'Taz'

News - many thanks to Mike and Hedd Jones - 'Taz' now has a colonial lamp!

Hedd tells me that 'this lamp came to me from a well known Manchester engineman and former engine owner Keith Shorrock. He assures me it came from the stores of Robert Bridson & Co of Neston during the 1970's. He also says that it was reputedly bought to fit on their Burrell Road Loco 3098 (now in Liverpool Museum). '

 'Taz' at the Haddenham rally in 2007. (photo by Michael Pumfrey)

 

 

  Taz is an 8hp, single cylinder, doubled geared, unsprung GP TE. She was completed on July 16th 1900 for James McEwan & Co Ltd of London who were agents that exported a number of engines to, amongst other countries New Zealand.

Within a year she had moved on, probably directly to Tazmania where she spent her working life. She was owned by George Weilly, a quarry owner, land owner and general contrator running the 'Glenorchy Quarry' near Bridgewater.

She was bought by the present owner in October 1996.

In Tazmania.
Generally all there.

When we first saw her.               
An array of components all in the tender on arrival - including the crank.

 This photograph was kindly purchased for us by a friend on Australian e-bay. It is thought to have been taken at Wallsend in Australia. If anyone can definitely identify it I'd be really keen to know. We had believed that the engine had gone to New Zealand and then directly to Tazmania. Any more gaps in the history would be great.

 

Technical details:Two speed general purpose with max working pressure of 160psi, single cylinder 9" stroke.

Driving wheels 6'0" diameter x 18" wide

Leading wheels 3'8" x 9" wide.

Typical features - cast iron chimney, lamp bracket, round axle.

Unusual features: right-hand tender entry, high-speed governors, wheeled regulator, steam lubricator and no name plate and wheeled regulator.

Instead of the usual pickering type governors or even burrell patent governors she has a set of genuine american pickering high speed governors sitting on top of the cylinder block; these have a cast round plate fitted on the back stating 'The Pickering Combination, Portland, Conn. U.S.A.'. These are listed on the original spec sheet as high speed governors.

Under 'nameplate for steam plate' on the spec sheet - 'None' is stated. Where you would expect to see the 'Charles Burrell' nameplate on the cylinder chest; a plain, fabricated cover is fitted.

At home being driven by James Cummins and towing his Marshall 'S' Type portable  - Winter 2004.

At Dorset 2005, we just didn't get the lagging on in time.

Taz at Dorset 2005 in the playpen.

 

 

 

Taken by Miss Sam Jones at the Lister Tyndale rally in 2006.

 

'Taz' at the great Dorset 2005 with David and James in charge.

 

 At Kemble 2007 with David and myself and our friend Thomas Baines catching a lift. Photo by Miss Sam Jones.