Features
The Art & Craft of Preservation
As both a traditional signwriter and skilled artist, Rob Cooper can be said to paint vintage vehicles and, thanks to the preservation scene, his unique talents are very much in demand.
As long as he has a paintbrush in hand, Rob Cooper is a happy man, regardless of whether he’s using it to skilfully line-out a vintage vehicle using the traditional methods he was taught as a child, or capturing the atmospheric scene at a
preservation event in a watercolour painting.
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Tales From A Dodman Traction Engine Driver
During his research into the history of the steam engine manufacturer, Dodman & Co of King’s Lynn, David Hulse came into contact with Fred Hollis, the driver of the last engine produced by the firm. Here we hear Fred’s account of the threshing work he carried out with engine No. 2275 in the summer of 1944.
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Ex-Chile Aveling Takes Shape
When Martyn Blackburn bought a rather sorry-looking
Aveling roller that had spent 30 years lying on its
smokebox in Chile, those around him thought he’d
gone mad. Now that the project has started to take
shape, however, they’re fi nally starting to understand
the reasons for his passion and hard work.
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An exciting tale about Fred
Fred Couples has wasted no time leaving a "boom-boom" sized imprint on the Champions Tour.
The Seattle native won his third straight event on the 50-and-over men's tour Sunday with a two-stroke victory over Corey Pavin in the Cap Cana Championship in the Dominican Republic, shooting a course-record 10-under 62 on the final day
Naming Ceremony for Fred Dibnah's Engine
On Saturday 12th March, Fred Dibnah’s beloved
Aveling & Porter KND convertible No. 7838 was
offi cially named Fred at a special ceremony
organised by its owner, Michael Oliver, and
attended by a number of the late steeplejack’s
family members and friends.
Sir Henry Bessemer: A Man Of Steel
In the first of a new series on famous inventors,
we look at the life and work of Sir Henry
Bessemer, who, among his many achievements,
developed a steel-making process that
revolutionised heavy industry.
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Kelham Island Museum
Located just north of the centre of Sheffi eld, Kelham Island
Museum is dedicated to celebrating the city’s proud cutlery
and steel making industries, as well as being home to the
most powerful surviving steam engine in Europe.
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Twenty Years Roving With Sid
John Reeves looks back on two decades of adventure with his
faithful Land-Rover Series I.
Twenty years ago, on 21st June 1991, I made
a purchase that changed my life in a number
of ways – I bought a semi-derelict Land-
Rover Series I. The vehicle, registered SDV 44, has
acquired the name Sid, as someone once suggested
that its registration reminded him of Sid Vicious!
Fowler gets restoration treatment after 40 years
Fowler roller No. 17487 was last steamed in 1969
and since then has been laid up with its owners
awaiting restoration. When the engine’s 80th
birthday came around however, the Hallam family
finally decided to start work, and when we visited
the engine’s newly made shed in Staff ordshire, we
found the project nearing completion.
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The Great Debate
In 1989 four of the best-known names in the traction engine world came together for a lively formal debate on the purpose and nature of steam rallies. Over 20 years later, a recording of this unique event has surfaced and it certainly makes for fascinating listening.
It was during a discussion around the coke stove in the yard of Carters Steam Fair on a winter Sunday in 1988 that John Carter first set out his anti-rally argument - "The only tangible reason for holding rallies is to promote brewers' profits." With him at the time was founder member of the Old Steamers Club, Chris Raworth, and John told him, "If you can get Oliver to come and argue it with me, I'll forward a motion."...
To read the full article online, click here.
A 69-minute CD recording of the entire Great Debate is now available from Vintage Spirit priced at £9.99 (plus £2 P&P). Call 01283 742970 or click here to order online.
Traction engine men take to the rails – again!
Deputy Editor John Reeves recently reached the milestone ‘three score years and ten’, and as a surprise birthday present, his younger son Simon and family arranged for him to visit his hometown of Aberystwyth in mid-Wales to spend a day on the Vale of Rheidol Railway.
To read the full article online, click here.
A Staffordshire Swiftsure
As well as owning a 1961 Swiftsure that is in
remarkably original condition, Reg Woodings is
also one of the few people around who has driven
Thornycroft lorries in working service. During the
unseasonal sunny spell in early October, we visited
him at a Staff ordshire farm to learn all about his 5-
ton brewery dray and his self-described ‘obsession’
with lorries.
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Fife Wheel Wrights
The Kingdom of Fife has an industrial heritage
based in coal and steel, but the area around
the county town of Cupar is of a much gentler
persuasion. This is rich farming land with a sprinkling
of villages and red tiled roofs, and the perfect spot
to take a quick trip back in time. As I pulled into Ian
Grant’s courtyard on a glorious summer morning
and watched George, his Golden Retriever, prick up
his ears, I knew I was in for a treat.
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Ryhope Engines Museum
Ryhope Engines Museum is situated on the outskirts of Sunderland, next to the North Sea, and is based in an 1868 pumping station. The building's original remit was to supply water to Sunderland and the surrounding areas, before being stood down in 1967. The site is now owned by Northumbrian Water and staffed by volunteers from the Ryhope Engines Trust.