WORK has commenced on restoring the New England Antique Machinery Club’s Marshall traction engine formerly owned by Hillgrove identity Tom Faint.
The engine was purchased and returned to Armidale from Victoria following a grant from the Federal Government’s National Cultural Heritage Account.
The NEAMC wishes to thank many Armidale residents who have contributed funds to help restore the engine with either large tax deductible donations or small change at the engines appearance at the PCYC Markets in The Mall last month.
The first job of restoration is to relocate and rivet the smokebox to the boiler then attach the front axle and spring assembly to the bottom of the smokebox.
TAFE students are making a device for squeezing hot rivets which will be used to attach the smokebox to the boiler.
Thus the old engine built in 1914 will again be providing a useful function to residents of the New England district now in education of students in trade skills rather than road haulage and chaff cutting.
The engine will be towed to the NEAMC’s annual rally on 9-10 November where it will be the centre piece of the Rally’s steam exhibit, allowing New England residents to see the progress made in its restoration.
