The Steam Apprentice Club
'The future driving the past'
- Steam Apprentice Club
Keeping Steam Alive for Future Generations
The Steam Apprentice Club (SAC) is where the next generation of steam enthusiasts begin their journey. As the under 21s branch of the National Traction Engine Trust (NTET), we are dedicated to ensuring that the passion, skills and knowledge needed to keep steam heritage alive are passed down to young people who will carry it forward.
Steam-powered machines have played a defining role in Britain’s industrial and agricultural past. Without dedicated enthusiasts, this rich heritage risks fading away. The Steam Apprentice Club exists to make sure that doesn’t happen. We provide hands-on learning experiences, expert guidance and a welcoming community where young people can develop their interest in steam, whether that’s through maintaining, operating or simply appreciating these magnificent machines.
Members of the SAC have access to unique training days, events and opportunities to get involved in real steam preservation. Whether you want to take the controls of a traction engine, understand the mechanics behind them or be part of a like-minded community, this is where you can start.
The future of steam is in the hands of today’s young enthusiasts. By joining the Steam Apprentice Club, you’ll not only keep history alive – you’ll help shape its future.
Step aboard and be part of something extraordinary!
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Quick Links is here to make your experience smoother and more efficient – whether you’re looking for a starting point or just need a refresher.
About The Steam Apprentice Club
The Steam Apprentice Club is an organisation for young people interested in road steam. The club was founded in 1979 by the National Traction Engine Club and now represents the young person’s branch of the National Traction Engine Trust.
Dedicated to Young People
The SAC is dedicated to encouraging and supporting young people’s interest in steam. This includes learning to maintain and operate traction engines and steam rollers – both full size and miniatures. Many steam apprentices go on to own engines of their own in later years having learned at steam rallies and driving days across the country.
Projects by Apprentices: Lady Sylvia
In recent years the SAC took on the project of building our own minature steam engine. The 4″ scale Burrell traction engine was built by various enthusiastic apprentices and helpers. The project took two years to complete from 2012 to 2014. In September 2014 the finished engine was taken to the Bedford Steam and Country Show, we welcomed apprentices, parents, sponsors and various other guests to witness the debut of ‘Lady Sylvia’, named after one of the founding members of the SAC. Lady Sylvia has now spent 10 years being steamed and driven by apprentices across the country.
Projects by Apprentices: John Rex Water Bowser
In 2024, John Rex Model Engineers wanted to support the club’s work and donated a water bowser kit, of the same scale as Lady Sylvia, to the Club. The bowser will be taken to some steam rallies in 2025 where apprentices will have the chance to build parts of it – look out for the new bowser in the future!
Becoming a SAC Member
To become a member and get involved with the SAC, you can fill in a membership form or join online.
As a member you will recieve a quarterly magazine ‘Raising Steam’, the opportunity to take part in activity days, driving days and othe SAC events and gain free entry into some NTET supported rallies.*
*Free entry into some NTET supported rallies when accompanied by a full paying adult. SAC members must be able to show their membership cards upon arrival.
Paul Stingmore
Chair
Steam Apprentice Club
Welcome to the Steam Apprentice Club!
Welcome to the online home of the Steam Apprentice Club (SAC).
If you have landed here, chances are you have got a love for steam – or at least a curiosity about these incredible machines. Either way, you’re in the right place! The SAC exists for one big reason: to bring together young people who share a passion for steam power and make sure its legacy never fades away.
Steam engines were the driving force behind the Industrial Revolution and shaped the world we live in today. For over 200 years, these machines powered factories, railways, farms and fairgrounds, changing history forever. And while they might not be the cutting-edge tech of today, they are still epic feats of engineering that deserve to be celebrated, understood and – most importantly – kept running for future generations.
That’s where you come in. The future of the steam movement rests on young enthusiasts like you. Whether you’re into getting your hands dirty working on engines, learning the ropes from experienced engineers or just soaking up everything there is to know about steam, the SAC is here to help you get involved.
This website is your gateway to all things SAC – news, events, ways to get stuck in and even a new gaming section to bring steam history to life in a whole new way.
We need the next generation of engineers, drivers, restorers and enthusiasts to step up and keep steam alive. So join us, there’s every chance we will be at an event near you this summer – sign up and come along. We’ll seek to get you with hands-on experience on a traction engine or steam roller.
Explore the site, see what’s new and – most importantly – get stuck in! The future of steam starts with you.
- Magazine
Special Bumper Edition of Raising Steam Magazine
The Steam Apprentice Club produces a quarterly magazine ‘Raising Steam’ which is free to all our members. It provides information about events, competitions, news and stories. We are always looking for YOUR input.
Every January we produce a BUMPER edition of the magazine, to serve as your guide throughout the year.
You’ll receive a copy of the January edition and the latest version of ‘Raising Steam’ when you become a member of the SAC.
If you have anything you’d like to contribute to the magazine, you can contact our editor at sac.raisingsteam@ntet.co.uk
- About SAC
Keeping Steam Alive for Future Generations
The SAC is where the next generation of steam enthusiasts begin their journey. As the under 21’s branch of the National Traction Engine Trust (NTET), we are dedicated to ensuring that the passion, skills and knowledge needed to keep road steam heritage alive are passed down to young people who will carry it forward.
Road steam-powered machines have played a defining role in Britain’s industrial and agricultural past. Without dedicated enthusiasts, this rich heritage risks fading away. The Steam Apprentice Club exists to make sure that doesn’t happen. We provide hands-on learning experiences, expert guidance and a welcoming community where young people can develop their interest in steam, whether that’s through maintaining, operating or simply appreciating these magnificent machines.
Members of the SAC have access to unique training days, events and opportunities to get involved in real road steam preservation. Whether you want to take the controls of a traction engine, understand the mechanics behind them or be part of a like-minded community, this is where you can start.
The future of road steam is in the hands of today’s young enthusiasts. By joining the Steam Apprentice Club, you’ll not only keep history alive – you’ll help shape its future.
Step aboard and be part of something extraordinary!
A Growing, Online Membership.
You can now join the Steam Apprentice Club online, and renew your membership too! It's a growing, evolving membership.
Access to Exclusive Games
Play a growing library of games on the Gaming Club platform - right here, anytime.
Grow and Develop
With our supportive staff and volunteers, we help you with structured opportunities to build confidence, develop new skills and gain valuable real-world experience that supports personal and professional growth.
Meaningful and Traditional Opportunities
Whether in-person or online, our meaningful activities reach you in new and innovative ways.
- Project
The Build A Burrell Project
The Steam Apprentice Club's 4 inch scale burrell - "Lady Sylvia" was built by our members.
See our "Build A Burrell" page for more details!
- Steam Apprentice Club
About the SAC
The Club was formed in 1979 by the National Traction Engine Club for young people under the age of 21 who are interested in Steam Engines. Today its the young person's branch of the National Traction Engine Trust.
Many people watch engines at steam rallies, but few of them know how an engine works, and even fewer have the chance to have a go.
Why join the SAC?
- The Club has a quarterly magazine, 'Raising Steam'.
- Many Steam rallies offer free entry to club members.
- Take advantage of Driving Days and the NTET driving course.
- Special Discounted Offers.
- Log book scheme to keep a record of your experience on traction engines.
Years of Experience
0
+
Current Members
900
+
- Mission
SAC Mission statement and objectives
"To foster the interest of all people under 21 in Steam Traction in its many guises"
This means not only encouraging younger people to work on and understand traction engines, steam rollers, wagons etc., but also to take an interest in their history, design and manufacture, stories of their use, photography and/or drawing engines, modelling, etc, In fact the whole hobby in its widest sense.
The SAC is here to educate and provide opportunities to get practical experience of road steam.
Our Objectives...
- Encourage younger people to join the SAC and learn in a safe environment the requirements and the workings of Road Steam Engines.
- Encourage apprentices not only to be competent around an engine, but when old enough, to pass the competency test.
- Arrange steam apprentice days with rally organisers and groups of willing individuals.
- Raise technical knowledge by arranging talks and practicals with specialists.
- To introduce families to engine owners with a view to building long term experience.
- Work with local clubs to enable apprentices and their families to get involved with engines and engineers in their own area
- Questionnaire
The SAC committee has been discussing the possibility of bringing 'Raising Steam' into the 21st century by sending you an electronic copy via email instead of in the post!
Right now it’s just an idea, but we’ve set up a questionnaire to see how you, our members, feel.
Please click below and share your thoughts.
- What you need to know
GDPR - Data Protection Rules
Changes in data protection law came into effect in May 2018, which introduced new elements and enhancements into the regulations governing our handling of the personal data you provide when you sponsor an ‘Apprentice’ to join the Steam Apprentice Club. We are committed to keeping your personal information and that of the ‘Apprentice’ safe and we have procedures in place to secure that personal information.
A more detailed explanation of GDPR and how it affects the NTET and the SAC can be read here.
The April 2025 edition of Raising Steam contained a letter explaining our obligations to you, and we request that you complete and return the accompanying form to our membership secretary.
Please note that the correct address for returning the form is: NTET Membership Secretary, PO BOX 5937, Sheffield, S25 9FB.
Your declaration can also be completed online.
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The NTET is a registered charity (Reg. Charity No 291578) and is governed by a formal constitution. Company No. 1302197