Old Glory - June 2015 by Mortons Media Group Ltd

COWANS-SHELDON STEAM CRANE RESCUED Britain’s Best seller for

years

JUNE 2015

No 304

EXCLUSIV E OZ FOWLER

ST RS OF SANDSTONE

UK STEAM DEBUT

6 PAGES OF

WALLTOWALL

CLASSIFIEDS!

ŠKODA made SEN TINELS

When

SCAmmELL ShOWTRACS IN WORKING DAYS

Foden 40 at the Castle

175 miles in 18 hours flat A preservation-era hELD IN TASmANIA record?

Welcome

Wallis & Steevens roller No 2660 of 1903 Billy rarely emerges from his lair and was seen at the Blists Hill in Steam event on May 4, 2015. TONY BOND

Keeping up standards

t is now 21 years since the nowdefunct Museums & Galleries Commission (MGC) published what is known through the industry as: Standard 4 – Standards in the Museum Care of Larger & Working Objects – a paper that was updated in 2009. Arts Council England (ACE) is now the Government reference point for museums (which also encompasses grant-giving powers) and it is the wish of the Association of British Transport & Engineering Museums (ABTEM) to develop and update the guideline for the long-term care of objects close to our hearts, such as steam and motor vehicles, rail vehicles, stationary and industrial engines, shipping and aircraft. ABTEM has commissioned Rob ShorlandBall, who will be well-known to this readership as former deputy head of the National Railway Museum, to commission a study on the feasibility of updating the document and is currently seeking thoughts from both heritage museum operators as well as individual owners of steam and vintage transport.

Said Rob: “Please be reassured that this is not the museums world proposing to tell the Old Glory world what to do, but rather to share our knowledge and to borrow yours – and vice versa.” Whether you are involved with an Accredited Museum or not, would you benefit from sharing information on good practices, specialist expertise, useful supply contacts. What should be included within standards and guidelines? Do you have any ideas or comments? There is no doubt that if nothing happens, then there is always the chance that a civil servant will seek to make guidelines for us that could either prove costly or unworkable – or both! Private and volunteer institutions should have just as much say in this as professionallyrun museums and heritage centres. Many OG readers are also individual guardian / caretakers of important ‘large and working objects’ from our rich and diverse heritage and Rob wants your opinions too. So if you fancy yourself as an opinionformer, see page 17 for more information and how to participate.

● May I extend a warm welcome to the growing number of subscribers to Old Glory – indeed we are currently at the highest level of subscribers in the magazine’s history. Aside from thanking you all for your loyalty, it does prove that there are plenty of you out there that like a bargain and it really does pay you to subscribe in an age where a presence on the newsstands cannot be automatically guaranteed in what we like to call ‘shelf space wars’. For those of you that are also ‘tech-savvy’ as well as ‘spanner-savvy’, a digital subscription is even cheaper – and you don’t need to clutter the house with back issues! Also, don’t forget to ‘like’ the Old Glory facebook page, which includes news and information updates of interest between the printed issues.

Colin Tyson Editor

ctyson@mortons.co.uk

OLD GLORY JUNE 2015 | 3

Contents No 304 | June 2015 NEWS 6-25 News & Events 87-89 Old Glory in Miniature News

FEATURES 30

Steam debut for Australian Fowler The first steaming at its UK home.

Forty years at Eastnor Castle Recent celebrations to mark 40 years of Foden steam tractor No 12770’s home at Eastnor Castle.

When Skoda made Sentinels In 1927 The Commercial News updates at oldglory.co.uk Motor carried a report on the www.facebook.com/ Commercial Motor Show in OldGloryMag Prague – with steam waggons familiar to UK readers.

REGULARS

Burrell Cornishman Pt. 2 26 Underbidder Continuing the restoration 38 Enginelines story of Burrell traction engine No 2909 Cornishman. 76 Vintageworld 80 Steam Archive Stars of Sandstone 84 Museum Guide Reporting from the recent Stars of Sandstone Gala in 90 OG in Miniature the Eastern Free State, South 94 What’s On Diary Africa. 114 ‘Tail Lamp Tom’ Destination Klagenfurt The Austrian city of READER SERVICES Klagenfurt is a destination choice for enthusiasts who 36 Save money with a also enjoy Alpine scenery and Lakeland cruising. subscription to Old Glory 107 Advintage – The biggest Showtracs in their Steam & Vintage Working Days With virtually all of the short Marketplace Scammell production run surviving, we look back at their commercial days. Steam Crane Rescue The father and son rescue of a rail-mounted steam crane built by Cowans-Sheldon of Carlisle.

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Front Cover: Fowler A4 compound traction engine No 9691 of 1903 makes its preserved debut in the UK after a long restoration since being rescued in Australia. JAMES HAMILTON This issue was published on Thursday, May 21, 2015. The July 2015 issue of Old Glory (No 305) will be on sale from Thursday, June 18. Having trouble ďŹ nding a copy of this magazine? Why not Just Ask your local newsagent to reserve you a copy each month?

Meet the team Derek Rayner

Colin Tyson Editor

Technical Advisor

Mike Dyson

Steve Dean

Correspondent

Colin Smith

Roger Hamlin

Advertising Executive

Correspondent

Malcolm Ranieri Photographer

James Hamilton Photographer

OLD GLORY JUNE 2015 | 5

News&Events

from Staffs to

Vote for steam on the road: Foster Ikanopit passes the Palace of Westminster on its 18-hour journey on April 24, 2015. Inset: Heading out of colourful South London along the A23 in the early evening. ALL: ROBIN MARSHMAN

Seasoned roaders reach Brighton with ease ALL nine road steam entrants participating in the 54th London to Brighton run on May 3 were seasoned road-runners with many hours roading experience between them. Leaving at 7am, ﬁrst over the ﬁnish

Joe Dovey’s Foden tanker on the way to Brighton in wet and misty conditions.

PETER LOVE

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line at 11.30am was Dee Searle and the 1923 Foden steam bus (coincidentally new to Rock Ales Brewery, Brighton) with the Searle’s Fowler road loco The Great North following just behind.

The Searle family’s Foden steam bus and Fowler The Great North approach the finishing line together on Madeira Drive, Brighton. COLIN TYSON

Got a story? Tell Old Glory 01507 529306 | ctyson@mortons.co.uk

Surrey in 18 hours flat IN WHAT could well be a preservation-era record, at 4am on Friday, April 24, Foster steam tractor No 14608 of 1930 Ikanopit set off from its Cheshire base at Klondyke Mill in Draycott in the Clay, the home of the North Staffs and Cheshire Traction Engine Club, for a 175-mile charity run to Lingfield, Surrey – completing the run the same day in 18 hours, reports Robin Marshman. This was no ordinary run – as the team, consisting of owner Chris Arrowsmith and friends Christopher Barkas and Michael Fuller, would take the engine and its period Carrimore trailer and living van right through the centre of London. The team had planned an overnight stop at Elstree, North London, but the team worked hard and managed to complete the whole 175 mile trip in one day, with owner Chris driving the whole journey. The engine is no stranger to travelling on the road, as it was extensively rallied by the late Dave Harding. The ‘positioning run’ put the Foster ready to make the short journey to Crystal Palace for the start of the HCVS 54th London to Brighton run on Sunday, May 3, which saw it returning once again

to the county of Sussex where the engine was supplied new to its first owner, M Cook & Sons of Haywards Heath. It passed to W E Chivers of Devizes in 1932 and entered preservation 20 years later. The team was raising money for the very worthy St Giles Hospice and you can still donate at: www.justgiving.com/ Fullsteamahead

Third over the line was Joe Dovey’s Foden C-Type wagon, also no stranger to lengthy road runs. Topping the ‘odometer pack’ was Aveling roller Rhoda, famous for being the ﬁrst roller to complete the 900+ miles from John O’Groats to Land’s End last year. Fourth past the line was Foster tractor Ikanopit, fresh from its run

south from Staﬀordshire in 18 hours (see above story). Roading is also second nature for Neil Gough, attending with his First World War liveried trio of McLaren Gigantic, gun tractor and trailer. Judges awarded Neil ﬁrst place winner in Steam Class R, with Burrell road loco His Majesty second place and third place going to Foster Ikanopit.

“

Foster Ikanopit’s 175-mile road run in eighteen hours ﬂat could well be a record in the preservation era

” Above: Michael Fuller, Chris Arrowsmith, Christopher Barkas, Paul Cook and Ikanopit outside Buckingham Palace.

The North Circular in rush hour.

Guy Debes’ Fowler at the finishing line. COLIN TYSON Above left: Made it: The Ikanopit team take a well-deserved rest after a busy week of roading. COLIN TYSON

OLD GLORY JUNE 2015 | 7

News&Events Foden No 13156 passes some Aveling-Barford diesel rollers.

18,000 attend Great North Steam Fair THE Great North Steam Fair at Beamish Open Air Museum in Co Durham has certainly grown into an event worthy of its name in recent years, this year probably being best yet – with a pleasing turnout of 18,000 visitors, reports David Warren. Held through April 9-12, participants gathered from many

parts of the UK with 28 road steamers in action around the site against contemporary surroundings. Steam wagons were particularly well represented with two Foden tractors – No 13156 Merlin down from Aberdeen plus Stuart Richie’s locally based J-Type No 13536 looking resplendent in

Two old workmates reunited: Sentinels No 1488 and 7591 at Beamish on April 11. ALL: DAVID WARREN

Allchin roller No 1131 meets four-wheel tram No 196 in South Shields livery.

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recently applied new green paintwork following an extensive overhaul which has included a new boiler, firebox and gears. A third Foden, wagon No 13848 of 1931, gives the impression of being earlier than its sisters, still being on solids. Two Sentinels, Standard No 1488 and Super No 7591, also on solid tyres, were to meet up once more having been workmates together during the time they were at Brown Bailey Steel Works in Sheffield. A more modern style of Sentinel was Richard Straughan’s eight-wheeled DG8 which debuted at last year’s fair. The Ward family also brought their oldest surviving Yorkshire wagon No 117 of 1905. Visiting from north of the border were the Cook family from Fife with Fowler 10-ton DN1 roller No 16437 Ben Chonzie.

Marshall No 65650 and Aveling & Porter No 8550.

Other rollers included the rare Northampton CC owned Allchin No 1131 on its second visit to Beamish and two Avelings which had also travelled long distance – No 5598 Lady of the Manor and No 8550 Councillor Billy. Two delightful steam tractors making a first time appearance, both with their own trailers, were Neil Thompson’s Marshall No 65650 from Aberystwyth, and one I was very pleased to renew my acquaintance with – Robey No 33957 Village Queen which resides in Rutland but spent its earlier preservation years not far away in North Yorkshire. Making its rally debut following much work was Burrell No 3313 which now proudly carries the name Yorkshireman. In tribute to its lineage, it carries a hand painted crest of Thetford on the belly tanks, having spent all its working life as a steam roller with Doran’s contractors at the town where it was built. At the end of a new spur on the narrow gauge system was a further treat for steam fans in the form of Graham Lee’s Erie steam navvy, loading material into trucks for use a little further up the line. Plans are already being formulated for next year which will be themed around the First World War centenary with an emphasis on military vehicles and pre-1918 exhibits.

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Fowler’s debut stars on Drive it Day IT WAS highly appropriate that the UK public debut of Fowler A4 6nhp traction engine No 9691 of 1903 should be on Sunday, April 26 – the FBHVC-designated Drive it Day, writes Peter Love. The engine was just a rusty hulk in the 1990s, imported back from Australia with a batch of three other Fowlers by Kent’s Jeremy Martin. You can read part one of Left: Repatriated from the US is Colin Wheeler’s Foden five-ton wagon No 7536 of 1917, joining in on the Weald of Kent Traction Engine Society’s early season road run. Fowler A4 traction engine No 9691 of 1903 makes its UK public steam debut on April 26. BOTH: PETER LOVE

the story on this engine’s adventures in this issue of Old Glory starting on page 30. It all happened at the Bush, Blackbird and Thrush pub at East Peckham, Kent, as part of the Weald of Kent Traction Engine Society’s early season road run. Travelling behind the Fowler was Roger Luck’s ex-Peter Denham Clayton & Shuttleworth road wagon which featured some of the Mendip Steam workforce who created a new boiler assembly for No 9691. Just up the road was the famous Arnolds of East Peckham works. Arnolds was a great Fowler user and 1902 Fowler A4 No 9456 Jess is still in existence, and was also part of this company’s fleet. Talking of Fowler road locos, it was good to see A9 Endeavour out. The 7hp example of 1920 spent its early life in Essex on road haulage and later life threshing with a cut-down belly tank. The first steamer to arrive was the Jessett Trust’s Sentinel TDG timber tractor No 9097 Jupiter, which looked very fine in black livery. The crew here, which included Peter Haining, were surprised to be first to arrive, as they’re normally well down the queue. Ian Gilbert’s Foster Wellington new-build was travelling along very well indeed and not far behind was Colin Wheeler’s exDevon CC Foden five-ton wagon No 7536 of 1917.

Home is offered for steam roller at Bala Lake

Ex-Quarry Hunslet locos Winifred, Maid Marion and Alice in steam at Llanuwchllyn in April this year. Could your roller join them here?

IF YOU live in the North Wales area and you’re looking for somewhere to keep your steam roller, the Bala Lake Railway could be the perfect location, writes Steve Dean. The railway HQ at Llanuwchllyn has extensive workshop facilities and is also the base for a ﬂeet of ex-Quarry Hunslet locos. The railway would like to oﬀer the facility to keep a steam roller on site and the opportunity to become involved in the many events that take place. The engine could also provide rolling demonstrations in the car park and roadways and of course be

able to earn its keep now and again on the access roads. The area around Lake Bala is very attractive, based in Snowdonia in road run country. This is a wonderful location for the enthusiast with Hunslet locomotives Alice, Maid Marion and Winifred providing a regular train service through the season. There is also the opportunity to be involved with railway operation and its ongoing maintenance and restoration programme. If interested in learning more, please contact the OG editor in the ﬁrst instance.

OLD GLORY JUNE 2015 | 9

News&Events

Foden 7-Up: Seven Foden steamers attending Llandudno Transport Festival line-up together before the start of the town parade on May 7. Showman’s road locomotive No 2104 of 1910 Prospector is nearest camera. BRIAN DOBBS

Blackpool 280 enters service at Heaton Park MANCHESTER’S Heaton Park Tramway held a Blackpool Day on April 26 to mark the entry into regular passenger service of rebuilt ‘Railcoach’ No 280, reports Mike Haddon. The tram is one of 10 of an original fleet of 45 1930s-built English Electric single-deck streamlined cars to be substantially rebuilt in the late 1950s/early 1960s, transforming them to become the leading power units of Blackpool’s unique Progress Twin Sets. Their new style bodywork was replicated on the accompanying new-build trailer trams, but as only seven of the latter were constructed, three of the ‘Railcoach’ conversions, including 280, were often seen ‘running solo’, having had a driving compartment restored at the trailing end. No 280 – running under its later identity as 680 – last saw service in October 2008 and was one of several surplus Blackpool cars acquired by Heaton Park. However, owing to the lack of 10 | JUNE 2015 OLD GLORY

covered accommodation at Heaton, it initially remained in store at Blackpool’s Rigby Road depot until being made available on loan to Beamish. It arrived there in December 2013 and was in service throughout 2014 – finally arriving at its intended permanent Heaton Park home on March 24, 2015. Right: Blackpool No 280 on the Museum Stop Spur at Heaton Park on April 26. Below: Ex-Blackpool cars at Heaton Park Tramway – Nos 619, 623, 280 and 702. BOTH: MIKE HADDON

News&Events RLS members go ‘tinkering’ in Sussex Death by tram

A 63-year-old man was crushed to death between a wall and a vintage tram he was working on at the premises of Manser Precision Engineering of Sarisbury Green, Hampshire. Fireﬁghters spent almost an hour freeing the victim, named as the premises owner George Manser, at the ﬁrm, established in 1983, which specialises in vehicle and engine restorations. A specialist team is investigating the incident.

BIFFA awards

BIFFA Awards has pledged £1.5m over three years to the Association of Independent Museums (AIM) for its National Heritage Landmarks Partnership. Awards include Burlesdon Brickworks, Hampshire £82,000; National Waterways Museum, £119.718; Middleport Pottery, Longport £120,000; Mail Rail, London £69,075 and Woodhorn Colliery £35,000.

Trolley saved

FORMER Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Traction Co trolleybus No 353 of 1949 has been acquired by The Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft. The vehicle saw a second life as Bradford No 770. The British Trolleybus society has launched a fund to restore Mexborough & Swindon No 34 of 1927.

Late bus show

OXFORD Bus and Morris Motors Museums will be taking part in Museum At Night’s late night opening on Wednesday, May 13. The museums are open every Wednesday from 10.30am4.30pm but on May 13 will remain open until 9pm.

Burrell Gold Medal Tractor No 3851 The Tinker in steam and giving trailer rides.

THE CLAUDE JESSETT TRUST at Tinkers Park, Hadlow Down, East Sussex, hosted The Road Locomotive Society members’ spring visit on April 25, writes Andrew Smith. Claude Jessett purchased his first engine, Burrell Gold medal Tractor No 3851 in 1942 for use on the farm and aptly named her The Tinker. The engine lay out of use on the farm until the 1960s when Claude and his wife Joyce became interested in the preservation scene and decided the restore the engine. Further engines and organs were purchased as well as the establishment of a narrow gauge railway. After Claude’s death, Joyce established the trust to ensure it remained intact.

Tasker B2 roller No 1409 in the new workshop building undergoing fitting of lagging.

Members arrived to see Orenstein & Koppell loco No 11784 of 1928 gently raising steam and later running around The Great Bush Railway with a Ruston diesel loco and carriages. Peter Haining and Adrian Vaughan gave an illustrated talk on the formation of the Trust and history of the collection. Outside the main engine shed in steam was freshly restored Ruston Hornsby portable No 163853. Others in steam were Burrell tractor No 3851 The Tinker and Sentinel Timber tractor No 9097 Jupiter. Wallis & Steevens’ traction engine No 7662 Pensioner was not in steam but had been pulled out and was in the final stages of having the lagging made and

Bedfords date

THE 2015 Bedford Gathering will be held on July 18-19 at the Vauxhall Motors Club, Ellesmere Port Cheshire CH66 1NJ. The gathering is open to all commercials and cars, with free camping, bar and food. There is an optional 31-mile road run on Sunday and a spare parts sale. Open 10am-4pm each day, an application form can be downloaded at www.bedfordenthusiastsclub. com or tel. 07740 083370. 12 | JUNE 2015 OLD GLORY

Wallis & Steevens 7nhp Expansion engine No 7662 Pensioner under final painting and awaiting lagging.

fitted following a major rebuild. Inside the main workshop Fowler AA7 ploughing engine No 15364 Windsor was awaiting boiler work while sister engine No 15365 Sandringham was stripped down having just passed its boiler test for some work on the bearings. It is hoped it will be back in action for the annual Tinkers Park rally on May 30-31. Wallis & Steevens’ oil bath showman’s conversion No 7777 Golden Queen and Aveling compound roller No 5831 Daisy await restoration while Tasker B2 roller No 1409 was having its lagging fitted. Outside, Aveling & Porter GND showman’s conversion No 7899 Southern Queen was minus rear wheels and dynamo (both away for refurbishment) and derelict Marshall portable No 89345, a late machine dating from 1942, sits awaiting its turn for restoration. Not seen for many years is Wallis & Steevens’ oil bath tractor No 7601 Edward VII – sold new as a tractor and subsequently converted to a roller by Chris Lambert of Horsmonden. It is stored dismantled and several members were seen keenly scrambling to get a better view of this rarely seen engine. The RLS thanks the Trust for hosting a memorable day. If you are interested in joining the RLS please email the Membership Secretary Clare Bullen at membership@roadlocosociety. org.uk

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The Foster threshing drum was an older restoration, but in good order.

The older restored mole drainer.

Fowler ploughing tackle falls under the hammer THE Middlewood sale at Manor Farm, Great Kelk, Driffield, East Yorkshire on April 23 was conducted by Chris Purllant of Brown & Co and saw a raft of steam ploughing tackle sold, reports Peter Love. It started with two McLaren 8ft drags, which would have been used principally behind a crawler, selling for £280 and £520. A John Fowler water cart on rubber solid tyres, in so-so condition sold for £2100 and an unrestored example followed at £800. We then turned to a very complete Fowler mole drainer, again an older restored implement, which went on to make £5900. Next was a Fowler 13ft harrow in similar condition, but with hardly any paint and original, it raised £6000. A six-furrow antibalance plough in unrestored original condition went on to sell for £7200. It was followed by an early John Fowler living van No 11798 that

needed restoration, but was externally complete. After that came a later type Fowler ploughing van No 15140 in need of major work, which was got away at £1500. These were followed by a fine Wm Foster chaff cutter in fully restored condition at £750. The early wooden wheeled restored Foster threshing drum No 8781 possibly needed work to its wheels, was sold for just £1000 and the trio was completed by a T Rickard & Sons Ltd elevator on steel wheels.

E1A New Performance Super Major GVB173B at £1300. The 1948 Fordson E27N with Perkins P6 GBT 90 and the 1955 David Brown 50D 8837 WF remain for sale.

Preservation prospect? Fowler living van No 11798.

LOTS OF INTEREST

The last lots of interest were a three-furrow Cockshutt plough at £360, to be followed by the rather rough and rusty 1964 Fordson

£600

Needing to be sandblasted and painted, a Fowler 13ft harrow.

£750

Making good money for a chaff cutter, the Foster sold well on the day.

£720

This unrestored Fowler six-furrow anti-balance plough. OLD GLORY JUNE 2015 | 13

News&Events

Steam Apprentice Burrell update

SinCe the beginning of the Steam Apprentice Burrell Project our aim has been to use the engine as a teaching tool for the apprentices. With this aim in mind, soon after its completion and launch at last year’s Old Warden rally, it has attended several events including the national Traction engine Trust’s 60th anniversary road run and a few smaller late-season events in the Redditch area. in the early autumn the apprentices were again out in force learning about the various tasks required to prepare an engine for winter. The engine was drained, cleaned and the brightwork protected. After a short break of a few months they were again busy learning how to prepare the engine for this coming season. A number of small jobs were undertaken, including the fitting of a twin-person seat, which has been made for us by Richard Holt and the Davies family. This allows us to supervise our apprentices very closely and saves a lot of walking. Our first trip out for the year was the Bedford Steam engine Preservation Society’s apprentice day held in the same field as

Traction wagon in memory of the much-missed Boz Oram.

their rally. Many of our apprentices had the opportunity to drive and steer or just have a ride. We also had the opportunity to take out our new 4in-scale traction wagon for the first time, which we were able to buy through the generous donation made to us from the collection at Boz Oram’s funeral in October 2013. Boz was a great supporter of the Steam Apprentice Club for many years

and it seemed fitting that we should ask Joby Carter of Carters Steam Fair – a close friend of Boz – to signwrite the back of our new trailer. Thanks go to all those who have continued to support this project with their time, most generous donations and endless enthusiasm. Right: Steam apprentices enjoy their completed Burrell engine.

Spring threshing starts the season at Stillingfleet The Raley’s threshing event on April 26 in support of Yorkshire Air Ambulance was blessed with some excellent weather at hill Farm, near York. Alison Rayley’s Wallis & Steevens traction engine No 7774 of 1923

Anne powered the threshing machine as usual. Son Philip’s Wallis & Steevens ‘Advance’ roller No 8082 of 1931 was rolling hardcore in preparation for an extended roadway and the family’s engines

The Jones Baler was powered by Fowler traction engine No 9271. The Manchester lorry stands in the foreground.

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were joined by Richard Briggs’ Fowler R class traction engine No 9271 of 1901 Alice, which drove his baler. Several other vintage vehicles, tractors and miniatures were present, including a rare

Manchester lorry belonging to Michael Walters and Geoﬀ Street’s Sentinel S4 waggon No 9009, making a rare public appearance. This waggon is coming towards the completion of a long and extensive overhaul.

Geoff Street’s 1934 Sentinel S4 waggon is nearing the end of a major overhaul. In the background is a Standard Fordson tractor with a Chaseside-type loading shovel. BOTH: DEREK RAYNER

News&Events Winifred with its first passenger train is about to pull away from Llangower halt on the return to Llanuwchllyn. It still wears the paintwork from when it last worked at Penrhyn in 1964.

Winifred meets Waterman at Bala dedication COMMEMORATING 130 years to the day since it was delivered to the Penrhyn Quarry Railway, Hunslet No 364 Winifred entered passenger service at the Bala Lake Railway, reports Steve Dean. It was on April 13, 1885, that Winifred was delivered for use on shunting duties at Port Penrhyn where it was to remain until 1955 before being moved up to the quarry. It continued to work until 1964, mainly on the William Parry gallery, until being taken out of service. Over the years many repairs took place including replacement fireboxes in 1920 and early 1937. In 1952 the boiler was removed again and refitted to locomotive Lilian. History indicates that the repaired boiler of Lilian was refitted to Winifred and it returned to service in 1953. An American antique dealer, C B Annette, saw a BBC Tonight news item about a forthcoming auction of redundant locomotives in North Wales and in July 1965 16 | JUNE 2015 OLD GLORY

he purchased six engines. He paid just £400 to acquire Winifred. Three of the locomotives were sold to the proposed Early Wheels Museum in Terre Haute, Indiana, USA. However, Winifred moved to the ownership of Tony Hulman at the Hall of Fame Museum located by the Indianapolis Speedway. After a short period on display, the loco was put into dry storage and over the years many people showed interest in returning it to the UK. Following the death of Mr Hulman, a successful negotiation by Julian Birley (director of the Bala Lake Railway and owner of Hunslet No 780 Alice) saw the engine repatriated in 2012 still wearing the paintwork it carried when last worked at Penrhyn. On the morning of April 13, a group of VIPs and invited guests arrived at Llanuwchllyn station for Winifred’s rededication ceremony and to haul its first passenger carrying train. Among the guests

Julian Birley, Emrys Owen – Winifred’s last driver at Penrhyn Quarry – and Pete Waterman, seen clutching his new replica Winifred nameplate.

was Pete Waterman, well-known music industry personality, engine owner and self-declared steam buff. A large group of local school children performed a song about Winifred in Welsh while vigorously waving national flags. Pete addressed the audience and was clearly in his element but was taken completely off guard when Julian Birley presented him with a full-size replica of Winifred’s nameplate. They were

joined by Emrys Owen who was the last driver of the engine before it was taken out of service at Penrhyn. The engine will be used on passenger duties throughout the summer months until a special Winifred Gala on August 28-31 after which it will be taken out of service for further maintenance. For full details of the Bala Lake Railway 2015 timetable visit www.bala-lake-railway.co.uk

Got a story? Tell Old Glory 01507 529306 | ctyson@mortons.co.uk

Wythall hosts bus running outings WyThALL Transport Museum hosted running days over the spring bank holiday, reports Malcolm Ranieri. This premier bus museum is situated at Chapel Lane, Wythall village, to the south of Birmingham just off the A435 on the site of the former RAF Wythall (1939-1959). Birmingham Omnibus Preservation Society set up the museum and it’s no surprise the majority of vehicles are Birmingham related – 37 Midland Red, 33 West Midlands PTE and Birmingham Corporation; in addition some Bristol-built vehicles and 21 others – some examples being Douglas Corporation 1957 Guy Otter, local independent Stratford Blue 1948 Leyland Tiger PS2/3 and Trent company 1937 AEC Regal 0662. Also 29 battery electrics are here, such as milk floats and bread vans from 1935 to 1982. Eighteen classic buses were on the road, visiting original bus routes to Birmingham, Earlswood, henley in Arden and Alvechurch. The earliest example on the road was the 1940 Midland Red half-cab with SOS SON chassis, Brush SD body and the company’s own 8-litre engine. Birmingham

1959 Guy Arab LUF coach operator: Harper Bros, Heath Hayes No 60.

Corporation was represented with the 1953 Guy Arab IV doubledecker and 1965 Daimler Fleetline CRG6 single-decker both in the more restrained dark blue and cream livery of the local authority company. Walsall Corporation 1969 Daimler Fleetline CRG6 double deck appeared in attractive all over light blue and yellow pinstriping. The Bristol Bus company was represented by the 1950 L5G half-cab single decker in Crosville livery.

Well-loaded 1950 Crosville L5G Bristol. BOTH: MALCOLM RANIERI

ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH TRANSPORT & ENGINEERING MUSEUMS (ABTEM)

Developing & Updating a Guideline for the long-term care of large and working objects – stationary engines, industrial machinery, steam & motor vehicles, aircraft, railway vehicles, ships

In 1994, The Museums & Galleries for private collectors, preservers provide more up-to-date advice on e-publication (or both) Commission (MGC) published and operators of larger objects the care of Larger & Working ● Sources of funding for necessary Standard 4: Standards in the whose continuing support for Objects. work. Museum Care of Larger & Working industrial heritage is very valuable. Supported by ACE Subject ● Title and Contents – Standards Objects. The Collections Trust The former museum-related Specialist network (SSn) funding, or Guidelines? What to include? published a re-working of the sources of help and advice, like ABTEM has commissioned Rob ● Will it be possible to share MGC Standard in 2009: Larger & MGC, have gone and ACE is now Shorland-Ball to carry out a information on good practices / Working Objects: a guide to the government point-of-reference Scoping Study on the feasibility of useful contacts / specialist standards in their preservation for museums. ABTEM wishes, with developing and updating the MGC expertise or suppliers? and care. the support of Arts Council Standard 4 and he is asking: ● Audience – who for? Should it Both these documents are full of England (ACE) and other ● Feasibility and rationale for upembrace heritage centres / good advice but are out-of-date organisations such as the dating – do we need it? private and volunteer and neither was very user-friendly Collections Trust, to be a catalyst to ● Format – hard copy; institutions / individual owners? Rob is planning some site visits but much of his work with interested parties and opinion-formers will be via email or telephone so this is your invitation to contribute, please contact Rob at robsb@wfmyork.demon.co.uk or tel. 01904 632751. A free discussion meeting will take place at London Museum of Water & Steam, Kew Bridge, on Wednesday, May 27 from 1.30-4pm. To reserve your place contact Rob as above. OLD GLORY JUNE 2015 | 17

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