Can any of our readers provide information on the use of steam
traction engines in Singapore, and whether any engines can be found
there today?
We ask this question because a friend of ours sent us a bookmark
with what appears to be a steam traction engine on it, in an
envelope stating this was a souvenir of Singapore.
The friend, Andrew Torchia, is head of the Associated Press
Bureau in Stockholm, and travels while on vacation.
He sent the souvenir with the cryptic question: ‘A steam
machine from Singapore?’
Evidently he did not have the time to do his own research
probably had to travel on to his next destination.
Andy knows of our interest in steam and IMA from the time he was
with the Associated Press in London. We always did research on
steam when we went there.
On one of our trips, we were con ducted about London in a steam
lorry owned by Denis Brandt, who at that time was public
information officer for the National Traction Engine Trust.
The trip on which Denis conducted Margaret and me took us right
into the heart of the big city Trafal-gar Square. Big crowds were
there for the Lord Mayor’s Parade. The program included an
appearance by the Queen. People asked if we were part of the
celebration. Luckily, Denis had enough coal to steam up for the
return to the lorry’s storage shed.
