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Traction Engines, plaines, blue sky. and scottish connections..
Staying at rosedale farm however the last 2 days ive not become a farmer as such....that is to begun tomrow-monday! The last 2 days ive been learning about raction engines....as seen in the photo to go with this blog and the new photo's added! iIt was really very intersting, i went along with george to this annual event, at mandivil airfield- "the madiville fly in" is held from a friday to a saturday for the public to come in and view the plains and some traction engines and other types of vintage style machinary.
It a public event and so the traction engines are powered up and tehre for public to view and to learn about. Powered by steam, coal and would are used to heat the steam....it can be quite a dirty job resulting in us looking liek coal men by the end of the day and smellling like we have been at a bonfire..very smokey! So when asked about this kind of event something ive never atended or had any interest in previous-rather than just missing out on something i decided like i normally do to just get stuck in and learn about something new....there is never a day where you dont learn something and why not spend a day or 2 days doing something different!
Geogre dosnt own the engine but he is the driver and is part of the southland steam engine club. To drive one of these you need a steam ticket and pass an exam to be able to opperate these, the exam is mostly just oral and your practical abilitys that are tested. So my new found knowledge of this has come from him just telling about it. As we arrived early on saturday morning i found myself pollishing up some brass on the engine while the fire was lit and the coal shuvveled in to begin putting up the pressure on the engine. The afternoon was spent taking the rides trailer aroudn with the public, i was aloud to be stearing the engine, as long as you have a full drivers licence your aloud to be stearing. The day was fairly windy but at times in the day the plaines were taking of and flying above us, thats one thing i would have loved to be able to do is to fly!
Now the exact name of this traction engine encase anyone is interested, this is a 4 hoarse powered single cylander garret and there are only 2 of these opperating in the world! It was made in 1907 and so its incredable how its still going to day over 100 years old! They certainly dont make things like they used to as the saying goes when all your implements seem to break down these days.
At these types of events its amzing how many people you can meet but the trend that seems to be running is that mose of new zealand seems to know more about scotland than i do, the minute your asked where are you from and you say scotland, well your pritty set for a good conversation! Im meeting a fair few scots also, a pair of traveling fellows stops by today from airshire... nice to hear a broad scottish accent once again!
So yesterday was a great day and today followed by the same example, gaining more knowledge about traction engines along with having a go at actualy driving it, the driver is responsible for paying attention to the pressure, the water volume, the fire, adding coal and ofcourse your speed. I soon looked like a coal man by the time id finished! Another hot hot day hear at madilvil, and the last day of the weekend was complete by driving the engines back to there towns. George and david hit the road on the engine and i brung up the reer in the truck warning other road users behind of the engine, then swapping over haf way with david and i was now steering the engine rather than the car..... a greater deal bumpyer on a traction engine!! Id suggest not eating to much before sitting steering one of these. It was certainly something new and dfferent!
But smiles all round after an interesting weekend. Now i look forward to afew days work on the farm.
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