NRA Journal - Spring 2007 - National Rifle Association

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THE RANGE TRAMWAYS OF THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATIONPART THREE - BISLEYby Christopher C BunchThe Gale and Polden postcard view shows “Wharncliffe”, looking distinctly work-worn and no longerwith the end skirts or wearing the lined-out livery of the earlier photograph, attached to an opentoastrack type bogie vehicle, of the 1899 order, boarding a full load of shooters. Gale and Polden werea local company, based at Aldershot, who photographed activities at Bisley Camp over many years.The postcard dates from Edwardian times and shows the Long Siberia terminus of the tramway.From the time the engine was purchased in 1878up until the L&SWR involvement the NRA hadalways used contractors to maintain and operate it.Merryweather had acted in this role until the endof the 1892 season with the L&SWR taking over in1893. However in 1897 authorisation was given forthe tramway to be extended to Butts 19 and 20 of theLong Siberia Range. This extension implied muchmore frequent use of the tramway. It is clear, therefore,that the Council had decided to employ their owndriver for on 26 May 1900 Lt Colonel Crosse wrote toDrummond again:Dear Sir,I shall be glad if you will kindly let me know the circumstancesunder which Charles Ginman, Engine Driver, left theemployment of the London and SW Railway, and also ifyou think he it a man who may be trusted to take charge ofthe small locomotive which we use on our range tramway.A reply at your earliest convenience will oblige.Yours, etcThe subsequent appointment of Ginman as the TramEngine Driver and his continued employment in thisrole for at least the next twelve years is confirmedby a letter, dated 18 April 1912 to the LocomotiveSuperintendent at Guildford, together with a sicknote. This letter requested a replacement Driver. TheDoctor’s sick note confirming that Ginman, of BisleyGreen, had a poisoned foot, is still in the records.The Locomotive SuperintendentL&SWRGuildfordDear Sir,My Engine Driver has fallen ill and I am writing to ask ifyou could arrange for one of your engine drivers to do hiswork here tomorrow (Saturday April 20 th ).The work is that of driving our Small Range passengerTramway Engine - the first trip with passengers is about2.0pm and the last about 7.30pm. I can arrange to havesteam got up if there is any difficulty in your man arrivingin time to do so. Though I would prefer it if he could be herein time to do so himself. In any event, as our line is onlya very light tram line, he should be here in ample time tomake a trial run over the line in company with our foreman;I would suggest that it be not later than 12.30pmIf you can find me one of your men to do this I shall begreatly obliged, and shall be further obliged if you will letme know what pay I should give him and what payment (ifany) your Company would require.Yours trulyMC Mathews Lt ColFor Secretary NRAThe employment of a regular driver also seems tohave ended the previous practice of a second man on“Wharncliffe”.40
The NRA Report for 1900 referred to a new engineand tramway shed as well as the recent tramwayextensions. The location of this shed was adjacent toBisley Camp station as marked quite clearly on the1915 1/2500 Ordnance Survey map. This map alsoshows the run-round loops at either end of the RangeTramway that had now reached its ultimate length ofabout three-quarters of a mile.The General Balance Account included with the Reportrefers to the ‘Tramway Extension’. The FinancialAccount contains the following: -Tramway Extension Value - £236-13s-2dTramway Extension, Cost of Extension - £610-2s-2dNew boiler to Tram Engine - £205-9s-6dWith the appointment of a regular driver and theother improvements the operation of the tramway wassatisfactory for the next nine years. However in 1909problems started to arise with “Wharncliffe’s” boilerand firebox. A Boiler Inspector’s Report of 19 May1909 recorded that the firebox plates were corrodedat the bar level and there was some wasting of thesmokebox, and the tube ends were thinned. A newfirebox was advocated.This was followed by a Report of The National Boilerand General Insurance Co Ltd dated 13 September1909 (which also confirmed the boiler pressure to be120psi).No and boiler Designation N0 1 (48) Loco “Wharncliffe”For this examination the lagging was removed from theexterior of the barrel plates and firebox casing, and all smoketubes withdrawn.A 1912 view, looking northward across the Century Range. In theforeground, the Bisley Bullet departs for Brookwood. The RangeTramway diverges immediately behind as it heads, via the 600yards firing point of the Century Range, to its final destinationon the Siberia Ranges which lie beyond the distant end of theCentury Range Butts. Across the green the C Lines Hut and BazaarLines, the latter dominated by the Mappin and Webb sign, areprominent. On the original photograph it is possible to discernthe junction for the Range Tramway shed just behind the chimneyof the locomotive.The view at the 600 yards firing point of Century Range. TheRange Tramway runs behind with two children playing on theline. The King’s Prize that year was won by AG Fulton. He tookit again after the Great War.The lower half of the barrel is generally closely pitted andthere is a local area of wasting at the right hand side of thefirebox casing.There is little pitting about the sides of the barrelinternally.We understand from our Inspecting Engineer that you wishto increase the working pressure of the boiler from 120lbsas at present, to at least 150lbs per square inch. We havetherefore considered the suitability of the Boiler for thishigher pressure and find that the barrel plates would betoo highly stressed for a working pressure of 150lbs, andwe think your best course would be to replace the Boilerby one of stronger construction in preference to spendingmoney in repairs.Even with a new firebox and other repairs carried out theBoiler would be unsuitable for a higher pressure than 120lbsper square inch.We enclose circulars relative to the special services weundertake in connection with the designing and supervisionof Boilers during construction.Edward HillerChief EngineerThe NRA Council decided against another new boilerand opted for Merryweather to take “Wharncliffe”back to Greenwich again for its third and final majorrepair.On 22 March 1912 the Chief Engineer of the NationalBoiler Insurance Co and Boiler Insurance reportedthat:. . . The smoke box tube plate is wasted to 3/8” at themud holes, otherwise the boiler and fittings were found inorder.The tramway continued in its routine until at leastthe outbreak of the Great War in August 1914. Afterthis date the NRA Council handed over control of theCamp to the Army although some rifle competitions41
Page 4 and 5: NOTES FROM THESECRETARY GENERALbyGl
Page 6: in our profile as a sport and most
Page 13 and 14: NOTES FROM THE MANAGINGDIRECTOR OF
Page 15 and 16: Looking for something better?Gehman
Page 17 and 18: SHOOTING DISCIPLINE MATTERSChristma
Page 19: As the evening wore on those of us
Page 22 and 23: NOTES FROM THEREGIONAL MANAGERbyChr
Page 24 and 25: CORNWALL OPEN TARGET RIFLE AND INTE
Page 26 and 27: NOTES FROM THE NRAFIREARMS LIAISON
Page 28 and 29: length of the chamber. In the class
Page 30 and 31: Mention the name of Eric McGibbon t
Page 32: T REX - TICKING AWAY IN HIS BOXSpot
Page 35 and 36: the destruction of the sport with i
Page 37 and 38: Association calls on all sports men
Page 40 and 41: WAVERLEY DISTRICT RIFLE CLUBby Bob
Page 44 and 45: continued for the following two yea
Page 46 and 47: NRA Annual Meeting Handbooks, Repor
Page 48 and 49: NRA 100 RESURRECTEDby Carol Paintin
Page 50 and 51: unning in excess of two and sometim
Page 52 and 53: eing soundly thrashed by two of the
Page 55 and 56: NRA GOODWILL TEAM TO THE WEST INDIE
Page 57 and 58: Monday 16 OctoberThe first day of s
Page 59 and 60: 100 YEARS AGOby Ted MolyneuxThe yea
Page 61 and 62: PROCEDURE FOR THE GENERAL COUNCIL E
Page 63 and 64: drummed off Camp and banned from th
Page 65 and 66: NRA TRADE MEMBERSRobert George & Co

NRA Journal - Spring 2007 - National Rifle Association

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