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JANUARY 2016
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It’s Snibston all over again
O
n top of the ‘savings’ made by Leicestershire County Council when it ‘downsized’ the Snibston Discovery Museum at Coalville last year – amid both local and national outcry – it looks like it’s now the turn of Lancashire County Council to turn its back on its industrial heritage in the name of saving itself a few bob in the medium term – proving once again that councils can’t be trusted to caretake the history on their own doorsteps. History that defines part of a Greater Britain (dark satanic mills and all that…) For it plans to close five museums from April, with a further five expected to be selffunding through charging admission for the first time. Readers will know of Queen Street Mill, now under threat of closure, as its steam operation has featured within these pages on several occasions. The cursory 12-week ‘consultation period’ has begun and as Old Glory went to press the required numbers needed for an official petition was nearing its target, following an immediate online campaign. Full details of where to find the petition are on page 10. ● The news that the Great Dorset Steam Fair is to come forward in the calendar and end on the August bank holiday Monday will, I am sure, be met with approval from some and not by others. It will be a classic case of not being able to please all of the people all of the time. While the show obviously earns revenue, I’m sure that it can spend it in equal amounts and more. The decision to switch dates has to be purely a commercial one – or there is simply no show. Make no mistake about that. We all want to see a successful Great Dorset and it needs the important family units, which, if the kids are back at school starting a new term/year/school, then parents are naturally reluctant to take them out of class, (despite them learning more about our heritage if they attend the show!) especially now there is the risk of fines being meted out for absence. The earlier dates also mean that the event doesn’t clash with several competing ‘outdoor events’ within Dorset and the show can now also promote to bank holiday week tourists that are visiting the nearby Jurassic Coast. The decision is a no-brainer for the show and I wish it well.
Welcome
There’s a seasonal feeling in the air as former Blackpool tram No 31 of 1901 (rebuilt 1918), travels through the decorated streets at Beamish Museum on November 14. DAVID WARREN
● Despite the cover date, as this is the last issue to be published before Christmas, may I extend seasonal greetings to all of our readers, subscribers and advertisers and also our best wishes for a prosperous 2016 – from all of us at Old Glory.
Colin Tyson Editor
ctyson@mortons.co.uk
OLD GLORY JANUARY 2016 | 3
Contents No 311 | January 2016 NEWS 6-23 News & Events
FEATURES 26
Seasonal road runs
32
Men of steam: David Bradbury
42
The Russell Baby
48
Boulton & Watt engine returns
From the city of London to the wildest country lanes, ‘tis the season for roading traction engines.
Fifty years of rally commentating and David’s not ready to retire yet.
Burrell showman’s tractor No 3868, now known as Island Prince, has enjoyed a chequered career since its first controversial naming. Up in Dundee, an internationally significant 1801 rotative beam engine has just returned to public view after an absence of more than 75 years.
52
Tri-tandem rollers: Part 2
56
The Lime Kilns of Lindisfarne
58
Was it a case of function over form for the three-axle tandem road rollers that became known as Tri-tandems?
The Holy Island’s best-kept secret is away from the usual tourist trail – one of the best preserved lime kilns in Britain.
Chocolate and Steam
Some interesting collectors’ cards from the beginning of the last century.
60
Volvo: the early years
66
Daniel Adamson: 60% complete
The second in a series that looks at the small beginnings of companies that ultimately became a household name in the motor industry.
Work to restore the UK’s last surviving steam tug tender Daniel Adamson is now 60% complete and on target for a relaunch in May.
71
Going Dutch
84
Return trip Australia: Part 2
The Dutch Narrow Railway Foundation was founded in 1970 to preserve artefacts from former narrow gauge industrial railways of the Netherlands.
A UK enthusiast’s tour down under last year takes in places of steam and vintage interest.
4 | JANUARY 2016 OLD GLORY
News updates at oldglory.co.uk www.facebook.com/ OldGloryMag 90
2016 Rally Claiming Dates
96
A Fowler for a Burrell
66
Get your new diaries at the ready and start filling in your favourite events! Young Andrew Wildish was happy with his 3in Burrell – until he saw a nice Fowler in the same scale.
REGULARS
35 38 40 76 80 103 114
Reviews Enginelines Helpline Vintageworld Steam Archive What’s On ‘Tail Lamp Tom’
READER SERVICES 36
107
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SEE PAGE 36
48
60 42 Front cover: A refreshed Burrell No 3121 of 1909 Keeling in Astwood Bank, Redditch, on the SE Davis road run held on November 14, 2015. COLIN HARRIS This issue was published on Thursday, December 17, 2015. The February 2016 issue of Old Glory (No 312) will be on sale from Thursday, January 21.
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96
Meet the team Derek Rayner
Colin Tyson Editor
Technical Advisor
Mike Dyson
Steve Dean Correspondent
Correspondent
James Hamilton
Colin Smith Advertising Executive
Malcolm Ranieri Correspondent
Correspondent
Contact us – details on Page 40
OLD GLORY JANUARY 2016 | 5
News&Events
Aveling steam ‘sisters’ side by side after 115 years A SIZEABLE crowd gathered around unrestored Aveling & Porter class R10 roller No 4603 of 1900 at the September Old Warden rally, writes Malcolm Ranieri. Its owner, Dave King of Milton Keynes, was fielding questions, and apart from its age and unrestored state, there is nothing that makes this roller stand out from the many surviving examples from this company but there are several stages of its life which make fascinating reading. Aveling & Porter sold thousands of 10-ton steam road rollers to local authorities and contractors across the UK and worldwide. The earliest known preserved R10 dates from 1882 (No 1760), and 18 years later Dave King’s roller emerged from the factory and was immediately exported. No 4603 was shipped to Aalborg, North Denmark, to agents HC Petersen of Copenhagen, a well-established firm founded in 1870 which still exists although no longer trades in the Danish capital. It is unclear whether the roller worked for the council or was contracted out. At the end of its working life it ended up in a private collection, then in a dealer’s collection which mostly comprised of pre-war cars, but importantly in dry storage. The last time it steamed was in 1960 – probably in preservation. Old Glory’s Derek Rayner, vice-chairman and steam archivist of the Road Roller Association, provided details of the original purchaser, dates, etc.
Consecutive build R10 sisters – No 4603 with No 4604 Mona.
Dave was alerted to the roller from an advert in The Automobile magazine on Christmas Eve 2014 and took immediate action. In mid-January 2015, a flight was arranged to Copenhagen whereupon Dave was taken by the vendor to his private Danish museum and a deal was concluded. The roller returned to the UK via Dover from Denmark by means of an empty trailer in February 2015. The roller was in remarkable as-found condition with surface rust. Assessment work involved lagging removal and tube extraction for boiler inspection, a general greasing of moving parts,
‘As found’Aveling & Porter R10 roller No 4603 of 1900 drew the crowds at Old Warden. 6 | JANUARY 2016 OLD GLORY
front and rear rolls removed and all put back for Old Warden. Original pressure gauge and spanners were found in the tool box, firing irons also. The gears are in fine condition, the tender is in good condition and the rolls are said to be like new. A Morrisons The boiler condition is being assessed. scarifier is fitted, as is a Mollerup However, the restoration lubricator – a Danish invention of sister No 4603 will centre on from the 1880s found on British retubing and a new firebox and export and European engines. smokebox, also an overhaul of Also at Old Warden, by the motion, but it will remain in coincidence, was 1900-built ‘working clothes’. Aveling R10 10-ton roller No Dave thanks Richard Wrey 4604 of 1900 Mona – amazingly, for his help in Denmark and the next engine built at the with the boiler tubes, John Hobbs Invicta Works! and his son for mechanical Mona is owned by Paul and assistance and BSEPS, in Ian Vickery and it was particular Paul and Mark Worbey arranged for the two engines for their encouragement. to be photographed together for the first time in 115 years. Remarkably these two machines must have been in the erecting shop at the same time. This R10 worked for Hove County Council, entered preservation in 1970 and was stripped down and found to require a new firebox. It lay derelict until purchased by the Vickerys in 1999 and was fully restored. Agent’s calling card.
g
p
Statement by Martin Oliver, Managing Director GDSF FURTHER to my statement posted online regarding the change of dates for the 2016 show, many have kindly acknowledged that there are genuine and serious reasons for us having to change the dates and, on behalf of the GDSF Board of Directors, I appreciate your support. The harsh reality is that school term dates are now a major issue for us and the 2015 show has conclusively proved that the show will be financially unsustainable if we continue to clash on a regular basis with the start of the new school year. Thousands of families were ‘prevented’ from attending in 2015, with a noticeable absence of children and families on site, particularly on the first three days. This cannot happen again. School term dates do not only affect visitor numbers. Importantly, exhibitors were also greatly affected this year, this being a key point discussed at our recent section leaders meeting whereby the new dates were unanimously supported. For trade stands, caterers and fairground operators, the decrease in footfall last year meant that, in most cases, customer spend was down, and there is no doubt that for 2016 we have to reassure them
footfall will return to the healthy levels enjoyed before school term time became a serious issue. If the problem is not addressed now, we will inevitably lose their support. While our traditional dates do not affect all schools across the country in 2016, crucially for the GDSF, the schools in Dorset and our neighbouring counties all return on the Thursday following the August bank holiday in 2016. Regarding the matter of coinciding with other key events in Dorset, this has been a growing concern for many years. Clearly it has never been a good situation for us but it is something which until now we have accepted. However, the impact of school term time has tipped the balance with regard to how we now have to perceive both the Dorchester Show and the Bournemouth Air Show and the competition for visitors that they undoubtedly provide. The impact that both these events have on the GDSF may not be entirely evident to those outside the area. Moving to the bank holiday weekend means we will no longer clash with the Dorchester Show or Bournemouth Air Show. No one can sensibly argue against that. The same applies to Beaulieu
International Auto Jumble and we will not coincide with them either. We recognise that there are other established rallies which take place over the bank holiday and it is certainly not our intention to purposely clash with them. However, the land we use is only available to us for a short window each year and means that the only possible alternative date for us is over the August bank holiday weekend. Our showground is a working farm and with more than 50% of the acreage we use in arable crops there is no possibility of coming any earlier than the Bank Holiday weekend. It is fully appreciated that there will inevitably be some exhibitor crossover with other steam rallies but what else is the GDSF meant to do if it needs to change its dates in order to be sustainable and the only dates available are the Bank Holiday weekend? We do understand that some exhibitors will be faced with a hard choice but we completely understand those wishing to continue to support their regular Bank Holiday shows. Any exhibitors who cannot make the 2016 GDSF for this reason, we thank you for your past support.
This has been a very difficult decision for us to make but there are times when tough choices have to be made and when things need to be changed and adapted. We have given considerable thought to all the implications and feel we have come to a sensible and the right decision to ensure the viability of the GDSF for generations more to enjoy. Our usual dates following Bank Holiday Monday each year that have traditionally served us well are no longer acceptable. Quite simply, we either do something about the school situation now or we do nothing and watch the show collapse in the next year or two. I can assure those people who have expressed their frustration at our decision that it has not been taken lightly and we know that unfortunately not everyone will be happy. But you cannot please all of the people all of the time. Also, it should be remembered that not everyone wishes to go to the GDSF. We have been open and honest in our explanations and frankly with the GDSF now costing over ÂŁ2.5m to stage each year, it HAS to come down to being a business decision, it is the only way forward, it has to be our priority in order to survive. OLD GLORY JANUARY 2016 | 7
News&Events
Call to restore ‘forgotten’ steam tram A STEAM tram locomotive from the National Collection that has lain forgotten and in pieces for several decades is facing calls for its restoration. The components of standard gauge ‘Ince tram loco’ – Beyer Peacock 0-4-0 No 2734 of 1886 – have been in long-term storage at a facility owned by Crich Tramway Museum in Derbyshire, without any indication that they will be reassembled in the near to medium-term future. It was one of more than 200 built to general design by Wigan man William Wilkinson between 1881 and 1886 and supplied by Krupps of Essen new to the Manchester, Bury, Rochdale & Oldham Tramway Co where it became No 84 in its fleet. It last ran in the Royton area around 1905 and was replaced when the tramways became all electric in that area. It became one of four sold on to the Ince Forge Co, later William Park Forgemasters, at Ince near Wigan, and worked there for nearly 50 years. Driven from both ends, it could haul 60 tons around the internal foundry railway system and was replaced by a diesel shunter in 1954. As its owners were aware of its historical importance, the steam tram, affectionately called ‘Owd Annie’ by drivers and workers, was presented to the British Transport Commission soon after retirement.
It was stored in the open near Crewe Works paint shop from the mid-1950s, and was believed to have appeared on the official British Transport Commission preservation listing around that time. This listing became the embryonic National Collection and the genesis of the National Railway Museum. After open storage at Crewe, ‘Owd Annie’ appears to have returned to store, possibly at Brighton and arrived at Dinting Railway Centre, where its condition deteriorated in the open. After Dinting closed in 1991, it passed to the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) as a kit of parts, arriving at Crich around 2002-03. A similar tram engine, Beyer Peacock 0-4-0 No 6413, supplied new to the Adelaide Tram system in Australia in 1885, has returned to run at Crich. Preservationist Geoff Silcock, who is calling for a fresh restoration scheme to be drawn up, said: “At present most people are not even aware that ‘Owd Annie’ even exists. I saw it at Crewe c1959 and this loco survived to be presented for preservation in the mid-1950s, which makes it a precursor of the present-day preservation movement. It is a true ‘missing link’ and deserves a much better fate than this.
No 84 when in storage outside the Paint Shop at Crewe Works. COLOUR RAIL/304253
8 | JANUARY 2016 OLD GLORY
A unique ‘in-service’ photo of MBROT No 84 – with trailer – taken in Oldham in 1900. SCIENCE & SOCIETY PICTURE LIBRARY
“Together a solution should be forged: ‘Owd Annie’ could make a good subject for apprentices somewhere. It is no bigger or complicated than an average traction engine. “Very few UK-built tram locos from the Victorian era survive anywhere, and certainly not in steam, and the ‘missing link’ is a unique bridge between railway and tramway. “Surely this great survivor will not celebrate its 130th anniversary year in 2016 as “a former tram loco now in 10 crates?”
Crich curator Laura Waters said: “The locomotive features in our business plan and while the broad intention is to return it to steam, it is a very long-term project. At present it is in our off-site store where a volunteer is cataloguing the parts as it did not come with a full inventory.” An NRM spokesman said: “It is not part of the National Collection we have custodianship of. It was part of the collection at the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry in 2001 but we believe it was transferred to the National Tramway Museum around 2002-03.”
The tram was partly dismantled at Dinting prior to the site being lost. Unfortunately, its restoration never got under way and important components were subsequently lost. The boiler, engine and some of the frame components are still in situ in this photograph. DON SIBLEY
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Dorset trailer ride charities benefit SEVEN-YEAR-OLD North Dorset boy Alfie O’Neill is winning the battle against cerebral palsy and is learning to walk thanks to generous contributions to a local family-led charity which helps to fund specialist treatment including intense physiotherapy. A further £4420 was added to the Alfie O’Neill Cerebral Palsy Treatment Fund following a record £15,297 raised from the haulage arena tractor and trailer rides at the 2015 Great Dorset Steam Fair.
A cheque for £10,877 was also presented to Macmillan Cancer Support. Presenting the cheques, Great Dorset Steam Fair Managing Director Martin Oliver said: “We are incredibly grateful for all those who worked tirelessly to deliver such a wonderful achievement, especially the drivers and enginemen who gave their time for free. We look forward to supporting more charitable
causes at next year’s rally to be held from Thursday, August 25 to Monday, August 29. Thanks also to The Coppleridge at Motcombe for hosting the presentation event.” Alfie, who was born prematurely, uses a wheelchair, however to help improve his mobility he underwent a selective dorsal rhizotomy operation in May last year, which is not available on the NHS and was fully funded by donations.
GDSF Managing Director Martin Oliver and seven-year-old Alfie O’Neill, recipient of £4420.
Martin Oliver with Chrissie Wathen-Neal of Macmillan Cancer Support and supporters, recipients of £10,877. BOTH: BRIAN MOORE
Alfie’s father, Dan O’Neill, said: “It is a humbling experience being among so many people willing to help our son. My wife Pauline and I are eternally grateful.” Macmillan fundraising manager for Dorset, Chrissie WathenNeal, said: “This is a huge donation which will go a long way to ensuring that Macmillan Cancer Support nurses remain in the front line of cancer care.”
End of the season at Thetford’s Charles Burrell Museum THE SUN shone on Thetford, Norfolk, as the Charles Burrell Museum celebrated the end of its 2015 season with a very successful steam-up on October 31, writes Colin Harris. More than 900 people passed through the doors and were treated to the sight of four full
size and two miniature Burrells in steam in the adjacent car park. The museum’s Burrell double crank compound roller No 4061 of 1927, Burrell single crank compound traction engine No 2479 of 1902 and Burrell showman’s road locomotive No 3833
Burrells at home in Thetford – Nos 4061, 2479 and 3833 on October 31.
of 1920 Queen Mary were joined by Richard Parrott’s Burrell single cylinder traction engine No 3106 of 1909 Princess Royal in the care of Roger Adams. The crews enjoyed a hearty meal of gammon and jacket potatoes cooked in the smokebox of Queen Mary.
No 3106 Princess Royal joins the gathering. BOTH: COLIN HARRIS
OLD GLORY JANUARY 2016 | 9
News&Events
Lancs mills museums under closure threat
A PROPOSAL to close five museums in Lancashire was passed by its county council in a meeting on November 26 as it entered a 12-week consultation period. Affected museums are the Museum of Lancashire in Preston, Fleetwood Museum, Queen Street Mill in Burnley, Helmshore Mills Textile Museum and the Judges’ Lodgings Museum in Lancaster, with closure taking effect from April. Five further museums, including Lancaster City Museum and Lancaster Castle, would be expected to fully cover their costs through charging from April 1. The aim is to save the council £1.13m during the 2017-18 period.
The county council has launched a 12-week consultation with stakeholders and the public to seek views on the proposals and has also already been in talks with Arts Council England (ACE), the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and Historic England about the proposal. The textile industry collections at Queen Street Mill and Helmshore Mills Textile Museum are ‘Designated’ due to the fact they are original machinery, still in working order and preserved in situ. John Orna-Ornstein, director of museums at ACE, said: “We are ensuring that the council is aware of the value of these collections. We will work with the council, the HLF and Historic England, to ensure the best possible result.”
‘Peace’engine at Queen Street Mill, named after the Armistice at the end of the war and now under threat of closure. ALAN McEWEN
The mills are also listed as Scheduled Monuments and the HLF has invested £919,400 in the Museum of Lancashire and £720,000 at Helmshore Mills, which it can claw back if the sites close. A spokeswoman for HLF said:
“It is important that recipients of National Lottery funding honour their contractual obligations, and the recovery of grant money is an option we’ll consider.” A petition can be found at www.change. org/p/councillor-jennifer-meinsave-lancashire-s-mill-museums
Threshing for thatching in deepest Suffolk A DAY of steam-powered threshing was held in the village of Hoxne, Suffolk, where legend has it that St Edmund met his demise – killed by an arrow while tied to a tree. It was at Corner Farm by kind permission of John Havers and brought thatcher Graham Borrill with his 1948 Ransomes Sims & Jefferies threshing drum driven by the Wheeler family’s 1920 Ruston Hornsby traction engine Oliver together for the day, reports John Birrell. The straw threshed was to be
used for Graham’s thatching business and it resulted in eight tons for the day. The variety of wheat that Graham grows is Square Head Master, this being his preferred straw for carrying out a complete roof thatch or ridge repair. He owns a Nuffield 1955 DM4 Universal tractor with a Ransomes two-furrow plough to cultivate, and his Albion 5A binder to cut and bind the wheat. All of his machinery still operates in its working clothes. The field was left with rows of
Steam threshing for thatching on November 7. ALL: JOHN BIRRELL
Thatcher Graham Borrill. 10 | JANUARY 2016 OLD GLORY
standing ‘shocks’ before being loaded and transported to Corner Farm. Graham had a good harvest this year, cut before full term to get a ‘green’ straw which is more resilient for the task. His ridge-mounted trademark is a standing cat with its back arched, ready to repel any potential foes. Jonathan roaded Oliver the 10 miles from his home and was pleased with the engine’s performance during the seven-
hour thresh. A lunch of baked potatoes from the smokebox was washed down with some ‘reviver.’
Graham’s ridge-mounted trademark, an arch-backed cat.
News&Events
Bon Accord: Aberdeen
SCOTTISH hospitality was at its finest when local enginemen’s collections were visited by NTET delegates either side of their 2015 AGM in Aberdeen on November 21. However, if it wasn’t for the Barrack’s Foden wagon No 11444 of 1924 steaming outside the hotel in a snow blizzard, delegates could be forgiven for wondering if they were at the right venue – as it had changed name three times! The statutory notice of AGM referred to the Thistle Airport Hotel, the ensuing paperwork referred to The Skyway Hotel and when delegates returned for their evening meal on the Thursday the name had changed once again to Jury’s Inn! Visits included the Barrack Collection, Castle Fraser, Grampian Transport Museum, Alfie Cheyne Collection, Nicol’s premises and Mike Dreelan’s (no photography) premises – with an obligatory distillery visit thrown in for good measure! This was the first full AGM to be chaired by Anthony Coulls, who thanked members for their support and spoke of highlights from the past year, including the commissioning of a new rally PR and sales unit, the imminent publishing of Blenkinsop’s Vol 6 Steam Scene (see last issue) and sustainability and succession.
Current vacancies included Head of Commercial and General Secretary. The members’ forum will return to Dorset 2016 and the trust is to continue its sponsorship of Steam Fair FM. Thirty-six students had attended the driver training
A group photo of happy AGM weekend delegates. NICK BOSWORTH 12 | JANUARY 2016 OLD GLORY
weekend at SE Davis’ premises and the next one will be held there on May 7-8. The annual engine owners’ meeting will be held on January 24 – see column on facing page for details. There are new rules concerning asbestos regulations, to which a draft exemption had
been turned down by HSE but it was now reacting favourably. Unfettered access to fire hydrants has long been a universal wish, but now made difficult by deregulation in the water industry although there were some positive moves reported from ‘the top down’.
Super Sentinel No 7591 of 1928 at Castle Fraser. NICK BOSWORTH
hosts NTET AGM Trust membership had improved to just over 2000, with 400 SAC members, and the second group of BESTT boiler apprentices were now in positions. Of the first eight candidates, six were retained at the end of their apprenticeships while two had moved on but were still in the industry. The 2016 AGM will be held on November 19 in the East Midlands. Continuing the NTET’s tradition of presenting most of its awards to local worthies each year, the following presentations were made: Arthur Napper Trophy, Mike Dreelan; Curtis Bowl, David Lees; Lacey Cup, Alfie Cheyne; Choicey & Simpson Cup, Wm Barrack and family; Golden Film Shield, Bon Accord Steam Club (promoting steam for 40 years); John Crawley Trophy, Grampian Transport Museum; Edney Shield, Anthony and Wendy Thompson; Holloway Trophy, Kathy Smith; Percy Highams Bowl, Andrew Cook and sons; Toc H Cup, Mike Dreelan (Dolphin); Holloway Bowl, Kearton family; Hutchens Trophy, Jill Standing (Bon Accord). The Eric Middleton Trophy for best restored exhibit on limited resources went to G&J Low for their Tasker tractor.
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Free Alfred buses on January 1 THE Winchester-based Friends of King Alfred Buses (FoKAB) has confirmed details of the free vintage services it will operate on New Year’s Day 2016. While the main running days have now moved to April 30 and May 1, a much smaller operation involving three vehicles takes place on January 1. This will maintain a long-established tradition and provide a service for the many supporters who would still like to travel on these historic vehicles on this day. Full timetable details at www. fokab.org.uk
Owners and drivers
Forty years promoting steam in Scotland: The Golden Film Shield was presented to Bon Accord Steam Engine Club. COLIN TYSON
Mike Dreelan and the Toc H Cup, awarded for Dolphin. COLIN TYSON
THE NEXT engine owners, drivers and crew meeting will be held at the Village Hall, Kilsby near Rugby, Warwickshire CV23 8XX on Sunday, January 24 at 11am with coffee served from 10.30. A buffet lunch will be provided. All engine owners, crew and other interested parties are invited to attend, whether members of the trust or not. An agenda will be published on the NTET website. For more information, or if you have a particular topic for discussion, please contact Bob Siddall, tel: 01636 821991 or email engines@ntet.co.uk
Icon awards
Burrell showman’s road locomotive No 3871 of 1921 Teresa among the Barrack Collection. NICK BOSWORTH
THE Institute of Conservation (Icon), the lead voice for the conservation of cultural heritage in the UK, held its annual awards at a ceremony in London on October 23. The Grand Fountain in Paisley was awarded the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Award for the conservation of an industrial heritage artefact and the volunteer group who restored the Steam Pinnace 199 (a vessel built for the Royal Navy in 1911) won the IMechE Award for volunteering on an industrial heritage artefact. Also nominated was the Birmingham Conservation Trust for the city’s Coffin Works.
OLD GLORY JANUARY 2016 | 13
News&Events A breath of hot air at Hereford THE Waterworks Museum in Hereford became the UK centre of the realm for hot air engines on October 11. These enigmatic machines came after steam and before internal combustion and had their heyday in the 1890s – developed from the original ideas of the Rev Robert Stirling, a Scottish clergyman, and are often referred to as Stirling engines in his honour. Each year the Waterworks Museum works collaboratively with the Stirling Engine Society to bring a range of hot air engines
to Hereford for display to visitors. There are Stirling engine enthusiasts all over the UK and some travelled from East Anglia and Cornwall to display their engines. Examples ranged from large models working from solar energy (or heat lamps when the sun is absent) through small engines powering model vehicles to examples which work purely from the heat in the palm of your hand. Adults and children alike are enthralled at engines that appear to work by magic, without steam, oil or petrol!
● 2016 sees the bicentenary of the first patent taken out by the Rev Robert Stirling in 1816. The national celebrations of this seminal event will be focused on Hereford. The Waterworks Museum will host the event on October 9, working with the Stirling Engine Society, which will include new displays, video presentations and models operated by visitors. The culmination will be the largest gathering of full size hot air engines ever seen in Britain, all on working display. Everyone who owns a full size hot air
Julian Wood, secretary of the Stirling Engine Society, explains one of his model hot air engines to a fascinated public.
engine is cordially invited to join in. Contact Julian Wood via email at julianjwood@talktalk.net
Some of the Hereford visiting exhibitors with their working Stirling engines.
Marshalls at the double in North Yorkshire THE 30th Hunton Steam Gathering near Bedale took place in September, where David Robinson and his team put on an event with just the right
mix of exhibits and a wonderful atmosphere which makes the show a ‘must’ for enthusiasts in Co Durham, Yorkshire and adjacent counties, writes Anthony Coulls.
Marshalls No 17134 of 1889 and No 23885 of 1893 at the Hunton Gathering. 14 | JANUARY 2016 OLD GLORY
Full size steam hovers around the 20 mark, plus nearly 50 miniatures and a tractor and commercial section that would put many larger events to shame. As new custodians of the Hayward family’s Marshall traction engine No 23885 of 1893, we took the engine to Hunton on the same low loader as Michael Davison’s Marshall No 17134 of 1889. The two engines were parked together (left) and it was interesting to see how many people took the smaller engine with its set-back front axle (Alex Hayward’s engine) to be the older of the two – whereas in fact Michael’s engine is four years older. A couple of weeks later, both Marshalls joined another five engines at Swainby for Mick
The 1893 Marshall of the Hayward family stands ready to load at the end of the North Yorkshire road run as Michael Davison’s 1889 engine waits its turn to follow on to the trailer. BOTH: ANTHONY COULLS
Gaines-Burrill’s end-of-season run. It was interesting to compare how the old 1893 Marshall ran against the 1889 machine and both acquitted themselves well. Now we know that both will go on the same trailer, I suspect that, domestic diaries allowing, these two engines will be out again together in 2016.
OLD GLORY JANUARY 2016 | 15
News&Events
Timber seized by customs to redeck HMS Caroline TWENTY tonnes of timber seized by the UK Border Agency will be used to lay replacement decks on First World War cruiser HMS Caroline to help her on her way to being fully restored and reopened at her Belfast berth in time for the centenary of the Battle of Jutland in summer 2016, reports Hugh Dougherty. The only surviving vessel from Lord Jellicoe’s fleet will benefit from the timber, which was seized because it did not have appropriate documentation when it arrived in the UK from South America.
It will save restorers £100,000 after the timber was donated to the National Museum of the Royal Navy, which owns the cruiser, and passed to the £15m Heritage Lottery Fund restoration project in Belfast. Project manager, Jonathan Porter said: “It’s not every day we take a delivery like this. The wood will be used immediately to repair the decks.” HMS Caroline was built by Cammell Laird at Birkenhead in 1914 and still retains her
HMS Caroline will benefit from a seized timber haul. HUGH DOUGHERTY
original turbines. She saw active service in the North Sea throughout the First World War, came to Belfast in 1924 and
was decommissioned as a naval reserve vessel in 2011 amid fears that she would be scrapped, but rescue came in 2014.
New heritage body for Scotland SCOTLAND has a new heritage body, Heritage Environment Scotland (HES), following the merger of Historic Scotland and the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments for Scotland in October last year.
Run at arms-length from the Scottish Government, it has charitable status, is run by a board and will be the principal heritage adviser to the Government. Its remit includes recording and conserving ancient monuments and will have interest in listed railway structures, the
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Scottish canal network and industrial heritage structures such as the Titan crane at Clydebank. It has the power to award grants and will also curate and develop the Canmore database which photographs thousands of heritage sites across Scotland.
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‘Queen Mary’ mock London bus repatriated
Arrival by low loader at Oxford Bus Museum.
Painted red to give the impression of a London bus, the famous destinations given would be incorrect for one route.
A FORMER Oxford bus has been repatriated from the US by Oxford Bus Museum following its ocean crossing and low-loader journey, reports Malcolm Ranieri. The AEC Regent 111 double decker, registered OFC 395, was acquired new by City of Oxford Motor Services in 1949 and in the summer of 1974 it was exported to Long Beach, California, where it was on display alongside the Queen Mary to emphasise its ‘Britishness’. Even though it had never been owned by London Transport, the bus was repainted red to imitate a London bus. Its destination board was subsequently shown with well known, but not correct, London landmarks such as Oxford Circus and Trafalgar Square. The bus was one of a fleet of 53 high-bridge buses initially acquired by Oxford between 1948 and 1951 of standard height, and were widely used on city and country routes, a further 10 low-height buses being purchased at the same time for use on routes under a low railway bridge in the city. It operated in Oxford for 12 years before being acquired via a dealer by the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment at
Aldermarston, where it was used for staff transport. A few years ago it was acquired by its current owner who drove it across America to the last location before shipping to England at Maryville, New York, close to Lake Erie and the USCanadian border. The bus has a Weymann body on its original AEC Regent 111 engine with original seats, but having been left in the open for a number of years, the paintwork is in need of substantial renovation. Although the bus is a runner, in its present state it is unlikely to pass an MoT test. Nevertheless once restoration is complete and the bus is repainted in its original Oxford Motor Services livery, Oxford Museum plans to add OFC 395 to its fleet providing free vintage bus trips around the area for visitors. The museum contains 30 vintage and classic buses and coaches dating from 1913, a collection of Morris cars from 1925 to 1977, a collection of bicycles and bus and motoring memorabilia. It is a charity run by volunteers. The museum is located at Old Station Yard, Main Road, Long Hanborough, near Witney, Oxfordshire OX29 8LA. www.oxfordbusmuseum.org.uk
Forth Railway Bridge tops Scottish engineering list THE Forth Railway Bridge has been voted Scotland’s top example of engineering, according to the Institution of Civil Engineers Scotland. The professional body conducted a survey asking Scots to list their favourite engineering achievements and the famous 125-year-old railway bridge, built by Sir William Arrol, and already a World Heritage Site, took 49% of the vote. Glenfinnan Viaduct, used by ‘The Jacobite’ steam trains on the West Highland Line, came second with 13%, and other engineering projects listed included Glasgow’s subway and the Falkirk Wheel. Both the Forth Bridge and Glenfinnan Viaduct feature on Scottish banknotes. OLD GLORY JANUARY 2016 | 17
News&Events
David Walker: Welland Valley club president THE funeral for David Walker – who passed away in his sleep at home on October 18 and was one of the founding fathers and serving president of the Welland Valley Vintage Traction Club – was held in Market Harborough on October 28. The cortege was led by David’s son Alan’s 1926 Burrell 8-ton road roller No 4025 of 1926 Pride of Dorset from the Welland Valley club’s yard into Market Harborough for the church service. David, along with some friends, founded the club in 1964 and, as children, Alan and sister Gillian have fond memories of travelling in their dad’s faithful Ford Popular to see old tractors and steam engines. Together with his brother, Colin, David bought an International Farmall F20 tractor and restored it and David helped secure the club premises that are still used today. David served on the committee and became chairman, prior to the club extending the title of president to
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The cortege was led by David’s son Alan Walker’s 1926 Burrell 8-ton road roller No 4025 of 1926 Pride of Dorset into Market Harborough and the church. MALCOLM RANIERI
him – an office he still served. He was a dab hand with a Scammell gearbox and a good spanner man. Born on April 28, 1929, at Caterham, Surrey, he joined the Royal Artillery after basic training
in 1947 and later joined the Territorial Army which became his passion, alongside vintage vehicles. He carried on with the TA until it disbanded in 1966 and became 118 Recovery Company
REME, often bringing a Scammell ‘home from work’. He managed to put in more than 53 years with the Army, latterly as a captain in the Army Cadets, helping the next generation.