The Steamtug Blog

I have barely slept at home over the past month. It’s been a busy time but how could I say “no” when faced with another exciting adventure; this time it’s the 98th Lake Goldsmith steam rally. It will soon be back to normal as I return to work on Friday after such a busy holiday! But as for now, I have sworn myself off beer for at least a week! (Hope I make it…)

As if running the whole display at the Geelong show after the usual chap broke his leg was not enough, only weeks later it was time to revisit the Lake for their bi-annual steam event. It’s the 98th rally (twice per year) and everyone is already talking about what they are planning for the 100th rally this time next year. I too have some skull duggery planned which will be revealed later if it comes off. But it will be an event not to be missed, so you should all get your planning hats on and try to make it to the biggest vintage machinery event to happen… ever! November 3rd, 4th and 5th 2012

http://www.lakegoldsmithsteamrally.org.au/

Bush Steam Sawmill

This rally was much the same, except for an exciting new exhibit, a bush steam sawmill! Using the Fowler traction engine “Wombat” to power the various saws, the boys spent the weekend pushing big logs through the breaking down saw. It was quite a spectical with many people crowding at the fence to see the action.

Can crusher

I worked firing the boiler in the usual shed. I only hang out there as they give me a bed and some place warm. Then I wake up in the morning and notice nobody has gotten the fire going yet, so I just do it. Then I notice nobody is feeding the fire, so I just put a bit of wood in and wind up running the boiler by default for the day. Well I don’t mind… Occassionally I tell Chris that I’m going for a little walk and then get chatting to somebody and don’t come back for a couple of hours. Like visiting my mate Rob in his shed. We have known each other for 100’s of years and worked on many projects together.

One new thing in our shed is a large industrial press. It got hooked up to a little steam engine that lives outside the shed and was left ticking over to crush our beer cans which amused the kids. Not sure if they were amused by how many cans we had to crush, or the actual crushing process… ?

Shon visits again

I asked my work’s  water treatment rep from NALCO to  come to the Geelong show and give us some advice on treatment for our boiler. He was so fascinated by it all that he turned up at Lake Goldsmith for more! He stayed the night in our shed too and I was showing him the steam shovel before he headed back to Geelong. Which reminds me of an incident that happened over the weekend. Philip hit Tom in the head with a shovel! Sounds nasty eh? Well it was no ordinary shovel, but one weighing 90 tons! But was no malace intended, as poor Tom was firing the boiler and stepped the wrong way on the firing platform just as Philip changed direction with the slew on the shovel causing Tom to headbutt one of the support beams. It was a nasty bump on his forehead. Sorry Tom… hope you are feeling better. Anyway, enough waffle from me. See you next time!