Getting young people interested in steam engines

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An idea to encourage young persons to carry on the steam traction engine tradition through a new organization in Great Britain, could be of interest to Iron-Men in this country too.

The organization is the Steam Apprentice Club, which will cater to those 12 to 18 years old. Announcement of the formation was made in Steaming, magazine of the National Traction Engine Club. Much interest was shown in having a club like this, in a survey taken during the 1978 rally season.

John Wharton is chairman; Sylvia Berth-Jones is secretary, Margaret Joachim is editor of the newsletter which will be sent to members of the new club, as well as publicity director.

One of the best sets of museum displays of interest to steam traction engine collectors can be seen at the Science Museum, in London. During a recent visit, we went through it from top to bottom and could have spent a week there examining all the displays.

Among the exhibits are some dealing with farm machinery, as well as with the progress of methods of tillage over the centuries.

There are also many other kinds of things to see models of boats and ships, old time aircraft, an 1880 bathroom, deep sea diving equipment, apparatus for splitting atoms, and other scientific items large and small.

The museum sells excellent drawings of engines, and very good postcards showing early farm machinery.

One of the most interesting steam installations in the London area is the Kew Bridge Engines Trust and Water Supply Museum. This was a steam pumping station helping to supply London with water. Now operated by a group of steam volunteers who are making it a living museum, it holds five giant beam engines dating from 1820-1871. Two of these are now in steam. An 18 foot flywheel compound beam engine has been added. It is open to the public weekends.

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