‘Lady in red’ draws the crowd

The 108-year-old traction engine is one of just three left operational in Australia.

Owned by Barry and Mitchell Clapham, both of Illford, the “lady in red” was delighting field day visitors as part of the antique machinery display.

The Claphams bought the engine they call Hazel about 10 years ago.

And while she looked good then, there was a lot of mechanical work to be done.

Barry Clapham said the 1906 4.5 kilowatt (six horsepower) Allchin traction engine was spotted by the brothers at an auction in Echuca, Victoria.

On and off for the next few years they slowly got her running again.

“For the past four to five years we haven’t done much,” Barry said.

However, they have another project about to get under way.

Also at home is another Allchin steam engine, but it’s even rarer than Hazel.

It’s a 5kW (7hp) compound three shaft traction engine.

“It’s the only one that ever came to Australia, and it’s possibly the only one still left in the world,” Barry said.

“It’s similar looking to (Hazel) but has a bigger engine and needs a lot more repair work than Hazel.”

Barry said he and his brother have always collected old machinery.

“If we didn’t maintain these machines we’d never see them again, and they are such a quiet, gentle power,” he said.

“It’s lovely to see old stuff still operational and still doing its job.

“It helps us to appreciate our fathegrandfathers and how hard they had it.”

Barry is a mechanic by trade.

He and his brother run a mixed-farming operation as well as a livestock carting business.