News
- 2025
Opportunities for Apprentices to get involved
We have engine owners in the following parts of the country actively looking to take on an apprentice to work with their engine.
You need to be aged 14+ and able to regularly get to Waltham Abbey, Kent or Warrington.
If you think this opportunity could be for you, please drop the Paul, SAC Chairman an email.
- 2025
Congratulations to Lewis King who has received a bursary from the NTET
Lewis has a collection of Mamod and regularly runs his family’s portable engine.
Lewis is keen to get into heritage restoration as a full time occupation and has been awarded a bursary to help him buy the equipment he needs when he starts a welding and blacksmithing course in September 2025.
- 2025
John Rex Models Water Bowser Project
John Rex Models were very generous in donating a 4″ water bowser kit to be used with Lady Sylvia in September 2024.
We will be building this with apprentices during the 2025 rally season.
- 2024
2024 Competitions
Apprentice of the year – Jess Horsler attended several driving days during 2024 as well as getting onto engines at many rallies. Jess has now progressed to having an engine of her own and was awarded the Beeby Cup at our AGM.
Volunteer of the year – Oliver Forster volunteers at several local museums helping them operate their stationary steam engines.
Tech Achievement Award
Colouring Competition: Toby Stapley-Smith, Nathan Doughty and Aster Churchill-Salter were all colouring competition winners (1st, 2nd and 3rd place) in our 2024 colouring competition. The 2025 competition is now open (entries will be judged in September).
Photography Competition: Ethan Webb and Elliot Jones won 1st and 2nd prize in the 2024 photography competition. Entries are now open for 2025 with entries to be judged in September.
Model making competition: Congratulations to Stanley Clare and David Morgan who won 1st and 2nd place for their model making skills in 2024. The 2025 competition is open and entries will be judged in September.
- 7th Sep 2016
2016 GDSF Competition Results
Here are the winners of the 2015 Dorset Competitions. Congratulations to you all.
| 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | |
| Colouring | Thomas Ravenscroft | Ellis Morris | Sean og Lordan |
| Junior Photo | Daniel Crook | Matthew Glover | Sean og Lordan |
| Senior Photo | William Hurley | Danielle Wainwright | Kieran Tyrrell |
| Model | Isaac Jacobs | Jack Wallbridge |
- 8th Sep 2015
2015 GDSF Competition Results
Here are the winners of the 2015 Dorset Competitions
| 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | |
| Colouring | Tia Harkup | Reilly Sparkes | Isaac Jacobs |
| Junior Photo | Sean Og Lorden | Alice Shergold | James Allen |
| Senior Photo | Danielle Wainwright | William Hurley | Victoria Hough |
| Model | Kieran Tyrrell | Isaac Jacobs |
Prizes will be in the post in the next few days, and for those of you who sent an envelope for your entry to be returned, they will be sent this week too.
- 22nd Apr 2014
Places still available at the Leeds Driving Day
We still have plenty of spaces available for one of our newest driving days at Otley in Leeds on the 13th of September.
This is one of the most northern driving days we run, so it a great opportunity for apprentices who live north of the midlands.
See our EVENTS page for more details on how to apply.
- 7th Jan 2014
Steam Engineering Traineeship
We have been contacted by the coordinator for a Heritage Lottery Funded scheme called the Engineering Heritage Skills Initiative.
They are currently advertising for a number of traineeships in heritage based engineering workshops for students from ages 18+ located in the north east of England. The positions range from Steam engineering at various heritage railways and museums to a very exciting boiler making traineeship working on traction engines and steam locomotives.
The traineeships last for 1 year, during which the student will be paid £1000 per month, tax free bursary wage and 20 days holiday.
The closing date for these positions has been extended to the 16th January, so not long to get your application in!
For more information, and how to apply, check out the following link!
www.nect.org.uk/hsi/engineering-hsi/ehsi-bursary-placements-recruitment
- 16th Sep 2013
2013 Competition Results
Here are the winners of the 2013 Dorset Competitions
| 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | |
| Colouring | Luke Green | Alice Shergold | Callum Sloggie |
| Junior Photo | Jack Wallbridge | Harry Garrod | Alice Shergold |
| Senior Photo | Luke Green | Danielle Wainwright | James Atkins |
| Model | Christian Tyrrell | Chris Forbes | Karl Trussler |
Prizes will be in the post in the next few days, and for those of you who sent an envelope for your entry to be returned, they will be sent this week too.
- 26th January 2012
Apprenticeships at Steam Traction World
Steam Traction World, one of the leading manufacturers of live steam miniatures and models, are looking to take on three apprentices at their facility in Daventry.
They are looking for a Machine Operator, Someone to train in the Design Office, and a Welder.
Any applicant must be at least 16 years old, and live close to Daventry. They must also be able to travel to Northampton College for the day release tuition.
Anyone interested should see the Application form below.
(28.7k Pdf). The Steam Traction World website. The Northampton College website.
- 21st January 2012
January Edition of the Magazine - and 2012 Driving Days
The January edition of Raising Steam has been posted out, yours should be arriving soon!
Details of the 2012 Driving days are in this magazine, along with a form for attending the events.
Detials if the drivng days can also be found HERE.
Check out the build diary for the traction wagon built by the Cook Family here
Happy Steaming on 2012!
- 12th Sep 2011
2011 Competition Results
Here are the winners of the 2011 Dorset Competitions
| 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | |
| Art | Chris Forbes | Daniel March | n/a |
| Colouring | Lucy March | Oliver Jacobs | Chloe March |
| Junior Photo | Hayley Fisher | Chris Forbes | Matthew Hand |
| Senior Photo | Richard Warren | Daniel March | n/a |
| Model | James Allen | Alex Tyrrell | Kieran Tyrrell |
An album of the 2011 competition enries can be seen in the photo gallery HERE
Prizes will be in the post in the next few days, and for those of you who sent an envelope for your entry to be returned, they will be sent this week too.
If you visited the Great Dorset Steam Fair, please write in or send some pictures to the editor or the webmaster and tell us about your time at the steam fair. The Editor’s Address is inside the cover of Raising Steam, and our e-mail addresses are in the contact page.
- 13th August 2011
Dorset News - Activities
It’s getting close to that time of year again! THE GREAT DORSET STEAM FAIR!!
As always, the Steam Apprentice Club will have our stand in the NTET tent next to the Playpen.
Bring your membership card to get free entry to the steam fair, and to take part in other SAC activities.
- We will be having a miniature steam engine outside the NTET to show the new beginners, smaller and younger members how an engine works. The engine will be put into steam for a possible drive around.
- There will be engines in the arena to show apprentices the procedure from covers off, through to lighting the fire and getting up steam. The wearing of wrist bands for access to the arena for this will be required which we will have on the SAC stand in the NTET marquee.
- Cavalcade will take place on Thursday at 5pm (subject to the weather). All ages can drive at this event only.
- And to finish the week off on Sunday morning breakfast on a shovel
If you would like to go on engines, make sure you bring the proper clothes. (Full overalls and sturdy boots! clothes should be made of cotton where possible, because polyester melts!)
SAC members over 13 will be able to drive engines under the close supervision of a competent person, as per the NTET code of practice.
- 7th April 2011
Bad News - Bedford Steam Apprentice weekend 2011
Regrettably BSEPS have had to CANCEL the SAC driving days for 16/17 April.
This is due to insufficient engines for the number of apprentices applying. There would 10 apprentices to an engine which isn’t practical or safe for anyone.
Paul Worbey will be getting in touch with the applicants regarding return of cheques and the possibility of going to the St. Albans driving day instead.
For all other SAC venues please apply to the SAC Chairman by downloading the application form here.
- 13th Jan 2011
Good News - Bedford Steam Apprentice weekend 2011
Some of you may have heard recently that there would be no BSEPS driving weekend this year, but we have some Good News!!
Due to a change in circumstances, the Bedford Steam Engine Preservation Society hosted Steam Apprentice Driving Weekend at Old Warden Park is back on. It will take place on the 16th & 17th April, further details of this and all the other driving days will appear in the next Raising Steam and here on the website.
- 21st Dec 2010
Bursary Awards
There may have been problems using the usual email address sac.chairman@ntet.co.uk with some people unable to make contact with the chairman of the Steam Apprentice Club.
If you have used this email address and not had a reply, please email both sac.chairman@ntet.co.uk and sachairman@hotmail.com .
In addition allowances have been made for postal delays caused by adverse weather conditions.
- 7th Oct 2010
Autumn Edition of Raising Steam
Due to a delay in production, the October edition of Raising Steam will be sent out late October or early November.
We’re already looking for articles and news for our January magazine though, so if you have anything interesting to send in, e-mail or write to our editor.
- 8th Sep 2010
2010 Competition Results
Here are the winners of the 2010 Dorset Competitions
| 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | |
| Art | Daniel March | Jack Ayland | Chris Forbes |
| Colouring | Aarion Birks | Georgia Knight | Matthew Hand |
| Junior Photo | Christian Tyrrell | Harry Garrod | Oliver Jacobs |
| Senior Photo | Daniel March | Richard Warren | |
| Model | Matthew Slimming | Steven Blanch | Adam Curtis |
Photos of the winning entries will be in the photo gallery soon.
If you visited the Great Dorset Steam Fair, please write in or send some pictures to the editor or the webmaster and tell us about your time at the steam fair. The Editor’s Address is inside the cover of Raising Steam, and our e-mail addresses are in the contact page.
- 25th July 2010
Great Dorset Steam Fair 2010
As usual we’ll be at the Great Dorset Steam Fair this year, and have out usual stand inside the NTET Marquee.
This year we’re doing things a little different.
Unfortunately, there will be no duckling run to place apprentices on engines, although there will be TWO cavalcades this year. One on Wednesday and another as usual on Thursday. They start approximately 5pm both days. If you’d like to take part, please bring along your membership card and try to wear the correct clothing for being on a steam engine, so don’t forget to pack your overalls!!
If any of our older apprentices are interested in learning about things such as working a sawbench, threshing or road making, please let us know, and we might be able to place you in one of the working areas to gain some experience.
We are currently talking with Dorset about another new initiative, but all the pieces of the puzzle aren’t quite in place yet. Watch this space and we’ll put any news here on the website.
Don’t forget to have a go at the competitions and we’ll look forward to receiving them at Dorset.
- 29th March 2010
Leeds Toy Rally
If you live near Leeds, you may be interested in the Toy Steam Engine Rally ad the Armley Mills Industrial Museum!
Take along your Mamod! And if you go, take some photos or write us an article about the day!!
- 1st Jan 2010
Membership Fees
As of January 2010, the membership fee will be increasing to £10 per year.
As usual, renewal forms will be posted out with raising steam, when due.
If you have already sent in a £7.50 renewal you will be issued with a 9 month membership.
- 1st Jan 2010
2010 Technical Achievement Award
Applications are invited for the SAC Technical Achievement award. Areas of achievement may include: engineering work on full size engines, model engineering or any other appropriate steam related subject (bearing in mind that we are essentially a road steam organisation).
The purpose is to encourage young people to develop hands-on experience generally within typical engineering skills. This can be using various machines such as lathes and mills as well as handwork.
Nominations to be entered by a sponsor for whom they have been working or have been under the instruction of, or apprentices may enter themselves.
Applications to be received by August 15th should consist of a brief description on one side of A4 paper with 3 or 4 photographs and/or sketches. See address inside your latest copy of Raising Steam.
The judging committee will then contact the nominator or apprentice by either phone or in person to discuss the application. From these discussions, suitable candidates will be chosen, and final and fully detailed submissions will be invited to be with the Chairman by September 15th.
Judging will be completed by mid October with the announcement of the winner by end of October. The award will be presented at the NTET AGM. Judges will be from members of the SAC Committee plus invited persons from an area appropriate to the subject entered.
Please note that due to the all round experience we are looking for it is unlikely the award will be awarded to an apprentice under 15. Though as we know there is always an exception to the rule, so please don’t hesitate to either enter or contact the Chair for guidance.
- 1st Jan 2010
2010 Apprentice of the Year (To recieve the Jack Beeby Cup)
This award is to recognise an Apprentice who has shown all round enthusiasm in their involvement with Road Steam.
This may be hands-on experience with an engine or helping to maintain or restore an engine. Consideration should be given to how well they have learnt and respected the necessary skills needed in the operation of an engine.
There is no particular type of submission we are looking for other than that you feel the Apprentice has made an effort, has learned from what ever activity they are doing and has shown the ability to ‘stay the course’.
We would expect that the Apprentice has been working with one engine or group for at least 3 or 4 years.
Submissions should consist of a brief description on one side of A4 paper of what they have been doing and why you think the Apprentice deserves the award, perhaps with 3 or 4 photographs and/or sketches if you feel it will better illustrate the case.
Entries to be with the SAC Chairman by mid September, see address inside your latest copy of Raising Steam or Steaming. Judging will be completed by mid October, with the announcement of the winner to be made at the NTET AGM where the award will be presented.
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The NTET is a registered charity (Reg. Charity No 291578) and is governed by a formal constitution. Company No. 1302197