I cannot let Mike Johns’ suggestion in the Spring Oily Rag for an International Code of Boiler Practise to go by without asking “WHY”?

Model Engineering is rapidly dying as a hobby, particularly the live steam side of it and every new rule and regulation that is brought out serves to accelerate its demise. We should not be looking for new regulations, but grouping together to fight all the ones that have crept in over the last couple of years. A simple Hazard Assessment shows that there has been only one noteworthy accident from hundreds of model boilers in the last forty or fifty years and this was due to the stupidity of a driver who ran his loco short of water while continuing to drive it and has nothing to do with the design of the boiler. Therefore, the assessment says “Insignificant risk”. We seem to be suffering from the British attitude of “Oh dear. I seem to be enjoying myself. Better make up some rules so I can’t”.

I have been building and driving steam locos for over forty years without any problems, but now on some tracks I have to have a Driving Licence, a Certificate of Competence in operating a steam generator, a CRB check if I am going to give rides to children and now the latest from one Club, not Taunton Model Engineers, a 90 degrees elbow on top of the chimney in case a bit of soot should fall on a passenger.

I recently ordered a boiler for my LBSC Doris, a design from which hundreds have been made and safely used, but this design has been condemned by a Boiler Inspector from another Club because suddenly it has become unsafe. The professional boiler maker refused to change the design so I have had to lose my deposit. This same Boiler Inspector will not permit fittings without captive operating spindles and will not permit safety valves that cannot be locked, but the internationally well known supplier of these has refused to change their design, so I will not be building any more steam locomotives (or traction engines) and I cannot imagine any newcomers to the hobby being willing to risk their time and money either.

Regards,

Malcolm Sadler.

P.S.

Since I wrote this letter to you, I have visited another professional boiler maker who was able to tell me that he was one of a team who first started writing the boiler building code that was eventually accepted by the Southern Federation. He said that when the code was first published it consisted of no more than a dozen A4 pages of guidance, but it now seems, every Club has its own rules which may well be the officially laid down ones but with their own additions to them as well. He went on to say that to keep every Club happy, the official code could stretch to 100 pages!

The other interesting point that he made was that any Club that inflicts rules in addition to those nationally accepted was effectively banning visiting locomotives from Clubs that do not have these additional rules.

Perhaps Mike Johns is right and we should have an international code of practice which is agreed by all Clubs and not deviated from by individual Clubs. At least, we would all know exactly what is expected (including the Boiler Inspectors!)

M.S.

Referring to the “What is going on” picture on the back cover of the Autumn “Oily Rag”.

The picture would probably have been taken in a distant corner of a Rally Field with the identity of the participants and the lookouts concealed – the lookouts by cleverly cropping the top of the picture. The lookouts were there to warn of any approaching stewards who would look on this activity very seriously under Health and Safety rules.

The purpose of this activity dates back to early steam traction engine days and involves lifting the rear wheels of traction engines one inch off the ground. The person in the picture is using the traditional elbow lift combined with angled boards. By the size of the traction engine – probably a 4” model – and the orange colour of the boiler suit worn, I would suggest the person is in the novice grade.

After ten certified lifts at novice grade, the person will be able to try for intermediate grade. This involves the lifting of a full size traction engine in the same manner.

After ten certified lifts of a full size traction engine, the successful person can wear a blue boiler suit. The person can then progress if he so wishes to premier level.

This involves the same lifting method as before, but a full size Showman’s Engine or a Ploughing Engine must be lifted – whichever the person chooses. After one certified lift, the person can wear a black boiler suit.

I am sorry to be sending this explanation so late after publication but you know how it is.

A.N.Onymous