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!
NTEC 21st Aniversary Road Run
Plans are well ahead for the NTET 60th Anniversary Road Run in 2014, to be held in Bedfordshire. Here are a couple of photo’s of the NTEC 21st Anniversary road run from Nettlebed to Appleford, given to the club by member David Spooner.
Burrell Roller Nº3305 ‘Big John’
Fowler TE Nº14958 ‘Marina’
Other 1970’s Rallies
Wallis & Steevens Traction Engine Nº 7588 ‘Sue’
Fowler Traction Engine Nº 15710 ‘Tommy’
McLaren RdL Nº 1652 ‘Boadicea’
Burrell Showmans Road Loco Nº 3836 ‘Starlight’
By tradition the club has an external visit for the June and July Monday club meetings. This year’s July meeting was to the Wangfield Sawmill in Hampshire. A private collection opened to club members. Many items of interest were seen – A good time was had by all, many thanks to all at the sawmill for the visit.
Club members congregating at the sawmill. Photo © Peter Hammond
TVTEC member Tristan Leverett has aquirred a Clayton & Shuttleworth Threshing drum, he’s hoping another TVTEC member could help to date.
1870 Clayton and Shuttleworth finishing drum
The drum came from a farm in Oxfordshire where it has be stored for 30 years, but its working life was spent at the William’s farm in Aston Rowant, Oxfordshire. It’s number is 24118, Its design is near identical to this 1870 drum pictured, but Tris thinks it’s turn of the century ish. Answers on the back of a post card.
Cleaning the drum off
The drum was soon turning again after a lay up of 30 years after a couple of days cleaning up and oiling up and thankfully not much freeing up. A few obligitory clonking bearings here and there, it’s clearly had a hard life like most thrahers. The drum is is very good condition for it’s age mainly due to its good storage conditions over the last 30 years, however Tristan’s next job is going to be giving the drum a thorough soaking with worm treatment oil, then work will shift towards the wooden wheels where age has taken its toll.
Fred Cooper to the rescue with the Atkinson Low Loader
The drums first outting was the Englefield schools days event in June, the day before saw Fred Cooper and Tris get the drum out and line it up to Fred’s Fordson and turn her over slowly, it turned over gloriously and soon they had her humming. Not wanting to push their luck it was shut down. It was then towed up to its position in the field ready for the following days events. That evening Ben Brown turned up with Marshall 37690 ‘Old Timer’ and lined up to the drum.
Marshall Traction Engine no. 37690 lined up to the drum ready to be turned by steam for the first time since its working days
Then came the first time in around 90 years to drive the drum with a traction engine, this magical moment was handed over to Tristan. Tentatively on the pole then regulator ‘Old Timer’ gave a chug and the drum started to spin. Old Timer kept the belts turning whilst the sun went down, it was a moment to gladden the heart. Two machines designed to work together alive and working, something a month ago was inconcivable if you’d have seen how burried the thrasher was in it’s last resting place.
The drum was kept spinning for two days through the event, though by the end the old belts had all but given up and delaminated, another job before its next running.
Tristan will keep us posted with his progress with the drum and would appericate any info people my have on this drum or similar. Remember to visit his steam website sparkarrester.org where further pictures of the drum and progress are featured.
Adam Lancaster (aka “Great Western Ted”) gently tows the drum back to the yard following the schools steaming.
You’d never have believed it was the same season – dust in the gateway, engines moving around a field, sun burnt faces, and glorious sunshine… This year’s Cholsey Chuff was lucky to escape the horrendous weather we’ve been having. Rally goers were like a load of caged lions being let out!
The engine line up before heading out for a run
Thames Valley Traction Engine Club members gathered at the premesis of Richard Hawthorne on the Saturday for an evening barbecue. On Sunday a road run through the Oxfordshire countryside towards the village of South Moreton followed by a pub stop at the Red Lion was the order of the day.
The Hawthorne family presented their newly acquired Foster 4″ traction engine “Dolly”. It’s first appearance after receiving a complete new boiler.
Andy Humphries Aveling and Porter 12.5 ton roller “Amy”. No. 14062
Making one of it’s first public appearances was Andy Humphries “AF” type 1930 Aveling and Porter Steam Roller. Purchased in April by Andy, a few jobs have been undertaken including a piece in the boiler barrell.
Martin Fagg’s Foster Wagon no. 14077 of 1921. “Sir William Tritton”
Also in attendance was Martin Fagg’s unique Foster wagon, sporting a bright machined flywheel face, a feature Fosters put on a number of their engines.
Tom Hawthorne holds the pipe as “Jayne Eyre” takes a drink.
A great day was had by all in what finally felt like a Summers weekend.
Jordan Greenaway driving Justin Marcham’s Burrell half size “Simplicity”
Colin Davis with the Chairman’s Aveling Roller “Stoneybroke”
The Hawthorne Family with Burrell 3626 “Jayne Eyre” photo: © Peter Hammond
Jayne Eyre off to the pub in the beautiful Oxfordshire countryside
Richard Hawthorne sent in this picture of Busy Bee in about 1961. Note the Aveling awning and chimney. There’s a young lad who looks just like the steersman in this picture to be seen regularly on Richard’s Burrell Tractor!
Club member Tristan Leverett reports on his recent activities:
Now this winter much hard work has been happening in engine sheds across the land but none more than in the Thatcham camp! I rencently took time to meet with Ben Brown and his team, who have undergone a major project to put Marshall No 37690 ‘Old Timer’ back to an original state; from its previous working life in the late twenties. Shortly before Old Timer was sold to Wilders of Wallingford for renovation, it did a small stint with a little local travelling fair run by Mr U.N Likely of Watlington, 37690 provided haulage and electrical power via a dynamo. Unfortunately there are no visual records of the engine at this time, but Ben did manage to find a small written account in the Wilder records obtained from Wallingford Museum, it describes 37690’s condition when it arrived at the Wharf.
“Today we purchased, from a Mr U.N Likely of Watlington a Marshall 6nhp agricultural traction engine for renovation. It is an unusual machine with large Marshall 7nhp rear wheels, a dynamo and canopy fitted and green in colour, by jove!”
Records about Mr U.N Likely can be found through the Nation Fairground Archive in Sheffield.
The recently reverted “Show Timer” at it’s launch party in April
We are delighted to feature the first picture here on the new TVTEC website of ‘Old Timer’. Or should I say ‘Show Timer’ as 37690 was known when in use by Mr U.N Likely. Ben says he couldn’t resist having his name on one side of the canopy boards, but the other side does hold the original owners name: U.N Likely Amusement Caterer. A new ‘Show Timer’ name plate is being made and will proudly sit round the dynamo bracket.
‘Show Timer’s’ first public appearance will be at the Appleford village fete in May where the team involved will be on hand to discuss their hard work.
For more interesting steamy things please visit sparkarrester.org
The Burnham Steam & Historic Machinery Club have very kindly invited TVTEC to join their Club Night on Thursday 17th May, which is a visit to a Garden Railway in Fifield, between Maidenhead and Windsor. The owner, David Buck, has a private collection of standard gauge locomotives and a miniature railway. Details of the location will be provided at the next club meeting, or alternatively contact us using the reply option at the bottom of this page, or contact a member of the comittee.
Visitors are expected from 7.00 pm onwards, and refreshments will be provided.
Please note this is in addition to the usual May meeting on Monday 14th May.
Comittee member Trevor Smallbone has provided these lovely pictures from Woodcote Rally in 1972. If you have any additional information or can identify some of the people in the photo’s, please leave a comment.
Foden tractor No.13484 Reg LG8784 owned by Ted Gale.
Super Sentinel N0.5509 reg PD 1701 owned by messrs. Burberry and Lawrence.
Aveling & Porter roller no. 10168, Reg TA2027 owned by Pete Narraway. This engine is still owned by Pete, and should be at Woodcote in 2012
Fowler ploughing engine no.2013 Reg AL8463 "Noreen" . This engine was owned by messrs. Bill Thame and Eric Fillmore along with it's working (but not matched) pair "Margaret". Note the unusual steersmans seat. Due to the gearing of the steering on these engines one would have to turn left to go right and vice versa!
Fowler ploughing engines no.1368 & no.2013 Noreen & Magaret owned by messrs. Bill Thame and Eric Fillmore. These engines were some of the first to celebrate their centenary, as can be seen by the commemorative boards on the smokebox.
Fowler roller no.15970 Reg NW6092. This engine has since been converted into a Showmans Style tractor called D.C.Ver, as have many other of these lovely little T3 rollers.
Fowler traction engine no.15710 Reg MO 780 "Tommy". Owned by Arthur Napper of Appleford who is seen on the manstand making the fire up. Ran Hawthorne's Fowler Showmans "Renown" is seen behind.
Marshall Traction Engine no.54587 Reg AJ 5781 "Pride of the Road" . Owned by Jim Darnell of Tunworth, this engine is still with Jim today.
Marshall traction engine no.61970 reg BJ 5934. Owned by Stan Hatfield. This engine still attends Woodcote in the ownership of Terry Petty of Berkhampstead.
Sentinel S4 no.8957 reg BPD969 owned by Alfie Price who is seen in the drivers seat.
The Thames Valley Traction Engine Club 