Revolution Page updated
In case you’ve not found it, please be aware that our “Revolution” page has been updated with the latest news of the project. Please take a look and, if possible, make a contribution towards its cost.
Category Archives: AST News
March 2023 Newsletter released
In case any members are not receiving our emails, our Newsletter editor, Iain McCall, has today (21/11/23) circulated the March 2023 edition of our Newsletter. Filling 57 pages, it contains our usual updates on ASTT’s membership and activities, plus three articles of great interest: Derivation of the Locomotive Energy Balance by Martin Johnson, Cylindrical Fireboxes—Sorting […]
November 2022 Newsletter released
In case any members are not receiving our emails, our Newsletter editor, Iain McCall, circulated the November 2022 edition of our Newsletter this afternoon (20th November 2022). Filling 42 pages, it contains several interesting articles in addition to our usual reports on ASTT’s membership and activities. If any member has not received a copy of […]
ASTT’s 2022 Conference – Darlington – 15/16 October
ASTT’s 2019 Conference was successfully held at the Head of Steam museum in Darlingon over the weekend of 15/16 October with 28 members in attendance. This was a significant increase on our 2021 Loughborough conference, but numbers were constrained by concerns about rail travel because of the recent propensity for strikes. Covid caused at least […]
ASTT releases 1st Volume of its “Centenary Compendium” to mark L.D. Porta’s 100th birthday – 21st March 2022
Today, 21st March 2022, marks the 100th birthday of Livio Dante Porta, the Argentinian engineer who took over the mantle from Chapelon in continuing the development of steam locomotive technology through to the end of the 20th century and on to his death in 2003. ASTT is celebrating his centenary by releasing the first volume […]
Shaun McMahon: 1964 – 2022
We are deeply saddened to report the untimely death of Shaun McMahon. It is understood that he died in Buenos Aires from complications associated with Covid. Shaun began his railway career on the Ffestiniog Railway, joining the permanent staff there as a trainee technician engineer in 1984 when Phil Girdlestone was Works Manager. Thus began […]
Further bio-coal trials at the Bure Valley Railway.
The Bure Valley Railway, Advanced Steam Tractions Trust and the Heritage Railway Association have held a further set of trials to test bio–coal under more arduous working conditions. The first set of trials took place in June and tested the fuels under normal Bure Valley train operating conditions. The objective of the second trials was […]
2021 ASTT Annual Conference Presentations – NOW LIVE
For all those who attended or missed the 2021 ASTT conference at the Great Central Railway the presentations are now available for viewing. The presentations for the 2021 conference are as follows: USA – The Zenith of Steam – (David Pawson) Why did BR give up on Steam? Part 2 (Andrew Hartland) Turbine Locomotives 1910 […]
Porta Papers Volume 3 – Now on Sale
After a few set-backs and delays, ASTT’s latest publication “Selection of Papers by L.D. Porta – Volume 3” is now available for purchase through this website. It features 19 papers formed into three groups under the headings: Boilers, Fireboxes and Combustion. Full details can be found on the book’s sales page. This is the third […]
2021 Post AGM Presentations Now live
For those who attended or did not attend the 2021 ASTT AGM hosted on Zoom the presentations have now been uploaded to the site and are available at the link below. Please note that an active membership with the Advanced Steam Traction Trust is required to access this content
Steam ship returns to Switzerland with new engine
The DS Spiez has returned to lake operation in Switzerland, equipped with a brand new V-2 steam engine designed and built by Roger Waller through the auspices of his DLM company. A video of the ship on test can be seen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MZVIFrvIP4. The German description of the video says: “During this trial, the new […]
Red Devil & Other Tales From the Age of Steam OUT OF STOCK & Porta’s Papers Volume 3
Camden Publishing have informed ASTT that David Wardale’s book – Red Devil & Other Tales From the Age of Steam is now out of stock. Camden have also announced that no plans exist to produce another print run. It would be a shame to see this publication unavailable to our members and others interested in […]