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Traction Engine Driving Experience Course "Drive Into the past Learning how to drive a 1920 Ruston and Hornsby General Purpose Traction Engine in rural East Anglia, named: "OLIVER"
Course Tutor: Jonathan Wheeler If you would like a leaflet giving full details about a day out on OLIVER please e-mail:- enquiries@wheeler-steam.co.uk or telephone Jonathan on 01379 687780 postal address: Crown House, Pooley Street, South Lopham GIFT VOUCHERS available! Have you ever wanted the opportunity to handle the controls of a traction engine? Or perhaps tried to find a different and original birthday present, or Christmas present for a friend or loved one? Or are you just keen to learn about a skill from a bygone age? Well at last, look no further. This is your chance. Your tutor for the day will be Jonathan Wheeler who has worked all his life with steam engines; from his boyhood miniature methylated-spirit fired steam engines which powered his ‘Meccano’ models, to being an engineer on an Edwardian Thames River Steamer and from operating a set of Victorian Steam Gallopers to firing and driving a Main Line Locomotive. In the 1970’s Jonathan’s father Geoffrey Wheeler fulfilled a lifelong ambition when he purchased a 1920 6nhp Ruston & Hornsby traction engine, which he named "Oliver" after Jonathan’s grandfather. Geoff and Jonathan rebuilt "Oliver" to its original condition and toured the length and breadth of the country (as well as an extensive tour of Germany), and wherever they went nine times out of ten "Oliver" went under his own steam by road. Sadly, in 1995 Geoffrey Wheeler died leaving Jonathan and his mother Enid to care for the Ruston "Oliver".
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you too can enjoy the experience of coaxing 11 tons of majestic steam
engine into life. You will travel the lanes of East Anglia and see the
world pass at 4 miles per hour, shovel coal, oil the bearings, polish
the brass and even sweep the tubes. Just as the drivers did in that all
too distant past world of steam on the road.
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This could be you - Oliver on the road in Germany 1999 |
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| "Steam on the Road" | ||
| 9.00 am | Arrive. Safety and the principles of a steam road engine. | |
| 9.30 am | Preparing the engine and lighting the fire. | |
| 10.00 am | Raising steam, polishing the brass and lubrication. | |
| 11.30 am | Starting and stopping with a single cylinder engine. Road sense and awareness. | |
| 12.15 am | Road run to Hostelry. | |
| 1.30 pm | Lunch. (Cost not included - sorry!) | |
| 2.30 pm | Return journey. | |
| 4.00 pm | Arrive back at mill. Wiping down and droping the fire. Sheet down engine. | |
| Please note that all times are approximate and may vary! | ||
Where to come for your day out on Oliver: |
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| Generally "Oliver" is based at Bardwell Windmill, Bardwell near Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. The Windmill is "brown tourist signed" off the A143 at Stanton and B1088 at Ixworth. The sails from the mill were destroyed in the Hurricane of 1987 but active fund raising by the Friends of Bardwell Windmill will enable the sails to be replaced in the near future. The mill is open daily and is often operated using "Oliver" to power the mill machinery in lieu of wind. | ||
| Age limits: Applicants must be 21 years and over and hold a Full Driving License. Younger pupils can be accommodated if they are accompanied by a responsible adult. Please enquire. | ||
| Insurance: Insurance Cover included in cost. | ||
| Accommodation: For pupils coming from afar there is plenty of local Bed and Breakfast which I can recommend. Why not make it a break to remember and come to East Anglia for a few days! | ||
Traction Engine Driving Experience Course. |
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| COSTS | ||
| Open Season - May to October |
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Weekdays Only |
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| Single Person: | £ 260 |
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| Two people on shared day: | £ 320 |
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"…Thanks
for sharing "Oliver" with me. I learned a terrific amount and haven’t
stopped talking or thinking about engines. I would recommend the
experience to anyone." ...S.M., Ipswich |
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| "Oliver" is also available to come to you! :- | ||
| For the ultimate traction engine experience, special arrangements can be made for the engine to visit you. "OLIVER" has traveled to Germany to visit exhibitions and commercial promotions; where to next "OLLY" ? | ||
| Also weddings, tv & film shoots and photo opportunities are a specialty and can be quoted for. Please enquire with your needs! | ||
| To obtain a leaflet containing full details about Traction Engine Driving Courses and a booking form please write to, e-mail or telephone:- | ||
Jonathan Wheeler e-mail:- enquiries@wheeler-steam.co.uk (24 hour answer service) |
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Traction Engine Driving Experience:- The driver of the Traction Engine in front could be you! |
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