569 June 2018-3A

Issue 569 June 2018 Worth £ 3/0/0

Newsletter from the National Steam Centre Print Post App. NO 100003042

Peter Jackman driving John Sparks large scale miniature Foden steam wagon in the Heyfield Grand Parade

Also in this Issue

Willans Activity Chart

Old Gippstown Willans Steam Engine Robert Owens's Mill June 2018 STEAM SUPREME 2 Heyfield Rally

Peter Jackman photo

A highlight of the Heyfield rally were working demonstrations of a logging steam winch . Specialized pieces of equipment and only built by a few manufactures around the world this one was a product of A Harman of Port Melbourne . They feature 2 drums allowing a loop of cable , passing around a pulley block attached to an anchor tree, to be let out from one as the other end is wound in . In this way logs could be repeatedly snigged out of otherwise inaccessible locations in the bush. Brian Aitkin assembled this outfit over a period of 6 months from machinery he acquired and restored. The Harman winch came from Warwick Turner at Echuca and was possibly Bill McKinnon's while it’s agents plate proclaims it was sold by Cameron, Sutherland , Seward Pty Ltd , Melb & Sydney . Feedwater is arranged using a steam driven weir type pump feeding from a wooden wine barrel. Although the outfit is Brian’s own concept , being mounted on log skids and with a corrugated iron canopy it is representative of the equipment used in the Gippsland bush for logging over 100 years ago. A wonderful display and something rarely seen in action. Incidentally our National Steam museum has at least 2 such winches ( outside Blacksmiths shop and in Bay 5 ) so there is an opportunity for us to set up a similar eye-catching display. Another striking display , typical of what the guys from this district can put together, is this Chaffcutting Outfit. Hauled by Jake Coleman’s American Buffalo Pitts Traction Engine is a wooden Living Van , similar to the CRB one we have . Following is the large Chaff Cutter which would be driven by the engine once set up . Finally there is a Furphy Watercart in tow to feed the engine .

Our Peter Jackman is always a great supporter of the Heyfield rallies. This year he exhibited his Ronaldson Tippet single cylinder CF Diesel engine which was made in Ballarat probably in the 1950’s . Always a sweet runner. June 2018 STEAM SUPREME 3

What caught my attention was a very original looking FJ Holden sedan . After taking part in the grand parade it ended up parking by John Sparks miniature Burrell traction engine which was under the charge of his friend Cecil . The Holden owner soon started telling Cecil and myself all about his wonderful FJ , what the owner did not know was Cecil’s family have been prominent Holden Dealers in the Albury/ Wagga area for many many years and of course I am an ex Holden Engineer of 35 years. Well initially he did not take well to being politely corrected on a few points but soon warmed to us when he realized Cecil in particular knew a bit and could help!

No sooner than I had arrived I was being told of the MSTEC display . What I found was John Sparks with his suburb collection of his large scale miniatures and a bright new eye catching sign board promoting our Club . John a MSTEC member has always been a keen supporter of what we are and what we do so took it on his own initiative to take the opportunity to promote us . Well it certainly

Finally to give you an idea of the scope of the Heyfield rally Peter has compiled some statistics . Steam 3 Portables , 2 wagons ( including a rare MANN ) 4 Miniatures ( John Sparks ) , 2 Steam cars ( locomobile type ) 11 Traction engines , 1 Roller , 1 Winch . Internal Combustion With a tractor pull in full action there was no less than 93 .Vintage trucks 34 ( including 6 military ) . Stationary engines 3 1/2 compounds Motorbikes about 20 Vintage cars probably 40 .

Peter Jackman’s photo of John’s displays and signs including the prominent one promoting our club. June 2018 STEAM SUPREME 4 What About WILLANS STEAM ENGINES ?

Of course we are always talking about the Willans Diesel engine but it came as a bit of a surprise when a member produced a book with a section on Willans “Modern High Speed “ STEAM engines . Basically the story went :- Around 1880 demand arose for steam engines to drive electric dynamos mostly for lighting purposes. With the slow speed double acting open crank steam engines of the day a flat belt drive was necessary to step up the generator speed sufficiently to get the required volts. Direct Willans compound central valve engine and dynamo cc 1888 . drive was obviously the way to go so “ high speed” 18 hp at 450 rpm in the Science Museum Collection (UK) steam engines were developed . These were generally single acting to try and avoid bearing issues believed to be caused by the reversal of load due to the pushing and pulling on the conrod you get with a double acting engine. Around 1885 Peter Willans ( the Engineer) and Mark Robinson ( the capitalist ) patented a high speed single acting enclosed crank self lubricating design . A revolutionary feature was the valve arrangement . The rod the pistons were mounted on was hollow with steam being supplied to the open top end. Inside the rod was a piston valve that moved up and down being driven from a separate eccentric . This uncovered a series of slot at the appropriate time to admit and exhaust the steam . With this arrangement 1 , 2 or 3 cylinders of ascending size could be stacked on top of each other and by arranging a series of valves and slots at each level steam could pass down the hollow rod to the next bigger cylinder below. In this way double and even triple expansion engines were possible for greater efficiency. Sectional view of the Willans and Robinson high speed steam engine first made at their Thames Ditton, Surrey plant and after 1896 Victoria Works Rugby , Warwickshire . Clearly seen is the valve eccentric placed between the double crankpin. . A critical feature for high speed operation was the enclosed crankcase and splash lubrication. This type of engine was made by Willans over a 20 year period specially for generating electricity in a variety of sizes and number of cylinders producing up to 2500 hp. The book goes on to say the Willans were very popular being well made and to close limits so were economical and parts were interchangeable. Such was their performance that they captured up to 70% of the electricity generation market before their design was rendered obsolete around 1904 by the introduction of the steam turbine while those still wanting reciprocating engines turned to the more conventional Bellis & Morecombe design being double acting and double crank compound , totally enclosed with pressure lubrication .This type of engine went on to be made in great quantities by a number of manufactures for many years but that is another story . Willans was obviously a progressive company so soon changed over to steam turbine manufacture in conjunction with Parsons . This was in their new works , which had expanded to Rugby in Warwickshire. Soon afterwards they become involved with English Electric gaining them a large share of the market. Cont . June 2018 STEAM SUPREME 5

Willans and Robinson 2400 hp generating engine at a Paris Exhibition around 1900 copyright expired Although not mentioned in the “Steam Book” Air blast engines under the Diesel licence were manufactured in their Rugby Works from 1904 to the end of the 1920’s . Given their capability to make huge steam engines to a very high standard I expect it would have been an easy transition to produce Diesels.

A 335 bhp Willans Diesel engine on the brake at the Rugby factory in 1913. In the picture can be seen 3 other engines in various stages of erecting / testing. Graces Guide to British industry Warwick

S S S S S S SS S S SS S S S S SS S S What is Next for our WILLANS DIESEL ?

With the foundations finished the Committee has asked that a plan be established for mounting and assembling the engine. Considerable thought has gone into this phase of the project as it is a large and complicated machine so needs to be attacked in a specific order ie Some things cannot start until others have been done and if something has been missed out much dismantling may be required to put it in . In other words there is a Critical Path. This is shown below to let members know what is happening and help as a guide on where to start . The next step is establishing who is prepared to get involved and establish who will lead the project. Let’s have your thoughts . Of course the other aspect is just how do you go about screwing together such a large piece of machinery . We are fortunate to have Phil Randall, ex marine engineer, who knows these large engines and is preparing a step by step set of instructions. These will be published in Steam Supreme from time to time as they are applicable to the erection of many large vintage engines. We will start with mounting the base , installing the crankshaft and aligning the machinery. 335 HP Willans Diesel on test with 3 others in various stages of assembly. June 2018 STEAM SUPREME 6

WILLANS ACTIVITY CHART GROUP ACTIVITY Preparation Engine Base Key Green Indicates Sequence Activities can be done in Coupling bolts Red Indicates the earliest a group can be started Flywheel Outrigger Bearing Generator From this it is evident many things can be put in order Bigends Remetal immediately without the need to wait until the engine is bolted down Mount & Align Machinery

Base Crankshaft Flywheel Generator Aircompressor

Base Assembly

Big Ends Cylinders Alignment Cylinderheads Vertical Shaft Camshaft Overhead Gear Dress Engine

Catwalk Exhaust Lube System Fuel System Engines Airpipes The flywheel needs carefully cleaning up on the Valves & Gauges mounting faces so it pulls up true Fuel Supply

Stand Tank Plumbing Cooling System Engine Compressor Concrete Pit Pit Cover Foundation Block Bay 4 Floor Air Supply Stand Bottles Plumbing Gauges & Valves - Auxiliary Compressor Establish Condition The engine compressor is already Refurbish Install - done . Thanks Frank Engine Commissioning Systems Buy Out - Establishing Operating Procedures – Emergency Stopping Test run Engine - Train Operators Sign Off Unveiling June 2018 STEAM SUPREME 7

The Big Burn At last contact was made and Bill soon had the thing alight but as the long shadows show the sun had been up With the fire restriction only recently coming off and to be for 1/2 an hour. immediately being followed by a spell of wet weather we began to despair of ever getting to burn our increasing pile of tree pruning's and waste wood before it all got too wet. With the forecast for a couple of unseasonally warm days the opportunity was seized last weekend and an early start called for Saturday.

John Mills and Warwick were down at the club before sunrise readying their pumping outfits for standby duty while the mist was still rising from the lake . Bill Dazenko soon arrived with his impressive flame thrower followed by Dave Rochester holder of the Burn Permit so we Actually it was surprising how well it burnt as the heat were all ready to go just as the sun rose— or so we thought ! generated dried things out as it progressed and being still air A condition was our neighbours had to be notified which what little smoke there was went straight up. All the same included EastLink . Alas they were not answering and with EastLink , with their electronic notice boards , took the precious time ticking away we began to get towie as we had a precaution of advising motorists of Burning Off operations big pile that was a bit damp and it had to be all out by and the possibily smoke so they would not be alarmed. sundown. cont June 2018 STEAM SUPREME 8

Cont With things going smoothly the rest of the crew, by now including Neil , Adrian and Phil, took the opportunity to do a bit more cleaning up around the grounds while of course always leaving someone to watch over the burn. By mid afternoon things had settled down so the Morris boys obliged and stirred things up with Peter’s D7 bulldozer but it soon became obvious most of what was left was dirt. It appears that nature had done its job and over the last 2 years since the last burn much of the vegetable matter had turned into compost. With the sun now low and long shadows it was time to damp down and put out anything that was still smouldering. Just as the sun set all was done and it was time to pack up and put the gear away . It was a job well done although a long day as testified by the sign in/out book showing Adrian damps down with John’s pump while Peter Morris turns over the exactly 12 hours for a couple of the remaining soil with Warwick’s truck and pump standing by. volunteering members. Lloyd’s Stone Crusher The last run day the Lloyds took the opportunity to give their recently restored stone crusher a bit of a work out. Although it had been unveiled at our rally it was still a bit tight in the bearings and linkage which made it difficult to set in motion with their single cylinder steam engine. As you know this type of engine has a dead pointsat the end of each stroke which means to get going enough speed has to be built up in the first 1/2 turn for the flywheel to carry it over. With a stiff machine and heavy mechanism Warwicks Fordson tractor was called into play to limber it up . This model Fordson has a wet clutch so it can be progressively engaged without fear of burning out .

Jo then proceeded to make a video of the crusher in action to send back to the Cedar Rapids people who had been very helpful with instructions for this vintage machine .

The crusher was soon running well and a few bricks put through to the fascination of our run day visitors. A Fordson “ before “ pic June 2018 STEAM SUPREME 9

A. T. C. cont What Members are up to :- Jarrod Blair

The Gippstown Motor Garage caught my attention . Inside vehicles and spares where laid out as a working garage so visitors could understand how they were used.

A Few Ideas from Old Gippstown Jarrod sees it important that engines are not too jammed in and have signs giving use and a bit of history. Also important On my way to Heyfield rally I took the opportunity to call is that engines are kept clean and floors swept . Everyday in at Old Gippstown at Moe and was mighty impressed with clutters associated with engine use and restoration must not what I found . The idea was to recreate a typical country town detract from the display . To this end there is often a separate from a 100 years ago using significant buildings collected room or alcove at the back were this sort of thing is kept out from the district These are all kitted out with appropriate of sight. artefacts from the day which allows them to be displayed in their correct context just as they would have been used. Now I realize we are not a theme park so cannot go to this extent but I think we could use a few lessons on how to display things in a fashion that better tells their story. Naturally I was drawn to the Machinery Shed when a familiar voice called out . It was MSTEC member Jarrod Blair who looks after their engines so I took the opportunity to find out how they went about things.

The workshop/ storage area in the engine shed is made unobtrusive behind the corrugated iron partition . Given Old Gippstown is long established and past the collecting / restoring stage not everything they do is applicable to us but I think a bit can be learned from their displays. If you are down Moe way drop in . For the best experience try to make it coincide with one of their monthly events there is much more for the family than just old engines. As a start all the buildings have viewing galleries and the Warwick machinery is well laid out so people can get a good look . June 2018 STEAM SUPREME 10

Peter Lynch visits an Old Mill

Peter Lynch photo

Tripping Around The engine is located in Club member Peter Lynch is over in the UK at the New Lanark moment and has come across a rather interesting steam engine a purpose in a cotton mill complex. Peter writes—Trip is going well, built have had two weeks in Scotland and heading south industrial village from the 18 th century on the Clyde river tomorrow. Saw this big mill engine the other day. It has two half way between Glasgow and Edinburgh but a bit south . pairs of two cylinders. The low and high pressure cylinders The mill is now listed as a World Heritage site being a social are behind one another on each side but I don't get the experiment of industrialist Robert Owen to establish a utopian purpose of the third 'cylinder'. That is the vertical one in the village for his workers which concentrated on quality of life photo, driven by a rocker arm from the main pair. Is that a through providing them with improved working conditions , valve or some sort of condensing pump? company housing , schools , store and adult education Warwick continues - I have studied Peter’s photo and it is opportunities all adjacent to his 4 massive cotton mills . not clear what they are as they appear to be a recent crude The complex went into decline in the 1970’s and has been mock up to represent some long gone parts , maybe feed water subsequently converted into private homes, a convention pumps . center and Anyway a bit of web surfing reveals another view of the tourist engine. It is a Petrie and has Corliss HP valves and complex. piston LP valves and is 250 horse power.

Interweb photo Interweb photo