WATTRAIN August 2017 Newsletter Contents Page 2 National Lottery success for Seaton Tramway 2 Seaton Tramway joins Heritage Ability scheme to help empower people with disabilities 4 Moving a Railroad to Frisco, again! (Museum of the American Railroad) 5 Journalist Donates a Look into Amtrak's Past. 6 John Bush :Heating boilers 6 Canberra Railway Museum forced to sell off historic train carriages. …..and more…. 8 Midland Railway Trust has appointed a new full time Locomotive Engineer (MRT News Item) 9 Ltd, Lea, Ross-on-Wye 13 Puffing Billy - News Update 14 Sam Mackworth (New Zealand) explains his wood burning steam locomotive.

Editor’s comments: In this month’s WATTRAIN newsletter a sad tale involving Canberra’s Railway Museum takes centre stage. Lessons for the heritage industry will no doubt be learned from this. Another closure will be visited next month. And an uplifting account of an engineer from New Zealand and his wood burning steam Locomotive. Chapelon and LD Porta live on!!

Correction: You probably noticed the deliberate mistake in the July 2017 edition as follows.. One operator,Reefsteamers, has operated a number of successful steam tours in conjunction with SA Steam Tours based in Switzerland!!!! Correction: SAR Steam Tours is a South African Non Profit Company (NPC), Reg. No: 2015/054411/08 We apologize for the error! Double checking may help us in future avoid such geographic mistakes! National Lottery success for Seaton Tramway

Seaton Tramway are excited opening of the terminus in Tramway website to announce that their bid Spring 2018 during the www.tram.co.uk for National Lottery support period 2019 – 2022. the ‘Travels through Seaton Tramway Heritage and The Axe Valley’ The ‘Travels through project has taken a crucial Heritage and The Axe Valley’ joins Heritage first step. will enhance the new Ability scheme to terminus with new and exciting interpretation. help empower people with disabilities (Seaton Tramway News Release) This popular attraction has been based in the coastal town of Seaton for the past Jenny Nunn, Chief Executive Seaton Tramway are 47 years and each year at Seaton Tramway said: committed to inclusivity and carries thousands of “National Lottery funding have seized an exciting delighted passengers along will enable us together with opportunity to team up with its three-mile route our partners to provide in- other historic sites in the between Seaton, Colyford depth engagement with South West as part of the and Colyton in East Devon's visitors, staff, volunteers new Heritage Ability glorious Axe Valley. The and new audiences through scheme, designed to build a historic 2’9" gauge trams an ambitious programme of greater understanding of travel alongside the new interpretation, the barriers experienced by beautiful River Axe estuary facilities, training, learning, disabled and Deaf people through two nature events and long- term when visiting heritage sites. reserves, giving unrivalled activities. I would like to Thanks to National Lottery views of the abundant take this opportunity to players, the Heritage Lottery wading bird life that thank everyone for their Fund (HLF) has just awarded surrounds it. Thanks to continued support.” a grant of £527,000 to the money raised by National scheme to support heritage Lottery players, the Heritage Nerys Watts, Head of HLF sites in becoming more Lottery Fund (HLF) has South West, said: “Thanks accessible. There are 18 awarded Seaton Tramway to money raised by National sites in the South West initial support* and a Lottery players, we’re currently taking part, eight development grant of delighted to support this of which are located in £45,000 to progress the project which will ensure Devon including: Cockington project and apply for a full heritage is at the heart of Country Park, Kents Cavern, National Lottery grant of Seaton Tramway’s exciting National Trust Castle Drogo £420,000 at a later date. vision for the future. Natural / Fingle Woods, National The project will form an heritage, stories of the Trust Killerton, Royal Albert important part of the on- historic tramway and local Memorial Museum, Seaton going development and communities are all set to Tramway, Seaton Jurassic success of the Tramway. benefit so we look forward and Seaton Wetlands. This to seeing the plans scheme is delivered by This winter, building develop!” charity, Living Options commences for the new Devon, which was set up in £2m Seaton terminus and Further information on the 1990, and of which 80% of the National Lottery funding project and its progress will Trustees and volunteers, will follow on from the be available on the Seaton and over 50% of staff have disabilities or are Deaf. The ns.org or phoning 01392 century. project aims to improve 459222. Open Daily: 11th – 19th access for people with You can also join the story February 25th March – 29th physical disabilities, on social media, by visiting October 27th December – 1st establish British Sign @HLFSouthWest & January 2018. Language as part of each @HeritageAbility and by Open Weekends only: 25th sites’ interpretation, whilst using hashtags February – 19th March also making adaptations to #heritageability and improve experiences for #National Lottery Birdwatching, Birthday those with autism. Parties, Tram Driving Jenny Nunn, Chief Executive For the past 47 years Seaton Experiences and Lessons at Seaton Tramway said: Tramway has been running available all year. “Seaton Tramway is proud from the main car park in to be involved in a project Seaton for three miles The Fairy Special: 8th April focused on making long- inland through Colyford to 29th May 4th, 11th, 18th, & term changes to the Colyton, much of it along 25thAugust 1st September. accessibility of heritage in the former Seaton to Seaton The Dinosaur Tram the South West. Here at the Junction branch line Adventure: 16th & 23rd April Tramway, we take into between the picturesque 1st & 28th May 23rd & 30th careful consideration the estuary of the River Axe and July., 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th & needs of those who require the Axe Estuary Wetlands. 28th August. specialist access, and understand the importance All our double-deck trams Pirate Tram: 28th July & 26th of continuous growth and have open top decks, August. development in order to providing 360 degree Halloween Tram of Terror: provide an excellent panoramic views, but for 23rd -29th October. experience, making it inclement days there are inclusive for everyone.” enclosed single deck trams The Polar Express Tram making it an all- weather Ride: 1st – 3rd, 8th – 10th & To discover how you could family attraction. The fleet 15th – 24th December help and for more of 14 passenger carrying information about the single and double-deck Full sized versions of project, please contact electric trams were purpose photographs available on Jessica Holroyd, built by the company from request. For further Engagement and classic designs based on information, please contact Communications Officer at heritage trams that served Bracken Stockley on 01297 Heritage Ability, by emailing our towns and cities in the 20375 or e- mail: Jessica.holroyd@livingoptio first half of the 20th [email protected]

Moving a Railroad to Frisco, again!

American Eagle Railroad willingness to meet the technologies. Since the Group begin work on the Museum’s budget for the layout will transition from disassembly and relocation project. They have much an in- home hobby that saw of the Sanders Model Train experience with relatively light use, to a Layout. constructing and relocating year-round public G-Scale layouts for attraction, new train The long and tedious commercial use. They will operating systems will be process of relocating the work in concert with designed to minimize daily Sanders G-Scale Model Train Entertainment Junction wear and tear. Work will Layout to Frisco began which specializes in state- continue through the today. Workers from of-the-art operating systems summer. American Eagle Railroad for model train layouts. Group (AER), under the The Museum is officially a direction of Andy Wortman, Great care will be taken tenant at the Frisco started photographing, during every step of the Discovery Center, with cataloging, and removing relocation process. The Special Events Room #2 now items from the layout. layout will be broken down dedicated to housing and into manageable pieces in presenting the Layout. We Rolling stock ( much the same fashion as are very grateful to the City and cars) were carefully when it was assembled. of Frisco and its Community removed from tracks and Each piece will be carefully Development Corporation placed in their original transported to Frisco, for making the Discovery boxes. reassembled, and then Center space available. meticulously blended Watch for periodic updates Cincinnati-based AER Group together. Electrical systems, as we build this exciting, was selected to do the including lighting and train new attraction at the work, having shown great control, will be upgraded Museum of the American enthusiasm and a using the latest Railroad in Frisco!

Journalist Donates a Look into Amtrak's Past

Arch Campbell aboard Amtrak's Broadway Limited, 1974.

Our good friend Arch Campbell recently candid glimpse of early Amtrak service, a time donated some gems from his years at Channel of transition that is now part of the carrier's 8 television in Dallas. Arch was a feature history. reporter for the ABC affiliate back in the 1970s. As part of his work, he covered Campbell’s images capture an ambitious effort Amtrak’s early operations following its to preserve the vanishing passenger train, and assumption of intercity passenger rail the seasoned employees that worked aboard operations in 1971. Arch rode the rails on aging equipment originally purchased by the Amtrak in 1974 and again in 1978, logging railroads in the 1950s. He also featured many miles in the Midwest and Northeast. His another local railroad subject, a hand-built O- itinerary included Amtrak’s Lone Star (formerly Gauge model train layout constructed by Burt Santa Fe’s Texas Chief), and the Broadway C. Blanton of Highland Park. His layout is Limited. Both trains were subsequently captured in several Kodachrome slides. Arch discontinued. He prepared mini- went on to work for a television affiliate in documentaries for Channel 8, filming (yes, real Washington, D.C. where he recently retired film) and photographing trains, passengers, from his long career in journalism. He and his and employees along the way. He generously wife travel the country and continue to donated the actual film reel and over 100 discover the diverse ways of life just as he did slides of his travels. They provide a rare, in journalism.

Sleeping Car Attendant (left) and Conductor (right) aboard Amtrak's Lone Star, 1974.

The train operated from Houston to Chicago via Fort Worth. Amtrak ran a connecting train from Dallas to Fort Worth until the Lone Star's discontinuance in 1979. John Bush: Heating locomotive boilers

When locomotives are first the boiler was close to heat from that water will be fired up with cold water in boiling before the fire was transferred to the metal the boiler they are subject started the thermal stress surfaces of the dead boiler to significant thermal stress. would be reduced. starting to warm it up. The water is typically less Opening the blow down than 75 degrees and of In the US most terminals valve occasionally allows the course most of it is below had stationary boilers that release of the now cooled the crown sheet. The could supply hot water to water. primary heat transfer from locomotives before they the fire occurs at the crown were fired up. We do not Repeating this process sheet although there is have a stationary boiler nor eventually resulting in the some transfer through the the way to transfer a large boiler being filled with hot side sheets, the flues, and quantity of water from one water near the boiling the door sheet. Because hot locomotive to another. temperature. At that point water is less dense than cold What we do is connect a the steam supply to the water hot water rises to the steam hose from one turret dead engine is shut off and top and colder water sinks to another. Then by closing drained by opening a valve to the bottom. The result is the main turret valve on the to any other appliance like that the water at the top dead engine and opening the dynamo or air begins to boil while the valves to connect the live compressor. When the water along the mud ring turret to the dead turret we turret is de-pressurized the and in the belly is still less now have a live turret on main turret valve on the than 100 degrees F. Boiler the dead engine isolated dead engine can be safely steel expands with heat. from the boiler. The opened. The locomotive can The more difference in injectors on the dead engine then be fired up in the temperature over any given can then be started and normal manner in less than distance the more stress the they will put water normal time without harm. sheets, stays, and tubes are preheated to nearly boiling subjected to. If the water in into the dead boiler. The

Canberra Railway Museum forced to sell off historic train carriages.

Canberra's historic railway War II, we're talking about largest steam locomotives. museum has been forced carriages that took soldiers It was a popular attraction, into liquidation, with many to the hospitals, [soldiers] offering trips from Canberra historic train carriages set to who had come back from on a century-old steam go to auction next month. the jungles of New Guinea train. But Mr Reynolds said Former museum volunteer by ship. it cost about $3 million a and heritage rail enthusiast year to maintain the engines Garry Reynolds is fearful the Museum derailed and run the museum. The city's rail history will be lost City of Canberra, a Beyer- with the sale. "We're The museum was forced to Garratt 6029 which was the talking about carriages that temporarily close its doors largest operating steam took soldiers away down to last year after falling more locomotive in the Southern the docks and the ships in than Hemisphere, was World War I," he told $500,000 into debt. Based particularly expensive to Genevieve Jacobs on ABC at Kingston for 34 years, the run. It would consume 18 Radio Canberra. "They're museum was home to tonnes of coal and 40,000 that old. "Then in World Australia's oldest and litres of water on average each day, costing around history that need to be kept. our community’s story to $10,000 a day. "We're guilty in the future if other regions or private we let these go." Article properties. We don’t want D-day looms appeared in to see this happen when we http://www.abc.net.au/ have so little heritage left in "After the Supreme Court news/2017-07-13 Canberra. The experience of decision last Friday, it's all steam train travel has been going to be wound up," Mr Latest Developments preserved so well in the Reynolds said. national capital and it The museum's historic WHILE the Canberra Railway should continue.” Mr Oliver collection will go to auction Museum spirals into and Mr Dogger have on August 2. "That's D-day," liquidation, two local discussed their plans to fund Mr Reynolds said. directors have made a a rescue the Canberra "In the future, someone will “generous bid” to keep the Railway Museum with the say, 'What were they doing? community’s heritage in the ACT government and say They knew this was ACT. Directors of the there is bipartisan support important heritage but no- Capital Holdings Group, Ian for a heritage operation. one did anything and it's Oliver and Dallas Dogger see Garry Reynolds, who gone, gone forever'." this as an opportunity to say worked as a volunteer at “thank you” to the Canberra the Canberra Railways Selling off Canberra's core community by giving Museum says it was something during a critical fortunate that Mr Oliver and Mr Reynolds said the mainly time. Ian Oliver says: “We Mr Dallas made an offer and volunteer-run organisation are completing our due hope it is taken up. The not- could do little more in its diligence and research with for-profit Australian Railway bid to save the museum. the cooperation of the Historical Society (ACT) is "We tried as individuals to liquidator from Deloitte, currently in the process of call on government, but it Eddie Senatore. We liquidation and many of must be the cold in understand from Mr Canberra’s heritage Canberra — they're just Senatore that other treasures will be up for sitting on their hands to Canberra business people auction on August 2. keep them warm. "They may be willing to help as http://citynews.com.au/ don't appear interested in well and we are open to a 2017/bid-save- canberras- buying some of this rolling collaborative approach that steam-trains/ stock on behalf of the can protect the assets for community. "Some of these future generations.” “Of CANBERRA – 24 hours prior carriages are 110 years old course, the liquidator will to the auction for significant and they're likely just to make the final decision and rail assets, Capital Holdings disappear and turn up as we have told him we are bid to save local rail history B&Bs or kids' cubby houses willing to ‘cut a cheque’ to has been rejected. Ian somewhere." Mr Reynolds achieve the best result for Oliver, Managing Director of said he hoped local all involved. There is no the Capital Holdings Group organisations might be guarantee that our offer will said today: “I am interested in purchasing be accepted,” he says. “We disappointed that our offer some of the train carriages. want to see prompt action was rejected today, 24 "I want to see this precious to stop the debt growing hours from the auction.” local history stay in and save our community’s Notification came by way of Canberra. "There could be heritage by developing an email, just prior to 9 am corporations here who say, arrangements which today. The letter, scant on 'Here's a chance to make a prevent a collapse detail as to the reason for real difference and secure happening again. “There rejection, has left our Canberra's heritage'. "The are groups and private company with no chance to creditors do need to be bidders in Australia and save what many consider to paid, but there are some overseas expressing interest be significant rail history, carriages that have a lot of in purchasing, then pertinent to the ACT. “We connections to Australia's removing key elements of were not given the opportunity to discuss, from an auction”. Oliver been wasted”. “We can’t revise or change our offer said. We wanted to speculate on the future of and that has disappointed establish a trust to protect these assets now. The us, as we sincerely wanted the assets and work with a auction for some of the to help. We had made it suitable local operator to assets that should stay in clear that we were willing to preserve and run trains. the ACT is tomorrow, the work with other parties for There is a wider issue of future of the rest of the the good of the collection, transport heritage in the collection is up to the working toward a ACT and this trust could liquidator”, Oliver said ACT sustainable outcome. “This have been the start of locomotive history on sale: was a not a cynical grab for something bigger, even What happened at the assets by us – far from it, attracting more visitors to Canberra Railway Museum our motive philanthropic the ACT. We thank the ACT auction? and proudly ACT biased. community and the ACT http://www.abc.net.au/r Dallas Dogger, Director said. Government for their kind adio/canberra/programs/ The letter suggests that if words and support and we breakfast/what- happened- we have a genuine “Interest hope that the ACT rail at-canberra- rail-museum- in ensuring some of the heritage community can auction/8770224 assets remain in the ACT”, reunite and regrow and A final word from former that we should attend the share their common museum volunteer Gary auction. “Our offer made to interests in the future. So Reynolds. He said going to the liquidator was large much work has been done the auction felt a bit like enough to keep all of the by so many volunteers to going to a funeral. rail heritage assets in the save rail history locally that ACT, not some cherrypicked we really hope that it’s not

The Midland Railway Trust has appointed a new full time Locomotive Engineer. (MRT News Item)

Gareth Winter aged 49 joins the small team of preservation. Gareth is very keen to see these full time staff at the and will two machines restored to working order and be based in the railways’ workshops at would like to hear from anyone that would like Swanwick Junction. Gareth, from Nottingham, to help by joining the volunteer team that are brings a wealth of experience to the job having working on their restoration. “If anyone would been involved in the heritage railway like to get involved please get in touch with movement as both a volunteer and full time me at the Midland Railway – Butterley so that staff since 1989. The important task facing we can see how you can help. You do not need Gareth is the restoration back to working experience just the determination to help order of London, Midland and Scottish Railway restore these magnificent locomotives. Let’s 0-6-0 3F tank locomotive number 47357. This get on with the bringing them back to steam.” locomotive has been a mainstay of the Alan Calladine, the Midland Railway Trust railways services for many years but is now Development Officer said “Gareth Winter has receiving a complete overhaul that should see a tremendous challenge in front of him to it give many more years’ service. In addition complete the restoration of these two work is continuing on the long term locomotives. With his experience and ability I restoration of sister locomotive 47445, a am sure that it will not be long before we will locomotive that has not been steamed in see these locomotives back at work.”

Alan Keef Ltd, Lea, Ross-on-Wye

Tucked away on the right hand side of the A40, 5 miles to the east of Ross on Wye, and just as you exit Lea village, stands, almost hidden by the trees, the Locomotive Works of Alan Keef Ltd.

The rolling countryside of is not normally associated with railway engineering. Hereford Bulls and cider come to mind. But for the last 40 years, Alan Keef Ltd have been providing engineering services to the leisure and industrial sectors – and doing it rather well. Their website announces that “Founded by Alan Keef in 1968, we are based in rural Herefordshire and remain a family owned and run enterprise with a personal, as well as professional, passion for narrow gauge railways. Alan Keef remains at our helm as Chairman whilst his son, Patrick Keef, is Managing Director and daughter, Alice Basey, is Chief Design Engineer”

And “Alan Keef Ltd has an unrivalled reputation throughout the narrow gauge (10¼" - 3'6" gauge) railway industry as a designer and supplier of quality modern railway equipment, replica historic equipment and as a restorer of historic equipment including steam and diesel locomotives and carriages.” An hour spent in the company of Patrick Keef provided answers to the basic questions.

Patrick Keef

How did it all start? Where are we going from here?

The beginnings. It all started as a hobby hence the phrase ”remain a family owned and run enterprise with a personal, as well as professional, passion for narrow gauge railways.” Alan’s father spent his time tracking down narrow gauge railways in particular, those in the Colonel Stephens portfolio such as the Kent and East Sussex, , Ffestiniog, all of which were still operating as heritage lines, either in full or in part, and built under the Light Railways Act of 1896. These were a few of the 16 railways in his network, along with 18 others which never came to fruition. With an inherent interest in railways, as a farmer, it was perhaps only natural that Alan should install a ’guided materials handling system’ i.e. a railway, to facilitate feeding and cleaning routines. And so, as they say, one thing led to another. Alan saw the potential for a new business offering light railway equipment, not just for heritage and industrial use, but for an emerging park railways market too, with early orders secured from Whipsnade Zoo and Longleat Safari Park. Creating the new enterprise coincided with the railway inspectorate realising that, given the potential numbers that might be carried on park railway systems (upwards of ¼ million visitors per year in some parks), equipment should be specified to a prescribed standard to ensure visitors enjoyed a comfortable and, more importantly, safe ride. An intrinsic understanding of their market and the design innovations that followed, have allowed the company to develop a distinctly different product offer and they continue to prosper and exploit new markets too. Whilst many customers require a ‘standard’ product from Alan Keef Ltd, the company has developed a reputation for more specialist work too. Patrick gave me an insight into some of the interesting projects they’ve been involved with including designing battery-electric operated railcars for a gas jetty in Brunei that had, naturally, to be ‘spark- free’ to avoid the risk of explosions. Designing railways to handle materials instead of, or alongside people, has seen the company secure contracts for a wide range of projects including boat launch slipways and tracks laid inside warehouses to aid the smooth transition of materials along production lines.

RNLI Slipway (Alan Keef Image)

A strong business was emerging and was further strengthened in the early 1990s with the acquisition of and its Simplex brand, and to this day, the company still supports Simplex locomotives around the world although, unsurprisingly, the number of locos still running is decreasing year on year. The business is clearly hugely diverse, the mantra being ‘if it runs on rails then call us’; but the leisure market is still core to the business with several new locomotives or train sets being built each year for railways in parks, zoos, stately homes and theme parks. The design criteria are, unsurprisingly, straightforward – they have to be easy to maintain and operate and offer a smooth ride for passengers. In the main, diesel engines dominate but battery operated locomotives have a place too, particularly in environments where the noise from a diesel might otherwise be problematic. In the last couple of years, locomotives and carriages have been supplied for zoos and safari parks in Europe as well as the UK. Going through the workshop right now is a new engine and set of carriages for a park in Berkshire that has a one-mile 10¼“ railway. In addition, a new locomotive is also being built for one of the company’s original customers, Longleat Safari Park.

Recently completed for Wellington Park railway, also in Berkshire, this time to 12 ¼” gauge was the locomotive ‘Arthur’ and three new semi- enclosed carriages. The new train set replaced an aging and unreliable smaller train set. This summer has seen a huge increase in the number of passengers that can ride the railway which, as well as bringing extra revenue for the park, also ensures that visitors to the park are not left frustrated by long queues to ride the train or disappointment when it breaks down.

Perrygrove Railway, Forest of Dean.(Alan Keef Image)

What has been/is the most challenging of assignments?

“Lyn” under construction.

The ongoing project is the replica ‘Lyn‘ that is being built for the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway. As with similar projects the company has been involved with, the challenge was recognising the specific characteristics of that particular heritage railway and understanding that many involved with the project are intensely interested in its progress and outcome. Alan Keef Ltd was asked to build ’Lyn’ (the original Baldwin manufactured locomotive was built in 1898 but scrapped in 1935) but include new technical innovations such as roller bearings, high-tech gas produced combustion, improved lubrication and high superheat boiler, all light years ahead of the original specification but designed to deliver the best efficiency possible. At the time of writing, ‘Lyn’ had been recently steamed for the first time and proved a resounding success in front of a delighted audience of some 150 donors to the build project. Delivery to the Railway is expected to take place during September, concluding five- years of dedication from the designers and engineers involved.

How far afield has Alan Keef Ltd spread its work and name?

Worldwide is the simple answer. The book ‘A Tale of Many Railways: An Autobiography & History of Alan Keef Ltd’, gives a very full description of the worldwide reach of the company. Railway stock has been provided to parks in Argentina, Holland, Singapore and Belgium. Industrial railway stock can be found in a cement works in Bangladesh, coal mines in South Korea and Nigeria and of course Simplex locomotives and parts have been have provided to Fiji, Africa, and east Africa.

The company’s locomotives can be found widely across Ireland too including replica locomotives, such as the unique Lartigue Monorail for the Listowel and Ballybunion Railway in Ireland.

Lartigue Monorail.(Alan Keef Image)

Significant work is carried out for European customers and as Patrick explained, the customers they’ve worked with have had very demanding specifications that reflect the fact that their railways will typically carry very high passenger numbers and are an important revenue generator. The fact that these European customers choose a UK supplier to deliver the reliability they need is testament to the company’s reputation for delivering highly dependable quality stock. One recent example was a zoo railway project in Belgium that was built to an exacting specification. In its first season, this railway carried around 200,000 passengers on 2½ km circuit and has a goal to reach over 300,000 passengers annually. Similarly high passenger numbers have been seen at a new railway in Denmark that the company was involved with. Time and again, the reliability and comfort of the ride has been the over-riding criteria in establishing whether the project delivered value for money overall.

What are the future prospects for Alan Keef Ltd?

Alan Keef Ltd is undoubtedly a family business. Patrick Keef took over from his Father as Managing Director some 20 years ago and with his sister Alice Basey as Chief Design Engineer has steered an enduringly successful and highly regarded business. That the company is rarely seen advertising or promoting its work highlights that its business is sustained by word-of-mouth recommendation and its portfolio of loyal customers would be the envy of many businesses. Future goals involve consolidating and improving their infrastructure. They have a busy satellite operation nearby, which focusses on carpentry and finishing works. About 20 staff are employed by the company and the skill set is crucial. Machinist, fabricators, steam fitting team, carpenters, fitters, painters and two track laying teams, as well as several designers, make up a tight-knit team. Although staff turnover is remarkably low, a real challenge is finding reliable people and specifically appealing to the younger generation. If there is any young person locally (or otherwise!) who has a love for traditional engineering, then an apprenticeship at Alan Keef Ltd could be for you! Perhaps you might end up travelling the world commissioning engines and be part of a tradition of delivering products with a world-wide reputation.

What are the proudest moments for the company?

“Steam Elephant” and “Puffing Billy” replicas at Beamish Museum, Durham. (Alan Keef Image)

For Patrick, the project that most stands out, without a shadow of doubt, is ’Puffing Billy‘ and ’Steam Elephant‘, the two replica engines they built for Beamish Museum. Equally, the WW1 Baldwin for Leighton Buzzard Light Railway would rank high on the list.

Restored Baldwin for Leighton Buzzard Railway.(Alan Keef Image)

So, Hereford is not all bull and drink! Next time you sit on a little railway somewhere, look out for the maker’s plate and see if it comes from Alan Keef Ltd in Ross-on-Wye and perhaps raise a cheer for another great British company that is doing the UK’s engineering reputation proud.

(Peter S Lewis wishes to thank Patrick Keef for his assistance and insight, without which this article would not have been possible.)

This article also appears in the August edition of “On Shed” (http://railtube.info/category/on-shed/)

Puffing Billy. News Update

Puffing Billy recorded 487,237 passengers experience Puffing Billy for the first time. It in the 2016/17 financial year, which is an truly is a shared experience that creates increase of 17% on the previous year. This lasting memories for the young and old is also the highest patronage of any narrow like. Our passionate and committed gauge steam heritage railway in the world workforce, including over 900 volunteers, that is a volunteer- based, not for profit play a vital role in attracting people back to operation. Puffing Billy Railway CEO, John Puffing Billy. They work extremely hard to Robinson, said the continued growth can ensure everyone has an unforgettable visit, be attributed to the increase in visitors and these incredible visitation figures are from the Asian market, as well as regular an acknowledgement of this.” “We’re also repeat visitation from passengers who extremely fortunate that Puffing Billy is can’t get enough of the iconic tourist located so close to the Melbourne CBD and attraction. “The Asian market now is accessible via the Metro Trains. It makes represents over half of overall visitors, and it so much easier for visitors to Melbourne we are working really hard to ensure they to come out for the day and discover the have an enjoyable experience at Puffing beauty of the Dandenong Ranges,” he said. Billy,” Mr Robinson said. “We have recently Puffing Billy received a Silver Award in the prepared a Visitor Information brochure in Major Tourist Attraction category in the Simplified Chinese, produced new Victorian Tourism Awards in 2016, Gold in promotional videos with Simplified Chinese the Outstanding Contribution by captions and have introduced recorded Volunteers category, and was recently announcements in Mandarin on the awarded a Certificate of Excellence from Belgrave platform to cater for this immense TripAdvisor for the fourth year in a row. growth.” “We are also really proud of the fact that generations of Melbournians have visited us for over 100 years. Visitors love For further information, please visit reliving their childhood memories by taking www.puffingbilly.com.au or call (03) 9757 their children or grandchildren to 0700

And something new developing…

Sam Mackworth (New Zealand) explains his wood burning steam locomotive….

The project began 6 years natural process of Thus development work ago with quite a general photosynthesis served centred on developing a aim of developing an both functions. The focus simple and efficient environmentally was therefore on biofuels powerplant to turn the sustainable, multipurpose from the start and after a thermal energy released engine. The important couple of years this when burning wood fuel outcome of the initial became concentrated on into kinetic energy. stages was a start on solid biomass from, External combustion identifying exactly what preferably trees. Trees being required meant that the problem was that had were identified as being steam was an obvious to be solved. Correctly able to yield candidate. Analysis identifying this and approximately 8 times the showed steam to be the applying development in energy per unit area of only option with excellent the right direction land compared with possibilities. The steam continues to be an rapeseed derived expander (Engine) is a important factor. In biodiesel for example, and relatively well developed reality there is a plurality without the energy machine, but the current of problems for which it hungry processing that state of the art for a high has been the endeavour can be attributed to power boiler burning solid to find a common producing liquid biofuels. wood fuel that was solution. Providing a The energy required to amenable to vehicular sustainable powerplant process the wood fuel applications left for transport purposes being of the order of 5% something to be desired - was a core focus as viable of that actually yielded. the conventional solutions are lacking in locomotive type boiler the sector. A fundamental being the best that was step was clearly So to directly answer your then available. Given this, identifying the most question of the viability of a large portion of the practical source of the sustainability aspect - work over the years was environmentally Yes, in fact it could be directed at developing an sustainable energy. A key argued that it is the most improved locomotive type factor identified was that viable option, considering boiler, but improved the primary source must also that it is more cost doesn’t properly express be solar based. effective than many fossil the level of change Photovoltaics and fuels and there are involved. The result is a batteries were out of the significant waste streams wood fired boiler that question for various that can be tapped into. cannot explode and is reasons, it was quick steaming. Thus understood that the most of the safety issues are eliminated and light- doesn’t throw sparks or perfect. The up time is reduced to 10- have smoke emissions as manufacturing cost is 15 minutes. The boiler combustion is nearly markedly reduced.

Lempor Exhaust… Images courtesy Sam Mackworth.

Thank you all for your generous contributions to this edition of WATTRAIN Newsletter (August 2017)

If your item isn’t here in this edition. It will be next or in the near future!! Given the serious vandalism experienced recently by the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, , and the Mid-Norfolk Railway, what suggestions might the world family like to share on the subject. (Peter S Lewis. Editor)