Issue 87Autumn 2015
The journal of the Russell Newbery Engine Owners & Enthusiasts Club
www.rnregister.org.uk
Away-Day Scoop! Trimilia Makes It Bradley Revisited Night of the Zeppelin IWA Award for David Lowe
2 RNR Newsletter : Autumn 2015
CONTENTSFront cover: “Autumn” at The Odd Lock, Bearley
[Kevin McNiff]Back cover: “Autumn” at Long Itchington
[Andrew Laycock]
3 CHAIRMAN’S CHAT FROM THE EDITOR
4 MEMBERSHIP MATTERS Anson Engine Museum A New Vocation?
5 IWA AWARD FOR DAVID LOWE 2016 AWAY DAY
6 RALLY NEWS A letter about Bentley Canal Cottage
7 TREMILIA MAKES 75th DUNKIRK LITTLE SHIPS ANNIVERSARY
8 PICTURE PAGES Autumn Gathering Report
10 WHINGE TIME!
11 DM2 FUEL RACK by Graham Pearson
12 THE NIGHT OF THE ZEPPELIN
13 ANATOMY OF A LOCK GATE
14 MONTY’S NATIONAL PROGRESS
Unless otherwise noted,© Russell Newbery Register, 2015
Next editionAll contributions for the Winter edition will be
gratefully received. Do not worry aboutformat — in true RN fashion the editorial team
can cope with [almost] anything!
Please supply photographs as separate JPEG or GIF files.
Copy deadline is 15th January 2016
WHO’S WHO
RUSSELL NEWBERY REGISTER LTDPresident: Dr Ian McKim ThompsonVice Presidents: Lady Carol Stamp, Mrs Susan Gibbs,David Thirlby, Allister Denyer, Graham Pearson, EleanorPhillipsWeb site: www.rnregister.org.ukThe Russell Newbery Register is a non profit distributingcompany limited by guarantee.Founded: 1994 Registered in England No: 346943Officers:Chairman: Norman C Mitchellt: 01452 415420 [email protected]: Kevin McNiffm: 07866 424988 [email protected]: Jim Comerfordm: 07887 591905 [email protected] (membership, finance): Rob Davies55 Noddington Lane, Whittington, Lichfield, Staffs.WS14 9PAt/f: 01543 432079 m: 07801 [email protected] Editor: Kevin McNiff [email protected] Production: Andrew Laycock m: 07870 294580Administration (merchandise): Neil MasonHillcrest, Chapel Lane, Westhumble, Surrey. RH5 6AHt: 01306 889073 [email protected] Organisers: Bob Scott and Andrew [email protected]: Andrew Laycock [email protected]
RUSSELL NEWBERY REGISTER PROPERTY LTDA non profit distributing company limited by guaranteeFounded 2004 Registered in England No: 5316384Directors: Bob Ainsworth, Rob Davies, Dave Martin, Bob Scott.
Corporate Member
RN DIESEL ENGINE COMPANYProprietors: Dave Bixter (m:07812 039110) Deborah Bixter (m: 07966 403132)Showroom: RN House, The Locks, Hillmorton, Rugby,Warwickshire, CV21 4PP t:01788 578661Engineering workshop: 4 Oak House, Royal Oak Way North,Royal Oak Industrial Estate, Daventry NN11 8PQ t: 01327700023
Email: [email protected] site: www.russellnewbery.com
Field Engineers: Ian Crompton m: 07831 841108 Richard Milligan m: 07973 826260
Rally headingsouth in 2016 ~
see page 6
3RNR Newsletter : Autumn 2015
From The Editor
Chairman’s ChatIt was a shame we missed the AutumnGathering at Long Itchington but a long standingarrangement celebrating 60 years since startingsenior school clashed. I understand theGathering went well.
Oh what a poor summer; after our tour of theBCN we headed north to Audlem and then upthe Welsh canal to Froncysyllte where we sawvery little warm sun. It was near Wrenbury thatwe heard a “Russell” heading towards us and wemet up with Clive and Jill on Witcombe for a briefchat. The fire was lit for a while in August!
Travelling around there were a number of RNRmembers moored on our route and a verypleasant afternoon was spent with Julian andLynn on Persia recounting the fun some hadexperienced on the BCN Cruise, including theproblem with the bottom gate on the bottom lockof the Ryders Green flight. This stuck at a nearlyopen position with no obvious cause of the jam;it was just too narrow for a boat to pass so outcame a magnet, rake and then an even strongermagnet. Eventually the top half of an aluminium
crutch, complete with the arm support, was liftedfrom the gate recess. We did not find any bodyassociated with it but cleared passage for theboats behind!
Dare I say, Christmas is coming and we shall belaying up many of our craft for winter, Paulineand I wish every reader a happy Christmas anda prosperous New Year with good weather,good boating and a good road in 2016.
It always surprises me how quickly theyear goes by. The Autumn Gatheringsignals “close of play” as we all boat [ordrive!] off towards the dark days andwarm fires.
It has been a varied summer, mostlyunsettled and below par temperature-wise; we can but look forward to next yearand maybe it will be better! That said,our cover pictures show the variedautumn and high pressure hascontinued to give us a good end to theboating season.
In this edition we include news aboutnext year’s Spring Away Day, the AnnualRally, along with updates on MontyVann’s National and the spiritedchannel crossing by
Our Chairman has already mentionedthe “C” word, but allow me to join in withhis best wishes to you all for the FestiveSeason and New Year’s boating trips.
4 RNR Newsletter : Autumn 2015
Membership MattersNew memberships are still slow in coming in butwe have another 3 signed up since the lastIssue; A very warm welcome to:
Basil & Shirley Baker Herstmonceux E SussexNB Barley No 2
Stephen Metcalfe Grange over Sands 1938 DM3
(I thought RNs were the best but we will let himoff!)
Derek Lever Dunstable NB Matilda
A New Vocation?Readers of Towpath Talk may have not noticedthe alter ego of our administrator who penned thereview of a newly published book aboutShropshire Union Fly Boats “The Jack RobertsStory”.
Jack’s recollection of the canals, people andcargoes has been remarkably documented in thebook; Christmas gift maybe?
Rob is anticipating this new venture when theSits Vac produces a volunteer!
[cutting reproduced with permission of TowpathTalk]
Anson Engine Museum RN to be restoredThose of you who attended will recall thesplendid evening that we spent at the Museumcelebrating the RN Centenary with a specialDinner. The date was 17 October 2009 and theevent was organised by Clive Field.
You may also recall seeing two 1939 RN D2gensets that the Museum had rescued fromPoynton Cinema a while before. They wereoriginally used to supply DC current for the arclamp projectors. One had received somecosmetic work and was on display inside theMuseum. The other sat, somewhat forlornly,outside on the approach to the entrance. Itcaught the eye of Ray Gibbs, who with his wife,Vice President, Sue, attended the Dinner. Somedeft negotiation with the Museum and he took it
home to restore. As evidenced on You Tube,Ray did a splendid job and it is in fine runningorder. You can read about it in Newsletter Nos:73, 76 & 77.
We are pleased to learn from the latest Bulletinfrom the Museum reporting that work has nowcommenced to refurbish the other D2. We hopethat that means that, like its ‘twin’, it will berestored to full running order in due course. Thiswork is, of course, being carried out alongsidemany other engine restorations and repairs – allby Volunteers.
5RNR Newsletter : Autumn 2015
No takers for identifying this fromthe last edition - it is locatedoutside The Greyhound at SuttonStop, Hawkesbury
Ed
2016 Away Day
We are delighted to announce that David Lowewas presented with a Richard Bird Medal at theIWA A.G.M. in September. David is a familiarface at RNR Rallies with his Traditional HistoricNarrow Boat Swallow.
Richard Bird Medals are awarded to IWAmembers whose efforts and support areconsidered to have brought significant benefit tothe Association over a sustained period of time.
David has, for many years, campaigned as anIWA member for the retention and promotion ofthe northern waterway network. He has operated
many commercial boats over the years, includingpassenger boats, restaurant boats, hire boatsand freight carrying craft. David currently advisesthe industry and navigation authorities aboutfreight carriage, and has been secretary and iscurrently chairman of the Commercial BoatOperators Association.
We congratulate David for this thoroughlydeserved award.
Next year’s Away Day outing will be to theStatfold Barn Railway near Tamworth onSaturday April 9th.
Our president, Ian McKim Thompson, hassecured a day to remember at this private railwaycollection which is only open to the public byinvitation on selected days through each year.
We anticipate that this will be extremely wellsupported by members and Ian will provide moredetailed information in the Winter edition of thenewsletter, published at the end of January 2016.
Please register your interest by emailing BettyDobbs at [email protected] Full
details will be required in the New Year for eachattendee for insurance purposes while on site.
An additional advantage for the event is its closeproximity to Alvecote Marina which is about 3.5miles away [a good incentive for those that wishto travel by boat!] Rob Davies has offered toliaise with Alvecote so those planning to make itby boat should also contact Rob. He is alsolooking into minibus transport to save our legs!
The Away Days have become well established inthe RNR calendar – and they always attract agood number of folk.
Loco shed at the Statfold Barn Railway
RNR Member HonouredDavid Lowe awarded Richard Medal
6 RNR Newsletter : Autumn 2015
More on Bentley Toll HouseDear Kevin,I had to smile when I saw the photograph of theBentley Canal Cottage on the back cover of thelatest Newsletter [and pictured right]. About30yrs ago, I was approached by a member of theBCN Society (no names, no packdrill) who had agrandiose plan to develop a canal museum inBirmingham on the lines of the Black CountryMuseum and he wanted to reconstruct thecottage as a start to his scheme. He told me thathe had arranged a volunteer work party todemolish the cottage and asked me if I wouldtake a boat to the site so that it could be loadedonboard and brought to his boat yard as he was,at the time, involved with what was Birmingham'sleading (and only) boating company. There wasno pay and I was offered a 30ft hire boat knownas a Brum Tug for the job. That's right, a lockcottage on a 30ft boat.
This, of course, was an experience not to bemissed, pay or no pay. So off I set, camera tohand and arrived on site with eager anticipationof what was to come. What was to come,however, was that the aforementioned personturned up on his own and the work partyconsisted only of the two of us!
We loaded just the brickwork around the frontdoor which was all we could get on. I took theboat back to Birmingham the next day and, abouttwo weeks later, the masonry wasunceremoniously dumped on the bank at theboat yard. A short time after this exhilaratingadventure, I took delivery of a new boat whichhad been built locally and, needing someballast.......well, you can guess the rest.
Yours sincerely
[Tony Millatt]
2016 Rally ~ we are heading southI am delighted to announce that the 2016 Rallywill be held in the south.*
The Aylesbury Canal Society have generouslyagreed to our request to host the rally at theirnew and very impressive site at Circus Fields, onthe outskirts of Aylesbury. The date is Thursday9th to Sunday 12th June 2016.
The society is offering rally attendees up to twoweeks free mooring at the basin either side of therally dates. Additionally Register members canbook use of the covered wet dock and slipwayover the same period. If you wish to takeadvantage of this please contact me in the firstinstance.
The rally format will be similar to previous years,but with one or two small changes. If you a havea particular request for a workshop or lecturetopic please let me know. Also any Registermember volunteering to run a craft session, or togive a short talk on any relevant topic will bemost welcome. Final plea is for helpers to staffthe kitchen for cooking breakfasts. More details,
and the booking form, will be in the WinterNewsletter.
* Actually to me as a Londoner, Aylesbury is onthe border between the south and the rest of thecountry. All to do with the one time limit ofLondon Transport bus operations!
The impressive building seen from across the basin.Covered slipway on left. [Andrew Laycock]
The main functionroom with a properbar complete withtwo handpumps.
[Andrew Laycock]
7RNR Newsletter : Autumn 2015
We’ve owned former Ramsgate 1925 builtlifeboat (“Prudential” now “Trimilia”) for 10 years.She’s a unkirk Little Ship and a National HistoricShips Fleet Vessel. Unfortunately, because of aproblem with her 1958 built PDM4 we’ve notbeen anywhere other then on our local riversDeben and Orwell (we’re now based at theHaven Marina in Ipswich at the head of theOrwell).
In 2010 we attempted to make the 70thAnniversary commemoration in Dunkirk but hadto turn back due to engine problems andweather. As previously reported in theNewsletter our engine tended to temporarily (3-4minutes) seize at around 900 rpm. Over theyears we’ve had a number of engineers stripdown the engine in an attempt to discover theproblem. It has cost us a small fortune but finallyin November 2014 a retired tug boatskipper/engineer found the problem. No.3cylinder was a few thou tight at the bottom of theliner. I contacted Allister Denyer for advice afterwhich my engineer made up a special jig andskimmed the piston skirt by a few thou. Thisappeared to be job done. We could now run theengine up to 1050 here on her berth. We didn’thave time for a sea trial before we then joined the75th Commemorative cruise to Dunkirk viaRamsgate.
Three nights in Ramsgate gave us the chance toget to know the current Ramsgate lifeboat crew(coxswain Ian Cannon’s great uncle was a crewmember on “Prudential” at the Dunkirkevacuation) which was a great start as they wereto accompany the flotilla of 50 Dunkirk LittleShips to and back from Dunkirk.
On 21st May we gathered at Ramsgate outsidethe harbour, to a fanfare together with a Spitfireand Hurricane low fly over and set off for Dunkirk.At 1050 rpm and after 2-3 hours we struggled abit to maintain the 6 knot speed that our part ofthe flotilla was meant to maintain and so I pushedup to 1100 rpm which was higher than we’d triedbefore. Unfortunately, after 30 mins the engineseized! A little panic as we switched across toback up fuel filters in case we’d churned upsediment in our tanks and then re-started theengine. At this point we didn’t know if cloggedfilters were the problem or if it was the old engine
problem. We stuck at 1050 max revs for theremaining 5 hours to Dunkirk and had no furtherproblems.
In Dunkirk I checked one of the original filtersonly to find that it was perfectly clean. This leadsus to believe that it is still the old problem withno.3 cylinder. We enjoyed our four days inDunkirk where a variety of parades, services andcelebrations were laid on by the welcomingpeople of Dunkirk and to top it we received ourcommemorative plaque at a Mayor’s reception atthe Town Hall.
We set off for Ramsgate with forty of the LittleShips fleet but found after an hour that theweather was somewhat worse than forecast.Half the fleet, including two Thames barges,were forced to turn back but we decided to pushon. We and one other vessel (a converted barge)fell behind the rest but were pleased andreassured to have the company of the Ramsgatelifeboat after they had seen the main fleet acrossthe shipping lanes. Best of all they took somegreat photos of us as we headed back. Followingthe lifeboat, and to save us a bit of time, we wereescorted directly across the Goodwin Sands (ourboat’s old stomping ground) — again, somethingwe’ll remember. We entered the harbour an houror so after the rest. The welcome home band andreception party had departed but a handful ofRamsgate residents had stayed on and as weentered, from the harbour walls, a few flagswaved and we heard “three cheers for Trimilia ...hip hip etc”. That was really nice!
One night’s stay and back to Ipswich, another 8hour passage, but all went well.
Our new found engineer will take a few morethou off the bottom end of no.3 piston. Allisterhad advised on the max we should skim off butinitially only took half off hoping this would besufficient so this time we’ll go all the way andhope that in five years time, at the 80thanniversary, we can keep up with the rest.
See page 8 for photos.
Trimilia finally makes it!David and Moira Jay explain
8 RNR Newsletter : Autumn 2015
European VisitorsStatfold Barn
RN Powered Dunkirk Little Ship Tremilia
Leaving Ramsgate for Dunkirk And arriving back escorted by the Ramsgate Lifeboat [Nicholas Leach] [Chris Andrew]
Location of the 2016 Away Day - the Statfold BarnFarm near Tamworth and just 3.5 miles from the
canal at Alvecote[Courtesy of the Statfold Barn website]
Pictured at Atherstone in lock 6, these 2 boats wereon an extended cruise from Europe! En route toBirmingham then to Tilbury for their cross channel
“lift” home aboard low loaders. [Kevin McNiff]
Or weather wise, late summer gathering report(see back cover)! Ten boats navigated to LongItchington, and many more members arrived byroad for the Saturday evening buffet.
New members Stephen and Zeta Metcalfejourneyed down from the Lake District to seehow large an engine room needs to be to fit in aDM3. I hope we did not provide too manyconflicting answers!
A beer, cider and music festival in the Two Boatswas an attraction. So too were the excellentsteaks in the Harvester Inn.
Autumn Gathering Report
[Andrew Laycock]
Register boats moored in the Cuttle lay-by and by thetowing path up to the bottom lock. Others moored onthe Itchington embankment.
9RNR Newsletter : Autumn 2015
The Bradley Arm RevisitedWe ran out picture space in the last edition so have included some more here.
Ansty Rose with Maudie and Moondarra intow on the Bradley Arm. Brian Farrant’sboat is no stranger to water rescue having
done the same on the Ribble Link last year.
[Brian Farrant] “Elf ‘n Safety”? Not ‘ere mate! We all gathered around towatch this seriously powerful steel bending machine - didn’t
notice the notice!
The Bradley workshop has an indoor dry dock, now used as a storage area. Pictured [left] is one part of theboat turning system which is shown [right] with a boat in situ.
Seemingly laying at random, lock gate “kits” areassembled in the yard for onward delivery to theirrespective sites. Bradley, along with Stanley Ferry
are now the only gate workshops for CRT.
[Kevin McNiff]
[Kevin McNiff]
[Andrew Laycock]
An almost complete gate in the foreground, asBradley staff explain the intricacies to RNR visitors.
[Andrew Laycock]
10 RNR Newsletter : Autumn 2015
We would like to have your views, positive andnegative, with regard to the current state of thewaterway network. Depending on which side ofthe media you lean towards, there are mixedreactions.
Unfortunately, and despite the new CEO, the PRmachine still churns out “babble-speak”. Oneparticular issue they are really not hearing is thatof cyclists. I have personally challenged RichardParry on the problem, but he’s put me in touchwith his Towpath Ranger, Dick Vincent.
His assurances that the trust are on top of theissue and will succeed by education alone isfarcical! There have been instances of personal
injury requiring medical treatment, our ownRoger Fox telling of a head-on collision at PerryBar locks and even a kitten being run over andkilled.
Broken “assets” [locks etc to you!] almost put theRally at risk this year but I’m also encouraged bythe efforts by local waterway regions to step upand fix the problems.
Or how would you have felt stuck the wrong sideof the Rufford Branch stoppage for so long? Letus know your views and we may be able topresent them to CRT.
Whinging Time!
Looking for that Special CHRISTMAS Gift?Then take a look at the Merchandise List on the RNR website
http://www.rnregister.org.uk/goodies.html
CLOTHING TO ORDEROTHER ITEMS IN-STOCK!
Seasons Greeting from Neil
ORDER EARLY FOR CHRISTMAS
With winter approaching, now is the time for the essential annualmaintenance on your DM1, 2, 3 or 4.
All necessary filters and oil available from Daventry or Hillmorton.RN House, The Locks, Hillmorton, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 4PP 01788 578661Engineering workshop: 4 Oak House, Royal Oak Way North, Royal Oak Industrial
Estate, Daventry NN11 8PQ 01327 700023
11RNR Newsletter : Autumn 2015
The DM2 CAV Fuel Pump exploded viewcourtesy of Graham Pearson’s drawing file
12 RNR Newsletter : Autumn 2015
On Monday 31st January 1916,nine Zeppelins took off from theirbases at Nordhoiz, Trondern andHage on the north west coast ofGermany, to attack differentareas of England. The size of theairships was around 550 feet inlength and 60 feet in diameterand they had a top speed of 80miles per hour. The airship“Luftschiff No. 19” was to attackthe industrial Midlands.
It was a misty cold morning whenCaptain Ode Loewe set off intothe prevailing winds. As theypassed over the North Sea, L19ran into fog. Approaching theEnglish coast, this changed tofreezing rain which iced over thecovers; ground mist and fogfurther hampered theirnavigation.
Captain Loewe, commandingL19, crossed the English coast at6pm, and headed for theMidlands. His first destinationwas to be Derby and then ontoWalsall, where he droppedbombs on a crowded theatre anda number of people were injuredincluding the Mayoress ofWalsall. More bombs weredropped on High Bullen,Wednesbury, damaging property.
At 8.10pm, the first bomb wasdropped on Bradley at PothouseBridge basin, sinking canalboats. At the time a tram waspassing over Pothouse Bridge,and a man on board, hearingnoise, panicked and ran to thecanal, jumped in and wasdrowned. At the parish rooms ofSt Martin’s Church, the local choirwas rehearsing when the terrificblast from the bomb shatteredthe windows in all directions.
By following the moonlightreflected in the canal, the next tobe hit were a row of houses. Onewas entirely demolished, and two
or three more were partiallydamaged and about a hundredothers suffered from brokenwindows. The next morningshrapnel was found 300 yardsaway in Hill Street. The nextbomb was dropped in thepumping station ash mounddoing no harm at all.
The fourth and fatal bomb wasdropped on the towpath at theside of Bradley Pumping Engine.Frederick Fellows (a deliveryman for Wardell’s Mineral Water)was killed outright and MaudFellows (a bar maid at the OldBush Pub) was badly injured.She was carried to the Old BushPub where she died some timelater.
The explosion and deathsaroused great shock in the close-knit community. Their anger wasfocused on the home of a ladywho managed a foundry oppositethe pumping station, latter yearsknown as Mathews Foundry. Itwas rumoured that she was ofGerman origin and the storyquickly spread that she had beenshining a light into the air to guidethe low-flying Zeppelin on itsbombing raid. It was thought thatseveral local factories includingthe Naval Gun-barrel works wason its target list.
An angry crowd gathered andstones were thrown at the house.Her adopted son was injured, butthey were quickly rescued by thepolice who took them to a localdoctor’s surgery and then on toBilston Police Station forquestioning. The woman waslatter sent to Stafford Gaol.
From Bradley, the L19proceeded to Tipton wherebombs were dropped on UnionStreet. An examination of thearea later discovered that the
raider had dropped his bombs infive areas.
The L19 returned over theEnglish coast at 6.30am onTuesday morning. By nowCaptain Loewe was experiencingengine trouble which caused himto fly at a lower altitude. Flyinglow over the Dutch island ofAmeland later that afternoon, theDutch soldiers had repeatedlyfired on the L19 before she finallyvanished into the mist.
The next sighting was atdaybreak on Friday 4th by theGrimsby trawler “King Stephen”.The L19 was disabled in theNorth Sea, and partlysubmerged. The crew had beendriven onto the upper part of theairship. The trawler carried acrew of nine and had noweapons. When they heardvoices calling out “save us, saveus” they left the airship’s crew toperish in the sea.
Later during the war, SkipperMartin’s trawler was sunk by theGermans and his crew weretaken prisoner.
Some days later, a message fromCaptain Loewe was found in abottle washed up on theNorwegian coast. The letter wasto his wife and child wishing themgoodbye.
This memorial plaque can be found atthe site where Maud and Frederick werekilled. Two crosses can be found underthe plaque on the old pumping stationwall at the Midland Regional workshops.
THE NIGHT OF THE ZEPPELIN, BRADLEY – 31st JANUARY 1916The following is reproduced from a pamphlet in the Bradley Workshop by the Canal & River Trust
13RNR Newsletter : Autumn 2015
Anatomy of a Lock Gate
From a plan drawing similar to the one above, the completed pair of lock gates await delivery. Theinstructions are a little more comprehensive than that found in the average flat pack self assemblyitem of furniture. But just think how big a cardboard box would be needed if Bradley Workshops
produced those!
14 RNR Newsletter : Autumn 2015
Work on Pinner’s engine was slow during thesummer for various reasons not least of whichwas that I had to dismantle it again to return thecrank and big ends to the company who did thework on them.
Having got most of the engine assembled Istarted to tighten the big ends progressively torequired torque, 60 lbs ft. Number one was finebut two tightened at 40 lbs ft to the point where Icouldn’t rotate the the flywheel. The crank has tobe swung either side of TDC to get at the big endbolts. Suggestions by the company, 1) that theymake a dummy journal and fit the big end to itand 2) I scrape the bearing myself to fit wereboth, to my mind, out of the question. If thedummy journal were to be slightly different I’d stillhave a problem and if I scraped the bearing tosuit and got it wrong any guarantee would bevoid. The company did the work quickly and afew days later I was able to collect the parts andnow the engine is a little further to completionthan the point reached previously. I’m finding I’mhaving to make studs as many of the existingones have been stretched or the threads aredistorted mainly through using UNC nuts onWhitworth threads.
Another problem I had was with the flywheel endfelt crankshaft seal. Dave Bixter supplies two feltrings, one fits inside the other, which are to beglued together and cut to suit. I found that thearea to be glued was too small to be effective, orI used the wrong glue. Whichever, my effort wasa disaster. Also, I could see that cutting theassembled felt rings to the National crank profilewas going to be a problem. Instead, I found asource for 3/4” thick felt on ebay and started
again. No glue this time but still have to cut it tothe profile for which I took a ‘Plasticene’ cast. Icut a felt piece larger than the large DB ring and,using a piece of scaffold pole sharpened in mylathe, I cut a hole in the centre of the felt. I nowhave a ring larger on the out side, smaller on theinside and thicker than the finished article.Leaving the felt in water for an hour or so itbecame saturated then, wrapped in Greaseproofpaper, I put it in the freezer over night. In themean time I made a wooden jig to locate on thebore of the ring and mounted it true in the lathe.The next stage had to be done fairly quickly as,especially on a warm day, the ice melted.
The frozen felt ring had lumps on it which had tobe removed with coarse sandpaper to give agood location face and bore. With the ring tappedonto the drive pins and clamped either with thetailstock or drawbar the two outside diametersand thickness of the larger diameter weremachined. I found a sharp pointed tool with a toprake of about 10º at around 1000rpm workedwell. By the time I’d done this part water wasbeing flung off the felt so you do have workquickly. Before refreezing the felt I made the jigfor machining the bore. This located the felt ringon the smaller outside diameter but the fit of thelarger diameter needs to be fairly close also forfinally facing off to thickness. The bore of theclamping ring should be large enough to go overthe smaller outside diameter of the seal. A similarsharp pointed boring tool was used. Finally, if thefelt hasn’t thawed out, the felt ring is turned roundin the jig and faced off to suit the width of cranksealing groove. Finally I cut square across theseal to get it onto the crank and sewed it togetheragain using waxed whipping twine.
Monty’s National Progress?
15RNR Newsletter : Autumn 2015
During the engine strip-down and cleaning stageI found a lot of oily sludge trapped in internalcorners. In the sludge were silver-grey flakes ofmetal which appeared to be from long ago as themetal was buried under the sludge. Out ofcuriosity I measured some of the flakes andfound them to be 0.002” - 0.003” thick. Thefiltering of the original Auto-Klean Strainer on myengine is rated at 0.005”. This concerned me andI decided to change the filter to a more up to datespin-on cartridge filter. I would like to have keptthe original A-K Strainer (I served my toolmakingapprenticeship in the company) and tried toincorporate it with a cartridge filter downstreambut found there was not sufficient room and thepipework would have been difficult.
While thinking about the engine lubrication mythoughts returned to National’s starting
instructions and my experience when followingthem. Prior to starting, ‘Crank the engine until theoil pressure gauge needle moves from its stop’.Hand cranking, even quite fast, takes some timeto achieve this and, to my mind with the less thanconstant use most of these old engines havenowadays, you are cranking over on ‘dry’bearings. As I had to alter the lub. oil pipeworkfor the filter I thought that a priming pump couldbe incorporated into the system which would
enable me to get oil round the engine and up topressure before cranking. The generatorengines on the Blue Star ship Auckland Star hadthese. Further thoughts (brain’s hurting by now!)the same pump could be used to drain the sumpfor oil changes.
I found a 12 volt gear pump on ebay advertisedas a scavenge pump for engine turbos andconnected it to the sump drain plug point andtee’d into the engine pump’s outlet pipe. Byadding a three-way ‘L’ pattern ball valve and aspout to the pipe oil changes can be done quicklyand easily.
Also on my agenda is changing from raw watercooling to a recirculating system and found thearticle in the Spring newsletter very useful. Afterseeing the amount of mud in my engine when I
stripped it, 3” deep round the cylinder liners,convinced me that something had to be done.
Now a question. What is the correct name for theoriginal reversing boxes on these enginesBrunson or Brunton? I heard both and can findnothing on t’internet. [It’s Brunton! Ed]
