also present ware David Fowler's 1915 Burrell showmans 3651 EARL KITCHENER and also Steve Cook's 1918 Fowler 15319 QUEEN MARY.
BUCKINGHAMSHIRE The Great Bucks Steam Working at Worminghall was well supported in good weather in early August. Some fifteen engines were present, all allocated some task or another during the weekend. Water was being delivered by Peter Williams' 1920 Aveling tractor 9225 (CJ4160), and Boughton's Tasker tractor 1697 of 1916 ISR1516). Stone crushing was in the hands of Peter Best's 1910 Garrett traction 28410 (N01186) and Fowler tractor 15293 of 1919 (BN2788), belonging to Robin Greenaway, whilst ploughing was undertaken by Mick Smith's Fowler BB1 15164 of 1918 (WR7185) and Denis Smith's 15347
(6E7542) of the following year. An interesting engine set to a threshing drum was one of the relatively rare Allchin agriculturals, 1499 of 1910 (AY9494) owned by Richard Poole. The annual steam-up at Honour's yard at Little Chalfont took place at the end of October. There were fourteen engines in steam plus another four awaiting or under repair. Of interest was Avoling traction 9096 of 1920 (AF6001), belonging to Dave Knott, on a stone crusher and it was nice to see Arthur Grover's 1928 Tasker tractor 1928 (932GR0) out and about again after overhaul. Following many years of standing in the open, 1919 Fowler ploughing engine 15423 (KE2316), jointly owned by Messrs Knott and Saunders, has at last had some remedial treatment. Two engines in the throes of restoration were Mike Thompson's Aveling roller 8717 of 1916 (SX923) and another Tasker tractor, 1765 of 1918 (SR1252), which belongs to Boughtons. Ed Bolton had his annual steam up near Amersham in early November. Fired up were 1883 Clayton portable 21112; Richard Hornsby portable 6239 of 1887 and 1910 Clayton traction 43200 (6E8003). Also in steam was Clayton roller 48946 of 1924 (YA 9576), owned by Gary Smith. In a building surrounded by the spits and bangs of many stationary engines was Ed's 1915 Garrett tractor 32762 (AD8954), undergoing protracted overhaul.
37
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR THOSE NEEDING ECONOMICAL REPAIRS ON THEIR TRACTION ENGINES
B. & C. Reconditioning (Gears) Ltd PINIONS
SPURS
BEVELS
All types and makes of bevel gears, spur pinions, spur wheels, helical gears etc rebuilt to standard
Our address is:
B & C Reconditioning (Gears) Ltd, off London Road, Amesbury, Wiltshire SP4 7EQ Telephone Amesbury (01980) 623210
38
Winter 1996/97
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CAMBRIDGESHIRE The Wood Green event near Godmanchester during the summer was well attended. The organisers were pleased Lo welcome Ron Walker with his 1927 Burrell Gold Medal tractor 4072 (PH2900) from the London area, together with Fowler roller 17022 of 1927 (WW4017) which is owned by a trio including David Walker. Local engines included the Coulson family's 1936 McLaren tractor 1837 (AAM801) and John Middlemiss' 1914 5hp Burrell showmans THE BUSY BEE. Particular interest was paid to Dave Davenport's new acquisition — Foster traction 3710 of 1908 (CJ4222), formerly owned by Simon Bath. The big event of the recent period was the Haddenham rally in early September. The gathering was dedicated to the late Roy Swain, who passed away at the Weeting event earlier in the summer. In the order of fifty engines were at the event, supported by very many more enthusiasts. David Gowlett's 1905 Fowler traction 10373 (CE7922) was there, as was John Garrod's Ransomes agricultural 27277 of 1918 (DS7473). Very impressive was Peter Lidgitt's Fowler road loco 14115 of 1914 (XC9653) in its first season of rallying after extensive rebuilding. At the moment it is in WD livery but likely to change to Pickfords colours in due course. A long distance visitor was Maurice Jackson from North Yorkshire with his Fowler conversion 16236 of 1924 (EC5521). An engine to come into the area is Burrell traction 2425 of 1901 (Al I 5319), which is now in the ownership of James Coward. James' other engine is Wallis conversion 7802 of 1924 (H06352).
CHANNEL ISLANDS A holiday visitor to Jersey took time ott from the important issues of sunbathing and relaxing to visit the Pallot Heritage Steam Museum at Trinity, where he found a small collection of engines. There were some small railway locomotives, one of which was in steam, although none have any direct connection with the island's former railways, having been imported by the museum's founder, the late Don Pallot who died in 1995. A particularly noteworthy exhibit here is the bodyshell of the Jersey Eastern Railway Sentinel railcar BRITTANY. The engine unit of this became a shunting engine in quarry use in Surrey before passing to the Kent & East Sussex Railway. Its present whereabouts is unknown but if it still survives, the prospect of rebuilding STEAMING Winter 1996/97
one of Sentinel's rail products would be very exciting. In the road steam section of the museum are two Marshall rollers, one of which is presumed to be 81451. Traction Engine Register shows this as 12 tons but it is stated on site to be 8 tons, and looks from photographs to be so. The other is 78539 (registration J17884), which was new to St Saviour's Parish. The latest edition of TER seems to have confused these two rollers for 81451 is attributed J17884, whilst the other is omitted all together. Other engines here are 1904 Ransomes traction 15740 (J14467), new to the island and rescued from a hedge in 1962, and El French-built Merlin et Cie portable; this was in steam at the time of visit. An engine reported to have gone to the island of Jersey is Tasker 5 ton tractor 1625 of 1914 (BP5833) now owned by Richard Matlock. Fowler roller conversion 16854 of 1927 (UA 1684) has been noted for sale from a Guernsey telephone number. It is believed this machine is too heavy, at 8 tons nominal weight, to have been taken to Guernsey and used on the local roads, when its owner moved from Yorkshire.
CHESHIRE A machine sold at auction in recent months at Sandbach was an Aveling concoction with rather strange appearance. Last recorded as owned by H. Baker, it is listed as 6240 (AWB997). The boiler at one time belonged to a 1907 built steam roller in the Doncaster area or was a spare. On the day of the sale it had a generator on the front but no canopy and many non-Aveling parts — the most curious of these was a chain drive to the differential. The selling price of the engine was £18,000. Readers may like to refer to the Lincolnshire notes for other recent sale prices! Another engine to change hands is 1933 Fowler DNA roller 20122 ITJ2626), sold to Andy Prior and Alan Edgar by Bob Adam. This late-built roller still carries its original Fowler paint and lining. Before it can be steamed, welding in the firebox and a retubing will be necessary, but it is hoped to have it running for the forthcoming season. Alan Edgar owns 1937 Fowler roller 21222 (CS5409), this being a T3A1 type. Another late Fowler roller to change hands is the last one on the TER list, DNB 22596 of 1937 (EJ5535), which has come from Devon to the ownership of Dave Wood, who also owns Fowler roller 16436 (SA8439), new in 1925. Other engines have been on the move.
OUR MAGAZINE 25 YEARS AGO
A photograph competition had only brought forth seven entries but the winning print, by A. Swain, featured McLaren road engine 1652 BOADICEA — there must have been thousands of other pictures taken of the same engine in tho sucooding 26 years. Much of the magazine was taken up with a very long article by the late Bill Oswald, setting down his travels during 1971 in search of his passion — showmans engines. His dedication entailed such routines as leaving an Edinburgh wedding celebration to catch an 11.45pm train to reach the Bloxham, Banbury rally the next day; making a snap decision to leave his train at Newcastle to photograph the Town Moor fair at 5.I5am on a June morning, and making a public transport dash from London to the Pirton, Hertfordshire, rally for a 15 minute photographic run round before the next bus and train back. Bill was, indeed, dedicated to his hobby. Rallies were still taking place at Hamilton, Scotland, attracting as many as ten engines — this is an area where it now seems difficult for enthusiasm to flourish. A large number of other rallies was reported — 28, including two in New Zealand and Australia, and several had over forty entries. Over 650 engines were listed in the reports, though many, of course, would have featured two or even more times. A newcomer at the Harewood gathering was Tom Varley's Fowler steam wagon, resurrected from dismantled scrap yard remains.
Wallis Advance roller 7943 of 1927 (0T6007), is now owned by Norman Dean; Max Cowap has bought 1905 Burrell traction 2767 (YA1683) from Devon via Alan Painter. Alan has acquired Ransomes traction 26994 of 1916 (WT1271), and sold it on to the Suffolk area. There has been an influx of engines into Tony Marchington's stable; perhaps not surprisingly, most have been Fowlers, but in addition Sentinel DG4 8454 of 1931 (UX7958) has arrived from Berkshire. The Fowlers are the former South African Boer War 39
road loco seen at GDSF and two rollers from Yorkshire. These were David Parkin's 1930 DNB class 18663 (TF1851) and Steve Denton's small T3A2 class 19190 of 1933 (MVS854), a repatriation from Portugal. Richard Marsh's immaculate Burrell showmans 3886 LORD LASCELLES was one of the star attractions at the Silver Jubilee event held at Malpas by the Vintage Machinery Association. It was a very well attended event, by visitors and exhibitors alike and the extremely good weather helped to bring out the crowds. There were over thirty engines at the show including N.S. Whittaker's 1946 Aveling-Barford AG76.0 IBTL8101, Dave Gleave's 1927 Foden tractor 12782 (DF4055) and Hughie Winterbottom's Sentinel S4 9086 of 1934 (SE4013) formerly with the Fearnley family at Castleford. Another engine with Yorkshire connections, which appeared in part finished condition following extensive renovation work, was Fowler showmans style road loco 14948 of 1918 1E64999). This was converted by the late Ted Meadowcroft in a chapel in
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The AnteII family were deserving recipients of one of the Trust trophies at our Bristol AGM in November. Two of their engines, Robey 7hp traction 29333 of 1910 and 6hp single cylinder portable 28086 of 1908, were pictured in the wood sawing area at the 1996 Great Dorset event by Roger Newbery. the mid 1960s. It was very pleasing to see George Coles' Clayton traction 46059 of 1913 (CE7943) back at the event following its failure to appear in 1995 when only the very broken flywheel was present. This engine has now been satisfactorily repaired. It seemed a pity on such a nice site that everything was very much crammed in and with countless yards of red and white striped tape, usually placed very close to exhibits (or vice versa) and often at smokebox or radiator level. It all made photography difficult if nigh on impossible. One absentee this time was John Williamson who, together with his wife June, has organised the steam section for a number of years. John was ill, and we hope he is soon up and about again.
CORNWALL An engine which has been away from the Duchy for a while has returned. Fowler roller 18873 of 1930 (CV3579) worked in Truro for most of its life and first attended a rally in 1958 whilst still in Council ownership. It has now been placed in the custody of John Vincent and family by owner Aubrey Sanders and the first appearance since return was at the West of England SES rally in mid August. The 41st St Agnes show in midAugust was perhaps even better than the previous year's big event. Fine weather stayed all weekend but rain came during the clearing up operations on Monday. A good selection of
newcomers were welcomed to the event including a couple which made a round trip of over 1000 miles to attend. These were Stuart Ritchie with 1912 Marshall traction 60136 (SV5434) ex-Tasmania, and Joan Cuthbertson who presented Foden C-type tractor 13536 of 1930 (RY 9259). Also there were some who were travelling from the earlier Tredinnick event and also Barry and Marilyn Two with 1934 Sentinel S4 wagon 9074 (BEV466). Peter Lidgitt's 1914 Fowler road loco 14115 made the long journey, as did 1930 Foden Dtype tractor 13762 (VN2911) owned by by Iwan and Trystan Jones from South Wales. Local engines included Willy Alford's recent acquisition from the north, Marshall traction 84921 of 1929 (UP3325) and Douglas Knight's 1943 Marshall compound S-type roller 89543 (FJB990). Merrymeet and Liskeard the following weekend saw the two north eastern visitors, the Marshall and Foden tractor, in attendance along with others such as Martin Barnecutt's Sentinel which fortuitously was able to use its winch to pull engines out of the soft ground on Monday. Steve Veal turned back the years by harnessing a team of horses to pull his 1910 Brown & May 5hp portable 8262. Much attention was paid to a part dismantled Marshall S type compound roller belonging to Phil Gregory — 88360 of 1938 (DRO 890) is in need of a correct type cast rear roll to replace a spoked one put on sometime from an Winter 1996/97
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earlier machine. (Offers via DAR if possible please.) An engine noted for sale was 1923 Aveling roller 10545 (HR7772) owned by Ian Locke. This ex-Barnes Bros roller came south from Yorkshire a few years ago.
CUMBRIA Notes in the last issue referred to the intended sale of Tom Nicholson's Burrell showmans 3909 WINSTON CHURCHILL and its subsequent postponement. A sale did take place in early October but the engine and Tom's Gavioli organ were not included; he had decided, despite failing health, to keep the engine and attend very local events. An engine to leave the area after many years of inactivity is Aveling roller 4660 of 1900 (NR2393), owned by Barrie Harrison. It has parted company with its stable companion for many a year, P. Short's AvelingBarford roller AC604 of 1937 (CPT 235) which remains. The new location for the Aveling is North Yorkshire and plans are afoot at present for it to attend Masham Rally in 1997, which will be a local event.
DERBYSHIRE It was the twenty-sixth event of the series at Cromford last year and the August show had the fortune to have good weather. The programme details were scant to say the least — and that in an offering which amounted to 48 pages. It would hardly have been possible to reduce the details which were given as they had only type, manufacturer, name where appropriate, date and owner. A newcomer was Frank Lythgoe's 1936 Fowler traction 21647 (ZB1135) brought to the event by Jack Meeker, whilst Ian Brackenbury was there with his 1925 Avelins roller (that's the programme's spelling!) 11171 (PU6775). Other Avelings included Dave Maris' 15 ton single 6340 of 19071E5333), later reported as sold to Roger Gouldby in Suffolk. It was good to see a pair of Burrell showmans at the event; Brian Dunford's 3285 KING GEORGE V and David Eansworth's 2894 PRIDE OF WORCESTER. An engine new to the area is 1910 Tasker roller 1424 (1131517), now in the ownership of J. Walker. This machine was registered AA2356 by the makers in Hampshire prior to being despatched when new — such was often the practice at the time.
DEVON An engine to come into the county is 1925 Foden wagon 12116 (TU1215), which now belongs to Mr Mayhew, STEAMING Winter 1996/97
whilst Tasker roller 1926 of 1926 (TT8344) has been sold by Mr Rumpson, the new owner not being presently known. Another engine to change hands is Burrell mile! 3986 of 1924 (AF9293), which joins the fleet at Richard Sandercock's Dingles' Village, near Milford.
DORSET It is always difficult to obtain a definitive total of engines at the Great Dorset Steam Fair. For 1996 the best estimate seems to be 222 including centre engines and fire engines. However, by adding the glorious replica of Trevithick's road carriage, four steam cars and a couple of home made efforts — a steam Land Rover and the strange wagon 'Figment of the Imagination' — then the total reaches nearly 230. The programme still contained basic errors and omissions but with Fowler being the highlighted maker it listed some 100 engines of that marque — all shapes and sizes from road locos and crane engines to tractors and conversions. There were exhibits from Scotland and Ireland as well as many from closer to hand. The stops had certainly been pulled out by organiser Robert Coles and he is to be congratulated for bringing together so many products from the erstwhile Steam Plough Works — they included a good selection of petrol and dieselengined machines, implements etc. Other unusual Fowlers included the Anglo-Australian Colonial 10773 of 1907 owned by Billy Treloar from Northumberland; Willem Middlemiss' roller 12530 of 1912 (J7255), a 3-shaft machine; the now unique wagon 19708 of 1931 (UB8660) owned by Terry Varley and Robert Crawford's 1928 stump puller 17107. Other engines included Fred Coupland's Burrell showmans 3865 NO.1 (ex-Pat Collins), Jimmer Marsh's 1920 Wallis tractor 7641 (BW4668), which hauled a most appropriate furniture van, and McLaren ploughing engine 1552 of 1919 (BD5504) owned by the Daniel brothers. This latter was one of over twenty ploughing engines present at the show. One query — was Case traction engine 'C632' of 1907 actually at the event? Our correspondent failed to see it for the second year in succession, but it was listed in the programme. Can anyone confirm or otherwise to DAR, or comment on or provide its correct works serial number?
CO DURHAM A surprise sale has been that of the Foden replica bus 11340 of 1923 (M6359) by John Bainbridge. It has followed his ex-Scottish crane engine
Fowler 8920 of 1901 (SG4713) to Les Searle in Sussex. Vince Allen is progressing the rebuild of his 1928 Foden wagon 13166 (UR1328). It Is slowly taking shape.
EIRE The big event in central Ireland is the rally at Stradbally which took place in early August — 28 engines attended in good weather. The oldest McLaren traction, 1879 built agricultural number 60, owned by Tim Nagle, was present. The engine was new to Andrew C.nlfer of Wexford and used on threshing and haulage duties. Eddie O'Hanlon's 192'l Aveling roller 10954 (MI17001 ex-Wexford County Council was also at the event along with Thomas Brady's recently acquired Fowler roller 19191 of 1932 (IY2784), ex-Drogheda Corporation. John Dillon has only just bought Ransomes traction 44013 of 1931 (ZB965) and another engine at the event was 1917 Mann's cart 1216 (04249) belonging to the Irish Steam Preservation Society. The same weekend, the Cooley Vintage Day was held near Carlingford Village, Co Louth. Rory Woolf's Clayton & Shuttleworth overtype wagon 48637 of 1920 (MI946) was there along with Ruston showmans tractor 52656 of 1919 (Y12853) belonging to Gerry Doherty. In midAugust, Harry Rowntree had 1917 McLaren traction 1447 IA13164) at the Kingscourt Vintage Day. It was coupled to his Ransomes 52in mill. Harry is one of the few men left who earned his living, along with his three brothers, as a threshing contractor, first on steam and then using Lanz Bulldog tractors. Also around this time, seven engines attended the 21st Anniversary Rally at Moynalty. There was a good crowd at the event and they enjoyed some great weather. Engines present included Harry Rowntree's McLaren, John Dillon's Ransomes, Gerry Doherty's Ruston and Fowler traction 21649 of 1936 (K11973), belonging to Kilkenny County Council, and Gerry King's 1915 Clayton agricultural 47134. At Fenagh in early September, a notable anniversary was achieved — the 25th rally at which 25 engines were present. Robert Coles brought across Burrell showmans 3888 GENERAL GOUGH, an appearance much appreciated by local enthusiasts, whilst another newcomer was David Sixsmith's recently acquired Fowler conversion 18875 of 1931 ITY8176), which came from North Yorkshire. There were several portables at the event including Jim Tynan's 1917 41
Ransomes 27185. Also there was Jim Hosey's 1911 Burrell traction 3296 (KI 1094); F. Jenkinson's 1905 Allchin agricultural 1311 (1-1R5059) and 1919 Garrett showmans style tractor 33459 ITC64) owned by P. Denby. Another engine reported as being sold to Ireland from North Yorkshire Tom Colledge's 1927 Burrell conversion 4062 (YB9360) although the final destination is not presently known.
ESSEX What a splendid event the 10th Essex Steam Rally and Craft Fair at Barleylands Farm Museum, Billericay turned out to be. It was large and there were plenty of working exhibits, with ploughing engines predominating. An excellent road making display was organised by Bruce Allen and starred John Brice and son Alan together with John Dines' Aveling roller 10017 of 1921 (FX8388) which steamed to the event and was coupled up to a stone/brick crusher for the duration of the rally. With some 80 engines in attendance, there was a good display of wagons of both Sentinel and Foden varieties, but surprisingly showmans were few. The former crane engine, McLaren 1713 of 1922 (NH3998) owned by David Birch now sports a very light blue livery: the only genuine showland engine was J. Down's 1913 Burrell tractor 3453 THE MAY. There were a number of Kentbased engines that attended the event including the Pierce/Stanier venerable Fowler ploughing engines and Fowler road loco 14754 of 1920 (N0459). Two Sentinel wagons, Super 6979 of 1927 (YH5763) owned by David Gransden, and Julian Hopper's 1934 S4 9208 (BYL485) drove from
Very well attended last year ...
Engine Owners Meeting for owners, crews and potential owners. Non members welcome.
SATURDAY 1st MARCH 1997 The Auto-Cycle Union, ACU House, Wood Street, Rugby, Warwickshire See Future Dates column for further details.
42
Chatham Dockyard to the event via the Woolwich Ferry (where they caused minor problems). That route was necessary as steam engines are not allowed to drive through the Dartford Tunnel. Return was made over the Dartford Bridge, towing recently restored furniture trailers converted into living vans. As mentioned previously, ploughing engines predominated at Barleylands and Peter Philpot is to be congratulated for arranging not only ploughing — with balance plough — but also cultivating, harrowing, mole draining, direct haulage and even dredging, all powered by steam. A nice touch and forward planning par excellence was the use of the dredge to excavate the area for next year's road rolling demonstration. In the words of one visitor 'this is better than Dorset', for it had none of the raucous noise of the fair and the huge areas of trade stands. If you don't believe it, make a visit in September 1997 and see for yourself.
GLOUCESTERSHIRE The 28th Fairford Rally was down on numbers in mid-August but was still an enjoyable show with a good cross-section of engines at the event. A new face was Wallis oilbath tractor 7637 of 1920 (H02779), which has been restored over the past five years by Pete Lyons and now looks immaculate. Also out for its first season following an extensive rebuild was the oldest surviving Aveling compound roller, overhead slide valve type 3430 (PB9801), built in 1894. It has been finished to a very high standard in its former fleet colour of brown by Pete Smith who is very pleased with the engine's performance so far. As time and money permits (or after he has got soaking wet because of a lack of it) he will restore and refit the canopy. Other engines to return to Fairford after an absence for rebuilding were John Plaister's 1919 Marshall traction 71837 (DD2007) and Ruston Proctor traction 33471 of 1907 (EW 2691) owned by Mike Thexton. Great care was taken during the rebuild of the latter to protect the weathered paintwork applied during an earlier restoration so that the authentic look of the engine could be retained. The crew of the Marshall were noted wearing tee shirts bearing the legend 'Waisters return 96' — a nickname given many years ago to this popular engine owner and president of the Fairford and District Steam Club by the late Jesse Vines. A worrying practice was noted here relating to the Marshall portable owned by E. Hopkins of Gwent. The
machine belonged some time ago to the late John Crowther of Long Preston, Yorkshire who was never able to trace a works number. In the Fairford rally programme however, it was listed as 10895. The engine is believed to have been built in the 1940s, but this number is of the 1880s. The owner says that his insurers insist the engine must be identified by a number — and this is now stamped near the firebox. Whilst it is appreciated that the insurers do have a point, the practice of identifying engines by stamping on spurious works numbers could provide difficulties in the future for the historian.
HAMPSHIRE A birthday party with a difference was held in early November just outside Portsmouth. It was organised by Dave Bird, owner of Aveling roller 11640 (TW5338) to mark his machine's 70th birthday, and other guests of Rochester ancestry or association were 'Chippy' Dave Freemantle's 8754 (VN2370), a slide valve single which was 80 this year, and in contrast, Paul Restall's AvelingBarford class A2% petrol roller, a mere 60 years old. Other rollers in attendance were Colin Hancock's 14035 of 1930 (MW8224) and 14147 of 1932 (YD4740), well known as the engine of the late and much respected Dick Martino. An engine to come into the area is Armstrong-Whitworth roller 10R35 of 1925 (NE2271), which has been sold by Mike Beales to the Winchester area.
HERTFORDSHIRE Thirteen local engines assembled at the annual Redbournbury Mill Steam Open Day. This year the emphasis was on steam wagons which in years gone by would have collected and distributed the bagged flour from the mill. A first time appearance in the area was made by John Scott's Clayton & Shuttleworth wagon 48510 of 1920 (FE3344), temporarily in the care of Albert Fensom. Another wagon not seen locally before was Gareth Jones's 1930 Foden wagon 13624 (WX2682), which is complete with a typical box container of the period and runs in the livery of the old established firm of Bishop & Sons' removals of London. John Forshaw arrived with his ex Mechanical Tarspraying & Grouting Co Foden 13764 of 1930 (TF3106), and Dougie Williamson preented his interesting Foden tractor 13484 (LG8784), reputed to have started life as a half track experimental estate tractor. Also new to the event was Eric Choake's Burrell Gold Medal tractor 2876 (PB9615). This is the Winter 1996/97
STEAMING
oldest surviving Gold Medal tractor, being built in 1907, the year of the RAC trials from which the type got its name. Record crowds ensured that the fourth year of this end of season gettogether continued as an enjoyable day out in a quiet and unspoilt corner of Hertfordshire, with the added attraction of the Crossley 55hp oil engine now installed ready to drive the mill equipment. Thanks are due to Sandy Ross for organising the event on behalf of the Mill's owners. Albert Fensom, president of the Herts Steam Engine Preservation Society, played host to eight local engines which joined in the road run from his premises at the end of October. Once again enjoying fine weather, the main excuse for the event was the first outing of Stephen Ward's recently restored 1921 Aveling 10 ton roller 9370 (YA1177), one of the very last slide valve rollers built before the piston valve series. Stephen and his father Tony have rebuilt the boiler using their own skills during the last three years and were duly rewarded with an excellent run apart from priming caused by oil and debris from the rebuild remaining in the boiler. Another roller on the outing was Paul Harrison's fine Burrell 4040 1117917); this machine is now available for sale so this was possibly a last appearance in the area. The occasion also provided a diversionary outing for David Philpot's long distance 1924 Marshall S-type conversion 77876 (1 U4053), which was on the return leg of the journey from Old Warden rally back to its Luton home for the winter. David's Marshall was in total contrast to the traditional 1905 Marshall slide valve compound traction engine owned by Sandra Rogan, 43560 (BD5414), an engine that has been in the Fensom family ownership for four generations.
KENT There was a good selection of engines at the Kent Show at Detling in July. Bob Whitehead had his Fowler/ Burrell ploughing engine 2620 of 1875 (KE2322) at the event. This is irreverently known as HEINZ due to it having a Burrell single crank compound cylinder block, Fowler boiler and gearing with Thomas Wood made rear wheels. All these modifications were carried out during the course of repairing wear and tear during working days. Others there included Julian Hopper's huge 15 ton Aveling roller 3675 of 1896 (AD8752) and 1916 Burrell traction 3728 (N0806), owned by the Burgess family who organised the event. Many of the attendees at the show STEAMING
Winter 1996/97
found their way back to the same location for the rally held on the same site in August. This time 22 engines attended. One was the continentalbased Sentinel tractor 7527 of 1928 (MP59391, owned by Jan Brinksma of the Netherlands, and another, Alan Jones' 1913 Aveling roller 8097 (FX7014), which has been absent from the rally fields for a number of years. A small event held the previous weekend at Chatham Dockyard found most of the resident engines in steam; included in the working exhibits was the steam crane which was used to load timber onto the saw bench. Aveling tractor 12766 of 1931 ISM 9983) owned by Alex Hayward made an appearance and it was learned that Ransomes Sims & Jefferies portable 12114 of 1898, from the Philp Sale, has been sold on to Ireland, no work having been undertaken on it prior to its departure from Chatham. There have been one or two other engine movements in the area. Alan Brice has sold his 1931 Ruston portable 163864 to the Norwich area arid to replace it has bought Wallis 10 ton Advance roller 7907 of 1926 (OT 3317) from Sussex. Garrett traction 35461 of 1931 (0U93091, ex-Malcolm Hobbs and in need of major work, has gone locally to John Ullman, whilst rare 1908 Wantage agricultural 1522 (BW4415) has been sold by Michael List-Brain to Ireland. Keith Burville has bought 1921 Marshall tractor 74871 (13E9002). Elsewhere in the county, Jock Murray continues with the rebuild of his Fowler conversion 18503 of 1931 (G05298). The work at Chatham Dockyard has included a new box etc.
LANCASHIRE An August bank holiday show badly hit by the atrocious weather which beset most of the country that weekend was at Haigh where the sixth event, organised by Jim Waterworth and wife Jean in aid of a local children's hospice, suffered somewhat. No matter that conditions underfoot were poor, everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and there were some bright patches of weather. One of the engines present was the organiser's 1912 Ransomes agricultural 25542 (AY9456). Earlier in the summer, St Michaelson-Wyre was the site of the annual Lancashire Vintage and County Show. Brian Rawstrone's 1904 Burrell roller 2649 (TB3779) and J. Wareing's Sentinel S4 wagon 9003 of 1934 (VE9963) were among those present whilst from over the other side of the Pennines came Richard Hullah with his 1910 Garrett roller 28408
Always worthwhile...
Spring Conference for Rally Organisers and Affiliated Clubs SATURDAY 8th MARCH 1997 The Auto-Cycle Union, ACU House, Wood Street, Rugby, Warwickshire See Future Dates column for further details.
(A062011. This was originally supplied to Southend Corporation from where it was commandeered for war work. Also from the north, Dave Hubbock brought Fowler roller 161b1 of 1924 (DD5490).
LEICESTERSHIRE The Wymeswold event at the end of July saw among its entrants, John Bosworth's 1910 Foster traction 14410 (UP6481), David Cope's Fowler Tiger tractor 14805 of 1920 (UG1496) and Aveling roller 14017 of 1930 owned by Ian Lander. Ian now has a registration, SV6022, for his ex-Sri Lankan machine. An Aveling roller in the news is Peter Wood's 1912 single 7856 (MD5902). This was resident at the Boston collection at Cadeby for many years and is now in a dismantled condition at Fred Dockray's premises awaiting a new firebox and barrel. Fred and team are well on with the firebox and barrel for another Aveling roller, this being the inside flywheel 4-tonner 3781 of 1896 (AX 5645) from the Hereford area; this one is to be fully rebuilt by Fred's team and is to include all the lagging etc. A long time resident on site has been Ransomes traction 18504 of 1906 (N06925), belonging to Vaughan Wray. Over the summer period, this engine has had its final coats of paint applied. Another Aveling roller having work carried out on it is Bill Story's 8 ton compound 12468 of 1929 (LJ322), which is having a new set of tubes fitted. Finally the organisers of Caldecote Rally, on the border with Warwickshire staged another good event. Having a road run to and from the show on its steel wheels was newly completed 1882 McLaren traction 127 (H056181, owned by Steve and Alison Arrowsmith. This venerable engine has 43
Hill climb help-out Included in our Spring 1996 issue (page 115) was an illustration of a Tasker steam tractor seemingly standing by as a recovery vehicle at a sports car hill climb — all very anonymous, it was. Several readers, however, have been able to identify the scene — quite a few similar pictures were taken, probably by motorsport photographer Bill Brunnel and the location is revealed as Simms Hill, llsington, a village just west of Bovey Tracey on the western edge of Dartmoor. The occasion was the Motor Cycle Club's 21st Exeter Trial and though it is very difficult from pictures to tell one year's trial from another, the Tasker got itself recorded at the December 1935 event — its awning sheets are rolled in the same rough manner on each shot. The B2 class compound, however, is still extremely shy and the roughly made registration number plate at best shows up as AAxxOO. Robin Harding, RLS Records Officer, has twice tried his lists of names but none of the half dozen Tasker tractors known to be in the Bovey Tracey areas of Devon in the mid 1930s seem to offer themselves, by registration, as the help out on Simms Hill. Thanks are due for their responses to Robin Harding, Bill Love, Michael Ware (National Motor Museum), Bill Colebrook and Sandy Ross (who started it all by sending the earlier picture in which the MG is being driven by his late prep school headmaster).
had the Fred Dockray treatment and it is good to see it out and about again after a long absence from the rally fields. It was rallied and roaded long distances by Alison's father, the late John Mayes, during the 1970s. It now needs painting. A long distance visitor to the Caldecote show was George Vardy from the north-east, with 1934 Sentinel S4 9151 (JH9994) with the replica bus body — quite a splendid and unusual machine.
LINCOLNSHIRE The Steam & Vintage Rally took place again on the Lincoln Showground in mid-August. Ninety-nine engines were counted. A higher target is apparently an ambition of the organisers but the nineteenth century traffic jam 44
caused by wheeling this number of steam exhibits into and out of the arena requires a rethink. Heavy haulage was well represented with Jim and Linda Smith roading in with 1900 Fowler road loco 8712 (DE2439) and two more Fowlers, those of Graham Love, 15323 of 1918 (HR3697), and Paul Scholey — crane engine 17106 of 1928 (KD 28261. John Blagg's McLaren also drove to the event; this is 1421 of 1913 (6E7518). Some of the wagons went for a tour around local lanes on the Saturday evening, bringing a fleeting moment of pleasure to a surprisingly large number of people who heard or sensed their approach. The machines included Harold Bell's Sentinel Super 7591 of 1928 (WE3236), and 1926 Foden 12388
(TU3113), owned by A.G. White, which was pulling a fine Foden flat bed trailer. Other engines present at the rally included the unique 1912 Brown & May showmans engine 8742 (AU4705) and John l'Anson's 1926 Aveling roller 11558 (RM2950). Among the entrants at the Bicker event in September was Alan Rundle's 1926 Robey wagon 42522 IFE5464). Alan steamed to and from the event on the road and took along Richard Booty, Robey traction engine owner, as mate on the outward trip. Adding a touch of colour to the event was Wendy Thompson's 1926 Foster showmans style tractor 14564 (FE8055). The Museum of Lincolnshire life displayed their delightful portable engine built by Tuxford of Boston, 1131 of 1883. The threshing event held at Market Rasen saw Revd Peter Green's Fowler traction 7942 of 1899 (TA626) being used as a pulpit for the church service, a style adopted many years ago by the late Teddy Boston. Others in attendance were Steve Corston's Aveling convertible 8679 of 1916 IBT8812) and Pat Allen's 1901 Fowler agricultural 9271 (AJ5819). Many enthusiasts ventured to the windswept flat land around Heckington in early October to witness the sale by auction of several of John Storer's engines and associated equipment. The three steam engines were Burrell traction 3249 of 1910 (CT3861), which sold for £18,000, whilst £10,000 was paid for 1923 Aveling roller 10556 (NU544). Both these engines were tidy and essentially complete but no boiler tickets. They had various interesting previous owners plates fitted. The highest price Winter 1996/97
STEAMING
of the day was paid for Fowler Tiger tractor 15288 of 1919 (U4952) which was in pieces, having been dismantled some time ago for a new barrel and firebox. These were included, along with all the various components, which looked to be complete, and the lot reached the sum of £29,000. Richard Marriott in the north of the county progresses well with his rebuild of Sentinel Super 6079 of 1925 (YL2835). It is nearing completion and it is hoped to steam the machine in early 1997. Another Sentinel in the county, S6 9084 of 1934 (FH8870), belonging to Peter Auger was successfi illy steamed and road tested in July last after a rehuild which included a new boiler and firebox. The construction of bodywork and painting is now in hand: it is hoped to rally the wagon this year. An engine to come into the east of the county from Kent is one of the rare Armstrong Whitworth rollers, this being 1924 10R19 (FJ2795) which is now in the ownership of Derek Stevenson. Derek has one or two other engines including Aveling showmans road loco 4885 of 1901 (ME6052) SAMSON.
LONDON Mid September saw a brave man driving a steam roller along the very busy Euston road past St Pancras Station. Ron Walker took Aveling roller 10114 of 1921 (XD8230) back home and showed his amazing rebuild to the Mayor of Camden, Councillor Gloria Lazenby and assembled guests. CUMBERLAND, as the roller is now called, was later taken back to Cumberland Gardens from where it was unearthed several years ago, having been buried in the early 1960s to form the base for a children's slide in the playground there — and gradually forgotten about. Prior
to that the roller had been driven to the side streets adjacent to Kings Cross Station for a photographic session on the cobbled streets with Victorian industrial buildings and listed gas holders in the background. Tea was taken at the Community Creation Trust on Battlebridge Road, in premises which once maintained the railway fleet of Scammell mechanical horses which worked out of Kings Cross Station.
NORFOLK One or two engines attended an event associated with the preserved North Nnrfnlk Railway near Weybourne Station in the summer. It was a surprise visit to the area for 1932 Fowler showmans KING CARNIVAL II owned by Frank Lythgoe, which accompanied his cx Dorman set of gallopers. Other engines present were Ruth Groom's 1924 Foster agricultural 14422 (CT6708), and John Richardson's 1918 Sentinel Standard wagon 1960 (AW4131) which is in the care of Mervyn Mayes and undergoing a full restoration. The other engine at the event, which was poorly attended, was John Downs' Burrell Gold Medal showmans tractor 3453 of 1913 THE MAY. Noted for sale in the area was one of the rare Fowell traction engines, 103 of 1913 (AH5456), owned by J.E. Green, whilst an engine to leave the area is Rodney Timson's 1924 Fowler roller 16144 (ES6534), gone to the Birmingham area consequent upon Rodney purchasing Fowler A4 traction engine 11421 earlier in the year. An engine which redresses the county's balance and which is reported to have come into the area is Alan Brice's 1931 Ruston portable 163864, which is with an owner in the Norwich area.
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A visitor to the Ulster Folk & Transport Museum at Cultra in early September noted 1933 Fowler roller 19357 ICZ2260), looking like a play exhibit. It was roped off and seemed complete apart from the cladding which appeared to have been stripped off recently. The rusty boiler barrel contrasted with the garish colours of the rest of the machine. Our correspondent commented that he would have expected better things of a museum whose expected function is to conserve items for the future. (The exhibits inside are in pristine condition.) Why should steam be looked on as second best in comparison to the tram and commercial vehicles also in the collection? And more importantly, he asks — what of their Fowler road loco 15662 of 1929 (AZ2450). Does the museum have a proper policy on these two road steam
accessions?
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE A new engine in the county is Fowler 13 tractor 15288 of 1919 (U4952), purchased in dismantled form from the Storer sale in Lincolnshire at the beginning of October. The owner is Robert Tyler and with this purchase, it is possible that he will put Aveling tractor 9228 of 1920 (CJ4159) on the market. Still with the Tyler family, Robert, along with assistant Sam Price took Fowler showmans style tractor 15970 of 1924 INW6092) over the water to an ovont in Homburg in the autumn. In the north of the county, Dave Ragsdale has sold 1914 Tasker tractor 1625 (BP5833) to Richard Matlock in Jersey in the Channel Islands. Dave and brother Doug have purchased Burrell showmans 3703 (DW2120) LADY MARY from the Essex area. This had the full restoration treatment by Brian Dunford some years ago after purchase from the Bristol area. It would appear, however, that things have deteriorated somewhat since then. Colin Brothwell is set to retube his 1920 Ruston and Hornsby traction 115100 (D02953) this winter; it is also due for its hydraulic test. Earlier the engine was taken back to Tydd in Cambridgeshire, its first home when new, for a reunion with old employees. Also present on this occasion was 1925 Fowler ploughing engine 16053 (E65518), owned by the Museum of Lincolnshire Life. A.G. White, owner of Marshall Universal roller 87635 of 1935 (APX 542), which was purchased at auction earlier in the year, is reported to have put it on the market following purchase of 1926 Foden wagon 12388 (TU3113) from the Devon area.
OXFORDSHIRE A small event held at Ducklington in July was organised by the Witney & District Vintage Club and had three or four engines in attendance. Peter Smith brought along his newly restored 1894 Aveling R10 roller 3430 (PB9801) and John Wharton was present with Marshall traction 15391 of 1887 (BVV5249). The most startling exhibit was Sean Shackell's 1913 Burrell tractor 3497 (H05993). This worked on the fairgrounds with the Beach family and until recently was a fully fledged showmans tractor. It is now minus its canopy, twisted brass and dynamo and is to spend some time as a conventional tractor. Jeff (Sean) Shackell's motives for this unconventional approach to 'conversion' have been queried by some — the engine certainly looks strange to many who can recall the engine in its 45
The North Staffordshire & Cheshire Traction Engine Club announce their 1997
STEAM ENGINE DRIVING COURSE SATURDAY and SUNDAY 26/27th APRIL
Are you — a novice driver? a prospective owner or simply want to have a go .... Then — this course is designed to lay the foundations of a practical knowledge of engine driving management and safety Interested? Send for a brochure to: Andrew Hall, NS & CTEC, Willow Dene, Benty Grange Lane, Winkhill, Leek, Staffs ST13 7PU 27 01538 308391 (before 9.30pm) Makes an ideal birthday present for that 'steam-minded' partner
former showland days and not all that long ago either, for it remained in commercial use to a very late date.
SCOTLAND An engine to change hands north of the border is Aveling M type convertible tractor 10156 of 1921 (SP6369) which is now with M.R. and D. Brown of Fife. A roller seen out and about during the summer was Angus County Council's Fowler 18295 of 1930 ISR75121, noted as attending the Kirriemuir Show. The Annual General Meeting of the Scottish Traction Engine Society in October took on something of a crisis meeting as few nominations had been received for the several vacant posts on the committee. Because of this, there was a strong possibility of the demise of the society after 35 years of existence. However, a caretaker committee was elected to carry the society on towards the Millenium and it was agreed that operations would be on a restricted basis during 1997. Should any reader feel able to help, contact can be made with Chairman, Bill Foster on 01555 770284.
SHROPSHIRE Reviving memories of the times when traction engines attended the now long defunct rally at Church Stretton, engines once more paraded through the town during the summer whilst taking part in the carnival procession. The Salop club rally itself outgrew its location at Russell's Meadow and moved to a site at Bishops Castle, and now is located at Onslow Park on the outskirts of Shrewsbury. The two engines at Church Stretton on this occasion were 1901 Fowler traction 9225 (CF3795) belonging to Tom Henderson, 46
one of the leading figures in the County of Salop SES. This engine towed a float with the Carnival Queen on board, whilst the other engine, the Furniss family's 1934 Marshall agricultural 87005 (BNO 5191, a large 8hp engine, also pulled a trailer. The Keen's sawmill near Bewdley was the site of the 15th anniversary of what is known locally as 'Harry's Rally'. Now organised by the Bewdley Round Table, three engines enlivened the proceedings and contributed towards the overall success of the event which also included tractors, agricultural machinery, stationary engines and many other forms of transport. Belted to a racksaw bench was Neville Melhuish's 1908 Fowler agricultural 11699 (AB9028) and his Fowler roller 15688 of 1921 (AD9802) also attended. Driving a threshing machine was Peter Griffiths' 1919 Ruston & Hornsby tractor 52766 (AW4996). The Onslow Park event of the Salop Club at August bank holiday featured Leyland as an topic and brought together a collection of some fifty buses and lorries made by the firm. The weather was not brilliant but everyone took it in their stride and enjoyed themselves. There were one or two long distance visitors in the engine line including Sandy Steele's 1901 Fowler showmans style road loco 9177 (BS8013). Others there were Paul HiIditch's Wallis traction 7159 of 1910 (SV5375), Richard Marsh's superbly restored Burrell showmans 3886 of 1921 LORD LASCELLES and Richard Buck's 1920 Aveling roller 9347 (L8953)• Another location which benefitted for many years by having the county's rally on their doorstep was Bishops Cas-
tle. With this departing to pastures new, there was little of steam interest until 1995 when a Michaelmas fair was organised. The 1996 version was better and bigger and many attractions were to be found in the area. Fair organs and in particular Jim Cook's 1919 Garrett showmans tractor 33486 (AD8787) QUEEN OF GREAT BRITAIN were much admired by those who attended the event. A visitor to the township in August found the three engines of Evans & Sons still in their resting place. These are Marshall portables 3255 of 1874 and 19912 of 1891, together with Aveling roller 5853 of 1905 (N03326). Engine news now and Neil Williams has purchased a small 6 ton Aveling roller 10460 of 1923 (H06161) from the Telford area. This joins his Ransomes portable 43030 of 1935. Another similarly small Aveling, 8794 of 1917 (FX7043), is only a short distance away and belongs to Brian Allison. Its complete rebuild is continuing with the new tender almost complete; a new firebox and barrel are awaiting riveting. Blists Hill Museum at Telford had another steam weekend at the end of August. Steve Miln's 1922 Aveling convertible 9264 (EJ966) was seen carrying out rolling whilst Marshall traction 41151 of 1904 (BH7607) in the capable hands of Alan Mountford was also there, along with Bob Bailey's 1931 Foden tractor 13784 (UX9728) — this latter with its newly acquired restored trailer. The museum's own Wallis roller 2660 of 1903 (CJ4816) was also in steam. The museum's stationary engines were running including the colliery winder and the rolling mill engine. One other engine in steam for the weekend was another owned by the Museum, this being a small portable made by Blackbeth Engineering from bits and pieces collected by the late Jack Crabtree. The museum's Wallis roller was also in action again at some special events which culminated in two late autumn gas light evenings.
SOMERSET Fred Britton's 1896 McLaren traction 547 (BD 5448) failed its boiler test earlier in the year, requiring a new front tube plate. As a result of this, the engine was put up for sale and has subsequently passed to James Hodgkinson but will be staying put in local care. An accident befell Cyril Finch's 1925 small 6 ton Wallis Advance roller 7840 (H06430) when it was being loaded onto a trailer. The front forks were broken; subsequently repairs have been put in hand. Other engines for sale in the area have been Paul Dore's 1904 Burrell single crank compound 2662 Winter 1996/97
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A working debut Almost unnoticed, a new addition to the rally scene slipped quietly into the engine line up at the 1996 Weeting event. Sentinel Standard number DS1960 was built in 1918 as a 5 ton tipper (hence die DS prefix) and sold to Owen & Dyson Ltd of Rotherham, carrying the registration AW4131. At a later date the vehicle passed to Brown Bayley Steels Ltd at Sheffield. Their fleet became well known for its continued use into the late 1960s on internal steelworks duties. It is often assumed this limited range was always so but in earlier times their duties took them around Sheffield and during the latter part of World War 2 a convoy set off for London to deliver the chains that were put around the dome of St Pauls Cathedral to repair bomb damage. DS1960 was seen being overhauled at Brown Bayley in 1965 but it is thought the task was not completed; certainly when all the remaining wagons were sold in 1971 it was missing many parts including water pump and feed water heater. John Richardson of Filey, North Yorkshire purchased the vehicle and completed much work (including a new chassis and cab) before placing it on loan at the National Railway Museum at York. Lack of space and finances precluded the completion of the restoration there and in 1991 John placed the Sentinel on loan to Mervyn Mayes and Paul Hennell at Yaxham, Norfolk. They and a small team of helpers have finished the rebuilding to steamable and roadworthy condition — most of the work centring around the boiler. On 15th June, DS1960 finally took to the road with a trip to the local. Although the Sentinel was not entered for the Weeting event, Mervyn had restored a Fowler cultivator for Richard Parrott and that was needed for the weekend. The commitment was carried out using the freshly finished wagon. The 60 mile round trip was completed without incident — a tribute to the group's quality engineering work. Since then there have been appearances at the North Norfolk Railway and at Henham rally: 200 miles, not bad for a vehicle last steamed in working days back in the 60s. This winter should see completion of the bodywork and next season there will be more appearances of the Standard wagon on the rally fields. (Peter Wells)
(AF3531) an engine which previously belonged to the late Charles Gregory and is the engine on the badge of the West of England SES. Also, Martin Chudgey has put up for sale 1902 Fowler showmans road loco 9381 (WR6770). An engine to come into the area is 1930 Aveling roller 14077 (VC6120), which now belongs to Gervase Channer. The previous owner was James Hervey-Bathurst. STEAMING Winter 1996/97
STAFFORDSHIRE The Klondyke steam team have been out and about quite extensively during the summer. One of the smaller events was an open day at Clay Mills pumping station — Ian Newbold with his Aveling slide valve roller 9093 of 1920 (NK9344) and Andrew Hall with piston valve 12081 of 1928 (RF5715) attended. A steam line was rigged up from Ian's roller to the stoker engine in
the boiler house and this was soon running sweetly. It was then 'steam south-west safari' as a team, which included Andrew's piston valve roller and Paul Hilditch's 1910 Wallis traction 7159 (SV5375), went first to Doveridge for Les Hutton's charity rally which included a pleasant evening out to the Cavendish Arms, returning in the dark by lamplight (oil of course). The following weekend, the engines were at the Tern Valley event at Eccleshall where they joined by Tom Hammond's 1923 Fowler conversion 16050 (SV 5445) and then on to the Onslow Park Rally at Shrewsbury — the ultimate destination of the steam summer holiday. On the way back, some attended a small event at Colton, organised by Andrew Bradbury. The North Staffs & Cheshire TEC's autumn steam party took place at Klondyke Mill towards the end of October at which the highlight was the return to steam of the club's 1904 Burrell traction 2706 (TB2845) in the capable hands of Richard Jeffs. During the weekend, the engine was driven down to the Roebuck Inn in company with a number of other engines. Steve Durrance is the landlord and his Marshall roller 57168 of 1911 (NN950) is slowly progressing in the rebuilding stages. Visiting engines at the Klondyke event included Steve and Alison Arrowsmith's venerable McLaren traction 127 of 1882 (H056181, which has since become a permanent resident, and Ruston & Hornsby agricultural 115100 of 1920 (D02953) belonging to Colin Brothwell, which had steamed from Elvaston Castle. An inspection has been carried out on Andrew Hall's 1917 Ruston Proctor portable 52074 and after some restaying, a retube and an hydraulic test, it should be able to run on a reduced pressure of 90Ibs. This reduction of 30Ibs should not affect such a large engine which hopefully will be able to effectively power a sawbench or threshing machine. Andrew has also acquired a Fowler water cart — once owned by the late John Mayes. He hopes to have this renovated for next season to use with his Aveling roller — well, he says, he's not proud! An engine for sale in the area was 1905 Wallis traction 2796 (TA637). The owner is Peter Cook.
SUFFOLK Around a dozen engines took part in the Suffolk Steam Rally and Country Fair at Easton Park Farm near Woodbridge in the summer. Included in these was Peter Wyeld's 1908 Ruston Proctor traction 34987 (AH5654), Colin Piggott's Fowler ploughing engine 16646 47
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of 1926 (R04520) and Aveling roller 11670 of 1926 (SN3875), owned by Mike Kettle. Also there were the now unique Garrett Suffolk Punch tractor 33180 of 1919 (BJ4483). belonging to the Long Shop Museum, Leiston and newly restored portable by Ransomes, Sims & Head, 3396 which was new in 1876. This belongs to Easton Park Farm and had been renovated by Brian Turner and Stuart Hine. Another rally was held in the county towards the end of September in, at times, less than pleasant weather. The Grand Henham Steam Rally celebrated their 22nd event and among the engines at the show was a long distance visitor from North Yorkshire, Graham Atkinson's 1918 Garrett showman style tractor 33284 (DX3099); Ken Frost's 1911 Burrell showmans 3343 PRINCESS MARY was also there. The Retman brothers worked their saw bench with 1907 Foden road loco 1294 (110JLB), a former Australian engine, and it was nice to see Graham Austin's Marshall roller 74399 of 1921 (NR180) out again. Another fresh face was presented by Mervyn Mayes, who steamed the forty miles from his yard with John Richardson's 1918 Sentinel Standard wagon 1960 (AW4131). This once belonged to Owen & Dyson, wheel manufacturers of Fullerton Road, Rotherham before going to Brown Bayley's Steels for a long period of service which finished in the mid 1960s. The late David Foreman's Burrell showmans engine 3703 of 1915 LADY MARY has been sold to the north and was loaded out from Richard Webb's yard towards the end of October. The engine had been languishing under cover at the yard since David's death in 1995. Foden tractor 14078 of 1932 (MJ 369), owned by Richard, was steamed successfully during the early part of the year after its five or six year rebuild. It journeyed the couple of miles or so to the next village and back and performed well but for a little trouble with the brakes, soon rectified. Since then, attention has been given to finishing the sheetwork, lights etc and the wagon has been signwritten 'ASTELL BROTHERS, TIMBER MERCHANTS, BEDFORD'. Something of a guess had to be made at the style and layout of the lettering as no information could be gleaned on what the original was like, even after placing advertisements in Steaming. The tractor has not yet made its public debut. Bill Kemball has added to his engine fleet, which includes Fowler traction 18155 of 1929 (AV9387), with the purchase of Ransomes agricultural 26994 of 1916 (WT1271) from the Cheshire area. Bill was also successful with his STEAMING Winter 1996/97
bid for Burrell traction 3249 of 1910 (CT3861) in the Storer sale in Lincolnshire.
WALES The Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway Gala at the end of August was graced by the appearance of a couple of immaculately turned out steam road vehicles. David Goddard's 1931 Sentinel DG4 8571 (KF6482) in the livery of Morris & Co Ltd was to be seen running trips in the Welshpool direction with a happy load of railway volunteers, and Jim Cook's 1919 Garrett showmans tractor 33486 (AD8787) QUEEN OF GREAT BRITAIN was also present. Jim is currently completing restoration of 1920 Foden wagon 10136 (MA4691), which came from Leicester in 1995. Another engine on the move has been 1920 Aveling tractor 9183 (KE 18), purchased from Russell Kingain in Scotland by Iwan and Trystan Jones. It is intended that the engine will receive a full mechanical rebuild and repaint in Aveling colours this winter. Fowler road loco 11111 of 1910 (BE7988), owned by Geoff Matthews, has had various items renewed in recent months and is now fitted with a fourth and higher gear. It is believed that two such engines were produced by Fowlers, one of which was delivered to Studts, the show family in Swansea. John Griffiths, owner of Fowler road loco 15463 of 1920 (DW2121) has also now purchased 1918 Garrett 4CD tractor 33219 (BJ6180) from an auction near Kidderminster. A new firebox has just been fitted to this engine. An Aveling roller previously reported sold to the Welsh Industrial Maritime Museum is 8906 of 1918 (DW5880). However, it is still owned by Mr Cole, who has a plant hire business in Cardiff, and is currently stored pending further developments. It is understood the museum were offered the engine as a display item but were not interested. Burrell traction 2051 of 1897 (CF3638), recently offered at auction at Bewdley, has been sold to W. Reynish in West Wales.
WARWICKSHIRE The 800th Anniversary Mop Fair took place at Stratford on Avon in mid October. Dave Prout's rebuild of Burrell showmans 3288 of 1911 NANCY was in attendance along with a fair organ on the Waterside near the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. A visitor in the same area tracked down the former Bomford & Carr ploughing engines (five Fowlers with diesel conversions plus two Fowler diesel ploughers and parts of another Fowler of unknown type) to a field not
far from their old yard at Binton. Also here is a rare, if not now unique, example of a Fowler diesel lorry. They are inaccessible to the public but can be glimpsed though hedges.
WEST MIDLANDS In early August, Dudley Show took place at Himley Hall where Len Crane's Fowler crane engine 17212 was the largest exhibit present — accompanied by wife Jane's 1925 Marshall roller 79087 (NR6120). Lyndon Shearman's circa 1860s Brown & May portable was also present and this engine also attended the Sandwell Show at the end of August. This was a large free admission event at West Bromwich at August bank holiday and included Pat Collins Fun Fair, now owned by Anthony Harris. Also here was 1920 Aveling roller 9093 INK 9344) owned by Ian Newbold. The vintage exhibits were lined up opposite the fair and at the conclusion, Anthony presented each engine with a certificate of attendance and a placard 'Pat Collins Fun Fair presents .... Lyndon now considers his portable to be officially a showmans engine, it having worked as part of Britain's most famous fair ... and he has documentary evidence to prove it. Maybe the engine has more of a claim than many of the converted engines which purport to have worked on the fair grounds!
WILTSHIRE An end of season steam party was held at Norman Goddard's premises: engines in attendance included Colin I latch and Richard Hui ley's nicely turned out Burrell traction 2426 of 1901 (BL4843), Carl Brown's 1929 Aveling slide valve roller 14002 (KR 479) and Jason and Chris Howard with Fowler roller 15964 of 1923 (WY7912). The engine gaining the most attention, however, was Norman's recent acquisition — the Burrell 8hp traction, imported from Tasmania and puchased via Kent, which is believed to be either 2296 or 2297. (See last issue, page 222.) The engine has been partially stripped for restoration to start but it will require a lot of work to return to steamable condition. Several unusual features were noted on the engine including a steam fed oiler which appeared to have supplied all the bearings from one source. Traces of paint remaining on the horn plate and a corner of one of the lagging sheets suggest the engine would have been dark green or perhaps black when new. The weather at the event was unexpectedly pleasant for the time of year and the show proved an enjoyable last out-of-doors 49
get together for many local steam men. Norman's other engine, Garrett tractor 32122 of 1914 (BH8900), also joined in the proceedings. The long list of Aveling products in the latest edition of Traction Engine Register ends with a new entry: a 10 ton roller at Seagry, Chippenham. It stands in the grounds of the school and apparently came from a local estate, although it bears evidence of a previous ownership by Eddison, the nationwide rolling contractors. The machine's identity remains a mystery and there is speculation as to whether this roller and another in the same unidentified list shown as located at Stroud are one and the same. The latter, 10172, is believed to have been ex-Eddison. (Readers comments are invited — DAR.)
YORKSHIRE Firstly an apology is due to Carl Mitchell for getting his name wrong as the owner of Aveling roller 10905 in the last issue. The end of season has seen a great toing and froing with engines. Two Fowler rollers, David Parkin's DNB 18663 of 1930 (TF1851) and Steve Denton's 1933 T3A2 19190 (MVS854) have departed to Tony Marchington in Cheshire, whilst other engines to leave the county have been
Benny Farrow's Fowler showmans conversion 18875 of 1931 (TY8176), which has gone to Ireland, and Tom Colledge's 1927 Burrell conversion 4062 (YB9360), also departed across the Irish Sea. Marshall traction 17134 of 1889 (PY298) has gone to Mick Davison in Co Durham. Incoming has been 1914 Burrell showmans 3610 (J6857) which has been purchased by Nigel Myers, along with a fairground organ. It is good to learn this fine example of a Thetford product will revert to its proper name, WILLIAM V, when rebuilding is completed. The engine requires a new firebox amongst other work. Also arrived is 1904 Marshall roller 40047 (BE8186), the earliest compound roller still existing from the Gainsborough manufacturer. The new owner is Charles Adam from the northwest of the county. Clayton & Shuttleworth traction 48759 of 1926 (CT8263) is now owned by Colin Johnston of East Yorkshire. This has come from Lincolnshire. In South Yorkshire, Ian Vinton has bought, in part-dismantled condition, Aveling 12366 of 1929 (MT3064) from Kent. The machine used to be a roller in Berkshire and then moved to Northumberland where it was converted. It is a further
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50
Small enough to care
example of a slide valve engine in the piston valve number series. Another Yorkshire incomer is 1900 Aveling roller 4660 (NR2393) from Cumbria, which now belongs to father and son team of Malcolm and Nigel Scurrah. The engine joins the other Aveling roller at the same location in the north of the county, this being 6378 of 1907 (PB9581), a compound which Malcolm owns in partnership with Rod Lytton. A Fowler to change hands is Malcolm Stirk's 1929 roller 17585 (UA8178), bought by Martin Robinson in a dismantled form. It requires a new barrel and firebox fitting during its rebuild. The roller is the last one known to have worked in Leeds. Finally, Ernie Smith has advertised his 1927 Fowler conversion 16854 (UA1684) for sale. Whether it stays local, where it has been all its life, remains to be seen. Rallies started in the period under consideration with the East Riding Club's Driffield event in early August. Graham Atkinson's 1918 Garrett showmans style tractor 33284 (DX3099) were present, as were Mike Middlewood's Fowler ploughing engines, 15154/15155 of 1918 (FX6823/6824). The Middlewood's Fowler road loco 15462 of 1919 (AD9126), now named AJAX (previously BELLE OF THE WOLDS) was on its first visit here since 1978. A lot of attention was paid to a steam motorcycle owned by Alan Emuss. It is a Haleson and believed to be the only one in the UK. At the end of the month, the Leeds Club's Harewood Rally suffered from the bad weather. Fortunately most of the engines had left the field or were around the edges by the Monday evening for at that time a cloud burst flooded both arenas and for while two lakes appeared where only an hour or two previously there had been engines. Newcomers included Stuart Hudson's 1907 Marshall traction 47592 (SV5597) ex Tasmania, Andrew Bigland's 1908 Fowler (from Australia) 11700 (SV5785) which was displayed as under restoration, and J. Hey's Marshall conversion 78150 of 1924 (TT1856). It was good to see Brian Dunford's 1911 Burrell showmans 3285 KING GEORGE V. Andrew Craske's Fowler roller 15589 of 1921 (U8709) came in for attention as it was towing his nicely restored Coleman's Flapper tar sprayer. A couple of weeks later, the twelfth Hunton Steam Gathering was organised by Dave Robinson. Only a small event, this year it extended to two days for the first time. As well as Dave's 1902 Marshall traction 38024 (TA629), others present included Andrew Craske's Fowler Winter 1996/97
STEAMING
Fowler D2 class 5hp road loco 12899 has a background of Pennine stone buildings as it runs down the main road at Haworth, Yorkshire in November 1996 on its way to the preserved Keighley & Worth Valley Railway yard. (Adrian Booth)
roller, Carl Mitchell's Aveling roller 10905 of 1924 (NX6366) and Mike Sutherland's 1923 Wallis traction 7769 (PD7172). The other engine in the programme was David Webster's 1924 Fowler conversion 16289 (NL8292). The latter engine set off to join in the fun at the 'Not Cat Do' at Harrogate in early October, this year held at the Smith's Arms at Beckwithshaw. Unfortunately because of problems with the low-loader en route, Dave didn't make it to the event. For the first time, Keith Collins brought along his 1917 Fowlei Tiger ti actor 14406 (U4171) to join the regulars, and another newcomer was Jez Leigh and Paul Wainwright's impressive Fowler road loco 14100 of 1914 (J6673). Derek Rayner's 1915 Aveling roller 8506 (CT5012) was also at the Smiths Arms but before that, the engine had escaped from the county for a day to appear at a charity event on behalf of the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust at the National Tramway Museum, Crich, Derbyshire. The appearance was sponsored by the Leeds & District Traction Engine Club. Towards the middle of October, the small event at Welwick, east of Hull, had threshing under the watchful eye of locals, and the power was provided by Eric Wood's 1910 Burrell traction 3218 (TB3959). Also in steam was Fred Dockray's Foster showmans style tractor 14431 of 1920 IFE3217). Vic Makey's 1904 Clayton traction 36731 (AJ5890) OLD GLORY was being painted in one of the barns and a further Clayton agricultural here was Colin Johnston's 48759. STEAMING Winter 1996/97
In Absentia Somewhat belatedly, answers have been received regarding queries posed in this column in the Spring 1996 issue: • Barrows & Co portable 2667. This is owned by Chris Hooker, chairman of the Hollycombe Steam Society and rebuilding proceeds in fits and starts. Boiler work is complete and reassembly has started. The engine may be back in service in 1997. • Fowler roller 16395 remains at Hollycombe, although the boiler is at Luggs at Billingshurst for attention. Tile maintenance of other engines and rides has taken precedence recently. As part of the present work, it is intended to put the machine back to its original condition as a tractor; it was actually sold by Fowlers as a roller, being rebuilt before it left the works, and should make a better tractor than roller as it has a somewhat formidable handling reputation on rolls, said to be 'too fast'. There is no estimate when this engine will again be seen in public. • Merryweather fire pump 2162. No longer located at Hollycombe — it left after the sale in autumn 1985. A note of its present whereabouts would be appreciated. • Yorkshire wagon 1482 is one of the engines belonging to the Bicknell's. However, there is little of the wagon remaining — the chassis and wheels lurk in the undergrowth and talk of resurrection ebbs and flows. • Wallis Simplicity roller 8023 is now back in service with a new boiler and is on regular display at Hollycombe. It may venture out to a few rallies in 1997.
Some queries have been received from a member who has been collecting data for a considerable time and has 'lost' some of those on longstanding lists. Can any member confirm the existence or otherwise of the following engines — • Aveling & Porter 10 ton roller F type 11362 of 1926 (EJ1246). This was with Cardigan CC in 1964, and believed sold by tender that year to an unknown buyer. Was the unknown buyer a scrap merchant and the machine subsequently broken up? ■ Fowler 8 ton compound T3B roller 21224 of 1937 (JS5518). Last known owner was Farrant's Ltd, Edinburgh, licensed in 1959. Since then nothing has been heard of the roller. • Sentinel S4 9014 of 1934. Last indicated as owned by R. Payne, but no location or other history is known. • Fowler road loco 12754. ■ Fowler ploughing engine 15141. ■ Ransomes agricultural 31333. Any recent information or even confirmation that these latter three engines existed in the form stated would be appreciated.
ROAD ROLLER ASSOCIATION
I0 R.R.A.
The Association's 1997 AGM wil be held at Alton, Hants in early March For the benefit of RRA members, it is intended to incorporate a ride on the Mid-Hants Railway and a visit to both Hollycombe and to Bicknell's boiler works into the weekend. Further details can be obtained for the Association's contact address in the Small Adverts columns.
THE ROBEY TRUST In line with the Robey Trust's collection and acquisition policy, a small Robey portable engine has recently been acquired, writes chairman Dave Davies. Although derelict, it has virtually all its features and fittings intact. First indications are that it may have been built about 1880 and may possibly be the oldest Robey portable — or engine of any type — to survive in Britain. It could even be one of the three oldest in the world. Further research into its history will be carried out and restoration to its original condition (as far as is possible), will be started when the Trust has moved into its new premises at Tavistock. Unfortunately, delays have occured in the construction of the new buildings, which are now several months behind programme. 51
Around vii0 14:17.-401,P the ‘4, p World The Editor gratefully acknowledges receipt of magazines etc from Iron Men Album (USA); The Stanley Museum (USA); Heritage Eagle (USA); Dampfwalsen-Club Schweiz (Switzerland); Steam Traction (New Zealand); Southland SE Club (New Zealand); the South Canterbury club (New Zealand); the Lake Goldsmith club (Australia) and reports from other correspondents as credited individually.
ITALY For over ten years an organisation known as GAMAE (Gruppo Amatori Maccine Agricole d'Epoca) has existed in northern Italy. It featured in an article by Derek Rayner in our Winter 1994/95 issue. There it was recorded that GAMAE member Franco Risi owned Marshall Gainsborough light traction engine 54171 of 1910 (not as shown in The European Traction Engine Register). Further details are now available of the collection of other engines he has acquired and restored. These are Garrett portable 34074 of 1922, 1910 Ruston Proctor compound roller 38574 and Hof her-Schranz-Clayton-Shuttleworth portable 55772 of 1920(?) together with the two-wheel Italian made portable engine by F. Romei (Siena Italia), 83 of 1912 (a new manufacturer for ETER) and two American-built traction engines — Nichols & Shepard 9730 of 1907, a two cylinder engine, and George White 32, also of 1907 and a single cylinder machine. All these engines are in pristine condition and operational. To pursue his increasing interest in engines, Franco has scoured the Italian countryside looking for some of the ploughing engines supplied by Fowlers Steam Plough Works at Leeds. These went to the Italian Government during World War 1 and later, in 1929, a batch of superheated engines known as the Superba type were sent to Italy for draining the Pontine Marshes. These legendary ploughing engines, of 30hp, were 52
allegedly the best ploughing engines ever made and were followed, as late as 1933, by a batch of eight Z7 types. Sadly, none have been found to survive but Franco had an ambition to recreate the sight of Fowler ploughing engines working again in Italy and to this end has recently purchased Fowler BB 14382 of 1917 (NM558) from Mick Smith in Berkshire. He took delivery of the engine, together with a cultivator, in early August. The other engine of the pair, 14381 (NM557), remains under restoration at Mick's yard, with a possibility of later joining its twin, in working order. In addition, Franco also saw the large 20hp Marshall portable engine 57622 of 1911, which Mick has had for quite a while. It originally came from Ireland
and in view of Franco's liking for Marshall engines, and also his love of large machines, this engine has also gone to Italy as a long term project.
SWITZERLAND The third National Dampf walzenFestival organised by the Dampfwalzen-Club Schweiz (Swiss Steam Roller Club), was held in Winterthur last August. As well as the steam rollers there were displays of organs, tractors and miniature engines. 1996 was the 125th anniversary of the local engineering firm Schweizerische Locomotiv- and Maschenfabrik, and a display of their products commemorated the firm's history. The firm is known in the UK for its railway locomotives for the Snowdon Mountain Railway a century ago and, indeed, still builds steam rack railway locos to modern design. Some of the nineteen rollers present busied themselves in the demonstration area. Superheated 8 ton lightweight compound Garrett, 29008 of 1911, is of a type not represented in Britain, and drove a stone crusher. Fowler 8890 of 1901 is owned by M. Horath and powered a similar machine. A sawbench was operated by Hanspeter Landenburger and his Aveling roller 7615 of 1912.
Its all there! Despite its small size, this compact two wheel portable, built by F Romei (Siena Italia) 83 of 1912, has all the features of its large size brethren. The boiler is of return flue design and the single draw shaft may have been for use by a pair of oxen. (Franco Risi) Winter 1996/97
STEAMING
Adjacent to the huge beer hall, Ambros Saladin was appearing for the first time with his recently acquired 1893 Aveling roller 3302. Other rollers included German manufactured machines by Henninger, Ruthmeyer, Zettelmeyer, Maffei and Henschel as well as examples more familiar to British eyes — Fowler, Aveling & Porter, Aveling-Barford and the previously mentioned Garrett. There were two representatives of the SLM type of roller — EVA belonging to Toiler & Loher (the engine brought specially from Switzerland to England to the 1996 Lincoln Rally) and also No 5, owned by Walo Bertschinger. The latter roller has had a cosmetic renovation and is unfortunately not steamable at present.
Continental Calendar A brief list of events which have been notified to us where steam road engines are likely to be present. It is suggested a check be made with organisers before visiting. 26/27th April — Steam roller gathering at Saffel, Switzerland on the occasion of the AGM of the Dampfwalsen Club Schweiz. 1st-3rd August — Dampftreffen 1997. Steam engines, models and machinery at a special event at Alt Schwerin in north east Germany. English entries solicited — Claus Ludwig w 0049 39932 49918.
Letters Fowler roller 14674 I was interested to see Ran Hawthorne's photograph (page 209, last issue) of Aveling 4872 and Fowler 14674 at Woodcote rally. However, some addition is required lu the history shown for the latter, for it had a short interlude before coming to Ran's ownership. Fowler 14674 was indeed new to Henley-on-Thames RDC and worked from the Peppard depot. The machine was offered for sale by tender by Oxfordshire County Council early in 1960 and at the time was lying at Peppard with a broken 3rd shaft. My father, Peter Barker (irreverently known to his friends as 'The Bishop of Hurst') was the successful purchaser and immediately acquired a replacement 3rd shaft from Mechanical Tar Spraying & Grouting Co of Reading. It was from an engine recently broken up in their yard and was soon fitted with the assistance of the late Bert Kirk and Laurie Wallace over a wintery weekend at Peppard yard. The roller
Fowler DH class 10 ton roller 14674 in steam at Oxford CC's Peppard depot in March 1960. A replacement 3rd motion shaft had just been fitted and it was ready for the journey to its new home at Hurst, Berkshire the following day. Bert Kirk (a former driver of M.T.& G. Co's Foden tarsprayer) and Laurie Wallace pose for Peter Barker's camera. STEAMING Winter 1996/97
was then steamed to its new home at Hurst, that Sunday. It was tidied up and put to work making roads on the farm over the next few months, but was sold to Ran Hawthorne, following my father's decision to proceed with the I c-boxing of his Burrell Gold Medal tractor DEFIANCE. It may be interesting to note that at the time of its purchase for preservation the roller was fitted with an awning from a Fowler Gyrotiller and had in the recent past clearly been overhauled by John Allen & Co (Oxford) and was equipped with a number of their own steam fittings. Nick Barker
Hungerford, Berkshire
An early road engine Back in our Autumn 1985 issue, we were able to to read an article on steam road vehicles of the Great Western Railway. It started with notes on primitive ploughing engines designed at Swindon by GWR engineer Sir Daniel Gooch for Lord Willoughby de Eresby of Grimsthorpe, Lincolnshire. I have recently been reading Sir Daniel Gooch: Memoirs and Diary (edited by R.B. Wilson, published David & Charles, 1972) and in addition to mention of the above machines there is also a description by Gooch of his experience with a road engine that was not covered in our 1985 article. '1854. I built this year a common road locomotive for Lord Willoughby, intended to work on his farm at Grimsthorpe, and I went down there to see it tried. We had some good fun in learning to steer it; I found it very difficult to keep her on the narrow roads in the park and often, if we went fast, made a dash onto the grass. She weighed about 3 tons. I have made several designs for road engines, but I am satisfied they can only be used at very slow speed, and may succeed in dragging heavy weights, but are useless for anything else. I have often intended to build one to ride about on, but fancied it would not be satisfactory. Designs for some will be found amongst my drawings.' Do any readers know more of this 53
engine approximately. Once this is done it will be much easier for Suffolk Records Office to search their archive for a possible engine number for my engine. I know, for fact, that it is a 10hp and is not of the Alpha series nor the final version, judging by its constructional features. So I'm assuming it was built between 1892 and 1902. If a reader is able to more accurately date the years of manufacture of the various Garrett portable designs, it would help me no end. Ian Larcher
PO Box 91, Wallerawang, New South Wales 2845 Australia
Survivors in the 40s and 50s
Aveling & Porter convertible roller 9264 in embarassing circumstances in the grounds of Bronglais Hospital, Aberystwyth in June 1927. (collection Alan Martin, per John Reeves)
machine? It is from before the days of photography, but some sort of illustration may have appeared. Chris Lavery
Co. Clare, Eire
Aberystwyth runaway The article on page 196 of our Autumn 1996 issue refers to the runaway of Aveling roller 9264 on 1st June 1927 and I wondered if the enclosed print will be of interest to members. Whilst the sad scene speaks for itself, it may also serve to remind present day crews of their need to take all possible precautions when descending hills with their engines on the roads today. Alan Martin
Ruislip, Middlesex
McLarens for the Rescue In his fascinating article on McLaren ploughing engines adapted as emergency winders, Derek Rayner mentioned examples supplied to the Lancashire and Cheshire area, and to the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire area, and that the latter was diesel powered. Whilst having no details of this winder I can confirm that the Lancashire/Cheshire winder was also diesel-powered and was made by Walker Bros of Wigan. It's base was the permanently 54
manned Mines Rescue Station at Boothstown, near Manchester. It was quite a sophisticated machine but was not self-moving, and needed to be towed on its excursions. Motive power when travelling was an adapted Pagefield diesel lorry, again a Walker Bros product. Braking of the road wheels of the winder was by wheel and screw and when travelling a brakesman was permanently stationed at the brakewheel — a seat was provided. On the back of the cab of the towing vehicle was a system of lights by which the driver indicated to the brakesman when to apply and release the brakes. Not much in the foregoing of interest to steam enthusiasts, but it may prevent some fruitless archive searching. Older readers may remember Pagefield lorries. I am unaware of the make of the diesel engine installed in the winder but Walker Bros seemed to exclusively use Gardner engines. Geoff Hayes
Cupar, Fife
Garrett portables I am writing to ask if any readers can help me with information on Garrett portables. Although I have been corresponding with experts in the Garrett field, neither have been able to help with my specific query on compounds. I need to find out the class of the example I own, so that I can date the
Although I am well aware that NTET members have records of traction engine history appertaining to individual engines, it occurs to me that in a few cases owners may be amused to know where I found and photographed some then derelict or working tractors and rollers in the late 1940s and early 1950s. At that time I amused myself by driving about the Hampshire lanes with my Austin 7 and a 620 Kodak Junior camera, seeking out such machinery. The Model Engineer published some of the results and a few of the photographs later appeared in Steaming. The engines I discovered were: — Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies traction 27627 which was working as a stationary engine in a timber yard; a Garrett road locomotive with 'Up to Date Galloping Horses' on its canopy, abandoned in a farmer's yard; Wallis & Steevens traction 7665, with Hampshire CC licence No 712, recently used, burning wood, by a farmer who also had a smaller McLaren traction, 398, in good order — "As long as I have any land I shall keep an engine in steam", I was told. Next, beside a country road, a Fowler with a 1947 road-fund licence issued to a firm in Shinfield, Berkshire, and a few miles from where I then lived in Fleet, a rather sorry Wellington tractor, minus its water pump. That expedition was in 1947, but in 1948 I found a partly-dismantled Fowler outside Winchester and at Shepperton, on my way to London, in a field, Fowler locomotive 16916 DEMOLITION, licenced in 1920 by West Sussex CC, and a smaller Fowler that had also been taxed for road work. Not long afterwards I came upon Burrell 3849 MARSHAL FOCH at Vale Farm. Pitt, near Winchester — not abandoned or resting like the other finds but in Winter 1996/97
STEAMING
splendid order, taxed and ready to go, owned by the enthusiastic Mr King. Other engines were still in use at this time, like Burrell 2894 KING EDWARD VIII which I saw in a yard near Hook, then owned by Harris's Super Amusements. At two showmans depots near Fleet in 1948 stood the Burrell 3211 DREADNOUGHT, last taxed two years earlier, with two partly-dismantled engines keeping it company. Later I came upon two Fowlers, ploughing engine 16719, taxed (for 5s, or 25p) to the end of the previous year, 1947, apparently used for road repairing by the local council, and a smaller one in a council yard at Caversham, near Reading — I had now extended my search to Berkshire. At this time the Sunbury Water Works had in service a smart Aveling & Porter towing a
rubber-tyred truck, licensed for the road, as it ran between various depots. Also mingling with other traffic was a Garrett towing farm implements on the Oxford road. At a farm near South Harting in Sussex, once the scene of motor-racing hill-climbs, a type SCD Ruston Proctor 52579 was driving by a long belt, farm machinery, although up to 1946 this Lincoln Imp had been run on the road. Best of all was to see J. Cole's Amusements' magnificent Burrell 3483 at a fair at Farnham Castle. Its driver told me it would be leaving early the next morning bound for Epsom. I was able to chase it in the Austin 7 and photograph it pulling three large trucks up onto the Hog's Back. Finally, in 1958 I spotted on the weighbridge in Shepherd's Bush goods yard Foden tractor 13196
New Members A sincere welcome is extended to the following new members who have joined the Trust during the last throo months. Wo hope they will all gain much friendship, information and enjoyment from their membership over a period of many years.
T. Cuthbertson, 6 Bank Top, Grange over Sands, Cumbria C. Arnold, fviiiifieiu Ludye, DUIICdSLCI Doncaster, South Yorkshire P, Jones, Glan-y-nant Farm, Oak Lane, Llanellen, Abergavenny, Gwent G. Smith, 3 Brampton Rise, Dunstable, Bedfordshire P. Edwards, Langley Farm, Langley Lane, Clanfield, Oxford I. Nelson, 28 Castle Road, Northolt, Middlesex M. Millichip, 8 Adelaide Road, Richmond, Surrey Dr M. Vessey, 8 Warnborough Road, Oxford J. Parslow, Crendon Rose Cottage, Beamown End, Amersham, Buckinghamshire C.R. Gibbard, 26 Plym Crescent, Greenlands, Tavistock, Devon. A.M. Crosby, 27 Middlewich Road, Holmes Chapel, Cheshire. R. Ford, 60 Hook Road, Epsom, Surrey, K. Page, 6 Pine Close, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire. P. Gascoyne, Home Farm, Crimplesham, Kings Lynn, Norfolk. W.A. Taylor, 234 Castle Road, Bedford. P. Biddulph, Llamedos, Mill Lane, Sheepy Parva, Atherstone, Warwickshire. E.M. Davis, 41 Wimbledon Road, Old Dean Estate, Camberley, Surrey. Mrs I. Lane, 53e lukburyli Road, Clapton, Somerset. F.I. Alford, Trelissick House, Truthwall, St Just, Penzance, Cornwall. T. Smith, 28 Crondall Lane, Farnham, Surrey. D. Proud, 15 Hamsterley Close, Bedford. Mrs L. Oakford, 141 Roundstone Drive, East Preston, Littlehampton, West Sussex.
STEAMING
Winter 1996/97
(GC5832), engaged in delivering coal in a trailer wagon from Camroux's yard to Hammersmith Hospital, ten tons a load. I was without a camera but a few days later I saw this shortwheelbase 6 ton Foden proceeding along Wood Lane, and, overtaking it in my Morgan Plus 4 was able to record it. A chat with its driver informed me that, as he was retiring, the Foden would soon be for sale. It would probably go for a song, he said. Alas I cannot sing, and after some thought I let it go, in spite of its boiler having had a recent safety certificate. I am glad to know that it went to an appreciative member of the NTET. I only hope some of those engines I photographed nearly fifty years ago have been similarly cared for. Bill Boddy
Nantmel, Powys
K. Wade, 14 Burrows Close, Woburn Sands, Milton Keynes S.T. Casey, 46 Wyndham Road, Dover, Kent. E.J. Bundock, 576 Galleywood Road, Chelmsford, Essex... Mrs D.F. Bartlett, Rainbow Hill, Crescent Road, Ivybridge, Devon. B. Tidbury, 61 Guildford Park Avenue, Guildford, Surrey. K. Moore, Oakley End, 36 Greenwood Avenue, Chinnor, Oxfordshire. D, Turner, 188 Green Lane, Buxton, Derbyshire. L.M. Parker, 5 Redwood Drive, Kingsbury, Tamworth, Staffordshire. M. Lee, Ambleside, Station Road, Allendale, Hexham, Northumberland. G.S. Allen, Penstone Barton, Colebrook, Crediton, Devon. R. Levshow, 26 Heel- v -Devi, Cwmrhvdycerw, Swansea. G.R. Goldsmith, Grove Cottage, Wickham Market, Suffolk. T. Jones, Y Bwthyn, Ty'r Winch Road, St Mellons, Cardiff. S. Leatham, 47 Crossfield Crescent, Fulford, York. G. Cooper, 28 Bank View, Fast Hi inshilry, Northampton. Mrs G. Ward, 43 Coppice Drive, Parklands, Northampton. R. Greenslade, 70 Upper Sutton Lane, Heston, Hounslow, Middlesex. D. Jackson, 6 Lowton Road, Sale, Cheshire. S. Clarke, 4 Croft Cottages, Brampford Speke, Exeter. Mrs C. Darby, 20 Grasmere Avenue, Harpenden, Hertfordshire. D, Collidge, 15 De La Bere Crescent, Burbage, Leicestershire. Mrs M.E. Ford, The Cottage, Dry Lane, Wyke, Gillingham, Dorset. S. Morgan, 91 Sweetcroft Lane, Hillingdon, Uxbridge, Middlesex. R. Coleman, Rose Cottage, Lulling Farm, Cucktield, West Sussex. B. Sherlock, 124 Commonfield Road, Woodchurch, Wirral. P. Robinson, 52 Woodgate Street, Great Lever, Bolton, Lancashire. I,A, Lucy, 13 Agnew Street, Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, M.J. Wilkins, 4 Walnut Close, Milton, South Derbyshire. R. Bannister, 131 Gosford Way, Felixstowe, Suffolk. M. Moss, 32 London Road, Rayleigh, Essex. P. Scott, 131 Vandyke Road, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire. G. Hope, 5 Glenbarr Drive, Hinckley, Leicestershire. G.I. Herring, Blythe Cottage, Church Street, Gawcott, Buckinghamshire. D. Slater, The Malthouse, West Hoatley, West Sussex. N. Collins, 70 Greencroft Gardens, London. M.G. Merton, 55 Oakdale, Crown Wood, Bracknell, Berkshire.. J.L, Jackson, 8 Brook Road, Chessell, Yarmouth, Isle of Wight. A.J. Howard, 9 Trinity Road, Stul.fokl, Hitchin, Hettfoidshiie. P. Cradock, 11 Rock Road, Trowbridge, Wiltshire. M. Davison, 43 Helmsley Close, Ferryhill, Co Durham B.K. Timms, Sheepwash, Pickhurst, Pulborough, West Sussex. A. Gray, Pond Cottage, Fordham Road, West Bergholt, Colchester, Essex. A. Mountford, Pinetrees, Spout Lane, Benthall, Broseley, Salop.
55
Small Adverts
ADMIRAL TOGO After some 25 years of 'resting' Burrell single crank compound 2706 has returned to steam. The engine has belonged to and been rallied by the North Staffs & Cheshire Traction Engine Club since early preservation days and in recent years has steadily moved towards a further lease of life at their Klondyke Mill headquarters near Uttoxeter, Staffs. In October, having first pushed out the engine so the chimney was clear of the workshop, a fire was lit for the first time. With 501bs and no serious leaks the 5hp Devonshire engine moved under its own steam and made a couple of laps of the centre's roads. The machine was new in October 1904 for Isaac Ball of Wharles, Lancashire. Much work remains to be completed but steam tests have been successfully passed and on the first day of the October steam party, the Burrell was driven to the nearby Roebuck Inn, piloted by N.S.& C. club chairman Phil Swindlehurst. There, surrounded by nine other engines, Jean Swindlehurst rechristened the engine ADMIRAL TOGO with a bottle of the King of Bitters.
Small advertisements for private SALES. WANTS and ANNOUNCEMENTS, and appertaining to road steam engines and their associated equipment (inc. items suitable for their maintenance and support), are free of charge to National Traction Engine Trust members, subject to a maximum of 75 words, excluding name, address and telephone number. Advertisements should be written clearly and concisely, and to ensure publication must be accompanied by the advertiser's NTET membership number. Non-members rates for small adverts are 20p per word, with a minimum charge of £3.00, payable in advance. Members wishing to use these columns for trade purposes may do so at 10p per word, minimum charge £3.00, payable in advance. All cheques to he made payable to National Traction Engine Trust. 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 OF EACH ISSUE FOR PRESS DATE. The Burrell Museum — Anyone who is interested in the Burrell company and would like to become a friend of the Museum, to receive a quarterly newsletter, help restore and eventually to assist in running a Burrell roller and maintain the Museum, please write and enclose SAE to — Membership Secretary, John Palmer. 17 Birch Close, Broom, near Biggleswade, Beds SG18 9NR, Wanted — Steaming Vol 1, Nos 1, 2, 3 and 4; Steam Returns to the Royal High/and, (STES); German Developments of Steam Road Vehicles and Railcars, (HMSO); A Century of Engineering, Savage Ltd. (Clark!: Frick, Century of Engineering Service. — M.A. Poole, 89 Giebelands, Pulborough, West Sussex RH20 2JH. For sale — set of three 1/2 in bsp gauge glass fittings and protector; regulator handle, believed ex Burrell Devonshire; tube expanders, 17/ein dia tubes; 2no spiral wire tube brushes for 2in tubes (brand new); set of three Vein bsp tank level cocks; one no brass Foden wheel hub cap; 2no Marshall portable manhole doors. — R.J. Mawdsley, 132 Norwood Road, Southport, Merseyside PR8 6HQ its 01704 542569). Wanted — cast iron flange connected elbow for exterior mounting of water litter ejector to rear of tender for Aveling 12 ton roller. Any photos of Aveling 12 ton roller 7673 1JH2739) at or previous to Burtonwood Rally 1973 — reasonable expenses met. — R.J. Mawdsley, address as above advert. Wanted — back'issues of Steaming before Volume 14. Also tyre pump and any windscreen frame sections to fit a Sentinel S model. — Ir 01977 518905. Steam Plough Club — for all interested in steam cultivation, offering regular newsletter, events, visits, history and technical advice. Subscription £8.00 per year, OAP's £2.00 — John Billard, Old Station House, Twyford, Berkshire RG10 9NA. Firebars cast — to your requirements. Free pattern making: we may have your size in stock. — Tr Andrew 01694 723139 after 6pm. Gauge glasses — many sizes available. Send for list — Ray Hooley, 16 Alexandre Avenue, North Hykeham, Lincoln LN6 8NR Is 01522 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 Hykeham, Lincoln LN6 8NR (sr 01522 6824061. Winter 1996/97
STEAMING
Wanted roadmans living van, preferably with sound chassis. Van requiring body repairs considered. - Tr 01332 674452. Wanted - Reanco engine lamp for right hand side, measures 41/2 In x 31/2 in x 8In 191/2 1n overall); rectangular side window plus rear hulls eye lens. - Mike Dyson, Tr 01353 740470. For sale - low loader outfit suitable for steam roller or agricultural; ERF unit B series with 265 Rolls engine and Eaton 9 speed gearbox, tested May 97. Dyson semi-trailer, 20ft bed, knock-out axle with underfloor hydraulic rams, with ramps, blocks etc. - '2 01977 514521. For sale - mechanical steam cylinder lubricator with sight glass, £20; pair of 150 gall water cart cast ends by R.J. & H. Wilder, Wallingford, £20; set of heavy brass water sight glass fittings, Y2in bsp male ends, £15; steam whistle, believed off Peckett loco, 3%in bsp, £100; brass safety valve, 50Ibs pressure, 1 in bsp, £20, - Tr 01823 275793. For sale - ex-Cheshire CC living van, 14ft long, pneumatic tyros, springs, over-run brakes, bed 6ft 61n x 4ft, gas cooker, sink, stove, £1750. Also dynamo, old type Tillings (petrol electric), 150 amp dc, 110 volt, £225. - is 01948 710657. The Iron-Men Album - the American equivalent of S.UU per year for six Steaming. Subscriptions available at post paid copies, 10%in x 8Y in format, about 40 pages. For further details or subscriptions contact NTET Membership Secretary, John Cook, sample copies available from NTET Sales, £2.50 each. Photographs wanted of Burrell Gold Medal tractor 3786 TIGER when in ownership of E. Longhurst & Sons, Epsom. To date we haven't found one and would very much appreciate some help! Also pictures when in ownership of Reg Wheeler, Church Stretton and W. Griffiths, Salop. All expenses paid. Steve Hayes, 22 Francis Lane, Newton Burgoland, Coalville, Leics LE67 2SD (is 01530 2718631. -
Books - various out of print traction engine books for sale. Contact Steve Hayes, address etc as above advert.
For sale - photograph of Aveling & Porter 6 ton roller 10014 (NL3701) when working for Rothbury RDC or Northumberland CC. - Andrew Black, 66 Lindisfarne Lane, Morpeth, Northumberland NE61 2UL (.zr 01670 511113). For sale - Aveling second shaft gear wheel; two axle boxes - if unsold will scrap; centrifugal water pump, 11/2 in suction, petrol driven; 1/2 in Penberthy injector boiler inspectors kit; heavy water gauge fittings; Fowler big end brasses; one scarifier tyne, 11/2 x 11/2 in x 29in; 60ft of Balata 2 1/2 in belting, new; two Wellworthy cylinder liners for National diesel engine as fitted to Wallis 2 1/2 ton roller; rear wheels and axle for Johnson tar pot; heavy water gauge fittings, suitable for boiler. - L.J. Lambe, 84 Redditch Road, Stoke Heath, Bromsgrove B60 4JR 01527 8313981. Wanted - Unipower winch tractor. - L.J. Lambe, address etc as above advert. For sale - three Aveling drawings for R10 single sv roller, £15; Marshall boiler transfer, £15; Steaming 1964 to 1990, £40; set of 11 new drawings for 5in scale Foster engine, £30. - Tr 01 524 411956. For sale - castors, all types of flat belting, alligator belt fasteners, V-belts, chain and sprockets. - A.G. Belting, 58 Kingsholme Road, Gloucester (Tr 01452 410968). For sale - Fowler lubricator mounting elbow; Fowler waterlifter; Fowler third shaft brake drum; Fowler suction hose strainer; Aveling piston valve, 3in dia for C type; 11/2 in bore suction waterlifter with oval flanges, cast iron; large sawbench by J. McDowell, Scotland, ex steam sawmill; cylinder oil pump, Dunbar & Slater, % pint size. - IT 01388 772578. Wanted - front fork for Fowler class D2 roller, 50in wide inside, 26 1/2 in from underside to centre of axle, 211/2 in long upright stalk. Also Fowler traction truck, 4, 6 or 8 tons size; Fowler roller living van; Fowler steermans seat, spring and spigot. - Ti• 01388 772578. Road Roller Association - for all who are interested in steam or motor rollers, road making machines, practices and history. Quarterly journal ROLLING. Subscription £12.50 per year. - Membership Secretary, Dave Crampton, 6 Norwood Close, Mackworth, Derby DE22 4GA. STEAMING
Winter 1996/97
National Traction Engine Trust
Mail Order Many books, videos and other items of interest to traction engine enthusiasts are available from the Sales section. Readers are urged to take advantage of this service (which also benefits Trust funds) for trouble free and economical postal shopping. Just tick the box for items you require and fill in the address slip.
TRACTION ENGINE READING New Steam Wagons in Colour (Sawford) £12.99 0 coming late January New Swings, Park Swings, Overboats and Over-the-Tops (Braithwaite) £4.50 New The Harry Lee Story (Smith and Scrivens) £11.95 ❑ New The Fowler Gyrotiller (Norman Southgate) £8.50
0 0
New Fowler Road Making Machinery (RLS catalogue reprint) reviewed 39/4 New Fodens Ltd (RLS catalogue reprint) reviewed 39/4
£9.00 ❑ £7.50 ❑
New The Fred Dibnah Story (Howarth) now in softback
£6.99 ❑
New Wincheap Memories (Tritton) reviewed 39/4
£6.00
0
Garrett Wagons, Part 3 Electrics and Motors (Whitehead), reviewed 39/3
£18.50 0
Fodens, my life with the Company (H. NancoIlls)
£19.95 ❑
George and the Dragon (Rogers) reviewed 39/4 Traction Engine Register (SCHVPT) reviewed 39/3 Forty Years On (EATEC) reviewed 39/2 Threshing and Thatching (Freeman) reviewed 39/3
£4.95
0
£4.99 0 £4.99
0
£6.90
0
The American Steam Traction Engine (Kelly)
£14.95 0
The Circular Steam Switchback (Scrivens and Smith)
f12.99
Traction Engines of the Isle of Wight (Parsons and Britten) reviewed 39/1 The Falls of Burbage Wharf (Newton) reviewed 39/2 Marshall Steam Road Rollers (RLS catalogue reprint) reviewed 39/2 The Yorkshire (RLS catalogue reprint) reviewed 39/2
❑
£1.95 0 £4.95 0 £7.50
0
£9.90 ❑
The Heyday of the Traction Engine (Sawford) reviewed 39/1
£10.99
Muck Shifting for King George (Sanders)
£5..95
Garrett Wagons, Part 2 Undertypes (Whitehead) Steam Men of Yesteryear (Nicholson)
£18.00 £5,00 ❑
0 0 0
Harrogate Gas Works (Ha/lows and Smith)
£6.95
0
European Traction Engine Register (Toy and Rayner)
£3.00
0
Carter's Jubilee Steam Gallopers (Braithwaite/Carter)
£7.00 0 continued overleaf
Jesse Ellis and the Maidstone Wagons (Whitehead) £11.50 ❑ Britannia Iron Works /Lane) £28.00 ❑ Steam Engine Builders of Norfolk (Clark) £17.95 ❑ Fairfield Folk: History of the British Fairground People (Brown) £15.95 ❑ Men, Mud and Machines (Sanders) £13.95 ❑ Lokomobiler Frank Munktells (h/back; now with English translation) £14.00 ❑ J.& H. McLaren catalogue, 1914, facsimile £4.95 ❑ Angplogar i Sverige (Blom), now with English translation £7.95 ❑ John Ling's Memories of a Travelling Life (FAGS) £5.99 ❑ Lincolnshire Steam in Camera (Bonnett) £9.25 ❑ The Old Guard (East Anglian TEC) £6.00 ❑ Garrett Wagons, Part 1 Pioneers and Overtypes (Whitehead) £18.00 ❑
VIDEOS New Steam on the Road - NTET Road Run (Moonlight, 85mins) £18.00 ❑ New Working with Steam - Vol 1 (CMS, 60 mins) £14.95 ❑ The Sentinel Steam Waggon (CMS, VHS 52 mins) £15.95 ❑ Classic Farm Machinery 1970-1995 (VHS 60 Mins) reviewed this issue £14.95 ❑ Inside Steam - Old Glory/NTET (VHS 60 Mins), reviewed 39/1 £13.95 El Farming with Stoam (VHS 48 mine) £11.05 ❑ Traction Engines: A Technical Insight (VHS 37 mins) £14.95 ❑ All Steamed Up - Fred Dibnah (VHS 55 mins) £12.99 ❑ The Ups and Downs of Chimneys Fred Dibnah (VHS 76 mins) £12.99 ❑ Sentinels on Parade (VHS 45 Mins) £15.00 ❑ Travels with an Old-world Atlas (VHS) £15.00 ❑ Classic Farm Machinery: 1940-1970 (VHS 60 mins) £14.95 ❑
To claim post-free for UK members please enclose current membership card. Non-members please enclose 10% part postage per order. Overseas members please enclose 8% part postage per order (European); 10% (rest of world), PO/Cheques (in sterling please) to be made payable to: National Traction Engine Trust. Visa, Access and Mastercard accepted; please state card number, expiry date and name on card, or phone 01582 33971 (evenings only). Orders to be sent to: NTET Sales, 90 Devon Road, Luton, Bedfordshire LU2 ORL. Please allow 28 days for delivery. Name Address
Membership No.
Amount Enclosed List 39, Winter 1996/97
National Vintage Tractor and Engine Club - caters for all enthusiasts (3500 members nationwide). 28 local groups organise meetings with illustrated talks and help for members. Club magazine Vaporising with articles of interest and free ads to members. Basic membership £10. Details from Mrs P.E. Sims, 1 Hall Farm Cottages, Church Lane, Swarkestone, Derby DE7 1JB (sae please, sample magazine £1.00 stamps). For sale - 1929 built Aveling traction engine, ex-roller, single piston valve, boiler cert to Sept 97, drive away. Also van. £17,500. - tr 01654 712003. Steaming back numbers - Vol No 3 and a complete run from Vol 8 No 1; Steam Wagons and Tractors (NTEC). Han Hawthorne, 69 West Chiltern, Woodcote, Reading RG8 OSG (ir 01491 680484). For sale - aluminium loading ramps suitable for any size engine, 8ft length, 18in wide Also one eight pair eight spoke wheels, 36in dia, 5in width. - Ken Cooke, me 01420 563677 or 0850 863103 mobile. Wanted - cast dynamo pulley for steam engine; 12 1/2 in-13in dia x 10in wide and flanged shaft size 2%in or less. A.J. Thomson, Tr 01722 333714 after 7pm. For sale - Crane freuhof lowloader udilei, single axle, 18ft bed and full safety fence at top deck. - ir 01332 880405 (Derby). For sale - Sentinel S model castings now available throttle box; engine crankcase cover; engine oil sump; Y-shape coil fitting; bottom half safety valve; spring hangers; firebars, carriers and all brackets; boiler feed clacks; water gauge fittings; engine cylinders; oil pump; washout plug; blowdown; boiler combination valve; cab water tank shut off valve body. Subject to sufficient response - boiler top plate; chimney base; blast pipe. - H. Winterbottom, 484 Ripponden Road, Moorside, Oldham, Lancashire OL4 2LL (12 0161 678 0446). For sole steam engine spares and supplies. A comprehensive range of new fittings, parts and supplies, including whistles, sirens, injectors, valves, plug and test cocks, pipe fittings, level and pressure gauges, tubes, tube expanders, brushes, lubricators, oilers, governors, packings, joints, hoses and roses, lamps, etc. Please ask for list. - Tr 01227 722502. For sale - Garrett QL undertype steam wagon, 1929. Dismantled and incomplete but restorable. Also Robey 6 ton tandem steam roller, restored and good condition. - s 01227 722502, Rubber strakes for engines - the best solution, practically and visually, there is to the problem of ruhhering traction engines. Many satisfied customers. Any inspection invited of Robey traction now having travelled fair distances and three seasons. - Dave Davies, it 01822 615960. For sale - 1924 Clayton & Shuttleworth steam roller. It is a convertible, but has only ever been used as a roller. Single cylinder, two owners from new. - a 01952 825118 (Shropshire). For sale - one solid rubber tyre band, size 180 x 720mm, good condition. - IT 01425 471074 (Hampshire). Wanted - for Wallis & Stevens 5% to oilbath tractor any spare parts, patterns or information to assist in the rebuilding of my engine. - Tr 01202 699772 (Hampshire). Wanted - Light Steam Power magazine back issues s 01536 724598. Wanted - 3in and 4in machinery drive belting for a frame saw. - Herring, Tr 01869 277410 (Bicester). Hollycombe Steam & Woodland Garden Society, Liphook, Hampshire GU30 7LP operates up to 35 steam engines, 2hp to nearly 2000, every Sunday and Bank Holiday throughout the season commencing Easter wookond. Adults £5.50, OAPs and children £4.50, Saver ticket £17.00. Please apply to Membership Secretary for membership details. - s 01128 721900. For sale - Barrows 214hp portable engine c1890-1900. 80Ibs boiler certificate, completely restored and in excellent condition, price £16,000. - Richard Heher, 45a Jones Road, Kenthurst, NSW 2156, Australia (a 9-654-1235). Steam Thrashing 1900-1950, a new book by Geoff Gilbert. A4 hardback, 192 pages, 139 illustrations, many full page, £27.50 plus £2.50 postage from the author at 23 Beville, Woodwalton, Huntingdon PE17 5YP (tr 01487 773429). Winter 1996/97
STEAMING
Report of the 1996 AGM These notes should be read in conjunction with the Agenda for the meeting which was published in the Report and Accounts 31 March 1996, distributed with the Autumn issue of Steaming. The 1006 AGM was held at the Jury's I lotel, Di istul dl 2.00Nni on Saturday, 16th November 1996. The minutes of the last meeting were accepted and signed as a true record of the meeting with no abstentions. Changes to the Committee were: • Resignations: Brian Gooding and Ian Howitt. • Retirements: Tony Fookes, Keith Shakespeare and Owen Slade. • New National Committee members elected were: Russell Bulley, who was co-opted onto the Committee last year to help co-ordinate the Road Run. John Durling, who has been helping to organise the Steam Apprentice Club for the last few years and was recently nominated by John Bosworth to be the new SAC Chairman. Bill Evans and Tim Holt, who were chosen by Rally Conference delegates to be put forward for nomination. Bill Evans has been a member of the NTET and an organiser of Malpas Rally for many years, and Tim Holt helps on the Rally sub-Committee with organising safety seminars. John Harris explained that each member had received an abridged version of the accounts and the reason for this was that it would save about 50% of the cost. A number of full sets of accounts were available at the AGM for any member who required a copy. He explained the accounts in detail and concluded by stating that the NTET funds were sound at the period under review and remained sound. The accounts were unanimously accepted. Motions under Article 16 The AGM debated the motion 'The NTET should take positive action against the imposition by rally organisers of unnecessary restriction on the movement of traction engines on the rally field' as 1. The practice was only directed at steam engines, which implied the engine to be a very dangerous and uncontrollable vehicle, whereas, in practice, it is a controllable vehicle. 2. Once one rally starts this practice others will follow. 3. Where an engine is being directed on e one to one basis under supervision, in the event of an accident it could result in the insurance being down to the person directing the engine. 4. There would be movement towards a static rally and the public would lose interest. The AGM generally agreed with the motion and suggested that: 1. If you do not like the conditions laid down by a rally — go home. 2. The NTET can put pressure on rally organisers, but does not have the power to do more than that; the Rally Organisers Code of Practice can only produce guidelines. 3. Rally organisers are being pressurised by local organisations and environmental health officers. 4. It was made a full item on the next Rally Conference agenda. 5. Richard Sandercock asked if the AGM would be happy if the NTET took such action, as far as they were able, to stop it happening. The motion was put to the meeting, and passed with 2 against and 2 abstentions. The re-appointment of Menzies as auditors was unanimously approved.
STEAMING
Winter 1996/97
Insurance Dave Smith reported that he was instructed at the last AGM to find a better deal for insurance for traction engines. He went out to tender to twelve organisations in insurance, and the Committee had subsequently appointed Footman James as the NTET insurers. He then formally introduced Trevor Keefe and Peter James of Footman James. Peter James said opinions had been voiced by one member they were worried by the cheapness of the scheme's tariff. The NTET scheme was a stand alone scheme designed and written specifically for the steam engine and Footman James firmly believe the premiums they have quoted to be sustainable. The NTET also receives 5% donation less tax from every insurance, and the insurers were looking at other related policies for the NTET members. Peter James also said there would be a three year guarantee on prices. Any other business a Steve Parrott thanked Allen Eaton, the Hollowell Club and everyone who took part in the Road Run and reported that the net surplus was £4,000 which meant that everyone who took part in the Road Run would have their £25 returned. The Road Run was filmed by Top Gear and will be shown on television in January. The Moonlight video of the Road Run was on sale in the exhibition unit. b Alan LLoyd asked if the NTET could put a notice in Worlds Fair saying who was standing for election at the AGM, as this was not put in Steaming. Richard Sandercock said we did look at this area last year and would consider it further. c Peter Clare asked whether the NTET was an open or secret organisation. Richard Sandercock said we are an open organisation, as the meetings are minuted and open to inspection. d John Durling (SAC) said that he needed more adults to help with the steam apprentices, as he was running a nationwide club with only five adults. e Sylvia Dudley reported that Michael Davies was standing down as Chairman of the Engine Owners sub-Committee and Richard Pierce would be taking over. The date of the next Engine Owners Conference would be 1st March. She also said that Part 2 of the repairs section of the Engine Owners Code of Practice was now available. f Richard Vickery announced that the Driving Course next year would be moving venue as we were now unable to have the Bishops Lydeard site. The 12th and 13th April would be their first weekend workshop of valve setting which would be held at Michael Davies' premises in Warwickshire. g Len Crane warned low loader drivers taking engines abroad, that he had been stopped and because he said he was getting diesel expenses, was told he should have an '0' licence for receiving payment and was warned. h Richard Sandercock said the NTET were looking at Affinity cards as an additional way to provide further income. i Derek Rayner suggested the NTET look deeper into the subject of standards in boiler inspection and the circumstances where one inspector would give a certificate where another would not. To this end the Technical Board are approving independent boiler inspectors who will carry the NTET logo. I It was reported that the current Worlds Fair had picked up information reporting that European legislation was going to ban vehicles over 12 years old. Mike Ward said that since this initial statement a clause by European parliament has been put in to ratify it, saying that unless every member votes for it will not go through. He said that Peter Smart and he were the steam representatives on the FBHVC and the FBHVC were watching this European legislation very closely. Richard Sandercock advised that the 1997 AGM would be in Chester on 22nd November.
Copies of the Minutes of the 1996 AGM are available from the General Secretary, Sue Jackson — address inside front cover — on receipt of a stamped addressed envelope.
59
Working Sentinels — Well into the 1960s Brown Bayley's Steels operated a fleet of Shrewsbury-built steam wagons within their Sheffield steelworks. On a Saturday morning in June 1964, 5 ton Standard 1716, built in 1917 (above), heads back to the garage, battered in appearance but still capable of
useful tasks. Another example that worked in fairly recent years is DG4 model 8122 of 1929. Converted to a tar sprayer and run by Lloyd Jones Bros of Ruthin, it had summer use with surface dressing gangs, as well as local rally outings, as seen (below) at Bishops Castle, 1981, (Roger West, Dave Bagley)