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   A couple of weeks ago one of the riders asked me what I did when I was not out on my bike.    I have thought about that a bit and reckon that most of us have a story to tell. Interesting job, interesting hobby etc.

   This could be a good thread to pursue, so here goes.

   I retired from paid work a year of four ago and have been busy with a number of pursuits. The usual thing apply, a lawn to mow, a house to paint. A couple of vintage cars in the shed, getting less than the attention they deserve, and a Lions club that I am now the longest serving member!!.
   However, a few years ago I managed to get involved in a Steam and Vintage Machinery Museum ( Melbourne Steam Traction Engine Club ) and am part of that Museum in more ways than one.
   Over the last year or so I have rebuilt a vintage steam engine, which had it's first run a month ago.
   A bit about the engine.  Actually we don't know much at all. It has no name plate, so we don't know who made it or when. We suspect it is a copy and probably made in the goldfields in about the 186's. It was last used commercially in Daltons Wool Scouring Mill in Geelong from around the turn of last century until around the 1960's. The club has owned it since the 1980's. It has been it pieces scattered around the place since then. It has a piston 300mm in diameter and a stroke of about 400mm, a flywheel weighing 3 tons and would run at about 100 rpm, and probably output about 30 hp.
    I hope to have it running again this Sunday. I have a couple of pictures, but they appear to be too big to run.
  All for now,
Phil R.
  P.S. If someone can get the pics to run I will send them to you.
P.
     

Hmm, looks like that worked.  I have a short video, I will try that!!
P.

That engine looks younger than you, Phil!  ;D

Good story.  Bringing old stuff back to life is great fun.  It's no secret that my 'off-trail' per suits involve something similar.  It's great to toil away at something, and then to finally hear it running!

Phil,
Any chance you'd be able to show me that old engine running up close and personal ?
In my line of work, I have an interest in old steam driven machinery like that ;D

 The guy in that video looks like a proud new farther, well done Phil, what's next?


Where do you get the steam from, is it one big boiler for all the gear in that shed?

Re the steam supply.
  The Boiler is a recent model. 1968 and is run on waste lubricating oil salvaged from earthmoving equipment etc. We burn about 1000 litres on a Sunday run day.
  The plant will be running this Sunday. An assortment of steam and diesel engines, along with some steam driven road vehicles and earthmoving equipment should be in operation.
  Hopefully we will run the walking dragline.
  The museum is located on Ferntree Gully Road on the Melbourne side of the new freeway.
  All welcome, and there is a steam train around teh property for teh kids.
Phil R. 

 From your words above Phil it sounds like you are going to be there sunday, any chance of an AMTRA tour lead buy you early sunday?

If so the list starts here

 Tim Dykes

All,  The museum will be open from about 8.00 am or even earlier.  The steam section should be running from about 10.00am until about 4.00 pm.  I will be there oiling my toys ;D ;D.
      Quite happy to take people around and explain things etc.
Phil R. 

Looks good Phil and at our age theres nothing like getting a full head of steam up - - even if only occasionally.

Too far to come to the open day but what chence of bringing one to the club for a look, tongue in cheek but there may be a ute size one you can borrow?

I havnt been riding since Feb (missing it heaps) and have been filling in the time with lots of touring in central Qld. Managed to fit in a round of the Qld MX championships in Charters Towers and the Aust SuperMoto championships in Proserpine. Some very willing sliders there, boy are they good to watch.

Ken,
Are you planning on getting back on the bike later in the year ?

 Phil, I thought there would be a few more of us interested in having a look :-\

 I think if I give the members a bit more notice we'll hopefully get a group along, so I'll will not come along tomorrow and then put the word out and try for a possie on a later date.

When do they run them Phil, is the last Sunday of the month?

Yes!!,
   The last Sunday of the month is run day.  We run the boiler for steam to drive the engines.  We can't run them all, ( some are not operational). We will have some of the diesels running and road engines puffing around the arena.
   Some of the road engines are making a pilgrimage to the old site in Wantirna. The club originally started at the corner of Burwood Highway and Mountain Highway, and moved to Scoresby in teh late 1980's.
   The steam train runs every Sunday, the kids love it, and the parents are pretty partial as well ;D ;D.
   I had the engine running today, after I fixed the steam leaks and put an exhaust pipe up ready for tomorrow.
   Love to see you all tomorrow. And Ken, its not far up the freeway, you can do it!!.
Phil R.

add myself  Kai and nayt to the list . I will try 4a 9:30 arrival
Ta seano

Darren Lynch and myself took our young lads down for a look see today .There is a lot of facinating old machinery and we got a special (behind the barrier )guided tour by a real old time gentlman. ;)
Thankyou uncle Phil ;D

PS if your sitten round doin nothin on the last sunday of the month ,it is well worth the time to go have a look,highly recomended
Ta Seano 8)

Phil I know it's only just down the freeway but I have to Get down from Queensland first.

Tim old chap, please put me on your list for a visit later.

Don't run out of steam Phil.

Wiggy, I've got a ride planned with Bob at Woodside later in Oct after watching Marcurial Marquez win his first world championship at Philip Island.