Thumbs up to everyone involved in the weekend. I enjoyed working on John Durling's Aviling and Porter tractor 'Morning Star' on the Saturday and Micheal Davies Fowler road loco 'Jo'. thank you to the drivers of the engines and to the lecturers who taught me the skills and knowledge involved. Thank you again for a brilliant weekend. i will come again next year!

Roland Twelftree, age 15. (4585), Garretts Green, Birmingham

We had a lovely day at Alan Spark's yard on Saturday 12th May. It had finally stopped raining and the sun shone all day long. Alan asked us which engines we'd like to be on and I chose The Masterpiece as I haven't worked on a Showman's engine before. My brother James was on an Aveling and Porter Roller. Alan showed us how the engines are taken out of the shed which was interesting! Then we were off, carrying out the usual checks, cleaning the tubes and firebox and setting the fire. The Masterpiece took ages to gain any pressure, so Rory our instructor emptied some water out of the tanks to speed things up - it worked and we were soon gaining pressure. Alan has a roadway that goes down hill from the yard, so it made for some interesting driving! James and I would like to say thank you to Alan for running the day, and to Rory and Bob our instructors. It was a great day!

Elizabeth Allen, age 12. (4791), Frome, Somerset

Thanks to the organizers who organised the bedford driving weekend. it was really fun, especially watching Lord Of The Isles pull the other engines out of the mud. hats off to that loco's crew members.

Harry Cullen, age 14. (4104).

I had a great time at Les Searle's Yard, working on a Burrell Gold Medal tractor called Gladstone. The owner, Paul let me and Oliver, another apprentice light the fire ourselves. I would like to say a big thank you to Dee Searle for organising the day, and to Paul for bringing his engine along!

James Allen, age 8. (4792), Frome, Somerset

For all those apprentices who went to the driving day at Alan sparkes' yard in Stanton Drew Nr. Bristol on Saturday 7th May, I have put a video clip on Youtube with some pictures on so please take a look!

Dan Jones, age 13. (4905), Chippenham, Wiltshire

I have been a member for 2 years and have not been able to help out anyone so can someone help :)
thank you

Lewis Keefe, age 13. (4609), Shepperton, Surrey

If there are any enginemen out there who are looking for an apprentice in the Surrey area, you can contact the SAC at sac.webmaster@ntet.co.uk with your details and we can pass them on to Lewis.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a very happy steaming new year

Richard Warren, age 16. (4514).

I would like to say a big thank you to John for placing me and my brother James (4792) on Morning Star on Wednesday. We had a great time and really enjoyed our ride around the show ring. Also, a big thanks to Graham Chaffer for letting us have a ride on his steam roller Omon. We were really lucky to be able to ride on two engines!

Elizabeth Allen, age 10. (4791), Somerset.

Just to say what a good rally it was i will be sending a letter in about it to Nannette for the next raising steam.
Thanks to Michael and the rest of his crew for letting me help them out.
Although knowing them does help! Especially when most of us are in the same preservation society!

Andrew Fisher, age 13. Banbury.

Happy steaming 2 all the sac's in 2010

kieran walsh, age 11. Ireland.

I have had a geat season in 2009. I've been to different rallies this year with Michael Davies one being the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railways one at Cheltenham racecourse.
As Michael owns ploughing engines it was nice to have a field to ourselves (ploughing tackle that is)and see Western Prairies and a Castle class go up and down the line, it was truely victorian britain apart from cameras and clothes.
Thank you to Michael for yet another wonderful year.
Hope its as steam filled next year.

Andrew Fisher, age 13. (4631), Banbury.

merry Christmas every1 and a new year

Tom Breeds, age 13. (4678), Beds.

My wilesco showmans engine in the garden.

Lewis Keefe, age 11. (4609), Shepperton, Middlesex.

Here i am cleaning out smoke box on Dads BB1 fowler ploughing engine Prince 15231 and he made me have a bath at night worst part.

Charlie Henderson, age 9. (5004), Hay on wye

It was an excellent & tiring weekend
"Thank you to all the engine owners, BSEPS and SAC for organising it."

Edward Morrow, age 11. (3673), Bedfordshire

"This was the first driving weekend I have ever been to and I had a fantastic time. I just want to say a big thank you to everyone who organised it for all of the apprentices, it was brilliant!!!"

Luke Clements, age 13. (3507), Evesham, Worcs

hi,
"i have seen two new engines, owned by john sunders 'mini mayor' a half scale ex-mayor. The other one i can't remember what it was called but it was a small brown engine."
jack

Jack Hollingsworth, age 9. (4345), Shefford, Bedfordshire

"Here we see a picture sent in by Thomas B of bedfordshire of his Mamod TE1.
Unfortunately the photo was a little small to go in our guest album, so that is why it's here in the message board."

Many thanks to Tom for sending it in.

Tom, age 12. (4678), Bedfordshire

"When I was on my first engine I shaking like nuts cause I was scared of crashing but I ended up being really good at it
(its really easy when you get used 2 it)"

Tom, age 12. (4678), Bedfordshire

"Its awesome being in the sac cause u can go on all sorts of engines and all over the country"

Owen, age 10. (3862), Bridgend, Wales

"I love the driving day at old warden and this year its in the month of my b-day"

Tom, age 12. (4678), Bedfordshire

"I have just joined the club and I am hoping to have my first driving day at Old Warden in Bedford"

Aaron Jones, age 13. (4861), Newtown, Wales

"I really like the steam apprentice club and am really glad I joined."

Brad Evans, age 12. (4112), Southampton