Thread: Days Flour Mill

There is a point to this story so I apologise and recognise that this stuff doesn't interest everyone but I shall forge ahead anyway
This stuff is almost as good as watching a shaper do its stuff
As the boiler held pressure we got permission to remove the setting and roll the boiler out onto rails for the purpose of rebuilding a brand new setting.
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Shock horror!! Two gaping holes in the barrell. Makes you wonder how it held pressure. Seems the spouting above leaked and sat in the same spot creating a perfect rust seal which fell off when the boiler was rolled out.
Damn rust! But all is not lost.
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In accordance with the Burra Charter I.C.O.M.O.S. (the rules governing restoration), we had the steel analysed and procured a suitable piece for repair which was duly carried out.
Sorry, but I couldn't find the pics of the repair but take my word for it, it was outstanding. (Someone else did it)
Now its time to look at the setting.
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Oh, and the chimney, or stack as we call it in the trade, was falling over so a better foundation was installed. In accordance with the Burra charter of course which meant it was not to be straightened up.
Kinda' like that tower in Pisa
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A bit of a look at the new setting
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The brick wall and all the facade bricks were replaced
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After another 'successful' hydrostatic test, it was time to 'fit up' the boiler and give it it's first steam in 70 years (with the inspector in attendance)
This is the culmination of about 4 years work to this point.
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Now the fun bit. Lighting a match. This honour was bestowed on the man responsible for making this happen. (thats the guy in the bright green overalls), and yes thats me again during my 'carry a few extra pounds' days.
I could say it was the camera but I would have to have used about 15 cameras
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After a few running repairs, the safety valves were set and we had a functioning, 3 pass Cornish boiler on our hands.
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And of course a group shot of the team.
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Now, if you have a boiler full of steam you need something close by that would need steam. After a quick look around, we found this sitting right next to the boiler. This is a very rare example of an E.T. Bellhouse steam engine.
There is a point to all this remember, so bear with me.
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We did a bit of a survey to see what condition it was in and found it to be not only complete but a real possibility of getting it up and running again. That's Bryan standing in the wheel well.
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Hi Phil very impressive salvage and restoration.Good to see that our taxes are going to preserve our steam powered industrial heritage.I am a steam buff who enjoys any steam powered engineering big or small.
It is heartening to see that the public can view this heritage and pass on the sights smell and the breath of these ''living objects''.
Once that knowledge and era goes, how does a kid get this experience from a view on a lap top computer?
Glad you to shared this experience and photo gallery with us John.

Originally Posted by j.ashburn

Hi Phil very impressive salvage and restoration.Good to see that our taxes are going to preserve our steam powered industrial heritage.I am a steam buff who enjoys any steam powered engineering big or small.
It is heartening to see that the public can view this heritage and pass on the sights smell and the breath of these ''living objects''.
Once that knowledge and era goes, how does a kid get this experience from a view on a lap top computer?
Glad you to shared this experience and photo gallery with us John.

Thanks John,
there is more coming. and I agree, if this work isn't done, generations will only be able to look at pictures and wonder. Now they can see stuff like this actually running...maybe. Hence the point I am alluding to
Gotta take a short break as SWMBO wants to pop out for a bit.
Back in about 30 mins. to continue the saga

Phil

Am watching these pics and enjoying the story.What is the bore size and stroke of that engine?Going by the decorative casting is certainly old.Oh those were the days when men who built them took that extra ''pride of workmanship''.
One of my great uncles was an engine driver on the mines around here and he related to my late father how these engine houses shone like diamonds.A story I will share with you one of these days. Cheers John.

Truly wonderful Phil. Thank you for sharing your adventures with us.

Bob.

Phil you have my full interest here.

When a young fella my neighbour around the corner was sent a telegram (early 60's) of course this then was a case of fear being a new Scottish immigrant family.
It became my dad's job to open and read it, it had come from the then NSW Gov Board Hospital or such like. Alex was asked to urgently contact them with a 24/7 phone number no other explanation etc. With in 3 days he/we were at Lithgow Hospital doing the test you described as the boiler had not been inspected for some years turns out he was the only fully licenced/registered person with working knowledge of the Scottish built boiler in Australia the other fellow in the UK was to old to travel plus length of time to get anyone else here back then.
I got to make the journey with Dad and Alex an amazing site to behold and experience for a 10 yr old. Alex turned down 3 offers to work in Lithgow Hospital each time the $$$ went up a grand and operate the boiler. His concern was he would have to move his large family, he did go and work the situtaion and eventually took up the post some years latter.

Too true John, a lot of pride in workmanship.
Lets jump forward 13 years, yep 13 of them. As yet a decision hasn't been made as to whether or not we can go ahead with the restoration of the engine. Boy, talk about procrastination!!
To celebrate the 150th anniversary since the Day family purchased the land, we were asked if we would like to fire the boiler for the big open day. Needless to say the old crew were falling over each other to return and give it another go.
When we arrived the weekend prior to the big day, more of a recce than anything else, we found a lot of junk had been stacked around the boiler (not a great problem) and easy to clean up so we made a list of what we needed to fire her up. On the weekend of the open day we turned up with all the appropriate fittings etc. plus a couple of small engines to run on steam from her. I fitted up the boiler on the saturday and Pete set and lit a fire to heat up the 3.8 tons of water and to warm the setting. On the boilers at work this takes 2 weeks to do so I was under the pump a bit, but then there is 17 tons of water in them and a heap loads more bricks.
Damn thing just wouldn't draw and consequently I had more smoke coming out the front than out the stack. Team member Pete had a little fan in his car that we placed in front of the ash pit which was just enough 'forced draught' to do the job. I kept an average fire in it from about 11.00 am until about 6.30 pm when the ambient temperature outside dropped that one degree to create a blistering natural draught effect working off the bricks that had by now warmed up to an acceptable temperature. Damn thing nearly sucked the doors in
I baby sat her until about 11.30 that night then went to bed quite pleased with myself.
Up at 4.30 am the next morning and found one burning ember. Woo hoo, its still alight and a roaring draught happening.
I immediately set a fire and she was away.
This boiler has a registered pressure vessels ticket to 30 PSI (if you want the metric equivalent, work it out 'cause I have no idea what you are talking about ) so our intention was to run her at about 15 PSI. No sense forcing an old girl like this.
The show started at 10.00am and she had plenty of steam so we ran the engines we brought along with us. They were a Tangye vertical connected to a Bartram boiler (not in use on the day) and a Mumford banjo type wall pump.
What a successful day with pretty much all the big wigs there who have the authority to make a decision on whether or not we are allowed to go ahead with the engine. And it's looking pretty good at this stage.
Some pics of the day. Nearly 3000 people attended, massive by anyones standards.

Pete setting and lighting the fire. (don't laugh at how old we all got)
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Here is a pic of our 'forced draught ' fan. Pffft, it did the job
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Here is Pete and I taking a break while she does her thing and generates steam. As you can see we hate what we do. BAHAHA no hair and glasses now, and Petes beard went white.
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Pressure at last
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The team, after a successful Saturday. Maxine was too crook to make it but she was there in spirit.
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Here is a shot of the boiler in relation to the engine.
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Now some of you might laugh but a Ball and Lever safety valve should have a ball on its lever but that little detail had somehow slipped my attention so this is all I could find. It's ok as I replaced it with 4 house bricks in a sling made from telecom rope.
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Some shots from the day
Pete and I ready for the visitors
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Firing the boiler
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The engines
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A close up of the Mumford pump
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Some of the people having a look
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Originally Posted by wheelinround

Phil you have my full interest here.

When a young fella my neighbour around the corner was sent a telegram (early 60's) of course this then was a case of fear being a new Scottish immigrant family.
It became my dad's job to open and read it, it had come from the then NSW Gov Board Hospital or such like. Alex was asked to urgently contact them with a 24/7 phone number no other explanation etc. With in 3 days he/we were at Lithgow Hospital doing the test you described as the boiler had not been inspected for some years turns out he was the only fully licenced/registered person with working knowledge of the Scottish built boiler in Australia the other fellow in the UK was to old to travel plus length of time to get anyone else here back then.
I got to make the journey with Dad and Alex an amazing site to behold and experience for a 10 yr old. Alex turned down 3 offers to work in Lithgow Hospital each time the $$$ went up a grand and operate the boiler. His concern was he would have to move his large family, he did go and work the situtaion and eventually took up the post some years latter.

You know that doesn't shock me at all. These people are even scarcer now as a lot of old skills are becoming long forgotten.

Phil

Fantastic Phil
It's been a while since we've had an update in the whisperings thread, this should tide us over for some time.

You need to get a small shaper running off an engine for days like this, now that would be a talking point!

I hope the go ahead for the engine rebuild comes from the big wigs, and that the missing part will turn up. Maybe a bit of media coverage will make the collector (let's face it, I doubt its some angry teen) come forward with the cover once he hears the engine is to be restored.

Cheers,
Ewan

Now to my point,(ya just knew it was gunna come eventually).
In my preamble I stated that as an 'aside' a part had been stolen. It's not an 'aside', it is the whole point.
I thought everyone needed to know the amount of work involved (plus I just love this stuff) so far.
In the last few months the steam chest cover was stolen off the engine which takes it from a 'complete' engine to one that, well, just isn't.
It beggars belief that somebody can do this and to what end, so it can sit in a shed somewhere, or perhaps sell it on. I don't know.
I guess what I am asking, and it's a long shot but we have limited ways of recovering stolen engine parts, especially parts of this historical significance.
And believe me when I say, the oldest Cornish 3 pass boiler and a very rare example of an E.T. Bellhouse engine, still in their original setting, is of great and unique historical significance.
But if any of you guys stumble across it or hear of its existence, please please let me know.
I can only hope the culprit gets a guilty conscience and returns it to a Post Office somewhere with a note.

A pic of the distinctive cast logo on the steam chest cover.
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Plus some more pics of the engine
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Phil, that was a great story. Struth. I would'nt have recognised you in your younger days, especially with the handle bars.

What a great restoration project to be involved in. Do you have any snaps of the name plate etc that was nicked? A photo in the local paper may stir up some guilt. Someone will know where the missing part is.

Is it possible to get the steam engine up and running by some other means?

Any other snaps including the flour mill, or is the mill long gone?

Ken

Edit, oops I now see you got some more photos in while I was typing.

Inspirational stuff Phil, I wish we had known it was on, would have come along for a look. The builder who did the house extensions for us many years ago bought the bakery in Murchison, when he retired (his name was Bob, so the kids all called him Bob the Builder.. ) anyway they had a wood fired oven for baking the bread, maybe it's still there... beautiful fresh bread.. that would be a nice connection, to bake some bread with flour from Day's Flour Mill. Any chance of grinding a bit of flour?

Looks like seriously good time was had by all..

Regards
Ray

PS... Missed the post about the missing parts, well Josh and I are eyeing off every bit of cast iron we come across, the radar is running..

Interesting thread, but it brings back memories (not entirely pleasant) of furnace calibrations up in the Persian Gulf in the sixties.