The Cromford Steam Rally...

Hi guys. Today myself and Maisie had been invited up to see the Cromford Steam Rally, by a new acquaintance of mine who I met during the MTEW that I organised in April. There were just over 50 miniature steamers in various scales, with the largest being a superb (and huge!) 9" scale Burrell Road Loco. The full size engines were also numerous with over 30 examples on the rally field, of varying types, makes and sizes. As well as the steam exhibits there were countless tractors, commercial vehicles, cars, 'pop-pop' barn engines, fairground rides and of course trade stands. There was a lot to see so, rather than describe everything, I thought I would just add a lot of pictures of what we saw..

Right then. Above we see A.Baker's immaculate Fowler Roller "Survivor" and P.Warwick's matching Organ "Alpen Rose". I found this pair particularly impressive and the Roller has to be the best kept roller I have ever seen! Below we can see just three of the countless vintage Tractor's heading down to the Arena...

A Foden steam wagon; probably 3" scale by the look of it; simmers away...

The Foden wagon's certainly seemed popular at this rally and the one below particularly caught my eye. The owner tells me that he didn't want his 4.5" Foden to look like the rest and so he made it as a Fire Engine look-a-like...

Now for an engine that I gladly had at MTEW...4.5" Foden "Heather"...

Below, two 'big' Burrell's. The one on the left is a 6" Road Engine, and the one on the right is the huge 9" Burrell...

Now...the next photo sort of begs the question..."Why did they not build a full size one?". This 9" Burrell was extremely impressive and very, very large indeed! At 3/4 scale it is a very big engine and is definitely the biggest 'Miniature' I have ever seen...

Another visitor to MTEW was 3" Burrell Showmans "The Griffin" and her organ (which she powers via dynamo)...

Yet another Foden...this time a 6" one...

And another MTEW attendee...beautiful 6" Garrett Showmans Tractor "Michael"...

A full size engine...

Foster Traction Engine "Sprig", which is a rally stalwart around these parts...

Three 'big boys toys' line up...

Now for something really special. Below is "Lord Nelson"...a beautiful Burrell Showmans Engine. I find many full size engines impressive but an immaculately turned out Showmans really is something else...a work of art some might say.

A few of the full size engines lined up...

Something different...a pair of Case Traction Engines. I find them a little strange looking!...

Below, a pair of Garratt's stand together..."Michael" the 6" Showmans and a 4" Agricultural...

Yet another MTEW visitor, and a very welcome one too...6" Burrell "Wandering Star". This is a very big miniature...at about 3 tons in weight!...

Finally, a little Burrell steaming well...

The photo's above show only a minimum of what was on offer but it does give you a little idea at least! It was a very impressive rally and we did enjoy it very much. Next stop...the biggest Steam Show in the World..."THE GREAT DORSET STEAM FAIR"...Cheers guys...Sam...