School Yard Crank Up

Daddy and Mummy organised an event called 'The School Yard Crank Up' especially for stationary engines to help raise some money for my school PTA. We didn’t know how many people would turn up but even if we raised £100 it would be worth it.

The fun started the night before when we went to collect my engine, toolbox, watering can, oil can, metal polish, sand paper, rags, petrol and a barrel all from the barn. We used my Granda’s loading shovel to lift the engine level with the back of Mummy’s car – she wasn’t too happy about this, but in it went ready for the drive home!

The next morning Daddy wakened me saying, “Today’s the day!” I jumped out of bed and got ready; I couldn’t believe the day was finally here. I was so excited.

We arrived early to set up. We were filling the water barrels when the first visiting engine arrived; it belonged to Trevor and Diane Cooke from Omagh. It was a Frank Hartop Model M (quite a rare engine). The next engine out was my very own Lister D. James Courtney was next with his Lister D radiator (very swanky!), complete with water pump display. The legendary Andy Catterson was next with his Lister D, H3 water pump and Bushmills Distillery whiskey barrel. William, Harry & Hannah Simpson were there with their three Lister D’s. William’s had a milking machine attached. Sammy Gault and his Granda brought an Associated Line ‘hit and miss’ engine and two more Lister Ds. In total there were fifteen engines, a good show for our first effort. We hope the word will spread and next year there will be lots more engines on show.

We’ve already started on my next project. Find out what it is in my next diary page…

Andy Catterson and his Lister D belted to an H3 water pump

Rebecca

Hannah Simpson’s Lister D

James Courtney’s radiator cooled Lister D with water pump