The Thames Valley Traction Engine Club

Some great footage from the good old days of the rally at Rushmoor arena. Turn the volume up!

February’s show will feature a selection of images from British cultural institutions historical photography collections. To start, a fascinating collection of photographs of the building of the Forth Rail Bridge during the 1880’s. Followed by the investigation photographs from the 1879 Tay Rail Bridge Disaster, showing a rather mangled up 4-4-0 loco after recovery, it’s rolling stock and bridge structure damage. Also we’ll take a glimpse back into the way of life in one of Britain’s major cities during the 1800’s/turn of the century, Birmingham, the machine shop to the world! Here we will see some road steam in action, possibly an unseen picture of a well known preserved Burrell at work! Bourneville and the steam machines that delivered the chocolate. We’ll take a look at a few interesting factory and street scenes from Birimingham too. Time permitting a few original engine images from around the tun of the century will make an appearance too. Hopefully this should be an interesting show, we look forward to seeing you on Feb 8th.

Work is steadily progressing on the reassembly of Simon Palmer’s Fowler DNA Roller No. 19049 “Bacchus” at Fred Coopers yard following an almost complete new boiler.

The trunk guide and weigh shaft have now been permanently bolted down, the crankshaft will be next.

The old barrell and backhead can be seen in the background

Fred Cooper stands next to the new boiler

This month we will have Alan Steevens showing old steam films. See you on the 11th from 1930.

Brian Mansergh has kindly allowed us to post some of his extensive photograph collection. Here we take a trip back in time to Woodcote Rally 1985. All photo’s copyright of Brian Mansergh

Graham and Stephanie Waite with their Aveling and Barford Roller. Graham bears a striking resemblance to Frank Zappa!

The Hawthorne Family’s Fowler Roller “Busy Bee” and Wallis Advance “Chipchase”

A youthful Simon Palmer on the family’s Wallis Expansion Engine “Wildfrie”

Pete “Nobby” Narraway looking after Aveling 6 Ton Roller when in the ownership of Arthur Hall. The roller was sold to Fred Cooper the following autumn.

Derek and Sandra Marder on Sandra’s Fowler Roller “Victoria”

The late lamented Jack Lawrence on his Burrell Showmans tractor “Kathleen”

After a couple of days of removing the stainless bling, Fowler Tommy found his own way back to the pubs of Sutton Courtenay on New Years Eve with the help of Jeff and Ann Shackell and Jeffs brother Jim. Arthur Napper sold Tommy in the mid eighties and he’s only been back once since then – for the 50th anniversary of the first race in 2000.

The TVTEC are delighted to be informed that Jeffrey Shackell has purchased the late Arthur Nappers Fowler Traction Engine no. 15710 “Tommy” and returned it to Appleford where it lived for over 30 years in the ownership of Arthur. Jeff has already reinstated the original painted number and nameplate.

In the early days of Arthurs ownership

Steaming up after returning to Appleford

The reinstated name and numberplate

In the paddock at Appleford

In the paddock at Appleford

Tommy was named after Tommy Yeo who worked for Wilders of Wallingford and taught Arthur to drive engines. Tommy was the regular driver of Burrell SCC traction engine no. 2426. Now owned by Colin Hatch and Richard Hurley.

TVTEC Christmas meeting from 7.30pm at Englefield Social club on Monday 14th December

This month we have Daniel March showing some of his assorted Traction Engine Films. See you on Monday 9th November from 7.30pm

Here’s a sample of Daniel’s work showing McLaren 1332 hill climbing on the London to Brighton run in May this year: