(Click on photos to enlarge)

 

Bob Fletcher is a full time heavy equipment moving specialist, hauling throughout Great Britain and Europe. Having an enthusiastic interest in the Antique steam equipment, he attends the shows whenever his heavy work schedule permits. This most recent show was at.............

MASHAM,  (pronounced Massam) is a small market town in Wensleydale in Harrogate borough of North Yorkshire, England, and is the home to the Masham Steam Engine & Fair Organ Rally. It was started in 1965 to try and raise money for the local Town Hall and it has gone from strength to strength from then on. The organizers are the Masham Town Hall Association.

 

     
     

John Fowler ~ 1917

Foden Truck

Morris Bus
     
     

1907 ~ Stanley Steamer Car

Burrell Traction Engine ~ 1886

Eddison Steam Roller
     

 

 

     
     

Marshall Tractor

Alveling Potter Steam Roller

Maclaren Tractor
     
     

Fowler Steam Roller

Alveling Potter Tractor ~ 1915

Claton and Shutlleworth
     

 

 

 

     
     

Stanley

 Alvling and Potter ~ 1926

Marshal
     
     
Name escapes me, do you know? Burrel Sentinal DG6 ~ 1933
     

 

 

     
     
Marshal Another unknown (???) Burrel
     
     
Burrel John Fowler John Fowler
     

 

 

     
     
Alving & Potter Scammel Dodge
     
     
AEC ~ Ex Army Vehicle Volvo ~ 1986 Leyland
     

 

 

 

   
   
State Police Car ~ Michigan, USA? ERF
   

 

 

   
   
   

Working miniature live steam models on display.

 

A GREAT HOBBY TO GET INVOLVED IN

Building miniature steam traction engines is part of the hobby called "Model Engineering" the three models in the pictures are of a scale of 4" to one foot, at this scale the engines are powerful and can haul a good load on a rally field, the fourth engine bottom right looks like a 3" to 1 foot scale.

Building the engine of your choice you obtain the drawings and castings, and are built in home workshops, a metal working lathe and a milling machine are the main machines that are needed to build the engine.

Most miniature traction engines same as the full size version have two gears a high and low, these gears can only be engaged when the engine is stopped, and to reverse you alter the valve gear which changes the direction of the steam into the cylinder this reverses the direction of the piston and therefore the crankshaft, the rear wheels have a compensating gear, (Differential)

Miniature engines of the scale mentioned above work at a steam pressure between 90 lbs per square inch up to 120 lbs per square inch, the boilers made from steel or copper have to be tested and certificated for safety.

Some of these projects can carry on for years to completion, while at the same time releasing the pressures of life, allowing one to relax and maintain a healthy attitude.

For a sample of the live steam hobby, go to Michael Robinson's Home Page for a description of his personal accomplishments in this subject.

(Click here and go direct)

---   http://michaelerobinson.me.uk/index.html   ---

 

 

 

Bob and his grandson, both had a great day out, and as always, all good things come to an end.

Till next time.