Don’t forget to get down to the Englefield Social Club next Monday (14th) for our January Meeting.
This month’s talk is from member Alan Steevens who’ll be showing some of his collection of traction engine slides.
Sam Love with Wallis and Steevens no. 7248 “Pedler”
For those of you who don’t know, Alan’s uncle was the late Sam Love. I spec’ ol’ Sam will appear somewhere in the slides you!
Club member Richard Poole has almost completed a lovely 4″ scale Garrett Traction Engine. In order to finish it off Richard needs the help from a plumber to install all the pipework.
If there are any budding model engineers out there who can help Richard, please leave a comment on this post or email alittleandoften@gmail.com
Richard’s nearly complete 4″ Garrett General Purpose Engine
Richard Hawthorne reports on his winter project to repair the throat plate on Burrell Gold Medal Tractor 3626 “Jayne Eyre”
A visit from the boiler inspector is always a worrying time, he had a good look at the little Burrell – “I am sorry he said – that throat plate is going to require a major repair”.
We soon got started. Belly tanks off, lagging off, gas torch out, let’s start cutting!
To start we blew the rivet heads off with the gas, then ground back the stay heads with an angle grinder. Next the stays were drilled out, and the throat plate cut out. Then the foundation ring rivets were drilled through and the remaining metal washed out with the gas torch. We could then create a cardboard template of the new plate and order a new piece through Goodman’s Steel. After all this it was time for a rest!
The old throat plate had got very thin!
Once the new plate arrived we ground it to fit, then ground a 30 degree angle on the plate edges for a weld prep. Following this the new stays were machined from some EN3B at a local friendly engineering company. The 3 stays above the repair area also needed replacing so these were fitted in to the outer wrapper before welding started so to not allow distortion when welding. The mud doors were also fitted to ensure the correct shape is maintained. The coded welder has now visited and the plate is all welded in, all that remains is the foundation ring riveting and putting back together.
Winding in the new stays above the repair
As true to Edwardian tradition a small boy was used for holding up and peining over the stay heads in the awkward positions. Health and safety would have a fit these days, but Tom did a cracking job of the stays, he now has forearms like Popeye!
Young Tom Showing his excellent peining skills
Other jobs undertaken this winter are:
As I write, snow is on the ground and it seems a long time until spring… but it soon goes. We are well on the way for being ready for the nice weather or should I say rain!
…That not too far away a rarely seen Aveling Tractor is getting closer to coming back to life.
It’s not just a rumour an Aveling Tractor in Stoke Row has had a fire after the boilerwork at Maskell’s in Bedford. Robert Cox reports a trial steaming before re-assembly was carried out in September. Just the small matter of putting all the bits and pieces back in their right places, bit of a jigsaw without a picture!
New back axle is being made along with new bearings, she can then get back on 4 wheels.
Watch this space for more updates.
Believe it or not, it’s that time again! Don’t forget to turn out next Monday for the Thames Valley Christmas Meeting at Englefield Social Club.
A full buffet will be provided, photo competition, raffle, video’s, photo displays and more!
All are welcome – See you there!
Steam at Christmas time – Hungerford Victorian Evening
The Steam Scenes website has recently added the Sid White collection of photo’s. There are a number of club engines (and some younger looking faces!). Here are a selection of some of the best. If anyone has any comments on location and date please let us know by posting a comment at the end of this post.
Wallis and Steevens Advance Roller No. 7943″Chipchase” built 1927 reg. OT 6007
Aveling & Porter Road Roller, 7411 “Chimaera” – Built in 1911, XP 2915
Wallis & Steevens Road Roller, 8086 – Built in 1933, CG 4543
Clayton & Shuttleworth General Purpose Engine, 47216 “Lady Jean” – Built in 1915, CT 4817
Burrell General Purpose Engine, 3917 “Triumph” – Built in 1921, TA 2374
Wallis & Steevens Road Roller, 7799 “Daisy May” – Built in 1924, HO 6354
Aveling & Porter Road Roller, 8489 – Built in 1915, OK 58
Aveling & Porter Road Locomotive, 8471 “Clyde” – Built in 1914, AF 4478
Ransomes & Jefferies General Purpose Engine, 27277 “Hurst lady” – Built in 1918, DS 7473
The full collection can be viewed here.
A couple of pictures from early last Sunday morning, whilst steaming up ‘Old Timer’ ready for a day on the road. A beautiful moonlit sky and a good frost soon turned into a damp misty morning.
The slow shutter speed makes it look like the blower is on. The smoke was provided by Russia – a bit of a shock after burning Welsh dry for the last few months.
Breakfast cooking in the living van by oil lamp.
Don’t forget to join us at Englefield Social Club this Monday for our regular monthly meeting. This month we have Bill Brown, owner of Garrett Tractor 31633 “Mr Potter” giving us a talk on something steamy. Look forward to seeing you there.
Mr Potter at a rally in the 1980’s
Saturday 17th November 2012
The Winning Hand, Bath Road, Reading, Berks
7 for 7.30pm
Ticket holders only – £25 per person
Tickets available from Richard Hawthorne, or any other comittee member. Contact Richard on 01491 652459. Hurry while tickets last!
Menu
Soup of the day
Served with parsnip crisps and crusty bread
Chicken & Duck Liver Pate
Served with caramelised red onion and orange with toast
Crispy Breaded Brie
Served with rocket and a sweet chilli sauce
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Cod Loin wrapped with Parma Ham
Served with Hollandaise sauce
Roast Sirloin of Beef
Served with potatoes and vegetables
Stuffed Roast Peppers
Peppers stuffed with Savoury Risotto and served with a tomato and pepper coulis
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Brioche and butter Pudding
Served with custard
Homemade Tiramisu
Garnished with chocolate curls
Next Monday’s monthly club meeting is model night (not the human variety!). Don’t forget to bring along your exhibit, whether it be a Mamod or a 4″ scale model – all are welcome!
Here’s a few photo’s and video’s to whet your appetite:
Mamod Steam Railway
Fred Cooper’s model of a Ruston Hornsby Threshing drum
Mamod mania
Let’s get the Meths out and have some fun!
The Thames Valley Traction Engine Club 