Welland

Amongst the various activities at Welland was the operation of a vintage cultivator via two steam ploughing engines.

Once again Fowler, 1916 K7 engine 'Linkey' was steamed up for action.

Chris Beale and me both attended to the engine all weekend, and we had a good time.

The other engine, also a K7 1919, from Nailsea, just south of Bristol and owned by Fred Thomas was crewed by his family, daughter Kim and son Nathan. His friend 'Spit' was also in attendance. Kim is a charming young lady in her teens and can handle the engine very well. Now Nathan has come on well. For a lad of 14 he has learnt a lot in the last year, and I have every confidence that he will make a good engine operator.

I personally felt more confident on 'Linkey' this time and at times was left alone.

Now for those who perhaps do not fully understand the principle of steam ploughing or cultivation, let me explain. You need two fully steamed up ploughing engines. Each engine has a length of wire rope on a drum slung underneath the boiler. The implement is attached and an operator found to travel on the implement, keeping it under control by steering. The engine operators use a whistle signal system to keep in touch and maintain movement. Two whistles from the far engine indicates they are ready and your engine commences pulling. If you here one long whistle, you must stop immediately, there is a problem. In many cases you can see the other engine, but sometimes you cannot, then you really do have to rely on the whistle signals.

When you give two signals to 'pay out', you must ensure that pressure is maintained. Check the fire, put some coal on if required, check the water level in the boiler, without which she will blow up! You are continually working and must be aware of many aspects of the engines operation.

I have broad brushed this statement, and no doubt somebody will criticize my dialogue.