STEAMING VOL. 68 No. 4 AUTUMN 2025
The Magazine of the
£4.99 where sold
NATIONAL TRACTION ENGINE TRUST
The The National Engine Trust TheNational NationalTraction TractionEngine Engine Trust Traction Trust Preserving ourour heritage with on the road Preserving heritage with steamsteam on the road Preserving our heritage with steam on the road Registered CharityCharity No. 291578 Registered No. 291578 Registered Charity No. 291578
Founded in 1954, our aim is to promote the preservation of our heritage with steam on the road. Founded in 1954, our aim is to promote the preservation of our heritage
Founded in 1954, our aim is to promote the preservation of our heritage with steam on theEngine road. Membership of the National Traction Trust is open to with steam on the road. all ofMembership those who, whether they are engine owners or not, have a of the National Traction Engine Trust is open to all of those who, Membership of thein National Traction Engine Trust is open to allsteam of thoseroad who, genuine interest theowners preservation whether they are engine or not, haveofa self-propelled genuine interest in the preservation of whether they are engine owners or not, have genuine interest in the preservation of vehicles, portable andaassociated self-propelled steam roadengines vehicles, portable engines andequipment. associated equipment. self-propelled steam road vehicles, portable engines and associated equipment.
TheThe annual rate is (£48 £38 to(£48 thoseofoutside of the annualsubscription subscription rate is £38 thosetooutside the EU). The Trust’s The annual subscription rate is £38 (£48 to those outside of the EU). The Trust’s magazine Steaming is sent free Steaming to members atisthe endfree of January, April, July and EU). The Trust’s magazine sent to members magazine Steaming is sent free to members at the end of January, April, July and October. benefits of membership very advantageous terms at the end ofOther January, April, July andinclude October. Other benefi ts October. Other benefits of membership include very advantageous terms for boiler and other insurances, advice on technicalterms mattersfor and accessand to the of membership include very advantageous boiler for boiler and other insurances, advice on technical matters and access to the excellent Driver Training courses. other insurances, advice on technical matters and access to the excellent Driver Training courses. excellent Driverofficers, Training Full details of the Trust’s activities, newscourses. items and many other aspects of Full details of the Trust’s activities, officers, news items and many other aspects of information can be found on our website at www.ntet.co.uk
can beactivities, found on ouroffi website www.ntet.co.uk Full detailsinformation of the Trust’s cers,atnews items and many The Steam Apprentice Club is thecan juniorbe section of the NTET, formed toat support other aspects of information found our formed website The Steam Apprentice Club is the junior section of theon NTET, to support youngsters up to the age of 21 in learning about and appreciating road steam. www.ntet.co.uk youngsters up to the age of 21 in learning about and appreciating road steam. To find out more please contact the chairman (see below) or visit: To find out more please contact the chairman (see below) or visit:
The Steam Apprentice Club is the junior section of the NTET, www.ntet.co.uk/sac www.ntet.co.uk/sac formed to support youngsters up to the age of 21 in learning NTET Sales offer a large selection of traction engine reading andplease other items: about and appreciating road of steam. findreading out more NTET Sales offer a large selection tractionTo engine and other items: see below) the advertoronvisit: pagewww.ntet.co.uk/sac 46. contact the Chairman (see see the advert on page 46. NTET Sales offer a large selection of traction engine reading and other items: see the advert on page 48.
W HO’S WHO AT THE NTET Who’s Who atthe the NTET Who’s Who at NTET
Systems Support: Treasurer: Nick Spares Bosworth general.support@ntet.co.uk AmyTechnical Reynolds Services treasurer@ntet.co.uk and Pattern Register: Unit: Spares and Pattern Register: Technical Services Unit: V765 Registrations Offi cer: Richard Semple spares@ntet.co.uk Tony Seddon tsu@ntet.co.uk Technical Services Unit: Richard Semple spares@ntet.co.uk Tony Seddon tsu@ntet.co.uk John Hunt v765@ntet.co.uk TonyPublic Seddon tsu@ntet.co.uk V765 Registrations Officer: Relations and Communications: V765 Registrations Officer: Public Relations and Communications: Sales Offi cer: John Hunt v765@ntet.co.uk ViaRelations General Secretary. Public and John Hunt The v765@ntet.co.uk Viapublic.relations@ntet.co.uk General Secretary. Kathy Smith, Cottage, Main Road, Communications: Sales Officer: New Bolingbroke, Boston, Lincs.Main PE22 7JU Sales Officer: Viapublic.relations@ntet.co.uk General Secretary. Section: Kathy Smith, The Cottage, Road, Rally Organisers’ 01205 480 836 The sales@ntet.co.uk Kathy Smith, Cottage, Road, Rally Section: public.relations@ntet.co.uk New Bolingbroke, Boston,Main Lincs. PE22 7JU JohnOrganisers’ Wye rally.chair@ntet.co.uk New Bolingbroke, Lincs. PE22 7JU JohnSupport Wye rally.chair@ntet.co.uk Training Offi cer: 01205 480 836 Boston, sales@ntet.co.uk Rally Officer: Rally Authorisation: 01205Coulls 480 836 sales@ntet.co.uk Charllie training@ntet.co.uk Rally Authorisation: Gavin Young rally.support@ntet.co.uk Training Officer: Alan Holmes rally.auth@ntet.co.uk Training Officer: Alan Holmes rally.auth@ntet.co.uk Coal andBlack Alternative Fuel Trials: Joe training@ntet.co.uk Steam Apprentice Club: Steam Apprentice Club: Joe Black training@ntet.co.uk Tom Attwood Steam Apprentice Club: Paul Stingmore sac.chairman@ntet.co.uk Coal andcoal.trials@ntet.co.uk Alternative Fuel Trials: Nick Bosworth sac.chairman@ntet.co.uk Coal Alternative Fuel Trials: Nick Bosworth sac.chairman@ntet.co.uk Steaming Editor: Tomand Attwood coal.trials@ntet.co.uk Compliance Officer: Compliance Officer: Tom Attwood coal.trials@ntet.co.uk Paul Ritchie steaming@ntet.co.uk Compliance Officer: Charlotte Garbett compliance@ntet.co.uk Steaming Editor: Charlotte Garbett compliance@ntet.co.uk Steaming Editor: CharlotteDisc Garbett compliance@ntet.co.uk Advertising in Steaming: Paul Ritchie steaming@ntet.co.uk Insurance Administrator: Insurance Disc Administrator: Paul Ritchie steaming@ntet.co.uk Paul Ritchie steaming@ntet.co.uk Insurance Disc Administrator: Louise Maunder discs@ntet.co.uk Advertising in Steaming: Louise Maunder discs@ntet.co.uk Advertising Steaming: Louise Maunder discs@ntet.co.uk Paul Ritchiein steaming@ntet.co.uk FBHVC Liaison Officer: System Support: Paul Ritchie steaming@ntet.co.uk System Support: John Durling fbhvc@ntet.co.uk David Smith support@ntet.co.uk David Smith support@ntet.co.uk Spares and Liaison Pattern Officer: Register: FBHVC FBHVC Liaison Officer: Richard spares@ntet.co.uk JohnSemple Durling fbhvc@ntet.co.uk John Durling fbhvc@ntet.co.uk NTET General Council: Tom Attwood, Joe Black, Nick Bosworth, Rob Clifford-Wing, John Durling, Gareth Ellis, Charlotte Garbett, James Huntley, Louise Maunder, Amy Reynolds, Dee Searle, Tony Seddon, Bob Siddall, Kathy Smith, Paul Stingmore, NTET General Council: Mark Waite, Anne Whittingstall. NTET General Council: Tom Attwood, Joe Black, Nick Bosworth, Rob Clifford-Wing, John Durling, Charlotte Garbett, James Huntley, Louise Maunder, Amy Reynolds, Andy Rimell, Tom Attwood, Joe Black, Nick Bosworth, Rob Clifford-Wing, John Durling, Charlotte Garbett, James Huntley, Louise Maunder, Amy Reynolds, Andy Rimell, Dee Searle, Tony Seddon, Richard Semple, Bob Siddall, David Smith, Kathy Smith, Mark Waite, Anne Whittingstall, John Wye Dee Searle, Tony Seddon, Richard Semple, Bob Siddall, David Smith, Kathy Smith, Mark Waite, Anne Whittingstall, John Wye
President: Andrew Semple, Linden Lea, President: President: Lydham, SY9 5HB AndrewBishops Semple,Castle, LindenShropshire Lea, Andrew Semple, Lea, 01588 630 664 Linden president@ntet.co.uk Lydham, Bishops Castle, Shropshire SY9 5HB Lydham, Bishops Shropshire SY9 5HB 01588 630 664 Castle, president@ntet.co.uk Vice President: 01588 630 664 president@ntet.co.uk Dick Blenkinsop Vice Presidents: Dick Blenkinsop, David Smith Vice Presidents: Dick Blenkinsop, David Smith Chairman: Chairman: Chairman: Rob RobClifford-Wing, Clifford-Wing,Trelissa TrelissaCottage, Cottage,Philleigh, Philleigh, Rob Clifford-Wing, Trelissa Philleigh, Truro, Cornwall, 5NE chairman@ntet.co.uk Truro, Cornwall,TR2 TR2 5NECottage, chairman@ntet.co.uk Truro, Cornwall, TR2 5NE chairman@ntet.co.uk General GeneralSecretary: Secretary: General Secretary:general.secretary@ntet.co.uk Anne AnneWhittingstall Whittingstall general.secretary@ntet.co.uk Anne Whittingstall general.secretary@ntet.co.uk Bluebell Cottage, High Street, Hartfield, ViceSussex, Chairman and Engine Owners’ Section: East TN7 4AD Vice Chairman and Engine Owners’ Section: Bob Siddall, Stud Farm House, Castle Hill, Bob Siddall, Studand Farm House, Castle Section: Hill, Vice Chairman Engine Carlton-on-Trent NG23 6NXOwners Carlton-on-Trent NG23 6NX Bob Siddall, Stud Farm House, Castle Hill, 01636 821 991 engines@ntet.co.uk 01636 821 991 engines@ntet.co.uk Carlton-on-Trent NG23 6NX Membership Secretary: 01636 821 991 engines@ntet.co.uk Membership Secretary: Richard Semple, NTET Membership, Linden Lea, Richard Semple, NTET Membership, Linden Lea, Membership Secretary: Lydham, Bishops Castle, Shropshire, SY9 5HB Lydham, Bishops Castle, Shropshire, SY9 5HB Richard Semple, NTET Membership, Linden Lea, membership@ntet.co.uk membership@ntet.co.uk Lydham, Bishops Castle, Shropshire, SY9 5HB Treasurer: membership@ntet.co.uk Treasurer: Amy Reynolds treasurer@ntet.co.uk Amy Reynolds treasurer@ntet.co.uk
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Steaming • Autumn 25 Steaming • Winter 2023/24 Steaming • Winter 2023/24
Chairman’s Welcome
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halk and cheese come to mind when comparing this Summer with the last one. What a difference a year makes! This time, the country was emersed in sunshine, so much so that in some counties, the grain harvests were gathered a whole month earlier than usual. I hope our rallies and events were able to make the best of the fine weather. This year has been one of celebration right across the movement. Appleford Rally reached its 75th anniversary, and it was a real pleasure for the Trust to lend its support, recognising both the event’s heritage and our own 70+ years as a Club and Trust. You will find a full report of the weekend within this issue. Meanwhile, the West of England Steam Engine Society recently staged its 70th rally. They managed what almost seemed impossible; three days of glorious Cornish sunshine and, the biggest turnout of engines the event has seen in over twenty years. We will be bringing you a full write-up in the next issue of Steaming. How times have changed. Once upon a time, columns of black smoke belching proudly from an engine’s chimney were seen as part of the spectacle of a rally, drawing smiles and waves from Joe Public. Today, we live in a different world, one where Health and Safety come first, and public perception has shifted. The question for today’s drivers is whether “little and often,” coupled with top air, is the order of the day. Whatever the answer, we all carry the responsibility to make the best of the fuels available, and with skilled firing, do our part to reduce the clouds of black soot and smoke that hung over many of this year’s rally fields. The ‘word on the street’ is encouraging too: vintage remains firmly in fashion. Event gates have been strong, organisers report stable or improved figures, and the support from visitors is as enthusiastic as ever. Seeing those smiles, hearing the questions asked of crews, and listening to them receiving thanks makes all the demanding work worthwhile and, we are keeping steam history alive. As the season draws to a close, I must share with you all how heartening it is to see our Steam Apprentice Club welcoming so many new recruits to its ranks. It has been wonderful to watch people of varying ages stepping into our world of steam and friendship. It makes me smile every time I see some of the younger ones, happily swapping their mobile phones for an oil can and firing shovel, if only for an hour or two. I cannot leave this subject without offering my sincerest of thanks to the SAC team who, unstintingly have travelled the country representing the Trust and Club in the best traditions of our hobby. THANK YOU. Looking ahead, our Annual General Meeting will be held in Shrewsbury on 15th November. Alongside the business of the day, we have arranged two visits which I hope you will find enjoyable. I look forward to meeting as many of you there as possible. On a personal note, after twenty-five years of being an engine custodian, I have said a sad farewell to Burrell No. 3257 Clinker, up until now best known as “Mike Ward’s old Burrell.” The engine is now with the Goddard family in Wiltshire, and I am sure they will have as much fun rallying her as I have during my years of ownership. Clinker opened doors for me I never expected, and through it I have made friendships I will always treasure. Who knows, maybe in time Clinker will be known as “Rob Wing’s old Burrell”! Whatever the outcome, I look forward to many more years of enjoying this wonderful hobby alongside you all. And finally, as this will be the last copy of Steaming before Christmas, I wish those of you taking engines along to Winter and Father Christmas events, the best of Christmas cheer. Swapping sleighs for steam, may your coal burn cleanly and your Christmas spirit shine brightly. Clinker’s resplendent footplate. Happy Christmas to you One and All!
Autumn 25 • Steaming
STEAMING The Magazine of the National Traction Engine Trust Volume 68 No. 4 Autumn 2025
In This Issue From the Trust AGM Obituary Paul Trickey Obituary Barry Johnson 2025 Photographic Competition 2026 NTET Calendar Transport Trust awards A Traction Engine Trailer Book review A celebration of Lambert engines Appleford 75 Steaming Around Members Benefits Shop
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Cover photo: The ex-Arthur Napper pair, Old Timer and Tommy, leave Bridge Farm and head towards the centre of Appleford as part of the Appleford 75 celebrations. Photo: David Warren. Published quarterly for the membership of the National Traction Engine Trust 4 Church Green East, Redditch, Worcestershire B98 8BT Editor: Editor: Paul Ritchie email: steaming@ntet.co.uk Consulting Editor: Colin Tyson Designer: Anita Waters neetz-design@outlook.com Print and distribution by The Lavenham Press, 47 Water Street, Lavenham, Suffolk CO10 9RN © 2025 The National Traction Engine Trust. Reproduction, transmission, storing or copying, by any process whatsoever, without the written permission of the publisher is forbidden. All rights reserved. The views and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the individual contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the NTET. CONTRIBUTIONS – We welcome any relevant contribution, large or small, to the Trust’s magazine. For advice or to discuss potential articles, please contact the Editor.
ISSN 0260-2962 Steaming is printed on wellmanaged FSC®-certified paper using vegetablebased inks. Printing plates are aluminium and are recycled, as are any surplus/old inks while printing blankets are shredded and used for rubberised play areas and footpaths. The wrapping it comes in is degradable and will break down in the soil.
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FROM THE TRUST... NTET Compliance Update There’s quite a lot to make you aware of in terms of compliance, but I’ll start by saying I hope you’ve had an enjoyable rally season. Whether you’ve been exhibiting or attending, it’s certainly been a warm one, and many of us have made the most of the good weather, despite several reports of verge fires! Since the last issue of Steaming, Martyn’s Law has continued to generate questions, and my aim here is to build on what was shared previously. In June, Tony and I attended the County of Salop Steam Engine Society’s monthly meeting, where we had a substantial discussion on Martyn’s Law and how the NTET can best support event organisers facing this new legislation which I will share later in this article. Update on Martyn’s Law Despite the wealth of information available online, we are still awaiting formal guidance from the Government on the law itself. We have been promised two sets of comprehensive statutory guidance: one from the Home Office for duty-holders, and another from the Security Industry Authority (SIA), which will act as the regulator for Martyn’s Law. We understand that the SIA’s role is still being established, and once it is, the SIA will be responsible for advising organisations, monitoring compliance, and enforcing Martyn’s Law. Until this role is fully in place, it’s unlikely that the official guidance will be published, a disappointing delay as we are already six months into the 24-month implementation period. That said, the Government has made it clear that event organisers do not need to engage third-party consultants at this stage. The forthcoming guidance, for which no release date has yet been confirmed, is being developed to help organisers understand and meet their obligations in a clear and proportionate manner. Despite the lack of guidance, it does appear that there are some practical steps that event organisers can take now and include some recommendations by the Meetings Industry Association. These were central to our discussion in Shrewsbury and include: 1. Understanding the Legal Landscape Review how Martyn’s Law will interact with your existing health and safety and licensing obligations. This helps avoid duplication and ensures compliance is proportionate. 2. Assessing the Scope of the Event Determine whether your event falls under the standard or enhanced duty tier. This depends on your expected peak (simultaneous) occupancy and the nature of your event. Simultaneous occupancy was discussed last issue, but if you’re unsure, please contact me directly. 3. Conduct a Terrorism Risk Assessment Carry out a site-specific terrorism-related risk assessment to help identify potential vulnerabilities. A template form is available from Gavin at rally.support@ntet.co.uk or me at compliance@ 4
ntet.co.uk. It will also feature in our revised Guide to Good Practice (2026) for Rally Support Scheme participants, but please see the further update below on the mapping out and mitigation of site hazards. 4. Update Emergency Plans Ensure you have up-to-date procedures for evacuation, lockdown, invacuation, and communications. This is encouraged as part of the Rally Support Scheme, if your event is a part of this. These procedures should be revisited often considering any identified risks. 5. Consider Infrastructure Measures and Training Requirements For enhanced tier events, consider whether any additional infrastructure is appropriate, such as CCTV, stewarding, lighting, access controls or training for event support. Your risk assessment should help guide what is required here and is encouraged by the Rally Support Scheme. 6. Assign Responsibilities Identify who within your organising team (or wider delivery partners) is accountable for security planning, decision-making, and implementation of any new duties. 7. Communicate Early Liaise with landowners, managing agents, service providers, and others involved in your event to share planning responsibilities and stay up to date with developments. 8. Engage with Local Authorities Proactively seek advice from relevant parties to ensure your plans are realistic and informed by best practice. 9. Test, Review, and Update Run exercises, review after each event, and make improvements to identify risks and test solutions. Embedding this cycle of continuous improvement will make compliance much smoother once Martyn’s Law is fully in force. NTET Consultation: Tackling Terrorism Site Risks Following feedback from Shrewsbury, and in line with our shared commitment to preparedness, the NTET is launching a collaborative consultation, NTET Consultation: Tackling Terrorism Site Risks, to support the development of terrorist risk assessments and the mapping of site hazards across the steam event sector. To support this process, we’ve created an online form where you can submit details of site hazards that could, under certain circumstances, give rise to a terrorist threat or incident. Many site hazards, risks, and mitigations are likely to be common across Steaming • Autumn 25
events, whether your event falls under the standard or enhanced tier. One example discussed with Shrewsbury involved exhibitors or campers bringing knives onto the rally site. While such items are legitimate in context, they could be misused either intentionally or accidentally. This does not mean banning the use of knives on rally fields but rather recognising them as potential risk factors and applying appropriate controls. A sensible control might involve advising exhibitors or campers to secure such items, either via pre-circulated documentation or upon arrival at the site. We hope this gives you a clear sense of the style and approach we are encouraging. The online form includes additional examples and space for you to input your own site-specific considerations. The more information you as event organisers are prepared to share in this early phase, the better equipped you’ll be to assess your own event risks for 2026 and refine your practices ahead of the full implementation of Martyn’s Law in 2027. The NTET Consultation: Tackling Terrorism Site Risks will run from September 2025 to January 2026, offering an ideal window for reflection and planning during the quieter winter months. Information and assessments will be shared only with contributors, and a link to the questionnaire will be available on the NTET website from September. While the NTET is outlining suggested steps for event organisers to consider, this information does not constitute advice. It remains the responsibility of each event organiser to determine the most appropriate actions for their individual event. The NTET’s role is to assist you in making those decisions. Vehicle Registration and MOT Updates In other compliance news, the DVLA has announced significant updates to the registration process for repaired, restored, or modified vehicles, including steam-powered road vehicles: ● Like-for-like restorations no longer need to be reported, provided the appearance and logbook (V5C) remain unchanged. ● Substantially modified vehicles (e.g. chassis changes) can retain their original VIN and registration, with DVLA notification. ● EV conversions may also retain original identities, subject to notification.
These updates have been welcomed by the Historic and Classic Vehicles Alliance (HCVA) and offer greater flexibility in restoration while maintaining heritage value. From 1st April 2025, vehicles built before 1st January 1985 are exempt from vehicle tax (if registered as historic) and from MOT testing, provided they haven’t undergone substantial changes in the past 30 years. A Department for Transport consultation in late 2024 examined whether older vehicles should be subject to new safety checks or light-touch inspections. No decision has been made yet, but discussions are ongoing. Importantly, steam-powered vehicles remain categorically MOT-exempt, regardless of age, under current UK law. This exemption applies to traction engines and showman’s engines, provided they: ● are not used for hire or reward; and ● are maintained in a roadworthy condition. Steam engines are fundamentally incompatible with standard MOT procedures, and their exemption is based on vehicle type, not just age. While steam was not the focus of recent consultations, the NTET is monitoring developments carefully in case the scope of future proposals broadens. We will provide a full breakdown of any new measures affecting the heritage sector as soon as they are published. Rally Support Scheme Thank you to all the events that applied to be part of the Rally Support Scheme in 2025. Over the Winter months, we will be reviewing the Scheme’s current offerings and considering how we can support events in 2026 and beyond. We would like to take this opportunity to remind event organisers that, although the formal reporting requirements previously in place under the Rally Authorisation Scheme no longer apply, we continue to welcome input from organisers. If there’s anything you would like to see included in the 2026 Guide to Good Practice, or if you believe further guidance is needed in any area, we would be happy to assist. Your contributions help us keep the information relevant and up to date. Charlotte Garbett
FBHVC News Summery - Historic Issue 7 - September 2025 FBHVC News Summery – Historic Issue 7 – September 2025. Again I report, with some relief, that there is little coming out from the Legislation Committee of the FBHVC that will worry us as engine owners and drivers.
The Legislation Committee The issues exercising this committee at the moment are; the introduction of Martyn’s Law, which Charlotte will talk about elsewhere in this issue of Steaming; GDPR and the question of a) does publication of a photograph of (say a car with its owner) contravenes the rules and b) whether passing on details of previous owners, service history etc., of a historic vehicle infringes this legislation. This is a long article, far too much to Autumn 25 • Steaming
reproduce here, but if you want to know more it can be found in Issue 7 of Historic. We have also submitted a response to the Government regarding the proposals to allow automated, driverless vehicles on to our roads. Obviously the FBHVC stance on this is the question of how will an automated vehicle respond to, recognise it and cope with the unusual features of such vehicles; no indicators, or trafficators, non-metallic
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construction. I threw in my pennyworth by pointing out that we often use the firing shovel to indicate our intention to turn. I also questioned how such a vehicle would respond of a vehicle off significant amounts of heat, would said car regard it as a fire?! Again, lots more detail in Issue 7.
DVLA The DVLA has published its long-awaited review of their procedures for handling the registration of older vehicles, as well as their approach to the question of repairs, rebuilds, modifications etc. I’m please to say that these new procedures are a breath of fresh air, giving a much more practical and pragmatic approach to changes and improvements made to old vehicles to keep them running (and safer) on modern roads. We’re lucky that these strictures haven’t been applied to steam vehicles but those of us who also own vintage cars etc., can look forward to easier dealings with the DVLA.
Do we own our engines or are we just custodians? This question was asked by Andy Bye, the Museums and Archives Director of the FBHVC. His point about this, given his role, is obviously directed at archiving and the storage of, and accessibility to, a club’s historic material. The NTET has, along with other road steam groups like RLS, SPC, RRA etc., quite a lot of material, frequently stored away in people’s spare bedroom, loft etc. The NTET has access to the archive store at Statfold Barn, the Narrow Gauge Railway Trust, in Tamworth. What we don’t have is someone to look after it, to manage the digitisation of the material and liaison with the company chosen to do this work for us, when such a choice is made. The FBHVC Archiving Partner is Genus, based in Nuneaton. Do we have any volunteers for this role? You can, as always, find more information on these points, and the other articles published by the FBHVC, at https://fbhvc.co.uk/ newsletter-archive John Durling FBHVC Liaison
Engine Owners Section Report I have not got a great deal to report for this issue except that three engines and crew had the pleasure at being invited to The Greatest Gathering which was celebrating the 200th Anniversary of the first passenger railway. The event was held over three days at Alstom in Derby and over 40,000 people attended. The three engines attending were my 1926 Babcock roller No. 95/4009 Toby, John Durling with his newly restored Aveling tractor Morning Star (together with his newly restored ex Midland Railway Dray which was almost certainly taken back to the works where it was built before the First World War) and Brian Boucher with his 10 ton Aveling & Porter roller No. 10237. The event celebrated 200 years of the modern railway with exhibits from the steam age, diesel age, electric traction and rolling stock.
Driving Course The Driving Course will be held on 16th - 17th May 2026 at Astwood Bank.
Engine Owners Meeting Next year’s Engine Owners Meeting will be held towards the end of February. Look out for more information on the website and in the Winter issue of Steaming. Bob Siddall
ABOVE LEFT: 1922 Aveling 10 ton roller No. 10237 at The Greatest Gathering. LEFT: Locomotion No.1, built in 1825 by George and Robert Stephenson.
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Steaming • Autumn 25
Steam Apprentice Club As we near the end of the rally season I’ve started reflecting on what we’ve achieved this year, what our priorities over the Winter need to be and what our ambition should be for next year. We’ve attended lots of rallies (South Cerney, Shrewsbury, Netley Marsh, Swanage Railway, Rona, Appleford, Bedford amongst others). Over that time, we have met hundreds of apprentices, all of whom have spent time on an engine. We have almost doubled our SAC membership from c200 to c400 in the last year. This makes our need for more volunteers and more engine owners willing to take apprentices on board even more urgent. Our driving days have been massively oversubscribed (both a sign of success and a failing as we need more!). We’ve got ourselves into a much clearer space regarding the law, insurance etc and we’ve updated our safeguarding training and policy, DBS checked our volunteers. We have also put a massive effort into the new SAC website content and social media posts (in the three months before writing this we have seen 135000 views on Facebook of our posts). We have also invested in a new branded gazebo and T-Shirts to make the SAC team more visible at events. I have tried to thank as many of you as I can at shows across the South East as I’ve seen you displaying your SAC magnets and having apprentices on engines. Nonetheless I know I haven’t even
scratched the surface so for those of you I haven’t said thank you to, huge thanks! It feels like things are going in the right direction but if we want the next generation to be there to take our engines on in the future we have to do more. We still don’t have a team outside of the South East, we need to do more in the North of England. In fact, I’d like to see SAC teams across the country. I’d like us to update the Logbook so it’s a bit more accessible for new starters and make it available electronically on demand. I would also like to see even more engine owners coming forward and asking why they haven’t been allocated an apprentice when we are at events. I think we probably need to run at least two if not three more driving days next year to meet demand. If you think you can help with any of this, please let me know - I’d love to chat! Let me finish off with some high points so far…seeing apprentices generating for the evening on The Leader (several of whom confided it had been a long held ambition); having the granddaughter of a previous owner of my engine take it for a drive; seeing one apprentice teaching the other as they drove round a rally field with me squeezed in with the coal; cooking for the SAC and NTET team at Appleford (roast chicken, gammon, beef etc all in the smokebox). And finally seeing the SAC team working together to deliver for kids at every show they attend. Paul Stingmore
Steam apprentices enjoy the freedom of driving and steering Lady Sylvia at the Appleford rally this year. Photo David Warren.
An apprentice gets the opportunity to steer on Fowler A4 No. 11554 Enterprise, owned by the Patch family, driven here by General Council member Jim Huntley. Photo David Warren.
Autumn 25 • Steaming
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TSU Report – Autumn 2025 This quarter’s report will be a very short one, partly because the season is in mid swing and the TSU Team have been busy with steam and also because the bulk of the TSU work is being covered elsewhere in other TSU Team Members reports. Martyn’s Law has been a question posed to us at/by a number of events. In fact, Charlotte and I were asked to go and talk to the County of Salop Steam Engine Society in advance of their rally this year, predominantly relating to the driving of engines by unlicenced drivers and SAC members (they hold an annual SAC event), however this soon turned to Martyn’s Law and its effect on events such as theirs. We came away with a clear message that any assistance the NTET could give on this would be very much appreciated. Charlotte has picked up the baton and you will read more of this shortly. The remainder of the TSU have been busy keeping the wheels
Membership Musings Having just returned from a very busy and enjoyable Onslow Park and a very busy NTET marquee, I’ve removed the dust from the laptop after some gentle cleaning. We had a prominent position right by the main entrance to the ring. We were very fortunate and very grateful to engine owners and crews for taking Steam Apprentices with them into the Grand Parade - a unique parade like no other in the country. Engines enter the ring in two’s, side by side, to the sound of Elgars Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 and always promptly at 2pm. This is followed by a poem written by David Bradbury, rally commentator of some 50 years now retired, stirring many memories for me of times and people past from when I was the ringmaster - a position I inherited from our President. Membership teams have been out and about all over the country, from the Swanage Railway, Netley Marsh, West of England, Onslow Park. Bedford is to come as I write this, and we have seen a massive uptake in SAC membership so the future of our hobby is in safe hands. Direct Debits continue to come in, and a mandate can be found in Steaming or online. Please ensure that I receive them in
2025 AGM Shrewsbury The 2025 AGM of the National Traction Engine Trust will be held on Saturday 15th November at 2.00pm at the Grocott Heritage Centre Brookdale, Station Road, Prees, Whitchurch, Shropshire SY13 2DW.
HOTEL Albrighton Hall and Spa, Ellesmere Rd, Albrighton, Shrewsbury SY4 3AG 01939 291000. Dinner will take place here at 7pm for 7.30pm on Saturday 15th November. The hotel has a free car park, and dinner takes place at the hotel. We have a special rate - please quote 2511agmkei. This special rate must be booked over the telephone and only applies to rooms booked more than 3 weeks in advance. £125.00 per night Bed and Breakfast - Double room. £117.00 per night Bed and Breakfast - Single room. 8
on the bus while the season is in mid swing. Keith has been planning for the AGM as you will read elsewhere, but as it is in my local area this year, I have volunteered to coordinate with the venue, including getting some steam exhibits there, so watch this space. And that in a nutshell is the report this quarter! I promised you short and sweet! As always, please don’t forget the standing message – we are your TSU, so please let us know if you need our help! We can be contacted on tsu@ntet.co.uk . Tony Seddon Head of TSU
good time as I must have 30 days for the system to process them before your first payment is due. Please also note I cannot back date them. Please note payments appear on your bank statement as “CHARITY DONATION”. Your membership number and renewal date do not change, please do not fall into the trap of rejoining rather than renewing. Your number is yours even if you have missed a year or so it’s still allotted to you. You can renew early, and your 12 months always starts from your renewal date. Having enjoyed a Summer of not needing the mower much, the rain is now falling and is the first significant and much needed in six weeks plus, so it will have to venture out of the shed before long I suspect. I look forward to welcoming you to our fair county of Shropshire in November for our AGM details elsewhere in this issue. Richard Semple
VISITS Saturday Grocott Heritage Centre Brookdale, Station Road, Prees, Whitchurch, Shropshire SY13 2DW Established in 2023, the Grocott Heritage Centre, showcases the 76-year history of the former storage and distribution company Grocontintental, which was owned by three generations of the Grocott family until 2017. If you wish to attend with an engine, please contact Tony Seddon . Next to the exhibition is a café, The Old Piggery at Brookdale. The centre and cafe will be open from 10am – car parking is limited, so do please try and lift share and park sensibly. The AGM itself will be held at the Grocott Heritage Centre. Sunday Features a very interesting visit to Morris Lubricants and the Sentinel Waggon Works in Shrewsbury by the kind invitation of the Goddard family. Please park in Morrison’s car park and meet at 10.00am at the works. Steaming • Autumn 25
NTET AGM DINNER – ALBRIGHTON HALL AND SPA SATURDAY 15TH NOVEMBER 2025 – 7PM FOR 7.30PM MENU CHOICES STARTER Roasted tomato & basil soup, served with rosemary focaccia croutons (VG) Or Chicken liver parfait with red onion jam and toasted brioche Or Prawn & crayfish cocktail with Marie rose sauce MAIN Roast loin of pork with crackling, caramelised apple and sage seasoning, seasonal vegetables and gravy Or Roasted salmon fillet with herb new potatoes and greens & cream sauce Or Garden pea and lemon risotto with rocket and mixed herb oil (VG) DESSERT Biscuit cheesecake with salted caramel ice cream (VG) Or Chocolate and raspberry tart with raspberry sorbet (GF) Or Stewed apple and berry crumble with vanilla custard Tea & Coffee served after the meal
Please email your choices to treasurer@ntet.co.uk or complete the online form
PAYMENT
Please return menu choices and payment of £40 per head no later than Sunday 26th October 2025. Payment ideally by BACS: Name: National Traction Engine Trust Account number: 97898473 Sort code: 56-00-60 Please put “AGM” and your surname as a reference Alternatively please post a cheque with the menu choices to: Amy Reynolds Virginia Cottage Upper Vobster Radstock BA3 5SA Autumn 25 • Steaming
9
OBITUARIES Paul Trickey 1955 – 2025
During Paul’s teenage years he discovered his passion and interest in agriculture. He spent much of his time helping his friend Dave Warr on the farm, learning to drive tractors, bale hay, and soaking up every bit of hands-on knowledge he could. He loved the outdoors, the physical work, and the satisfaction of a job well done. Paul bought his first tractor, a Fordson Standard, at 15, and a plot of land at 18. He left school as soon as he was able, thrilled to land an apprenticeship with Southwestern Farmers, the local
On duty at Stourpaine Bushes in 1972, Paul with his Massey.
Paul, Sandie and Stargazer at the Great Dorset Steam Fair.
Massey Ferguson dealership. He qualified as an Agricultural Engineer and later got his HGV licence — working for Keith Martin and HV Perry as both a lorry mechanic and driver. One of Paul’s lifelong passions was steam engines. He had been attending the Great Dorset Steam Fair since it began and at just 16, he was already driving tractors around the site to deliver water and coal to the engines. In 2012, he finally bought his own steam engine — a long-held dream come true, joining the Trust in the same year. The engine was 1903 Foster No. 2728 Stargazer a single cylinder general purpose engine. It had worked until 1946 for a threshing contractor, Thomas Reid, near Carlisle and had been restored by Dave Eves in 1992. It was named Stargazer, as it was always the last engine back to the yard at night. He and his wife Sandie travelled the country, exhibiting it, making friends and memories along the way. Paul would be behind the wheel of his Atkinson lorry, steam engine loaded, caravan bouncing along behind, navigating narrow country lanes thanks to Sandie’s “unique” map-reading skills! Paul had a talent for mechanics, building, and restoration spending hours in his workshop with his good friends tinkering with lorries, tractors and making memories. He will be greatly missed by all those who knew him and leaves behind Sandie and children, Rachel and David, and grandchildren Jack, Rose and Thomas. David Trickey 10
Steaming • Autumn 25
Barry Johnson 1934 – 2025
The road steam world lost a true friend with the passing of Barry Johnson on 1st May at the grand age of 90. Barry lived his whole life in the Leicestershire village of Kegworth with much of his working life spent at the local engineering firm, Slack and Parr. Stockcar racing was Barry’s early hobby both building and racing cars, and 347 was his number. Catching the steam bug Barry built a 4½-inch scale Wallis & Steevens roller which debuted in 1976, quickly followed by a 4 inch Willis Farmers engine. Later years saw two half-sized Sentinel steam lorries completed among other projects. At the Tom Paisley sale in 1980 Barry, along with his wife Mary, acquired their biggest project yet, a 1923 Wallis & Steevens 6 ton Advance roller No. 7784. It took 6 months to get the roller restored and running, and it still entertains the steam rally fields to this day. Nothing was a problem for Barry and when his son Mark’s 1928 Super Sentinel No. 7651 needed a front axle forging, both father and son set about this task. Barry was a long time NTET member and served the committee of the East Midlands Steam and Vintage Society for over 40 years. He really did enjoy the world of steam.
Barry leaves wife Mary, sons Ian and Mark, daughters-in-law Hayley and Hilary, and grandchildren Tommy, Jamie and Charlie. Rest in peace Barry Johnson a true man of steam. Peter Haywood NTET MEMEBER 8664
NTET DRIVER TRAINING SCHOLARSHIPS The NTET is awarding Scholarships to participate in the NTET Driver Training Course which is held in May each year. The Scholarship covers the course fees for one year, NOT incidental expenses such as travelling, accommodation and food. The scholarships are open to non-engine owners being members, who are members of the NTET. For more details of the Scholarship and Course, visit www.ntet.co.uk Applications including a cv and a statement of why you wish to attend the 3 year Driver Training Course should be submitted by 28th February to the General Secretary of the Trust: general.secretary@ntet.co.uk
Autumn 25 • Steaming
11
Direct Debit Mandate for Existing Members To preserve your copy of Steaming you may Copy/Scan and Print this form and then fill in all of the details and send by post to: NTET Membership Secretary, c/o Linden Lea, Lydham, Bishops Castle, Shropshire, SY9 5HB or, email to: membership@ntet.co.uk
Note: This form should only be used if you wish to Renew an existing NTET or SAC membership. If you do not wish to deface this in-magazine form visit ntet.co.uk/renewing for the PDF version If you wish to Join the NTET or SAC you may do so on-line at ntet.co.uk/joining Note: Banks and Building Societies may not accept Direct Debit instructions for some types of accounts. Name:
Member No:
Post Code:
Email Address: Phone No: I wish to renew my subscription to the NTET by Direct Debit in the category I have ticked below NTET Single £38.00
NTET Joint £57.00
SAC Single £15.00
SAC Joint £22.50
1 NTET + 1 SAC £53.00
1 NTET + 2 SAC £60.50
2 NTET + 1 SAC £72.00
2 NTET + 2 SAC £79.50
I wish to start the Direct Debit payments on 1st 20 which is the month of my current expiry date, and then renew annually on the anniversary of this date until I cancel this notice in writing. To the Manager
Bank or Building Society
Address Post Code Account holder(s) name(s): Sort Code:
Account Number: Service User Number: 6 9 1 2 1 3
Signature(s):
Date:
Charities Aid Foundation, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent ME19 4TA Instruction to your Bank or Building Society Please pay the National Traction Engine Trust from the account detailed in this instruction subject to the safeguards assured by the Direct Debit Guarantee. I understand that this instruction with remain with the Charities Aid Foundation or the National Traction Engine Trust and, if so, details will be passed electronically to my Bank/Building Society. I am a UK taxpayer and would like this and all future subscriptions I pay to the NTET to be Gift Aid Donations. To add 25% to the donation at no extra cost to the donor Rev 1.1 09/23
I will contact the NTET if I wish to cancel this declaration, change my name or my home address or if I no longer pay sufficient tax on my income and/or capital gains.
Please tick Agree or Disagree Agree Disagree
National Traction Engine Trust is a Registered Charity No. 291578 – Registered in England No 1302197 Registered Office: 4 Church Green East, Redditch, Worcestershire. B98 8BT
12 Winter 2023/24 • Steaming
Steaming • Autumn 25 15
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2025 photographic competition ▲
In this issue we recognize the 2nd place photographs in each category.
People - Anna Noble Loading the baler - A threshing scene.
Portraits - Mark Darlington Engines posed in front of the hills at Castleton, Derbyshire.
▲ ▲ Steam on the Road - John Flynn Burrell general purpose engine No. 3164 Dauntless.
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▲
Working - Anna Noble Threshing and baling with Wallis & Steevens general purpose engine No. 7090 Vectis and Garrett general purpose engine No. 28758 The Earl of Eldon.
. Autumn 25 • Steaming
15
Steamers take honours at Transport Trust awards
T
Jeremy Craske.
Fowler roller with rotary brush.
Zach Fields-Pattinson.
16
he National Transport Trust 2025 awards were presented at McAlpine’s Fawley Hill museum on 9th September, with several awards being made for road steam amongst the eclectic range of transportation restoration honours, writes Colin Tyson. Awards were made by Judy, Lady McAlpine, president of the National Transport Trust and TV presenter and motor specialist Edd China of TV’s Wheeler Dealers fame. Jeremy Craske of Thirsk, North Yorks, received an award for the restoration of his 1921 Fowler roller. Originally the roller featured a tar sprayer and a large rotary sweeping brush – which may well have been the prototype for Fowler’s ‘Improved Tar Spraying Apparatus’. Rescued from a quarry in Leyburn in scrap condition it now regularly attends rallies for road making demonstrations with the usual ‘set dressing’ that goes with it and whilst the tar sprayer was replaced after a 30-year search, the current focus is to recreate the rotary brush – a component believed to survive on no other roller. Jeremy hopes to finish that project by 2027 or 2028, boosted by this award. Next up is Zach Fields-Pattinson of Bramhall, Staffs, for the remarkable restoration of 1919 Fowler BB1 ploughing engine Victory. Zach began restoration at just 23 years old, with no formal engineering training, working primarily alone and on a limited income. He committed himself to learning skills such as metal fabrication, machining, riveting, boiler work, etc. Victory features a longer than normal winch drum, used for draining land and he has remained faithful to the original design. He impressed judges with his celebration of craftsmanship of what young people can accomplish in heritage restoration. Young Preservationist of the Year went to Jonathan Clark, who has been involved with road steam since a very young age. He was five years old when Steaming • Autumn 25
the family’s Tasker tractor No. 1833 was shown at a Fawley Hill rally in 2014, returning in 2023 and 2024 with 1929 Sentinel DG4 Waggon No. 8122. He managed to arrange for his schoolwork experience to be carried out at Hollycombe – a well organised and enthusiastic Young Preservationist. Finally, one of the two Lifetime Achievement Awards was given to David McNamee, a name familiar to many as the man behind Slaidburn Steam Rally in Lancashire. It was 45 years ago when David was asked to take his roller to the village pub ‘Hark to Bounty’ as part of a May Queen Festival. It attracted much interest and the following year there were three steamers and Slaidburn Steam has been going ever since. Funds raised have benefited the primary school, parish church, Young Farmers, Silver band, Bowling Club, Air Ambulance. British Heart Foundation and Cancer Research. To have started the event nearly half a century ago and remain in touch with it is remarkable, more so because David is a master mariner – who don’t get a lot of time at home, and he keeps his hand in by skippering the steamer Daniel Adamson along the River Weaver.
Fowler BB1 Victory.
David McNamee.
Jonathan Clark.
Autumn 25 • Steaming
David’s Aveling roller that started the Slaidburn rallies.
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A Traction Engine Trailer by John Flynn
Kaizen – Continuous Improvement
W
orking in the automotive industry I was trained in Lean Manufacturing, and I have used the Kaizen, (Japanese for continuous improvement) approach through my career and hobbies, which is how I approached my trailer. I needed a large 4-wheel trailer for water, coal, passengers, and tools to go behind my Burrell single crank compound No. 3164 Dauntless. I found a Rubery Owen with rotten sides and bed, but a good chassis. The first task was to remove the rotten material, surplus pipework, and brackets and add box section uprights to support wooden sides. The trailer was then blasted and painted before adding a new buffalo board bed with stainless fixings. We drove Dauntless 80 miles home from
Badminton, with the trailer loaded up. We could have passed for Steptoe and Son. It was time for a rethink as the trailer layout was inconvenient on the road and looked a mess. I began with a fabricated water tank, the width of the trailer and half its length, which gave the same capacity as an IBC. The tank has internal baffles, two access panels, vent pipes and a filling pipe. This extends under the deck to the front with a hose adaptor, so it can connect directly to a firehose to fill the tank. We added a second pipe and a 12v pump, to pump water out of the tank directly into the engine’s tender. In the tank I incorporated two storage areas. The rear laid out to hold the water gear, (hose, hydrant standpipe), the one on the righthand side for storage. I
added a third pipe for a hand washing tap at the side of the trailer. To the chassis I added hooks for the firing irons, tin bath for baling out the fire. and a couple of chocks. The A-frame at the front had aluminium tread plate added to form a deck and a set of steps each side for easy access. I added a heavy-duty jockey wheel, so the A-frame is safe to stand on when not connected to the engine. I changed the towing eye for a NATO override brake unit to help going downhill with a heavy load. I wanted comfortable, fixed seats, so designed a u-shaped set, the back seat sits on the water tank. The side seats on two further storage areas. The right-hand side is accessed by lifting the seat, and the left-hand side by lowering the hinged side
John Flynn’s Burrell single crank compound No. 3164 Dauntless hauls his trailer on one of their many road runs.
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Steaming • Autumn 25
panel. The left compartment for storing oil/grease and a tool chest. The right-hand for a fridge, electrics, and storage. Inbetween the storage boxes, I fitted rubber matting to protect the deck and to ensure it was not slippery when wet. All wooden sides are oak, hinged using the original pins and new hinges I made. The electrics are 12v powered from a leisure battery, charged from a solar panel on the roof support bar. The electrics power the lights, warning beacon, 2 phone charging sockets, the fridge and a 12v deck washing pump for filling the engine tender. All controlled from a marine switch panel under the seat. The trailer is covered by a bespoke canvas cover. The front, rear and side panels can be rolled up individually so passengers can be protected from the weather or have it open. The cover is supported on a tubular steel frame, welded to the steel uprights. The top of the tank provides coal storage. This area has a steel cage around it with wooden slats over the top of the tank. The sides of the cage drop down to load. On the back of the cage, I added two hoops to hold a ladder for access, and a post for the flashing light, running off the leisure battery. Having done over 1000 miles on the road, I am pleased with the result. The trailer makes roading a pleasure. Kaizen continues as we use the trailer, there are always small improvements to be made. TOP: The Rubery Owen trailer as it was before the work commenced. ABOVE RIGHT: Despite the rotten sides and bed, the chassis was in good order.
ABOVE: The trailer with new box sections and new buffalo board bed with stainless fixings. RIGHT: In its final stages back at John’s home the trailer is almost finished.
Autumn 25 • Steaming
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Book review
The Alan Thomas Collection Volume 3 – Steam on the Road
This is the third volume of photographs taken by Alan Thomas, who was well known throughout Cornwall and beyond for his phenomenal knowledge of road steam. He travelled extensively throughout the country in the search of engines new to his camera. In this publication engines featured are out and about on the road. The images highlight virtually the full thirty years during which Alan took his photographs. There are a number from his home territory, including some from the West of England Steam Engine Society’s own legendary anniversary road runs and others from regular visits to events, particularly the Historic Commercial Vehicle Society’s annual London to Brighton run. It must be said that Alan certainly enjoyed a celebratory event, with a number of events in the East Anglia area being featured in this volume. He also maintained detailed notes in respect of engine ownership history, always seeking to keep these up to date. These have therefore been used as a basis for the captions within this publication, with detailed notes of dates, locations, the event in question and in many cases engine ownership details. Once again, the publication is dedicated to the memory of the many good friends Alan made throughout the country as a result of his travels, many of whom are also sadly no longer with us. Also, to those that have in the past and those that continue to undertake, considerable journeys with their engines on the road. Available from the NTET shop or direct from the West of England Steam Engine Society, this volume is a fine accompaniment to the previous volumes.
Engine Owners, Drivers and Crew Meeting will be held in
Late February 2026 Look out for more information in January Steaming and on the Website For more information, please contact Bob Siddall, Tel 01636 821991 or engines@ntet.co.uk 20
Steaming • Autumn 25
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A celebration of Lambert engines
M
any readers will be familiar with the Chris Lambert story, so little introduction is needed to this former steam contractor and early steam preservationist once based in Horsmonden, Kent. Between him and his father William, they used or owned over 200 engines and held a number of renowned steam parties at their yard in the very early days of road steam preservation. Following Chris’ passing in 1955, 26 traction engines and a whole assortment of machinery went under the hammer of Lambert & Symes at the yard. Don Eastwood took on much of Chris’ business following the auction and other engines owned by Don and Malcolm Rostron took residence at the yard before
By Jim Gerrard
and after Chris’ passing. 53 former Chris Lambert engines have survived, and 14 engines formerly owned by Don Eastwood or Malcom Rostron, and so it was decided to commemorate 70 years since the 1955 auction. Vast amounts of research and organisation was conducted by the Horsmonden History Research Group, in particular John Freeman, to reunite as many Lambert, Eastwood and Rostron engines as possible at the 2025 Weald of Kent Steam and Country Show held over 2nd – 3rd August. Nearer the time, a separate gathering was also organised for Friday 1st August for former Lambert engines in Horsmonden itself. For the Horsmonden gathering, five former Lambert engines returned to the village that they once called home at some point in their lives. These were Andrew Goakes 1900 Aveling & Porter LC6 road locomotive No. 4561 Jimmy, Jim Blenkinsop’s 1920 Garrett 4CD steam
tractor No. 33981, Jamie Croft’s 1920 Foden 8nhp compound traction engine No. 9052 Rob Roy, Ian and Samuel Bygrave’s 1925 Wallis & Steevens steam tractor No. 7740 Sam and Chris Gerrard’s 1926 Aveling & Porter L-type steam tractor No. 11423 Smokey. Two non-Lambert related engines also took part; Chris and Laura Lawson’s 1910 Marshall No. 55924, which shared transport with Smokey to the Weald of Kent rally, and Brian Hope’s 1904 Aveling & Porter R12 road roller No. 5467. Engines posed for photographs around the area of the village which was once Chris Lambert’s yard. Sadly, not much survives of the yard but the distinct oast houses do fortunately still stand and were the backdrop to a number of photos. Horsmonden railway station and yard was located across from Lambert’s yard, and photographs were taken there since the station building remains. After the photos had been taken, all the engines headed
Jamie Croft’s Foden Rob Roy parked by the village green in Horsmonden. Photo: Paul Fisher.
Andrew Goakes’ Aveling & Porter Jimmy leaves the site of the former Horsmonden railway station yard, the building of which is now a garage. Photo: Paul Fisher.
Chris Gerrard’s Aveling & Porter tractor Smokey posed by Lambert’s Place in Horsmonden with the oast houses behind. Photo: Paul Fisher. TOP: The line up of all the engines that attended the Grand Reunion of Lambert, Eastwood and Rostron engines at the Weald of Kent Rally, minus Aveling No. 6298.
Former Malcom Rostron engine Burrell Gold Medal No. 4072 Tinkerbell and former Lambert engine Aveling & Porter XAC4 No. 6298 Little Lucy at the Weald of Kent Rally.
Former Chris Lambert engines at the Grand Reunion at the 2025 Weald of Kent Rally: -1900 Aveling & Porter LC6 road locomotive No. 4561 Jimmy - Andrew Goakes -1907 Aveling & Porter XAC4 steam tractor No. 6298 Little Lucy – John Rackham -1914 Clayton & Shuttleworth 7nhp traction engine No. 46823 Dusty – Daniel Wood -1915 Aveling & Porter 5nhp traction engine No. 8653 Jon-Ann – Ben Headon -1920 Garrett 4CD steam tractor No. 33981 - Jim Blenkinsop -1920 Foden 8nhp compound traction engine No. 9052 Rob Roy - Jamie Croft -1920 Marshall 6nhp Q class traction engine No. 73040 – Michael Oldham -1920 Fowler T3 steam tractor No. 15629 - Saunders Collection -1923 Fowler D5 12-ton road roller No. 15902 Jessica - Darren Whardell -1924 Garrett 4CD steam tractor No. 34461 Victoria – Steve White -1925 Wallis & Steevens steam tractor No. 7740 Sam – Ian and Samuel Bygrave -1926 Aveling & Porter L-type steam tractor No. 11423 Smokey - Chris Gerrard -1930 Sentinel Super waggon No. 8393 HMS Sultan – HMS Sultan Former Malcolm Rostron engines at the Grand Reunion: -1927 Burrell Gold Medal steam tractor No. 4072 Tinkerbell - David and Andrew Walker
The mock auction in progress!
to the Gun & Spitroast pub, apparently a regular haunt for many engines and their crews during the steam parties at Lambert’s yard. The engines, minus Aveling No. 5467, were then loaded back up and headed to the Weald of Kent rally. 13 former Lambert engines and one former Rostron engine were reunited at the rally and were parked up together. A small marquee displayed photographs courtesy of the Road Locomotive Society and the history group of the Lambert engines, the yard, the steam parties and the 1955 auction. There were also copies of the original auction catalogue to view with the results penciled in. Chris Cooper of the research group also brought along his very detailed N-gauge scale model diorama of Chris Lambert’s yard which showed the lower and upper yards, Chris
Proudly displaying its ‘C.W. Lambert’ plate on its running board toolbox, Marshall 6nhp Q-class traction engine No. 73040 takes a trundle round the arena at the Weald of Kent rally. RIGHT: The superb N-gauge scale model depicting Chris Lambert’s yard in its heyday.
LEFT: Original copies of the 1955 auction catalogue.
Lambert’s house as well as the former railway station and station yard. On the Sunday of the event, Alan Mummery, director of Lambert & Foster auctioneers, formerly Lambert & Symes who originally conducted the 1955 Lambert sale, held a ‘mock auction’ of the
four engines at the reunion which were sold in the famous sale. These engines were Aveling Jimmy which made £85 in 1955, Foden Rob Roy which made £90, the Saunders Collection’s 1920 Fowler T3 steam tractor No. 15629 that achieved £105 and Steve White’s 1924 Garrett 4CD steam tractor No. 34461 that made £155. The latter was in roller specification at the time of the sale. There is no doubt that the reunion was enjoyed by all that were involved, and it was great to see a number of engines which had travelled some considerable distance to take part. Thanks must also got to John Freeman and friends of the research group and Weald of Kent Rally organiser Bill Giles for all their hard work in making the reunion possible.
APPLEFORD 75
Ben Brown reports on one of the yearʼs most significant weekends – 21st – 22nd June, the 75th anniversary Appleford traction engine rally.
B
ack in June, for the first time in over 50 years, an Appleford rally was held, and what a great event it was. Steam enthusiasts and exhibitors from all over the country joined to celebrate 75 years of our great hobby.
This show was different from your regular 2020’s rally. It wasn’t about footfall or number of exhibits or money taken… It was entirely centred around having fun with engines. If 1952 is to be considered the first
actual Appleford “Rally” then this event could be considered the 23rd Appleford Rally (including the 21st NTEC event and the 50th celebration day in 2000). Thankfully the weather was dry for the weekend, although it was during one of the several heatwaves we have experienced this Summer. A wonderful selection of engines were booked to attend with the desire that the
Marshall Old Timer and Fowler Tommy pose together outside the old engine shed at Meadow House. The first time they had both been there since the mid 1980s. Ben Brown, Linda Payne, and Jeffrey Shackell stand with the engines.
Engines lined up at Bridge Farm, adjacent to the original race field. Marshall Princess Mary on the right was housed at Bridge Farm for a number of years when in the ownership of Hamish Orr-Ewing
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Steaming • Autumn 25
The Wilder and Margaret pose in the long grass at Bridge Farm where the engines resided in the 1960s.
engine attended at least one Appleford Rally or the NTEC 21st Anniversary road run in 1975. Of all the programme entries, only two engines could not attend. In addition to the engines a selected number of tractors and commercials added to the exhibit list. Reg Dore, Jeff Shackell, and Brian Gooding had done an excellent job of putting together a retro-style programme. Burrell No. 3489, which for the last year had been reverted to the ex Hickey’s road locomotive City of London was set to make a surprise return to Appleford as King George VI, having been the first showman’s engine to attend a rally in 1952. This could
no longer be kept a surprise when the engine made its appearance at the Hortons Pinkneys Green Steam Fair in May. On the Friday of the event, it was arranged to take some of the original Appleford engines to Bridge Farm where the first races and early rallies were held to have a photo shoot. The following engines were chosen based on their association with Bridge Farm and the initial gatherings at Appleford: Marshall No. 37690 Old Timer Wallis & Steevens No. 7683 Eileen Burrell No. 3489 King George VI Wilder No. 1281 William Fowler No. 15710 Tommy
Fowler No. 1368 Margaret Marshall No. 73901 Princess Mary Engines posed at Bridge Farm and Old Timer and Tommy also gathered at Meadow House on the other side of the Railway Arthur’s residence from the late 60’s. The last time these engines were together here was circa 1985 before Arthur sold Tommy to Simon Cauldwell in Devon. On the Thursday before the show, James Hodgeson planned to road the unique Wilder ploughing engine from Blewbury, where it had been ploughing at an event a few weeks earlier to Appleford. The Wilder made a fine sight trundling
Old Timer and Eileen recreate the 1951 race albeit at a slower pace!
Autumn 25 • Steaming
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Showman’s engines racing, with Burrell No. 3489 King George VI storming to the lead. This engine has recently returned to showman’s form.
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Steam tractor racing.
down some of the roads it would likely have done during its short working life. The Fowler family from Tadley roaded their Burrell tractor and Sentinel to the show and many of the engines still relatively local to Appleford all arrived under their own steam. The Mitchell family and crew roaded Burrell No. 3057 Lord Roberts up from Sussex over two days. Lord Roberts didn’t
attend an Appleford Rally but was present at the 1975 road run in the care of the late Jim Sarney. Another engine to attend from the 1975 road run was Len Crane’s Fowler No. 17212 Wolverhampton Wanderer, now in the care of Tom Sanders. Geoff Westlake brought Fowler No. 9698 Farmers Friend all the way from Cornwall to attend - not a cheap exercise
these days, but perhaps somewhat easier for the engine this time, as in 1975 it was driven to Appleford from Devon and back again. It is worth noting the considerable expenses the exhibitors made to attend Appleford from far and wide - too many to mention all here. Linda Payne, daughter of Arthur Napper opened the event on the Saturday at 12noon, giving a speech and being
presented with a bunch of flowers. This was followed by a mock race between Old Timer and Eileen. The race was somewhat more spirited than the mock race in 2000, with Old Timer only just beating Eileen this time! Throughout both days there was continuous action in the arena coordinated by Reg Dore and his men in white coats. This provided great
entertainment for the public. Engine crews were coaxed and persuaded to take part in the ring events by the charismatic Paul Kemp. The ring events included sessions for the Steam Apprentice Club and for public invitation steering which were heavily oversubscribed. Further racing between different classes of engines took place, with plenty of smoke and chimney music
to entertain without pushing the engines too hard. Also some of the traditional games were played that seem to be missing from many rallies these days. With the sound of engines ticking over (you could even hear the ratchet click
The Howard brothers Fowler showman’s engine No. 15653 Renown generating at the beer tent on Saturday night. Renown attended the later Appleford rallies in the ownership of the Hawthorne family, and was making a welcome return to the area.
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Steaming • Autumn 25
The line up of the seven Fowler agricultural engines that attended the reunion.
of mechanical lubricators), the slightly distorted sounds from the vintage PA and White’s Mammoth Gavioli entertaining us in the background, the atmosphere was great with a real feel of the Rallies of old. Voice recordings of past Appleford enginemen was to be played through the PA on the Saturday morning. Excellent commentary was provided by the NTET President Andrew Semple. In the heritage tent, the Road Roller Association, Steam Plough Club, and the National Traction Engine Trust had gone to great efforts to put stands together
with lots of information. Jeff Shackell produced portrait pictures of 100’s of past steam people and characters no longer with us, and some great pictures from past Appleford events. These generated huge interest and memories of all the characters of rallies of past. Both Friday and Saturday nights, engines took a trip from the field to the next village, Sutton Courtenay where there are three pubs to choose from. On the Friday night it was delightful to see James Hodgeson’s BB1 coming through on its way to the rally field complete with
Fowler ploughman’s living van. On return from the road run, engines gathered at the beer tent, with the showman’s engines generating light and everyone having refreshment and generally enjoying themselves A special thanks goes to Clive and Alison Hartwright for the use of their land for the show. Clive was a personal friend of Arthur Napper and often crewed for Arthur on his Fowler Tommy.
Supporting Engines Despite the focus being on engines that
A step back in time to the early rally atmosphere.
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The trio of ploughing engines at Appleford.
attended the Appleford rallies from 1950 to 1971 a few additional engines attended. A selection of miniature engines attended - these being few and far between back in the days of Appleford rallies. Fred Cooper attended with his Aveling & Porter roller No. 8489, which was demonstrating the fact it would still have a number of years of commercial
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use when the early Appleford rallies took place. Being the landowners it was only fair to let Clive and Alison Hartwright attend with their Garrett showman’s tractor and Richard Hornsby traction engine. I think everyone agrees Appleford 75 was a great event and it was a credit to all involved for putting on. Exhibitors put in
so much hard work to maintain and show their engines, and it was appreciated to have an event that was putting the exhibitors first, as well as entertaining the public. I hear you say Appleford 80? Well, who knows... All photographs by David Warren unless otherwise stated. Background image copyright Kieran Hardy.
Steaming • Autumn 25
ABOVE: Tommy, Old Timer and Eileen pose at Bridge Farm in front of the original race field.
ABOVE: Period dress was encouraged for exhibitors and the general public with prizes given for the best dressed. Here we have Sunday’s winners: 1st place - Joseph Mitchell (pictured right), 2nd place - Richard, Alice and Thomas Phillips (pictured left), 3rd place – TJ Leverett (pictured centre).
LEFT: Engine crews pose at Bridge Farm, Appleford. Photo Kieran Hardy RIGHT: Linda Payne, daughter of Arthur Napper, with Ben Brown and his son George, stand in front of Old Timer.
Autumn 25 • Steaming
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STEAMING AROUND CONTRIBUTORS David Foster, Steve Cooke, Jim Gerrard, Louise Hall, Richard Hemington, Tom Hodgkinson, Chris Kirton, Kevin Lean, Bob Moorman, Simon Nuttall, Tim Osborne, Phil Steer, Barry Thirlwall, Stephen Ward, David Warren, Peter Wells. NOTE: The information within this section is only as accurate as we are provided with. Any discrepancies are purely incidental, and we will try to ensure accuracy where possible.
Foden No. 13266 at the Cheshire Steam Fair.
Coupled to its living van is Foster No. 3710.
CHESHIRE The Cheshire Steam Fair took place over the 12th - 13th July with a notable attendee being the ex-John Heselwood Aveling & Porter GND tractor No. 9081 Joanne, although not in steam it was towed by Aveling & Porter tractor conversion No. 14068.
Piers Limmer’s Aveling & Porter No. 8116 Dolly Gray en route to Cornish Traction Preservation Club rally.
CORNWALL The Cornish Traction Preservation Club continues to go from strength to strength, with their rally again as good as, if not 32
Contributions are welcomed – steaming@ntet.co.uk
Jack Thwaites displayed Burrell Gold Medal tractor No. 3689 Sunrise and Fowler T3 No. 14406 Pandora. Others present included Foster 7nhp No. 3710 Phoenix, Foden No. 13266, 7nhp Foden No. 2654 King George V, Fowler A5 showman’s No. 11108 Dreadnought and Wallis & Steevens 8nhp No. 7269 Panther.
Burrell No. 3919 Susie.
better than it ever has been. Weather conditions weren’t entirely in their favour but certainly the sort of conditions you’d have settled for, if given the chance at any time prior to the event taking place.
A couple of steam rollers appearing at the event for the first time were Sam Henwood’s Burrell roller No. 3985 Wee Roller, with its striking Hosack scarifier and Peter Brooks and family’s Aveling & Porter ➜ Steaming • Autumn 25
➜ 10-ton E-type steam roller No. 10385 John Bull. Other Aveling & Porter steam rollers were Tom Morcomb’s AC class 8-ton No. 12502 Demelza, the Killen family’s No. 10824 Smokey, Piers Limmer’s No. 8116 Dolly Gray and Alan ‘Pasty’ Caple’s No. 10594 Hercules. Making a welcome return to the rally scene was Mort Betty’s Wallis & Steevens Advance steam roller No. 8095 Amy, whilst visiting for a second time from Bristol, was Rob Jenkins with his fine Fowler D2 class steam roller No. 14342 Katie, another Fowler being the Ellis family’s steam roller No. 18873 Truro City. Another first-time visitor, based in the county for the Summer, was Foden road locomotive No. 4752 Sandy MacNab which is in the custody of Dave Wothers. Two showman’s versions of the road locomotive were Terry & Sandra Sleeman’s replica of B6 Fowler showman’s road locomotive No. 19989 Onward and the Barker family’s lovely old Burrell No. 2651 Challenger. Making a return to the event, and its first time back on a Cornish rally field for a great many years, was the Aveling & Porter showman’s style tractor No. 8432 Mendip Star now owned by Mike James. Likewise, having spent its working life as a steam roller, Garrett No. 34706 Lady Sylvia is also now in showman’s form and owned by the Williams family of Padstow. Another Garrett at the event was Colin Savage’s 4CD steam tractor No. 35225 Lesley, whilst an additional steam tractor was David Boyling’s Fowler T3 No. 14798 Firefly. General purpose traction engines were represented by eight different manufacturers. Two convertible Aveling
& Porters were regular attender Dave Knott’s No. 9096 Jubilee and also down in Cornwall for a Summer vacation, Doug Hynd’s earlier 1899 example, No. 4255 Queen Victoria. Burrells comprised No. 3919 Susie, No. 2909 Cornishman and No. 3763 The Model owned by Matt Young from Lamerton, just over the border into Devon. Rob Jenkins also had his Clayton & Shuttleworth traction engine No. 39400 Clive on show, whilst another Clayton & Shuttleworth was club Chairman Phil Simmonds and family’s No. 48656 Sonsie Quine. Other general purpose engines were Fowler No. 9698 Farmer’s Friend, McLaren No. 1534 Cracker, Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies No. 38088 Enterprise and another first-time visitor, James Locke’s Wallis & Steevens traction engine No. 7103 Warspite. Two further Marshalls, were single cylinder No. 34022 Little Audrey owned by the James family and Marshall convertible No. 68955, which was supplied to Devon County Council with both rolls and wheels, working mainly as a roller, but now in 4-wheel form. Fowler BB1 No. 15163 was the sole ploughing engine in attendance, with Foden No. 10530 Pride of the West being the only steam wagon. There were two portable engines on show, Raymond ‘Scooby’ Hoskin’s Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies portable engine No. 26915 and Frank Hambly’s Ruston & Hornsby No. 52591 Harvest Queen. This year’s Royal Cornwall Show at Wadebridge saw something of a changing of the guard, with Rex Curtis relinquishing some of the responsibilities of the organisation of the fairground area of
Peter Brooks’s Aveling & Porter 10-ton E-type steam roller No. 10385 John Bull heading to Royal Cornwall following Cornish Traction Preservation Club rally.
Autumn 25 • Steaming
the event, something he has remarkably organised for over sixty years. A trio of showman’s road locomotives ‘fronted’ the display. Terry & Sandra Sleeman’s replica Fowler Super Lion No. 19989 Onward, being joined by Dave Goodwin’s Burrell No. 3159 The Gladiator, back on the scene after a short absence for some remedial works and ongoing ‘freshening’ of the paintwork by masteress of the trade, his daughter Amy. Chris Vincent brought along his 8nhp Burrell showman’s road locomotive No. 2804 The White Rose and also his smart Burrell steam tractor No. 4071 Empress of Britain. Other Burrells were two general purpose engines, No. 3919 Susie and Gordon Bruce’s No. 4014 Pride of Devon, as usual busy in the working section. Also at the event for the first time was Sam Henwood’s steam roller No. 3985 Wee Roller. Aveling & Porter was also well represented, with Peter Brooks’s 10-ton E-type steam roller No. 10385 John Bull a first-time visitor. Tom Morcomb’s 8-ton steam roller No. 12502 Demelza was present for a second consecutive year, whilst also on show were Mike James’s Aveling & Porter showman’s style tractor No. 8432 Mendip Star and Doug Hynd’s convertible traction engine No. 4255 Queen Victoria. Like Queen Victoria, Foden road locomotive No. 4752 Sandy MacNab was calling into the event as part of its Summer tour of Cornwall. Also present were the Sleeman family’s Foden colonial engine No. 1308 Earl of Dudley and the Simmons’s Clayton & Shuttleworth general purpose engine No. 48656 Sonsie Quine.
Foden road locomotive No. 4752 Sandy MacNab pictured at Royal Cornwall Show.
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CUMBRIA Situated on the northernmost edge of Morecambe Bay, the Cumbria Steam Gathering has often been subject to less than favourable weather conditions, however this year the sun shone throughout the weekend and record crowds attended over the two days of the rally. An interesting and varied selection of steam vehicles was on display, three, almost identical showman’s type engines headed the line up, all Fowler conversions; No. 16971 from Jonty and Val Hutchinson was joined by Alex Steele`s Fowler No. 17506 and Brian Spencer`s No. 16439 Delilah. The trio certainly made a fine sight generating light at the bar area on Saturday night. It took Kevin Crook two days to travel up from Blackburn with his Aveling & Porter tractor No. 6021 with matching Aveling & Porter trailer and living van in tow. Having had new gearing and other major work carried out recently this engine
with its unique railway locomotive style spectacle plate looked and sounded superb. Another engine roaded in, a regular visitor from just down the road at Alex Sharphouse`s works at Bouth, was the Fowler road locomotive No. 12899 owned by Stuart and Chris Harrison, taking time off from their engine driving experiences to attend the rally. It is not often that ploughing engines feature, so it was nice to see Ian Taylor`s Fowler No. 11637 at Flookburgh. Another rarity and now resident in the south of the county was the Fowell agricultural engine No. 108 recently acquired by Chris Alderson. It would be fair to say that an engine from this maker is unlikely to ever have travelled this far north before. Steam rollers were well represented; David Lomas brought his Aveling & Porter No. 10753, a welcome return was the Wallis & Steevens Advance No. 7851, now in WD livery, from Alan Atkinson, the Aveling & Porter
No. 11200, owned by Jon Turner, subject to an ongoing restoration programme, and the 12-ton Marshall No. 73893 owned by Brian Spencer. Both of the steam wagons in attendance had interesting histories. The Sentinel, No. 5676 now owned by Alex Sharphouse languished for many years in a ravine where it had worked at the Greenside lead mine near Ullswater before being rescued and rebuilt by Richard Straughan. David Conway brought along the 7-ton Fowler wagon No. 19708 rescued and rebuilt from scrap condition many years ago by the late Tom Varley. A couple of steam tractors were in attendance, the Fowler No. 21222 from Derek and Vivien Hubbuck was joined by the Burrell No. 3808 owned by Anthony Cowell. A number of miniatures completed the line up most notable in this class were the superb 6-inch scale Wallis & Steevens Simplicity from James Stanley and the 4-inch Foster crane engine from Ray Blacklee.
Robey No. 29333 Wally working Matt Coombe’s rack saw bench.
Fowler No. 11799 in the ring at Road to Rails.
DORSET
The Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show took place over 13th – 14th August and despite being rather depleted compared to “normal” years due to the pull of the 70th West of England rally the four engines staying local were well received. Many of the thousands of visitors over the two-day show visited the steam area, where four full sized engines were on display as well as some vintage agricultural machines and stationary engines. The daily parade around the main arena was a little slow on day one so for the second day things were speeded up a little with some charging about and a bit of fun was had by the crews whilst entertaining the crowds. Richard Pocock did an excellent job of commentating and when advised of a lengthy extension of time invited the public into the arena which was a hugely successful idea. All engines roaded to the show successfully on a new type of ovoid which were found to work well, creating no smoke or smog. The local steam community were saddened to hear of the passing of David Froud Snr, who had fought a long battle with cancer. David was well known in the local steam scene, and was custodian of a 4-inch Burrell that led his funeral cortege on his ➜ final journey.
The Swanage Railway Roads to Rail rally was held alongside the railway at Norden from 27th – 29th June 2025 with over 30 full sized engines in attendance. The show comprised a good selection of mostly local engines. It is always a pleasant rally with the added interest of trains working on the adjacent Swanage Railway. The engine attendance has slowly increased at this rally, and this year’s was the highest to date. 1921 Aveling & Porter roller No. 10028, in an unusual maroon livery, was a newcomer as was the Fowler tractor No. 11799. The latter engine has not been seen in steam in Dorset for many years but attended the second Great Working of Steam Engines at Stourpaine Bushes back in 1970. At that time, it was in showman’s form and owned by the late Bill Druce of West Sussex. It attended this year thanks to Leslie Searle and his team who also roaded their Burrell Gold Medal No. 3245 End-2-End, which was enroute to Cornwall. There were two saw bench displays and activity all day long in the main ring to entertain the visitors. 34
Steaming • Autumn 25
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Burrell No. 3245 End-2-End breaking its journey to Cornwall in Dorset.
1924 Garrett 4CD No. 34461 Victoria in the main arena at the Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show.
GLOUCESTERSHIRE The 3rd Fairford Steam, Classic & Retro Show was a great success in Gloucestershire on the 16th - 17th August. 35 full size engines were on display including Burrell showman’s engines No. 2668 Brittania, No. 3651 Earl Kitchener and John Wharton’s No. 3489 King George VI now back with its showman’s fittings. Showman’s tractors were represented by Garrett No. 33091 Margaret, Tasker No. 1822 Little Jim II and showman’s style Garrett No. 33545 Henry. There were six non-showman’s fitted steam tractors, Burrell Gold Medal No. 3458 Defiance, Garrett No. 33353 The Chough, Fowler T3 No. 15293 Onward and three Aveling & Porters, No. 7271 Marjorie, No. 9279 Whippet and in an undercover display the part restored No. 8328, which was recovered from Loch Ness. It then spent a further 25 years in storage before rebuilding commenced! A good amount has been achieved but still has some way to go yet. Among the eight rollers present were five Aveling & Porters including No. 5424 which was one of several derelict engines which were stored at Fairford gravel pits by Edwards of Swindon until it was bought by Reg Edny in 1973, and it attended the original Fairford rally and returned in 2023. Others included Wallis & Steevens Advance No. 8005, Aveling-Barford Patricia and a very original looking Marshall No. 83168 Marmaduke. The only steam wagon was the very nicely presented Foden No.11962 in the livery of former owner W. J. King. There was a splendid, varied selection of no less than ten traction engines of different sizes. It was good for the author to be reacquainted with Foster No.14418 which his late Uncle Ran Hawthorne thrashed with as a young man in Yorkshire when it was still being used commercially by Dick Preston (Senior). It was for many years owned by Mike Cherry but is now with Gary Reynolds. It was also good to see Clayton & Shuttleworth No. 46832 Dusty looking very smart having had a recent repaint and baring the name of its former owners in Kent as it was when with Chris Lambert. Marshall No.74614 Scrumpy which also once belonged to W. J. King was put to good use on the saw bench. The Friday night is a real highlight with the road into the old rally site passing the Bull Hotel a mere few hundred yards from the rally, and so many roading engines stopped outside. The new site is a mile or so away, so the organisers and the Town Council had arranged for the square to be shut to traffic, and 17 full size engines gathered on a beautiful Summer’s evening with a fairground organ, plenty of miniatures and other exhibits. It really is the perfect road run, a nice pub, good fish and chip shop and a road closed to traffic. A lovely evening of steam and chat with friends. Autumn 25 • Steaming
1915 Burrell showman’s No. 3651 Earl Kitchener dwarfs over Tim Osborne’s 4inch Burrell The Badger.
Foster No.14418 and Burrell No. 3665 line up together for the parade.
Marshall No. 74614 Scrumpy which also once belonged to W. J. King was working the saw bench.
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1920 Foster 7nhp No. 14418 Viscountess Rhondda at the Netley Marsh Steam & Craft Show.
HAMPSHIRE There were many newcomers to the Netley Marsh Steam & Craft Show held near Southampton over 25th -27th July. One of these was Gary Reynolds’s 1920 Foster 7nhp agricultural engine No. 14418 Viscountess Rhondda which spent its working life in Wales and later moved to Teesside before entering preservation. Others included ex-Hinkley Rural District Council 1900 Aveling & Porter 10-ton road roller No. 4660 Pride of the Road, Daniel Perrins 1926 Zettelmeyer single cylinder road roller No. 302 and Alec and Graham Avery’s 1920 Wallis & Steevens Expansion 6nhp agricultural engine No. 7625. The latter engine was new to a Berkshire owner and purchased by Graham’s grandfather in 1964 before it was sold to the Searle family of Horsham in 1974. The Avery’s bought the engine back in 2019 and returned it to steam. Pete Lyons’ 1916 Mann steam wagon No. 1120, John Rackham’s 1907 Aveling & Porter 4nhp XAC class steam tractor
No. 6298 Little Lucy and ex-Staffordshire County Council 1917 Aveling & Porter R10 road roller No. 8815 Athena, the latter now owned by Dave Ruis, were all making a very welcome return to Netley. It was also good to see Basil Gibbons’s ex-Beeby Brothers Fowler BB1 ploughing engine diesel conversion No. 15199 making an appearance and towering over many of the other engines! The working area was much larger this year with three working rack saw benches and three threshing drums as well as stone crushing, baling, chaff cutting and milling demonstrations, nearly all powered by steam. In the same field was the Steam Apprentice Club’s arena for miniature traction engines. Just over 30 engines made their way to the Fordingbridge Steam & Vintage Fest over the August Bank Holiday weekend. Steve Casey’s 1915 Wallis & Steevens oilbath steam tractor No. 7487 and Paul Stingmore’s 1920 Garrett 4CD showman’s style tractor No. 33987 The Leader were both long distance visitors from Kent.
Making its first rally appearance in well over 25 years at the Fordingbridge Steam & Vintage Fest was Colin Davis’s 1944 Marshall S-type No. 89549 Oor Wullie.
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Making a welcome return to Netley Marsh this year was Pete Lyon’s’ 1916 Mann steam wagon No. 1120.
Also visiting from West Sussex was Karl Woolford’s 1902 Aveling & Porter RC10 road roller No. 5156 Lydia. It was however a local engine that was causing much attention and discussion at the event, this was Colin Davis’s 1944 Marshall S-type 12-ton road roller No. 89549 Oor Wullie. Fordingbridge was thought to be the roller’s first rally appearance since the mid-1990s and it was appearing fresh after receiving a new firebox, an overhaul of the motion work and a rebuild of the canopy. Colin purchased the engine from the late Tim Smith in 2023 who had owned the engine for many years. The ‘compacting’ roller was originally built as part of a South African order but was requisitioned by the army before it could leave the UK. It then spent seven years on runway work for the Army, and in 1951 broke its front roll leading to the engine being sent back to Gainsborough for repair. Its next owner was Ford & Sons of Wokingham before then going through quite a number of owners in its early
1923 Wallis & Steevens oilbath tractor No. 7732 Grace at the Fordingbridge Steam & Vintage Fest.
Steaming • Autumn 25
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➜ preservation days. The roller moved to the Andover area in 1974, and this remains its home to this day. Continuing the Andover connection, Colin and Daniel March were running the late Derek Marder’s 1918 Ruston, Proctor SCD steam tractor No. 52453 The Lincoln Imp which was belted to a stone crusher and making a small track with help of the Marshall roller. In the main working area, which had been expanded this year, Mark Farwell’s 1909 Fowler 7nhp No. 11814 Berkshire Tariff Queen was sawing timber with Matt Coombes’ Stenner rack saw bench. Fellow Fowler, belonging to Dave ‘Chippy’ Freemantle, 1913 A8 No. 13140 Volunteer, was working alongside being paired to John and James Jackson’s Stenner & Gunn No.4 rack saw bench. The timber was being unloaded from James Loader’s vintage timber carriage which was being towed around the show
site by his 1923 Wallis & Steevens oilbath tractor No. 7732 Grace. Completing the working engine theme was Mark Farwell’s ex-Townsends 1918 Fowler showman’s road locomotive No. 15319 Queen Mary which was supplying power for Tom Mayhew’s set of gallopers on Saturday and Sunday. There was a very relaxed atmosphere at the show which was complemented by a ‘play pen’ for the engines which were encouraged to move around the site. Having completed a successful third year, organiser David Mouland has confirmed the event will return in 2026 over 28th – 30th August. Seven engines which attended the Fordingbridge event then made their way just a couple of miles up the road to Breamore Countryside Museum on the August Bank Holiday Monday ready for the Avon Valley Steamers’ Model Steam and Fairground Show at the museum the
Mark Farwell’s ex-Townsend 1918 Fowler showman’s No. 15319 Queen Mary powering the gallopers.
KENT The annual Weald of Kent Traction Engine rally was held at the beginning of August, near Ashford. In addition to the normal engines on show there was a selection of engines once owned by local contractor Chris Lambert of Horsmonden. Jim Gerrard’s article in this issue reports on the Lambert gathering. The following weekend a charity open day was held at the Richmond Railway, a private narrow-gauge railway near Headcorn. Two engines drove the 15 miles from the rally to the railway, Bob Moorman with Brian Hope on 1927 Foden wagon No. 12630 The Leader and Chris Bedo on his 1903 Burrell single crank compound 12-ton roller No. 2551, taking over 4 hours, however, the Foden only took 1.25 hours. The other engines at the open day were Will Day’s 1923 Burrell 5nhp traction engine No. 3918 and Nick & Maria Hanks’s 1931 Fowler 8-ton roller No. 18637 towing Nick Wood’s 1911 Marshall 3nhp portable No. 57506, both having drivem from Will’s farm in Headcorn. Keith Osbourne drove his 1920 Foster 7nhp traction engine Autumn 25 • Steaming
weekend after. This included a trio of Burrells; the museum’s own 1926 double crank compound 7nhp No. 4043 The Dreadnought as well as Nick Baker’s 1919 6nhp double crank compound No. 3798 Red Gauntlet and Tim Mayhew’s 1909 6nhp single crank compound No. 3126. Other engines included Colin’s Davis’s Marshall roller and Chris Gerrard’s 1926 Aveling & Porter L-type steam tractor No. 11423 Smokey. The event held over 30th – 31st August saw a great variety of miniatures traction engines also attend, some being members of the Avon Valley club. Inside the museum buildings there were many superb fairground-related models and standing out was the 2-inch scale model of Burrell Scenic showman’s No. 3938 Quo Vadis built by Malcolm Frost. Just as stunning was Pete Parrish’s 2-inch scale model of Burrell showman’s No. 3949 Princess Mary.
Built by Malcolm Frost, this 2-inch sale of 1922 Burrell Scenic showman’s No. 3938 Quo Vadis looked stunning at the Model Steam and Fairground Show held at Breamore Countryside Museum.
No. 14412 from its base near Ashford. John Maynard and James Taylor brought 1930 Aveling & Porter 10-ton roller No. 14039 Canterbury and Nick Seymore had his 1928 Fowler conversion Sir Bernard No. 17502 in steam. As well as the road engines there were eight portables in steam; Roger Luck had four, 1860 Smith No. 136, 1878 Hornsby No. 3444, 1867 Ruston, Proctor No. 1082 and 1865 Barrows No. 316. Jeremy Martin had 1906 Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies No. 18523 and the rest were Marshalls; Nick Woods’s 1911 No. 57506, Colin & Vicky Hazlehurst’s 1905 No. 44110 and Bryn Kemp’s 1909 No. 53082. The following day Bob Moorman and Dave Main drove Foden No. 12630 35 miles back to its base at Dartford. Jeremy Martin’s 1927 Fowler tractor No. 16948 Colleen is at Brian Allison’s boiler works having a new firebox and backhead fitted. Upon stripping the engine, the original angle iron brackets were found riveted to the front of the boiler for the Fowler conversion kit, which will be rebuilt when the boiler is finished as the engine spent a long time in roller form. ➜ Mike Fuller, who is known for driving his 1930 Aveling & 37
➜ Porter 8-ton roller No. 14044 Rhoda around the countryside, had some trouble while driving to Shrewsbury rally in August. Not far from the rally the crankshaft broke by one of the crank webs. Not to be beaten, the roller was towed to the rally, then the crank was removed and taken to the Welshpool & Llanfair Railway, where the roller was due to be the next weekend. With the help of Aron Jones and the engineering team a new half a shaft was machined and fitted into the crank web, welded and pined, new keyways machined and then put back in the roller enabling it to steam to the railway as planned, all within a week! The roller is due its 10-year test at the end of next year when the boiler barrel will have to be renewed and at the same time the crank will probably be renewed. Derek Gransden has taken his 1933 Sentinel S4 No. 8850 The Lion on the long trip to Bideford in Devon where the waggon first worked. They spent seven weeks away driving around Devon and Cornwall attending some rallies and visiting places the waggon worked, including Bideford Quay and Teignmouth Dock. At one
location an elderly gentleman spoke to Derek saying his father had driven the waggon in its working days, he was 101 years old! Derek was surprised at the level of local interest in the waggon. The trip was concluded by driving back to Kent over three days. Terry Maynard has sold his 1917 5nhp Burrell No. 3777 Queen Mary to Martin White at Southampton, the engine has undergone a 10-year boiler test before its departure. The engine will join two other engines once owned by W. J. King now in Martin’s ownership. Roy and Ruth with 1912 Fowler 7nhp road locomotive No. 12754 Nightmare were driving home to Essex, via Kent, having spent the Summer attending rallies in Sussex, which they have done several times before. On arriving at the Dartford Tunnel, they usually must stop, drop the fire and be towed through, before lighting up again on the other side. This time they were told that service is no longer provided! Eventually they found somebody else to tow them through.
ABOVE: Two very different Fodens: 1927 No. 12630 and 1920 No. 9052 Rob Roy at Weald of Kent. Rob Roy was a Lambert engine. LEFT: A new half a shaft was machined and fitted into the crank web, welded and pined, new keyways machined.
Aveling & Porter No. 14044’s crankshaft in pieces at Shrewsbury.
BELOW: Sentinel No. 8850 at Teignmouth Dock where it used to work.
The crankshaft broken at the web, showing long term flaws in the steel also the detachable balance weights can be seen.
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Steaming • Autumn 25
Aveling & Porter E class roller No. 10915 Sooty.
Burrell road roller No. 2649 Owd Isaac.
LANCASHIRE Roading between Cockerham and Wharles, Lancashire in June were Aveling & Porter E class roller No. 10915 Sooty and the late Bryan Rawstrone’s Burrell road roller No. 2649 Owd Isaac, both owned by Michael Ward. Bryan, the grandson of Isaac Ball, owned the engine from 1973 – 2024. Both would attend the Fylde Vintage & Farm Show over the weekend of 28th - 29th June along with four other engines. They were Aveling & Porter showman’s convertible No. 8585, Aveling & Porter tractor No. 6021 Dougal, Burrell tractor No. 3808 Laddie, along with Anthony Cowell’s latest addition, Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies 4nhp portable No. 19439, which was towed to the event by the Burrell.
Burrell tractor No. 3808 Laddie towing Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies 4nhp portable No. 19439.
Three engines from the 1880s line up together with their crews at the Ashby rally.
LEICESTERSHIRE Three early engines were the highlights of Ashby rally held over the weekend of the 21st - 22nd June. Aveling & Porters No. 1760 built in 1882 (in its first year of rallying) and No.1995 in 1884 owned by 1760 and 1995 Association and were looked after by Edd Crane and Geoff James together with their crew. They were lined up with the Arrowsmith’s 1882 McLaren No. 127 for photographs after the main parade with the crew. Over 10 engines were on site including Fowler’s Autumn 25 • Steaming
No. 12761 Elsa, No. 15652 Repulse, and Aveling & Porters No. 5163 Thistledown and No. 5065 Nancy. There was also a road run into Ashby town centre on the Saturday night. Little Markfield Rally was held over the weekend of 28th - 29th June with a road run into Markfield with a nice climb from the rally field on Saturday evening. There were plenty of Aveling & Porters on the field including No. 1995 which roaded in from Ashby on Saturday afternoon, and No. 5163 Thistledown, No. 8064 Nulli Secundus and No. 9027 Eva May. Wallis
& Steevens No. 7248 Pedler and Advance roller No. 7704 Winifred George and Fowler convertible Pops were also present. An event at Market Bosworth over the last weekend of July produced a dozen engines including Aveling & Porter engines No. 5065 Nancy, GND tractor No. 9267, BSD 10-ton roller No. 7798 Titanic, Marshalls No. 46276 Pearl and No. 37823 Old Ned, and Wallis & Steevens Simplicity roller No. 7939 Alex. Aveling & Porter R10 roller No 5156 Thistledown was in steam for the Great Central Railway Railways at Work weekend ➜ 39
➜
Aveling & Porter R10 roller No 5156 Thistledown at the Great Central Railway. LEFT: 1919 Aveling & Porter No. 9027 Eva May on the road.
The rare Marshall light steam tractor Tasmanian Lady at Belvoir Castle.
Aveling & Porter GND tractor No. 9267 at Market Bosworth on 27th July.
19783 King Carnival II, and Burrell No. 3285 King George V. Among the long-distance engines certainly well-travelled this year were Brain Kell’s Fowler No. 14888 Kingfisher from Country Durham and McLaren No. 1421 Captain Scott from Cheshire.
and later on the Sunday afternoon roaded over to Long Whatton ready for an event over the Bank Holiday weekend near Trent Lock, Long Eaton. A rally held on the Belvoir Castle Estate made a welcome return after 13 years over the late August Bank Holiday weekend.
Two rare engines among the 50 odd engines present were Marshall light steam tractor Tasmanian Lady, and 1912 Brown & May showman’s No. 8742 General Buller in an impressive showman’s lineup alongside the Howard brother’s Fowler No. 15653 Renown, Fowler Super Lion No.
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE
1906 Fowler R class No. 10855 Pride of Northamptonshire made its rally debut for first time in 20 years at the Marston Steam and Vintage Show in August. It is now owned by Jack Brown, who had his 1901 Aveling & Porter roller No. 4765 Prince Albert also on show. Making its Marston debut was the Wheatcroft collection’s 1934 Marshall No. 87005 The Brigadier after being returned to steam last year by Marston Steam and Vintage restorations who have done a fantastic paint job. Two rare engines at Marston were the Worbey’s unique 1912 Garrett 3-ton overtype wagon No. 30826, and Mick George’s 1923 Armstrong-Whitworth roller No. 10R 2 in its unusual lovely yellow Appearing at a rally for the first time in 20 years, 1906 Fowler livery of the seven preserved from the company. R class No. 10855 Pride of Northamptonshire.
1934 Marshall No. 87005 The Brigadier made its Marston’s debut in August.
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Steaming • Autumn 25
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE Rempstone had two long distance visitors in form of Brian Kell’s road locomotive Fowler No. 14888 Kingfisher which had travelled 185 miles under its own steam from Country Durham in two days to the rally. Secondly from Aberdeen, James West’s Aveling & Porter F type roller No. 10346 Buster complete with new canopy on a tour of rallies in East Midlands and East Anglia. Making a welcome return to the rally field was Thomas Baines’s Ruston & Hornsby roller No. 122282 after many years out of service, alongside his Ruston, Proctor No. 35501 The Muddler. Many engines making their debut or making their return to Rempstone included the Marchington’s Foster showman’s No. 14446 The Leader, powering their magnificent 89 key Marenighi Wonderland fairground organ. Next year will celebrate 70 years of the Rempstone rally and takes place on 11th - 12th July 2026.
Fowler No. 14888 Kingfisher roaded to Rempstone under its own steam from County Durham.
1921 Foster No. 14446 The Leader at Rempstone. RIGHT: Yorkshire wagon No. 117 Denby Maiden which was rebuilt from just a chassis, axles, and wheels in 2000.
SOMERSET
Fowler K7 No. 16646 Jack of Herts pulling the cultivator down the field at Yesterday’s Farming in Somerset over 16th -17th August.
Autumn 25 • Steaming
Yesterday’s Farming held over 16th -17th August near Crewkerne in South Somerset is very much about working exhibits and although it is an event focused on vintage tractors, five steam engines were there in a working capacity. A trio of Fowler ploughing engines could be found in the working field taking their turns on a Fowler cultivator. These were Andrew Melrose’s 1870 single cylinder 12nhp No. 1368 Margaret, the Bartlett family’s 1918 Fowler BB1 No. 15231 Prince and Matt King’s 1926 Fowler K7 No. 16646 Jack of Herts. Over in the threshing area could be found Matt and Lisa Heard’s 1905 Burrell 6nhp single crank compound traction engine No. 2767 and Foden threshing drum, both of which were new to the Heard family of Westonzoyland. The engine spent most of its working life with the family on threshing work before spending a short time with a subsequent 41
owner winching trees out of Aller Wood near Westonzoyland. A Fisher Hampshire’s stationary baler was matched to the drum, and the set was threshing the wheat cut by a binder in the working field. Two more threshing outfits were in action. One of
the drums, a Ransomes which spent most of its working life on Salisbury Plain, was being run by a Field Marshall tractor, but was also briefly run by Clifford Dibben’s 1909 Wallis & Steevens 7nhp traction engine No. 7102 Freddie.
ABOVE: Matt and Lisa Heard’s Burrell 6nhp No. 2767 belted up to their Foden threshing drum at Yesterday’s Farming.
No 10R22 Stormer in the Tar, Sweat & Steam exhibition at East Anglia Transport Museum before transfer to Ipswich Transport Museum.
1916 Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies No. 26995 Boudicca, plays its part in the “Ransomes Return”.
SUFFOLK
The East Anglia Transport Museum has however not been left bereft of steam, as their other roller, 1926 Aveling & Porter No. 11648 remains as the central exbibit in the Tar, Sweat & Steam building. This roller (like the museum’s loaned out ArmstrongWhitworth) awaits firebox repairs before returning to steam. The East Anglian Traction Engine Society, celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2025, joined forces with the Ipswich Transport Museum to stage the first reunion of Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies engines since GDSF in 1997 over the weekend of 5th – 6th July. For most of the nine engines taking part, this was their first return to Ipswich and the Orwell Works since being built, and a full feature on this event will be in the next issue of Steaming.
The 1924 Armstrong-Whitworth steam roller No 10R22 Stormer has gone on long term loan from the East Anglia Transport Museum at Carlton Colville to the Ipswich Transport Museum. This is most appropriate as this roller was new to Ipswich Docks & Harbour Board and spent its entire working life maintaining the roads along Ipswich quayside. This roller now joins another steam exhibit here in the form of a 1911 Shand-Mason steam fire engine Needham Market. This too is on loan to the Ipswich Transport Museum; in this case from the Stowmarket based Food Museum, formerly the Museum of East Anglian Life.
SUSSEX James Searle has sold 1929 Foden wagon No. 13488 to Ben Nicholson. Gareth Jones has sold his 1930 Foden wagon No. 13624 to Jason James and in turn he has sold his 1931 Aveling & Porter tractor No. 12766 to James West in Scotland. 42
Steaming • Autumn 25
WILTSHIRE The WAPG (Wiltshire Agricultural Preservation Group) has led a bit of a nomadic life over the last few years. It left Swindon’s Lydiard Park for an events field next to a brewery which on the face of it was a marriage made in heaven, but it was not to be. This year it moved to Rowde near Devizes, and it was a very promising start with a very keen landowner. It was great to see Chris Arrowsmith’s well known Foster return to its former working home of Devizes. Those of us on the Saturday road run
were treated to the spectacle of the Foster overtaking Burrell road locomotive No. 3804 Independence on the dual carriage way on the way up to the town centre. Both drivers claimed they had power in hand! Sad to see that a week or so after this Chris suffered a broken crankshaft - I do hope the flying Foster is back on the rally field soon. The rally suffered one of the only rainy Saturdays of the season, but it came out fighting and I look forward to next years and the excellent news that the rally has secured its long-term future at Rowde.
YORKSHIRE The Great Yorkshire Traction Engine Club annual rally was held amidst the beautiful surroundings of Duncombe Park, Helmsley on the 5th - 6th July. Some 40 full size engines were present plus an equal number of miniature engines, so there was plenty of steam interest to be seen. Among a good showing of Yorkshire and County Durham based engines there were some newcomers to the rally. John Johnson from Southport brought two superb steam tractors, Burrell Gold Medal No. 3862 Dorothy which he has owned since 1969 and the lovely little Tasker A1 No. 1296 The Horse’s Friend. Two further new steam tractors present were Wallis & Steevens No. 7740 Sam now with the Bygrave family, its restoration is nearing completion and has recently had a new ash canopy added. Aveling & Porter No. 11649 has recently come down to Yorkshire from Northumberland and was originally a roller at Longbenton, Newcastle. It was changed to a steam tractor in preservation following damage to the front end. Another engine present which came into the county over last Winter was a very fine Burrell single crank compound traction engine No. 2386, which is now with Turner brothers. She has now reverted to its original name of Old Faithful and has just come on to the market. Steam rollers were well represented with there being six examples of different types, the most unusual was newly restored 1916 KellySpringfield tandem No. 3509. This is now based at Sheriff Hutton near York and has had a new boiler fitted made by NBR Engineering at Darlington in 2024. Another rare roller making a first appearance was 1912 Fowler N class No. 12530 Bellingham, owned by D. G. Macdonald from Louth, Lincolnshire. It spent most of its working days with Durham County Council. Michael Davison and his team from Trimdon, County Durham once again brought along the now unique Armstrong-Whitworth 12-ton roller No. 12R11 Albert along with Marshall traction engine No. 17134 Mary Margaret which spent all its working life and earlier preservation career in North Yorkshire. Having missed last year’s event, it was good to see Albert Harper’s Marshall engine No. 85620 back at Duncombe having had major
Making its first appearance was 1912 Fowler N class No. 12530 Bellingham.
Autumn 25 • Steaming
Aveling & Porter No. 11649 and Marshall traction engine No. 17134 Mary Margaret.
1916 Aveling & Porter No. 8754 and 1916 Kelly-Springfield tandem No. 3509.
boiler work completed in recent months in very quick time! Brian Kell and family from Haswell, Durham were certainly enjoying a 10-inch scale Burrell Gold Medal tractor recently acquired from Berrybrook Steam. Saturday evening saw the traditional run down into Helmsley for many of the exhibits passing Duncombe Park and later a good gathering of engines steamed into the night by the beer tent while entertainment and refreshment was enjoyed at the end of the day.
The Kell family’s 10-inch Burrell Gold Medal tractor.
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FROM THE EDITOR
A
s we look back on another successful and enjoyable rally season, we will all have highlights from the events we attended, and happy memories made steaming with friends, old and new. Without doubt the anniversaries that were celebrated were memorable occasions
for everyone involved and congratulations to all the rally organisers who “made it happen”, not just for this, the celebratory year, but also every year in between. I wonder if the organisers in the first year of the rally ever considered the legacy they would be starting? Our thanks and admiration go out to all those who made
A remarkable record. The Appleford gathering in July 2000 was an occasion for nostalgia, marking the fifty years that had passed since Arthur Napper and Miles Chetwynd-Stapylton raced engines at Bridge Farm. Among those who made their way to the event were all the five successive editors of this magazine - thus this noteworthy picture by Peter Donovan, with, from the left, Giles Romanes, John Crawley, Ran Hawthorne, Dick Blenkinsop and Roger West. Surely there were few publications with a history dating from 1957, that could line up its complete sequence of editors. And, of course, all of them remained thoroughly active with their interest and still had a close involvement in traction engines.
RIGHT: David Warren and son Richard, looking the part in their period outfits at Appleford. They are standing in front of Ran Hawthorne’s Burrell Gold Medal tractor No. 3626 Jane Eyre, an engine that appeared at Appleford in the 1960s when owned by Michael Thexton. The engine is now owned by Ran’s younger son, who also cares for the roller Busy Bee.
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the initial steps to make the rally happen. The West of England Steam Engine Society 70th anniversary rally was superbly attended and a great celebration of West Country steam and also attracted exhibitors and visitors from all over the country. I enjoyed an early morning chat with our Chairman in his living van over a cup of coffee with a few elder statesmen of our movement reflecting on the achievements of the year, and the importance of our magazine as an archive for the future. Of course, “the big one” was the Appleford 75 celebrations, and it has been featured in this issue of Steaming by Ben Brown using the photographs of David Warren. David’s uncle, Ran Hawthorne, joined the Appleford committee soon after attending the 1960 Appleford rally, with his Fowler roller No. 14674 Busybee, and was an editor of Steaming back in the 1970s. We are very grateful to David for all his supprt to the Trust and in particular his ongoing contributions to Steaming magazine. On the subject of editors, I met up with the previous editor of Steaming, Brian Gooding, at Appleford. This reminded me of an article in Volume 47 No. 4 Autumn 2004 issue of Steaming, and a rather special photograph that was taken at the Appleford gathering in July 2000, Appleford’s 50th anniversary. It featured every single editor of Steaming since 1957, together with their thoughts and reflections on their time as editors. This included Ran’s, who sadly passed away just before that issue went to print. Our attentions now turn to the end of season events, the AGM, festive outings, and of course a busy Winter catching up on those workshop jobs, big and small. Thank you to all contributors to the magazine, they are much appreciated. The copy date for the Winter issue is 21st December. Paul Ritchie Steaming • Autumn 25
“Overall, it seems a good product and certainly suitable for “sedentary” rallies and normal road use.”
Tom Attwood NTET
NTET MEMBERS’ BENEFITS Suppliers’ Discount Offers We are pleased to share our Member Benefit Scheme which offers NTET members exclusive discounts on a broad range of products and services within the steam heritage movement. Regardless of whether you have been involved in steam for years or are new to the movement, there is something for everyone and we are working hard to further improve these
Supplier: Berrybrook Steam & Classics Berrybrook Steam & Classics is a family-owned business based in Devon. For over a decade, they have specialised in the sale of Full-Size
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benefits moving forward.Details of our member benefits can also be found on our website via https://ntet.co.uk/memberbenefits Should anyone reading this wish to offer a discount to the membership, we would love to hear from you. Please email us via public.relations@ntet.co.uk
and Miniature Steam Engines, and also advertise and sell Classic Cars, Classic Motorcycles, Vintage Tractors and other vehicles. Berrybrook Steam & Classics have a genuine passion for working with these earlier vehicles and pride themselves on being able to broker transactions which suit all parties. They additionally offer a range of related services including haulage, valuations, workshop facilities and steam engine experience days!
Following the launch of Berrybrook’s new online shop, NTET members can benefit from the following discounts online: 10% discount on Miniature parts and accessories 10% discount on Steam Experience Days and 7.5% discount on their Mamod range. Website: berrybrooksteam.co.uk Email: steam@berrybrook.co.uk Phone: 01392 833301 Contact: Matt Anthony
of wet paints, discussions started regarding a good quality easy to use coach paint that could be offered at an affordable price to all users. As things progressed, a full range of paint products suitable for all vintage machinery and vehicle restorations was put together, ranging from anticorrosive primers to high build primers all the way to top end coach gloss. Heritage Paints also offer a complete professional painting service from shotblasting and priming through to the final finish of top coat, lining and varnish. They have been involved in many prestigious projects over the years including the recently completed new
build Talisman which will be finished in the full Norman Box Livery next year. Heritage Paints’ high-quality coach gloss paint is available in many colours matched to the original colour schemes of traction engine manufacturers. NTET members also receive a 2.5% discount off their engine painting service. To use the discount simply provide your NTET membership number when placing your order. Website: www.heritage-paints.co.uk Email: sales@heritage-paints.co.uk Phone: 07919 234090 Contact: Graham Morrison
in stock which covers a wide range of applications and all products are sold by the metre and are cut to order, and they also supply in 25m and 50m drums for higher volume requirements. As products are requested by steam preservationists, they will be added to the specific website section so if you cannot find what you are looking for please give them call. The Seal Extrusion company offers a large range of gasket and packing materials suitable for steam boilers,
including boiler door seals from the popular manufacturers. NTET members receive 15% discount on all Seal Ex products. For online orders please contact publicrelations@ntet.co.uk for the discount code or provide your membership number when ordering over the phone. Website: sealextrusions.com Email sales@sealextrusions.co.uk Phone: 01787 827070 Contact: Stuart Bulbeck
Steaming • Autumn 25
15% off Vehicle Advertising Services Supplier: Legacy Vehicles Ltd Legacy Vehicles Ltd has been set up to offer a unique, dedicated and, most importantly, honest sales service for both sellers and buyers, run by vintage vehicle enthusiasts, husband and wife team Tom & Sammy Allen. Bringing together years of marketing experience and a life long passion for steam and other vintage vehicles, Legacy Vehicles offer sellers a range of options to sell their vehicle from free classified adverts through to a competitive full brokering service. With extensive use of online
5% off Mamod Special Editions Supplier: Promod Ltd Promod supply all major brands of die cast collectables, including their own Promod Originals range, and many Post Office-licensed models, buses,
marketing practices and traditional printed advertising, Legacy Vehicles reach customers from both the UK and abroad and across all age ranges. Although a young company, their new approach to marketing steam engines has seen them quickly become a well-recognised name within the road steam scene for both full size and miniature engines and establishing an ever-expanding customer base. Their new professional advertising service offers sellers most of the benefits of selling through a dealer but without the large commission bills and has proved a popular choice with many sellers and buyers alike. Alongside the advertising services, Legacy also offer full dealer facilities including a selection of quality engines from their own stock, competitive finance solutions and part exchange on pretty much all types of vintage vehicle.
Even if purchasing a steam engine privately, they can help arrange finance, possibly bringing that dream engine within reach sooner than expected. For more information please see www.legacyvehicles.co.uk or give Tom and Sammy a call on 07891 063077. Don’t be put off with them only having a mobile number, always being out and about means calling a landline will inevitable mean reaching an answer phone! NTET members receive 15% discount off their Professional Advertising Service and preferential brokerage rates. To use the discount simply provide your NTET membership number when placing your order. Website: www.legacyvehicles.co.uk Email: info@legacyvehicles.co.uk Phone: 07891 063077 Contact: Tom Allen
cars and much more. They have the latest models as they are released, and also carry the full product ranges from many manufacturers including many obsolete items you cannot find in the shops. They have a popular collectors club which offers many special models, and the chance to visit the warehouse on Open Days. The company also specialise in the production of custom-built models, perfect for corporate promotions and executive gifts with a small minimum quantity of 50 models. They can also custom paint existing model ranges as
special limited edition runs. Promod are one of the largest dealers of Mamod steam engines and are pleased to offer NTET members 5% discount off their limited edition model ranges. Current editions include engines in Pickfords, Anderton and Rowland District council liveries. To use the discount simply provide your NTET membership number when placing your order. Website: promod-diecast.com Email: sales@promod-diecast.co.uk Phone: 01785 224212 Contact: Graham Ward
10% Off Home Insurance 20% off online courses
Supplier: One Broker One Broker are specialist insurance brokers for most types of personal and business insurance. All NTET members receive 10% discount off the standard One Broker price for home insurance. Website: https://ntet.co.uk/insuranceservices https://www.onebroker.co.uk/personal/ specialist-insurance/classic-vehicle-insurance Email: hello@onebroker.co.uk Phone: 0330 055 2659 Contact: Carly Nineham
Autumn 25 • Steaming
Supplier: The Sign Painters Academy The Sign Painters Academy is a new online learning platform created by signwriter Paul Myerscough to teach the traditional methods of
the trade, including coach lining. Each course is filmed in real-time video, showing in great detail the different skills and processes from choosing the right brush through to gold-leaf application. Paul has worked on many steam and vintage vehicles over the years, for details of his coach lining and signwriting service, please see: Website: www.bespoke-signs.com Phone: 07768 516 256 Email: paul@bespoke-signs.com www.thesignpaintersacademy.com
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The National Traction Engine Trust
Preserving our heritage with steam on the road
NTET SHOP Many books, DVDs and other items of interest to traction engine enthusiasts are avaliable from the Trust Sales section. Members are urged to take advantage of this service (which also benefits Trust funds) for troublefree and economical shopping. Mail order, via the address at the bottom of the page, is now joined by our online store at www.ntet.co.uk/shop
Traction Engine reading Alan Thomas Collection Volume 1 £10.00 WESES Collection Volume 1 £14.99 Some Early Robey Steam Engines PJM Southworth £18.00 A Brush with Road Steam Phil Braithwaite £10.50 Lincolnshire Industrial Heritage Colin Tyson £15.99 The Story of Ruston Traction Engines (including Steam Road Rollers and Steam Tractors) Michael Thexton £30.00 Reflections of Living Steam Barry Finch £12.95 More Reflections of Living Steam Barry Finch £15.95 Ploughing Engines at Work Barry Finch £9.95 Preserved Steam Powered Machines John Hannavy £9.99 Threshing Days William R Anderson £9.99 Herberts of Dorchester Kay Townsend £8.50 Traction Engine Register (2020 edition) £9.50 Threshing Machines Trevor Gregory £27.95 The Story of the Invicta Works History of Aveling & Porter Michael Lane £25.00 Driving and Operating Traction Engines Mike Dyson £25.00 Portable Engines Trevor Gregory £24.95 British Steam Fire Engines Derek Henderson £16.99 Road Rollers Anthony Coulls £8.99 Sidney Harrison - His Life & Times with Burrell, Fowler and Scammell Ian Hall £20.00 Steam at Southbrook £19.00
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Tuxford and Sons - Excellent Victorian Engineers of Boston - By L Pinchbeck, A Rundle, L Sergeant, A Southcott and F Winch (Editor - N R Wright) £10.00 Traction Engines Anthony Coulls £8.99 J & H McLaren J McLaren 1904 reproduction £18.50 Stationary Steam Engines Anthony Coulls £8.99 Best of the Tests M Dyson £9.95 Aveling & Porter, The John Crawley Collection Colin Tyson £14.99 George Thurlow & Sons Steam Engine Dealers Brian J Sulman £30.00 When Steam Ruled the Roads Colin Tyson £15.99 Steam Waggons in Preservation Malcolm Batten £15.99 Steam Rollers in Preservation Malcolm Batten £15.99 Steam Up! Traction Engines on Parade £15.99 Jack Hampshire classics Apprenticeship In Steam £10.95 I Worked With Traction Engines £10.95 Memories of Steam Rallying £7.95 Torton Tales (brilliant children’s series) by Wendy Wakelin Victoria and the Teddy Bear Victoria’s Busy Day Pop comes to Seward’s Yard Colouring book Rosie & Tanner, Steam Roller friends Victoria meets Finnigan
£6.99 £6.99 £6.99 £6.99 £6.99 £6.99
Road Locomotive Society Archive series The Traction Engine Archive Vol.1
£17.00
Steaming • Autumn 25
The National Traction Engine Trust Preserving our heritage with steam on the road The Traction Engine Archive Vol.2 The Traction Engine Archive Vol.3 The Traction Engine Archive Vol.4
£26.00 £22.00 £25.00
Photographic albums Traction Engines At Work in Cambridgeshire and the Isle of Ely Mike Dyson Steam Scenes Vol.6
£19.95 £15.00
Nostalgia Collection albums Malcolm Ranieri Aveling & Porter of Rochester Fowlers of Leeds
£5.99 £5.99
Paul Stratford Road Rollers Steam in Agriculture
£6.00 £6.00
DVDs The Stanley Steamer Introduction to Boiler Maintenance & Inspection
£13.50
£17.00 £10.50 £20.00 £10.50
Trust Items 60th Anniversary Road Run programme 60 Years of the NTET Steaming Binder - A4 Size Steaming binder (From Vol.24 to Vol.62 No.1) NTET Members Badge NTET 2000 showman’s badge NTET traction engine lapel badge NTET Foden wagon badge NTET steam roller badge NTET road locomotive badge NTET navy cap NTET bag with logo 38x37cm
£2.00 £5.00 £8.00 £7.25 £3.25 £5.00 £5.00 £5.00 £5.00 £5.00 £12.00 £4.00
£10.00
To claim UK post free purchase: ● Write your name, address and order ● Enclose your current NTET membership card ● Make cheques payable to National Traction Engine Trust ● Send your order to: NTET Sales c/o Mrs K M Smith The Cottage, Main Road, New Bolingbroke Boston, Lincs PE22 7JU
Autumn 25 • Steaming
Steam in the Furrow 1996 NTET Road Run Sentinel Waggons (double DVD) Going For Gold
Card purchases can be taken over the telephone: 01205 480836 after 7pm, if there is no answer please leave a name and number and your call will be returned as soon as possible. Non-members add 10% for postage. Overseas members – please contact the sales team on sales@ntet.co.uk to enquire about cost for postage of items to be purchased.
sales@ntet.co.uk www.ntet.co.uk/shop
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STEAMING PAST
R
eaders of the Autumn 2000 issue of Steaming may have been surprised to see a painting as the front cover photo, even more so when finding on page 3 that it had been commissioned by J. Kemna of Breslau. All became clear further into the magazine with a long article on the last days of steam ploughing in Germany. Kemna of course built a number of ploughing, and other engines. Being as the article covered the later use much of it related to the engines owned/built by Wilhelm Ottomeyer and the moorland reclamation work they carried out with monster single furrow ploughs going up to 7’ deep to mix the underlying sand with the overlaying peat to produce a fertile soil. The magazine had come out shortly after the Burrell Millenium Special had taken place at the Great Dorset Steam Fair. As such the issue did little more than thank those that had been involved, and expressed that it had been an exceptional event and promised more to come about it in the next magazine. An event that did see extensive coverage however was the gathering at Appleford to mark the 50th anniversary of the race between Arthur Napper and Miles Chetwynd-Stapylton that was to lead to the traction engine rally movement. The headline of the article was “Just a perfect day” and having been amongst the visitors what a fitting title that was. Around 20 engines had been present, all of which had been at Appleford rallies in the past. Several were in the same ownership, or at least with the same family, as during the days of the rallies. Some of those also went on to attend the 75th anniversary event this year, still with the same families. Both in 2000 and 2025 Wallis and Steevens No. 7683 Eileen the Erring replicated events of 1950 by losing “races” to Marshall No. 37690 Old Timer. The Steaming Around notes started with a
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potentially cautionary tale. An engine owner had used the same boiler inspector for some years. The firebox thickness had only dropped slightly during most of that period. He had therefore been very surprised when the inspector condemned the firebox at that year’s inspection due to significant thickness loss. Further investigation confirmed the inspector’s report to be correct. When the owner had washed out the boiler at the end of the previous season, he had noticed that the internal surfaces of the boiler were an unusual blue colour when they were usually black. The owner recalled that at one rally the previous year the water supplied to the engines had a strong smell. It turned out that the tanker had previously been used for carting farm products and had supposedly been well washed out before being used to supply the engine water. Could there have still been something residual in the tanker that led to the rapid wastage of the firebox? If it could be proved that it was could there be any liability on the part of the rally organiser for supplying unfit water? Think this a problem of the past, well a few years ago at a rally I found a number of owners draining tenders and boilers as the water had been provided the previous day in isocubes that had not been adequately washed out and they’d been experiencing problems with foaming, both in boiler and tender. Another area of concern with rallies can also still crop up today. The rally organisers column reported that the subcommittee had received considerable correspondence about caravans being too close together, particularly in trade and engine sections. This was an area that it was advised could see an event shutdown by the local authority. Yet at some events it can still be a case of “are you opening your windows today or am I?” so close together are caravans or living vans. Stuart Gaines Steaming • Autumn 25
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COLLECTION AND DELIVERY SERVICE
Welcome to Berrybrook Steam & Classics, a family owned firm that has been working in the world of transport for generations. With our unique expertise and experience, we can offer a complete service to enthusiasts wishing to buy or sell, full size and miniature traction engines.
Taking care of every detail we can: •
Organise collection from you
•
Arrange secure storage
•
Coordinate professional marketing
•
Complete sale
Leave it to us and Call:
01392 833301
Scan the QR code for Berrybrook Steam website
OFFICIAL RETAILERS OF WILESCO, MAMOD, MAXITRAK AND MORE! V IS IT : WWW.MILBURYMODELS.CO.UK O R C O N TA C T U S : 0 1 3 9 2 7 1 5 3 2 2
Berrybrook Steam & Classics, Dawlish Road, Exminster, Exeter EX6 8DN Call us on 01392 833301 Email us at: steam@berrybrook.co.uk Visit www.berrybrooksteam.co.uk Steaming • Summer 2024 52