Issue 108, Winter 2020/2021
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Issue 108 Winter 2020 / 2021 The journal of the Russell Newbery Engine Owners & Enthusiasts Club AUDLEM IN THE SPOTLIGHT CAUGHT ON CAMERA! MEMORIES H2O AND SOME 2021 RALLY - OR WHAT? www.rnregister.org.uk WHO’S WHO CONTENTS Front cover: Breach at Audlem bridge 80 [Dave Martin] Back cover: Swan Park, Whittington [Steve Whetnall] 3 FROM THE EDITOR RUSSELL NEWBERY REGISTER LTD Vice Presidents: Lady Carol Stamp, Mrs Susan Gibbs, Allister Denyer, Graham Pearson, Eleanor Phillips 4 CHAIRMAN’S CHATTER Web site: www.rnregister.org.uk The Russell Newbery Register is a non profit 5 MEMBERSHIP MATTERS distributing company limited by guarantee. Founded: 1994 Registered in England No: 346943 THANK YOU Officers: Chairman: Bob Scott m: 07812 028415 [email protected] 6 BRAUNSTON RALLY PLANS Secretary: Kevin McNiff m: 07866 424988 [email protected] 8 BOOK REVIEW: JOHN KNILL’S Director & Administrator (membership, finance): Andy Todd t: 01923 264962 m: 07973 326888 NAVY [email protected] Director: Jim Comerford m: 07887 591905 9 CAUGHT ON CAMERA! [email protected] Newsletter Editor: Kevin McNiff [email protected] AUTUMN GATHERING UPDATE Newsletter Production: Andrew Laycock m: 07870 294580 Administration (merchandise): Neil Mason 10 FITTING IN AN E t: 01306 889073 [email protected] Rally Organisers: Bob Scott and Andrew Laycock [email protected] 12 AUDLEM: THE HOLE STORY Webmaster: Andrew Laycock [email protected] 14 AQR WATER PROJECT RUSSELL NEWBERY REGISTER PROPERTY LTD A non profit distributing company limited by guarantee 16 A NATIONAL PILGRIMAGE Founded 2004 Registered in England No: 5316384 Directors: Bob Ainsworth, Dave Martin, Bob Scott, Andy Todd. 17 MEMORIES Unless otherwise noted,© Russell Newbery Register, 2021 Important Notice Deadline for receipt of Braunston Rally booking forms is RN DIESEL ENGINE COMPANY th Proprietors: Dave Bixter (m:07812 039110) Saturday 29 May. Deborah Bixter (m: 07966 403132) Showroom: RN House, The Locks, Hillmorton, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 4PP t:01788 578661 Please book as soon as possible. Engineering workshop: 4 Oak House, Royal Oak Way North, Royal Oak Industrial Estate, Daventry NN11 8PQ Bookings refunded if COVID-19 Email: [email protected] measures prevent attendance. Field Engineers: Ian Crompton m: 07831 841108 Richard Milligan m: 07973 826260 Next edition All contributions for the Spring edition will be gratefully received. Do not worry about format — in true RN fashion the editorial team can cope with [almost] anything! Please supply photographs as separate JPEG or GIF files. Copy deadline 31st May 2021 2 RNR Newsletter : Winter 2020 / 2021 The winter edition is finally out! We felt that it was better to delay printing for a month to see what, if any changes, are likely with lockdown during the pandemic. There is now a roadmap for England that gives hope that, if everything falls into place, there will be a “near normal” Rally in July. Andrew will give an update in the following pages. But sadly, we have had to postpone the Away day to Ironbridge for this year again but I’m sure that Chris Halliwell will get his outing next year. Hang in there! The waterways continue to provide challenges for boating and the Shroppie is no exception. Our on-site newshound’s report provides more detail, thank you Dave [and dogs!]. It’s a worry that so much reactive work is needed to fix long term [and known about] problems. Thanks once again to our contributors; journeys, engines, reminiscences, and scientific progress are some of the features this time. As we all return to meeting family and friends, I hope to meet up with the usual suspects. Or if you just want to get out and away on your own, have a great season. The RN E series of engines were not a common choice for boat propulsion. Fitting one in a narrowboat is a challenge, as Ian Richardson describes in this issue. He chose an E3, the E4 illustrated here would have meant an even longer engine room extension. [RN Archives] Full range of of RN Spares and service items available from stock together with engines on display at Hillmorton. Full range of Boatyard Services including Engine servicing and repairs, Boat blacking, Full boat repainting service, Boat building and repairs, Plumbing & electrics, Weld repairs. GBBS Hillmorton Ltd. & Russell Newbery Marine Diesel Engines 01788 578 661 mobile 07812 039110 email. [email protected] RNR Newsletter : Winter 2020 / 2021 3 Chairman’s Chatter Well, I’ll say one thing, living next to a summer but, after river is rarely dull. As I write this the Avon having had my jab, just outside is up 3.25m from its normal I’m feeling more level – another half a metre and I’ll have optimistic. I know water in my garage to a depth of a few that Andrew has inches. Luckily, I’ve now completed a drawn up a list of whole load of new shelving which has alternatives which enabled me to get everything up off the I am sure will be floor. The river will now have to go up revealed – quite another metre or thereabouts before stuff possibly elsewhere in this very gets wet. Unfortunately, the car is very newsletter. much on the floor and I’ve got to work out Whilst the boat was in the marina in what I’m going to do with that if the water November and December, having its does come up much further. bottom blacked properly for the first time If you’ve been waiting for this newsletter (a long story which I’m happy to tell if with bated breath then accept my asked but allow plenty of time) I hit upon apologies. It is all down to me. Kevin has the idea of having the expansion tank for been very patient, especially as I was the engine coolant turned into a swirl given a deadline well in advance and tank as per Allister’s recommendation in have totally failed to comply with it. You’d an article written for a much earlier think that in a period of lockdown I’d have newsletter. As part of my research I was plenty of time to write an article but the surprised to find that the Jabsco pump, truth is I can’t remember the last time I that has been an integral part of the have been this busy. Goodness knows engine ever since Lothlorien was built, is how I ever managed to find time to work not designed to pump hot water and was, full-time. Organising a house move for in fact, supposed to pump raw water aged parents from a place they have through the engine rather than circulate occupied for 38 years is full of surprises – water through a closed system. I know and they don’t actually move until April! that a few people have replaced their Jabscos with electric pumps. I always As I’m writing this section the river has thought 60 degrees was a little on the low now returned to its normal level and side for the operating temperature of a everything is looking much calmer with diesel engine and now it is all starting to the exception of the Canada Geese who make sense. In the interests of congregate just outside around about generating some discussion and dawn – as each one flies in he says good enlightenment (you never know), are we morning to all his mates and they all, very better off with an electric pump (12v, 24v politely, say good morning back to him or 240v) that can handle hotter coolant and everyone else, again. After the 100th and run the engine at, say, 80 degrees? I goose comes in to land it is very easy to look forward to lots of replies on this one. become slightly agitated. I just know that there are going to be as Will there be a rally this year? I certainly many opinions as there are members hope so, although whether we’ll be able to and there will be lots to read in the next do anything before the end of the summer newsletter. is very much open to doubt. To be fair it may also be doubtful after the end of 4 RNR Newsletter : Winter 2020 / 2021 Membership Matters Greetings and best wishes for the New Year. It’s somehow getting harder to find positive things to write about after so much inactivity but it’s amazing how things come out of the blue to raise the interest levels. I recently had an email from a chap in British Columbia, Canada saying he had owned a single cylinder RN engine for forty years (probably originally a generator) but had no idea about who or what Russell Newbery was. He was really pleased to be sent the history of RN and its engines and I hope he is going to send us some pictures when he is allowed to travel to where the engine is stored (sounds familiar!). So, I may need to pick the brains of our single cylinder group (there are 14 of you) if I get more. I’m pleased to say that we’ve had three new members join since the last newsletter. A very warm RN welcome Photo: Andrew Laycock to: Stuart Tait, Ifield nb Smoking Otter Darren Clark, Stoke-on-Trent nb Aitch Lester & Lynette Coates, Horsham nb Gower Thank You Julie Cains has asked us to pass on her thanks to the Register for the lovely flowers and kind supportive messages in remembrance of her Mum and Dad, who both died within 6 days of contracting COVID-19 in January.