By JO HARRISON
Caption: Members of the ‘Steam Team’ in front of the steam traction engine, the pride and joy of the New England Antique Machinery Club. From left: Rob Taber, Ron Jackson, Bob Marchant, Gordon Edmonds, Tony Walsh and Jeff Bate.
THE day finally arrived on Sunday for the lads from the New England Antique Machinery Club (NEAMC) taking delivery of what will become the club showpiece – a steam traction engine formerly owned by the Faint family of Hillgrove.
The club was able to purchase the steam engine courtesy of a Federal Government grant from the National Cultural Heritage Account of $185,000. The club raised a further $15,000 with generous donations from the Armidale community.
The ‘Steam team’ are dedicated members of NEMAC who will bring the old girl back to her former glory and volunteer Bob Marchant says he can’t wait to get started.
“This is all thanks to one of our members Ronald Jackson who took it on himself to deal with the Federal Government to obtain funding to purchase the engine,” Mr Marchant said. “These things are very expensive these days.”
“He has worked tooth and nail to get this back to Armidale for the benefit of the district we can’t wait to get stuck in.”
The Steam traction engine was owned by Tom Faint from the 1920s through to the 1970s and was used primarily for road haulage, driving sawmills and thrasher machines. The engine, the only one of its type manufactured by Marshalls and unique in the world, will celebrate its 100th birthday in 2014.
“Tom Faint sold it to some enthusiasts in the Southern Highlands near Mittagong who had it going,” Mr Marchant said.
“They then sold it to another bloke in Sydney who then on-sold it to the fellow we bought it off in Victoria.
“It was dismantled with the view to fixing up certain parts. There are many parts of the engine that have been completely renewed so a lot of the work mechanically has been done, so it won’t be a huge job to get it going again.”
Part of the deal with the Federal Government requires the club to have the engine on display to the public. It will be housed in a special shed to be erected by the Armidale Showground Trust.
The club will continue to raise funds for the engine’s restoration with special functions to help pay for the work that still needs to be done. The volunteers also require about $2000 to get the exterior painted.
“Anyone who has got any money to spare and would like to support this worthy project, it would be greatly appreciated by the club,” Mr Marchant said.
