The Thames Valley Traction Engine Club

It is with great sadness that the TVTEC Committee have learned of the death of John Newton on Saturday 25th May.  John chaired the TVTEC from March 1982 to March 1996 and played a key part in raising the profile and reputation of the Club. John played an active role in fighting the corner of the traction engine movement when our hobby was threatened by EEC rules and regulations in the 1990’s. He had a genuine passion and enthusiasm for steam and was an erudite man with the ability to mix with and talk to anybody and everybody, and always had stories to tell from early preservation days and of his families life with steam. John rescued a number of engines for preservation including Ransomes, Simms and Jefferies Traction Engine “Ivanhoe”, Aveling and Porter Roller “Churchill”, and Burrell Showman’s Road Locomotive “The Philadelphia”. John also stepped in to buy the late Fred Simmons Fowler Traction Engine “Volunteer” when it was nearly sold out of the country.

John Newton and his father on Ransomes Simms and Jefferies trsction engine “Ivanhoe” sometime in the 1960’s

It was hoped we could have a visit to see the steam umpire launch Consuta for our next meeting on evening of 10th June, but unfortunately health and safety rules have prevented us from doing this. We hope that we can arrange it for a daytime visit on Sat 15th – watch this space for confirmation. http://www.consuta.org.uk/workshop/Home.html

The meeting will go ahead as normal on 10th June at the Angel Woolhampton, for those who want to turn out for a noggin and natter.

Tonight we have Frank Bamfield showing old transport films, it’s always a fun evening when Frank comes along and shows films from his extensive collection! See you at The Angel, Woolhampton 7pm onwards.

For the April Club Meeting we have Gerald Whittaker from Whittaker Signs giving a talk on painting and lining engines.  http://geraldwhittakersigns.co.uk/ See you at the Angel from 7.30pm on Monday 8th April

Don’t forget the February club meeting on Monday 11th, at the Angel Inn, Woolhampton. (http://www.angelwoolhampton.co.uk)

Jim Sarney will be giving a talk on replacing fireboxes and other restoration.

For the February club meeting we have Jim Sarney giving a talk on replacing fireboxes. With Jim’s extensive knowledge and passion for steam it is set to be a meeting not to be missed.

DON’T FORGET WE HAVE CHANGED VENUE FOR OUR MEETINGS. See you at the Angel Pub (http://www.angelwoolhampton.co.uk) Woolhampton fron 7.30pm on Monday 11th February.

Burrel Road Loco No. 3057 “Lord Roberts” basks in the sunshine after its heavy general overhaul

Jim Sarney knocks over the Crown Stays on “Lord Roberts”

Jim looks at converting Lord Roberts to an undertype. Ashley Bond and the late Colin Slade look on

Jim expands the tubes in “Lord Roberts”

Due to the sudden closure of the Englefield Social Club, The January TVTEC meeting will be held in a new venue. This will be the Angel pub at Woolhampton (RG7 5RT). http://www.angelwoolhampton.co.uk/index. Woolhampton is on the A4 approximately half way between Reading and Newbury. We have a private room for our film show and everything will be the same other than the location. We have Alan Stevens showing slides of Steam in Ireland.

Please pass the message on to all members, especially those who don’t see the Facebook / Website. See you there from 1930 on Monday 14th January.

A compilation of all the entrants from the Appleford Rally programmes from 1953 – 1971 has been made. 151 engines attended Appleford over the years according to the programmes with likely many more attending and not being listed. We would like to give the opportunity for all of the engines to attend if they wish. The link below will take you to a PDF link for the list of engines. Each engine has been listed with its owner at the time of attending an Appleford Rally, and the current owners have been intentionally left out for now. We are looking for contact details for all engines that don’t have a “yes” in the owner contacted field, if you have any information, please let us know!

Appleford engine list

In July 2020 it will be 70 years since Arthur Napper and Miles Chetwynd-Stapylton D.F.C had a race with their traction engines, which unknown to them at the time would be a major part in forming the steam preservation movement. A celebration event will take place in Appleford on 25th July 2020. It is intended to invite every engine that attended an Appleford rally between 1950 and 1971 and have a traditional traction engine rally as they were in the early days. There will be traditional ring events, photographic opportunities, photographic displays and generally lots of steam nostalgia.

Arthur Napper was a founder member of the Thames Valley Traction Engine Club and its president for many years. The TVTEC also ran the last Appleford rally in 1971.