As told by Jack Elliott in 2004.
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I developed an interest in steam and oil engines as a kid. When I was going to school, I wanted a traction engine - I knew I'd get one - one day.
A fellow at Markwood had one for sale when I was older and wanted 100 pounds for it. I didn't have 100 pounds and he asked me what I wanted it for and I said: "To restore it." He asked if I would pay 60 pounds and I said "Yes."
I had the money with me and paid him and he wrote me out a big official receipt.
The problem was then to get it home. I asked a few chaps with low loaders but they wanted about 3 pounds per mile to bring it home.
My local mates were interested in the traction engine and a group of us got together and the Steam & Oil Club was founded in 1970.
One day I was talking to Keith Woods who had a wrecking yard in Wodonga, and said: "Keith I've got a problem. I've got a traction engine down at Markwood, any idea how we can get it home to my place?"
He said: "Jack, that's no problem, I've taken dozens of them to the scrap yard".
He had an old J-bar Ford tow-bus and we went down one Monday morning, lifted the front of it and anchored the front wheels to the back of the truck, undid the steering, pulled out the drive pin and came out onto the Hume Highway at the Vine Hotel and towed it straight up the highway, home.
This would be about in 1948.
We came right into Wodonga, straight up High Street and out towards Leneva and got caught at the Castle Creek turn-off and booked for having an over-wide load.
The copper said: "What are you going to do with that bloody thing?" I said: "Take it home and restore it".
"Oh", he said, "you'd better get going quick, I didn't see you!"
It took quite a bit of restoring.
My parents thought I was mad.
But they let me keep it, and it's been here ever since.
I was a teenager when I bought it!
My local mates were interested in the traction engine and a group of us got together and the Steam & Oil Club was founded in 1970.
Visit the Wodonga Historical Society website to view its new online exhibition, "Impact of the Second World War on Wodonga and its Surrounds".
COVID restrictions permitting, the society meets on the first Tuesday of each month (except January) at 2pm in Wodonga Football Club Rooms, Vermont Street, Wodonga. Visitors welcome.
