1| Page RWC Express February 2017

From President Chris Martin

Members and Friends,

From our President Chris Martin

Members and Friends,

It is that time of year again when our organization rises

to the huge challenge of putting on SteamFest. Several

of our members have been carrying much of the load

for organizing the event and I am pleased to say that

we are on track to make significant improvements in

organization and professionalism thanks to their

efforts.

I thank Jill Ridgeway in particular for stepping into the

fold to pick up much of the load from Angela Cannell

and Judy MacKenzie who have and are also doing a

terrific job.

This year we will be welcoming the addition of the

Miniature railway which will add another dimension to

Steam at our event. Well done to Graham, Lizard and

the Work for the Dole (WFD) team and funding for

making this happen.

WFD – Container Shed

A couple of weeks ago, we arranged for the next round

of WFD funding. Our main project is the container

shed which will commence in earnest directly after

SteamFest.

As those who frequent our site often are aware – the

demands on our shed are increasing so we look

forward to completing the container shed to allow

storage of non display items.

I have sought some minor revisions on the shed

location which is 13m from the loco shed workshop.

Plan and elevation are shown following this paragraph.

Once the minor amendment is approved I will prepare

engineering drawings for building approval.

………………………………………keep reading

Redwater Creek Steam & Heritage Society Inc ABN: 17 626 054 140

Box 143, Sheffield 7306, Tasmania, Australia Email: redsteam@bigpond.net.au

The Sheffield Steam & Heritage Centre

REDWATER CREEK EXPRESS FEBRUARY 2017

Circulated to Members & Friends by Peter Martin & Judy MacKenzie Circulated to Members & Friends by Peter Martin & Judy MacKenzie

Website: www.sheffieldsteam.com.au

Phone: Hon. Sec. 03 6424 7348

Patron: Eric Hutchinson PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY

KENTISH COUNCIL

2| Page RWC Express February 2017

New purchase for the Society.

Some great news this last week has been the

finalization of the purchase of the Society’s first

traction engine Foden Light Eight #2012 built 1912.

There is much work to do on this engine however we

believe it is achievable if we can pick up a few grants

to assist. On behalf of the society I thank Ian Larcher

both for his perseverance and for his skills in

persuading Hobart Council that the engines have

heritage significance in Tasmania and that the engines

be kept in Tasmania for future generations to

appreciate this heritage.

In addition I also thank a longtime colleague in the

Engineering profession and owner of BridgePro,

Aaron Brimfield for his generation contribution of the

purchase price ($5,000) and the transport costs for the

engine from Hobart to Sheffield. Aaron is the great

grandson of George Weily who last owned the engine

when it was in commercial use. The engine is quite a

testament to Aaron’s heritage in the Civil Construction

industry. We hope we can bring it back to life over the

coming years.

Aaron has known about my interest in steam for many

years and occasionally stirred me about gunzelling!

When the engine was first put up for auction Aaron

told how his grandmother, Betty Coombes, asked him

to take her to Pickles Auctions so that she could have

her photo taken in front of the engine before it most

likely left the state. Rumours were the engine was

likely to fetch at least $20k from mainland buyers.

Mrs Coombes outlined how the engine was used

around Hobart and Glenorchy at the Tolosa Quarries

that her father owned and how the engine was used to

cart equipment to Taraleah.

I have included an article about the engines from Ian

Larcher who used the information to demonstrate the

significance of the engine to the Hobart Council.

The Foden at Pickles Yards in Hobart – photo C. Martin

From left to right – Betty Coombes (Aarons grandmother), Joan

Quarrell, Olive Evans and George ‘Joe’ Weily Photo courtesy of

Betty Coombes.

Some additional Traction Engine News. Our society (Ian Larcher and I) has offered to assist

Tasmania Parks and Reserves with understanding the

condition of Marshall No 87964 – the last Marshall

Traction Engine constructed. The engine is presently

at Entally house and is reasonably complete. It is the

sister engine to the one Frank Schellekens brought to

SteamFest a few years ago from Victoria. Ian and I

will coordinate this work. Parks and Reserves have

allocated some funding for the investigative works

which will include some conservation/corrosion

prevention. Hopefully they will also find funds to go

to the next stage of returning the engine to service.

Big Shed gets new Floor for SteamFest

For those who aren’t aware the big shed is to have a

new floor installed commencing 2 weeks prior to

SteamFest. All equipment will be removed and King

and Harding contractors are laying a cement stabilized

gravel throughout the shed. The new pavement will be

pram and wheelchair friendly, less dusty, easier to

move equipment on and not too sensitive to a little

movement. Drainage at the outside of the shed will

also be cleaned up finally.

3| Page RWC Express February 2017

Help us at SteamFest

During SteamFest we need all the help we can get.

Please contact Jill Ridgeway if you can assist even if

only for a few hours. This year we actually have a

roster system so if you have time this year we will be

much more organized when people show up on site.

All people attending the site will need to sign in at the

main exhibitor gate 2.

Australia Day Awards in Kentish

I congratulate Peter Martin who was awarded a Local

Hero Certificate – event thought he isn’t a Kentish

Resident! and Barb Wells, Judy and Graham

MacKenzie who were recognized for their significant

contributions in voluntary hours in the community at

the recent Australia Day Awards. Well done too to the

many others who have significantly contributed to our

site over the last year!

Peter Martin receives Kentish local hero certificate

Barb Wells and Graham and Judy MacKenzie receive Kentish

Volunteer Awards.

Foden “Light Eight” Single cylinder Traction

Engine #2012 built 1912 by Ian Larcher

Tasmania used to have several of this model but being

technically interesting, rare and thus highly collectable

they have been plundered by interstate and overseas

collectors. This engine is believed to be one of three in

Australia. (Winton, 2015).

As the advertising correctly states this engine is a

“Light Eight” type. These engines have a particular

relevance to Tasmania being especially constructed to

the express order of Langwell Bros & Davis the Foden

agents for Victoria & Tasmania. (through their sub

agents Finlayson Bros Devonport).

This particular engine was first purchased by Chas

Rockcliff of Sassafras, an early Tasmanian pioneer and

forebear of Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliff.

The engine was then sold to George Weily, who

utilised the engine on stone crushing and construction

duties. It would have almost certainly been used on

Hobart City Council projects as Mr Weily owned both

a large quarry business and was heavily involved in

road construction in the greater Hobart area and

successfully tendered for many council projects.

Hobart Council used the engine as playground

equipment for many years.

……………………………………………. Graham & Judy MacKenzie by PM and CM

Graham and Judy have both been stalwarts of our

association for over 5 years.

Due to Graham’s upcoming surgery Graham and Judy

both resigned from their positions before the February

running weekend.

Judy has done wonderful work in the kitchen and

station on running weekends and in Graham’s case all

his work around the station area and his work on

running days such as putting out our (heavy) roadside

signs, coffee making, baking cakes and slices for sale,

light and keep the station heater going, cleaning the

toilets, cleaning the station floors etc. Many of us have

had copious delicious hot chocolates and coffees he

has made. Please join us in wishing Graham a speedy

recovery.

Judy will continue as newsletter editor, web site

manager and membership coordinator.

ADVERT: Does anyone have a treadmill Graham

and Judy can hire or borrow for up to 6 mths? if

you can help call 6441 5241

4| Page RWC Express February 2017

MARSHALL SINGLE TRACTION ENGINE

No 45592 of AUGUST 1906 by PM

Barbara Wells found the following photograph and

brief article in The Examiner during other research.

The article was printed on Thursday 21st June 1917.

‘A NOVEL SIGHT SHEFFIELD, Wednesday. Rather a novel sight was on view in Main Street today. The

Salvation Army Barracks building was being towed by a

traction engine to a site in the centre of town’

The building was relocated next to what is now the

Honey Shed – about 5 doors up from our railway site.

It is currently used as a furniture and artifacts outlet.

I sincerely thank Mr Ralph Proctor - who has had

almost a lifetime interest in Traction Engines and

Trams - for the following information. Ralph and

Shirley now reside in Devonport.

Some of the owners of the engines were:

E & A Bassett – Flowerdale (near Wynyard)

George Rockliff – Sheffield – Inspected there

in 1914. It was given Boiler Number D1458

W. Blake – Bothwell

Findlay Brothers – Wesley Vale – I saw it at

that time.

Ivan Chugg - West Tamar – near Launceston

Now - Bob Ahrens – Near Gawler – South

Australia

A photo of the engine appeared in Old Glory Magazine

in January 2009

…………………………………………………

VIVIAN MARTIN’S AVELING & PORTER

STEAMROLLER (No 11979)

This machine was dispatched new to Latrobe Council

18/11/1927 and was assembled on the Devonport

wharf by Jimmy Vincent who drove it for the council

for many years.

In approx.1964 the council retired the engine to St

George’s Park (not far from the Mersey General

Hospital) where it was played on by generations of

Latrobe children (including Chris’s wife Tracey).

Around 1970 Reg and Neville Lunson arranged to

replace the roller from the park in exchange for a

Foden Single Traction Engine of 1913, No 3533 as the

insurer for Latrobe Council public liability decided

that the Foden was ‘too dangerous for children to play

on’ (it was purchased by Vivian in November 1999).

The Aveling & Porter roller was sold by auction on

26th Sept. 2009 to Vivian and dismantling the engine

and assessment for repair started in October of the

same year

5| Page RWC Express February 2017

The boiler was separated from all other components,

thoroughly thickness tested, magnetic particle testing

and ultra-sonic testing of the lap riveted seam.

All work was carried out in Eric Howe’s yard

including; the drilling of stays inside and out, new

crown stays made and fitted, new smoke tubes

expanded in and stay tubes welded in. Hydraulic

testing revealed 2 broken wall stays which were

replaced and the boiler was hydraulic tested to 250psi.

Re assembly of the axles, gears and wheels was

achieved in part of Vivian’s October holidays, the

remainder of the machine was almost rebuilt in the

week beginning 9th Jan 2017. Some of the pieces

reattached requiring attention were, a new 0 – 300psi

pressure gauge, siphon pipe to pressure gauge, 3 new

pins for throttle linkage, mud hole door gaskets,

replace grit blasted and painted wood rack, lagging

renewed on cylinders, drain taps and maker’s plate

refitted.

The boiler was steamed to about 20psi on 16th Jan

when we discovered a few minor leaks, engine seemed

to run ok.

Jan 17th the roller was moved for the first time with

100psi and safety valves lifting.

Jan 18th safety valves adjusted and whistle fitted with

a new valve by PM.

Jan 19th repacked blanking off plate on cylinder,

replaced rusty nipple on manifold, replaced wood rack

angle support brackets, added whistle chain and fire-

hole door chain, freed simpling valve, some gauge

glass mountings repacked, steamed to 200psi, safety

valves adjusted and trial run.

There is a long list of jobs to complete before

operating the engine in public including; some slack

bearings, the injector which is not working correctly,

replacing the gear case, painting, adding tyres to the

rear wheels as these are rather thin and adding a pump

as a second feed water mechanism.

Many thanks to Peter Martin and Eric Howe for their

kind assistance to return 11979 into steam.

…………………………………………………………

NEW BOOK by Tony Coen River & Coastal Vessels Trading out of Hobart 1832-2015

http://www.sheffieldsteam.com.au/River&CoastalVes

sels_PrePublicationOrderForm 2.pdf

Anyone wanting a copy cheaper than RRP needs to

order before end of Feb – copy and paste the link

above to read about this book and special offer.

MINIATURE RAILWAY… G & J Shoesmith

The track is nearly a whole circuit and the steaming

bays are now under construction. If anyone would

like to help the assistance would be greatly

appreciated.

The Miniature Train featured on the front of the

Kentish Voice for the February Edition bringing great

publicity for SteamFest with it.

We are hoping to have feature signs around the track

such as Shoey's Gully and Lizard's Cutting and maybe

a name for the station and steaming bay areas.

A name for the whole track is needed so please

forward suggestions to Chris Martin and the track

name will be announced at the Opening of SteamFest

in March. Other creative points of interest around the

track are also needed so please forward these ideas to

Chris as well

……………………………………………………….

STEAMFEST…Jill

SteamFest Sponsors

We have a record number of Sponsors this SteamFest -

mostly in kind assistance but also some generous cash

donations. These will be acknowledged in the new

SteamFest Programme Cover which is being printed as

this February Newsletter goes out to members.

…………………………………………………….

SteamFest Volunteers

We are still short of volunteers this year however we

are hoping for a last minute rush. We have ordered

t-shirts for the volunteers this year so that they are

visible and available to assist the public and we are

hoping that this will also acknowledge how valuable

they are to the Society.

…………………………………………….

Work For the Dole – G Shoesmith

A new six month cycle of funding from the Federal

Government via My Pathways began on Monday

06.02.2017. With this comes a new project and for

the next six months the group will be working on

converting the two storage containers into a much

needed storage shed. As the Society grows its vision

the infrastructure needs to grow along with it and this

is one step along that path.

…………………………………………………………

6| Page RWC Express February 2017

SHEFFIELD MODEL RAILWAY

has new directional signs to help visitors find them,

make sure you take notice next time on site!

Model Railway members are onsite Thursday & Friday

10-12 each week and on running weekends until

winter, both days 10am – 3pm. During SteamFest the

railway will be open all 3 days. New members always

welcome, call Stuart on 0498 727 258 for info.

…………………………………………………….

Next meetings:

18th of February 2017 9.30am Safety and Work for the Dole

10am Committee Meeting

1.30pm SteamFest Meeting and induction session.

Next SF working bee 25th and 26th of Feb ………………………………………..

Next Newsletter will be after SFest!

NEW WEBSITE …. checked it out yet?

www.sheffieldsteam.com.au ... and new email addresses president@sheffieldsteam.com.au...Chris treasurer@sheffieldsteam.com.au... Graham S secretary@sheffieldsteam.com.au... Peter volunteer@sheffieldsteam.com.au... Jill admin@sheffieldsteam.com.au...Judy committee@sheffieldsteam.com.au members@sheffieldsteam.com.au

……………………………………………………………………………

PHOTO GALLERY OF MEMBERS

on the new website ?

A photo gallery of members – what are your thoughts?

A way for new members (even older ones) to get to

know who is who!

I have nice photos of some of you already but I won’t

put them up without asking your permission.

So feedback please: text to 0458 190 591 or via

admin@sheffieldsteam.com.au and if you’re keen,

send me a nice current pic of yourself?

…………………………………………………..