CATMAN ON T.V. I need some help

[MARTYN WILLIAMS]

This is one of the videos now on Ebay.
Worth getting to see how much fun we have in the UK with our machines.
Martyn

[Mike Meyer]

This is one of the videos now on Ebay.
Worth getting to see how much fun we have in the UK with our machines.
Martyn

Hi Martyn, I bought that DVD in Oz about 3 months ago(cost 14 pounds) and watched it twice, then sent it to our fellow member "Lyoncat" who enjoyed it enormously and returned it to me only a few days ago, and I watched it again for the third time with great enthusiasm on the weekend, so I could then send it to my dead Fathers best friend, and my best friend, Gwynfred Oram, a 80 year old man (originally of Welsh ancestry) who spent his farming life on old Cats here in Oz, and for your info., he is married to a real, born in England "Pom", or "Limey", or more appropriate "English Lass", as I too am married to a "Pom", a lass from Hertford, the main town in Hertfordshire as you are aware. (I've been to the U.K four times just in case anyone was worried I was a Anglophobe)
The scene from that excellent U.K produced DVD where the old chap is asked what it was like to drive the 22 again, sums up exactly what we are trying to do with our hobby does'nt it Martyn (in some cases like Omnitrac and Willie, Dunefanatic, and maybe even Catman, it's a profitable business selling old Cats to others, but that's irrelevant, because we are saving them from the scrappers), the old fellow on that DVD was lost for words and was set to break down emotionally wasn't he, he was so happy to be driving a Caterpillar 22 again. I say well done, and if you were part of that DVD production even better, it was excellent and there should be more of them!
The sad issue with Chapter 2 was played out publically for everyone to watch and I for one squirmed daily reading the ACMOC posts from the United Kingdom as the implosion occured, because it seemed there were two factions in the UK Chapter 2 each with different agendas and it was drawn out for so long, like a pantomime of rock throwing in a glasshouse.
The Golden Rule of Life is simply that the man with the gold, makes the rules. If Rolls Royce, or Bentley, decided to protect their marque with the gusto and enthusiasm recently demonstrated by Caterpillar, perhaps the United Kingdom could regain some credibility and financial stability as a major manufacturing nation, because we all in Australia grew up with Morris Minors, M.G's and Mini's, plus Jaguars, Rolls Royces and Bentleys in the 1960's and 1970's (the Mini was a great car, my wife had one), not to mention B.S.A motorcycles, Triumphs (my oldest brother had a "Road Rocket 3", while I still have a Francis Barnett "Merlin", from 1948), plus the Vincent HRD's, what a beautiful creation, sex on 2 wheels I say, the first production road motorcycle to break 100mph wasn't it. Just look at the first motorcycles built by Honda, exact copies of the BSA Bantom, so much for protecting British intellectual property.
Anyway, this is not about "Pommy Bashing", this is the heartfelt feeling of amazement and sadness that 300 smart people in the U.K were unable to negotiate a reasonable agreement with their "parent" founders, ACMOC, so that our sizeable Association could continue to gather momentum and integrity, and most importantly, international companionship under the Caterpillar banner.
Yes, the Chapter 2 folks will form their own U.K group under a different "Track Tractor" banner or whatever, and I'm sure they will prosper in their own local way, but your International brothers and sisters have lost a sibling or branch who gave them extra credibility and negotiating power at the big American table, the original, and current home of Caterpillar Inc., and we are after all, collecting old Caterpillars, not Bentleys or Rolls Royces, nor Triumphs, B.S.A's, Cletracs, Massey Fergussens or Internationals.
Yes, Chapter 2 have possibly won a minor battle and certain members are possibly feeling smug right now over "a pint at the local", after telling the Yanks to "bugger off" in a Boston Tea Party reversal, but really, they just lost the big war and have unfortunately in my opinion, lost some credibility with their international Caterpillar breathren who grew tired of the petty Chapter 2 nonsense, grown intelligent men who could not negotiate an appropriate resolution, till the unbeleviable situation happened that they were kicked off the " ACMOC Team" for life, Red Carded as it were.
I'm still gobsmacked at the finality of it all. A plane ticket from England to the U.S.A is what, $US300, and no one in the U.K thought it appropriate to negotiate a settlement face to face, man to man, to prevent this fiasco? I can't help feeling this issue has caused our much respected Moderator, "GWH" to resign early, but I can't speak for him.
We all need to remember the Golden Rule Of Life as I mentioned earlier, because you and the U.K Caterpillar collectors will still be trudging in to the local Caterpillar Dealer to buy expensive, though high quality parts to restore your old Cats, it is an interesting irony there isn't it, and, I assume your fellow collector Catman and others will still want access to the ACMOC "For Sale" section, along with ACMOC technical support through the "Discussion" section even though they have been "Blackballed" for life, no parole as it were.
Quite frankly, and I do not wish to appear blunt like my earlier post, but I think Caterpillar and ACMOC have really won because the British, Scottish, Welsh and Irish members of Chapter 2 no longer have a legitimate nor legal voice at the negotiating table of ACMOC, being persona non grata as it were. I might add, if Catman continues to boast of moving overloaded containers around the world and filming their unpacking you may wish to warn him not to advertise it, because Lloyds of London, and their "Names" (many of whom live in Australia), not to mention their Lawyers, will be very happy to haul him through the Courts if God forbid, some tragedy befalls that container on it's journey to his home.
That is what made me so cross when I read his post about being a movie star Martyn, and I'm sorry if it appeared rude because I'm not normally so frank, but if one child is killed by the truck carrying his overloaded container of old Caterpillars across England as it skids through a school crossing unable to brake in the wet, frosty or icy conditions on your winter roads, I will be apoplectic with rage. We Caterpillar collectors have developed an enviable reputation for integrity since 1925 and it would be a shame if that reputation was tarnished by the apparently cavalier and seemingly illegal activities of a handfull. I'm sure you would agree.
As for the historical lesson on WW1 and WW2, I was sorry to add that to my original response to Catman because it would appear as a knee jerk and emotional response to the topic being discussed, but after 6 years of living in California I was gobsmacked at the number of Americans who were unaware Aussies, New Zealanders and Canadians had even fought and died in WW1, or WW2, forget Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan. 10% of Australia's men and boys (as young as 14) died in Europe just in WW1, not to mention WW2, and my duty as a man is to protect and acknowledge their ultimate sacrifice. Americans are rightfully proud of their battlefield honors, I don't think it hurts to remind them we were standing, and falling alongside them as brothers in arms protecting your freedom.
That gives my life some integrity Martyn, remembering and honouring the sacrifices of those brave boys in far away lands, just like restoring my 12 old Caterpillars, they go hand in hand. It's all about men, their machines, and their integrity. May those real hero's rest in peace.
Mike Meyer

[Billy-]

This is one of the videos now on Ebay.
Worth getting to see how much fun we have in the UK with our machines.
Martyn

Marty

I love that DVD, i got it and have watched about 50 times and enjoy it more and more everytime . My favourite bit is that big D8H windin her turbo up near the end. That reminds perhaps i might watch it for the 51st time before i go to bed

[MARTYN WILLIAMS]

Yes you are dead right about the old boy on the 22, he has been to many events over the years.We all get on great with our fellow enthusiasts from across the pond and OZ.
You may have seen from a previous post of my D2's original owner came 200 miles to be reunited with his old steed.He was in tears as I started the old girl up as he recorded it.He last drove it in 1957. Also at some of our events we had some disabled kids sit on our machines,the joy on their face was fantastic.These things make our hobby so enjoyable.
As far as spares in the UK,there are a few independant firms that can supply most things for our machines.The internet has also made things easier.
It is a sad fact that engineering manufacturing is in a sad state in the UK.
I done my apprenticeship in Swindon Railway works,this was THE place to get trained in railway engineering.The ghosts of Brunel and Churchward still haunt the place.It was a fantastic place to learn a skill.
There are no factions within the club,it was sad to see us split away but was coming two years ago.
We have only the friendship left with you all on this board as most other things like parts can be obtained elsewhere.
GWH seem to be a smashing bloke who will be missed and I know he had symathy for our cause.
Things have moved on now, as we come close to 2010 I am pretty sure that things will turn out ok for both ACMOC and the new GB club.
We still have the common aim,to preserve old machinery.
Hope you all have a good Christmas and a better 2010.
Thanks
Martyn

[MARTYN WILLIAMS]

A fair bit of work was done by our committee to try and resolve the issues.But it was dragging on for months with the goal posts moved a few times.Chapter 2 nearly was the first ACMOC,we were beaten by the yanks into second place I have seen all the emails that went to and fro across the pond.A LOT of work was put in.Don't see it has a battle won.Just sad it ended that way.
I think we have made the right move as membership had remained loyal for years but had not grown.We need to get young blood into the hobby as we are turning into.or are old farts
People want value for money these days with the present economic climate.
So we have got to put on good events to get people interested,the days of lines of tractors at static displays have gone.Working days are very popular in the UK. A lot of us restore other makes now,I H tractors and many other makes are now in peoples collections.
Anyway,as long as we can enjoy our hobby thats the main thing,they are also better investments than money in the bank.Thats what I tell my wife when another machine turns up.Don't think she is that convinced as yet

[Mike Meyer]

I have just received a nice email from Catman in which he explains the overloaded shipping container was an honest mistake, and he is doing everything in his power to resolve the issue legally. I think we are all often amazed at how a seemingly small Caterpillar part can weigh so much, and I appreciate him taking the time to contact me, I wish him the best with his collection.
I sincerely hope the Caterpillar collectors of the British Isles, formally of Chapter 2, can develop a new strong club where our hobby can be enjoyed by all and that the lines of communication between the ACMOC members and this new group remain civil and constructive. The Caterpillar family is steadily growing internationally and I'm certain we could all benefit from a unified voice when raising key issues with Caterpillar Inc..
I look forward to hearing news of this new British club as it evolves and hope they have the opportunity to produce more outstanding DVD's like the "Working Crawlers" we have just discussed, as it was a credit to the creators and I'm obviously not the only one to thoroughly enjoy it, as our younger Aussie Caterpillar fanatic, "Billy" attested.
I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year.
Mike Meyer

[ubucat]

That was a little much about a slightly overweight container. Sounds like a typical farm truck going to market. Just like a normal day at my farm. That's why they sell overload permits. Probably more of an issue on the ship than on land. Did the pirates really steal the ship with the container? Just wanted to lighten it up some.

[gauntjoh]

Hi Mike,
I must correct you on one point. The Working tractors dvd/video was not produced by Chapter 2. We cannot prevent visitors from using video cameras when visiting working events, and in fact there was some disagreement between Chapter 2 members who organised the event and the producers of this video as I understand that the producers neither made any donation to club funds nor to charity, whilst they profited commercially from the dvd/video.

I apologise if I am moving away from the subject of this thread, but I feel that I cannot allow untruths to go uncorrected.

I too wish all our "readers" a happy Christmas and prosperous New Year.

We certainly have seasonal weather in the UK this morning, with approx 3 inches of snow !! I guess the odds on a white christmas here have improved somewhat as a result !

[MARTYN WILLIAMS]

As I stated earlier in this thread,the video was produced by Primetime video,they made a very good job of it but,as John says they could have donated to the club or even good causes the club supports.
Anyway,it did show how people enjoy themselves at these events.
Perhaps the new club can produce its own video.
I filmed and produced a video about 20 years ago of a locomotive recovery job in the UK using two 75 tonne cranes.
I might put an extract of it on youtube.Just need to work out how to do it
We used to have a programme called Salvage Squad on the TV,I contacted the producers to see if they wanted to film a D2 5 J restoration,they lost the funding to continue the series just as I was pushing to get it done.
Martyn
Hope Catmans container gets to the UK safely so he can restore more machines.
Have a good Christmas Byron.

[B4D2]

Martyn, please do post a link if you ever decide to upload your locomotive video to Youtube. I for one would like to see it. Me and some friends have taken hundreds of slides from derailment scenes whilst recovery was underway. Unfortunately, they have the slides. I have asked on several occasions for copies, to no avail.