Hi everyone. Now, I joke you not, but I'm not really a Steam Rally kind of person. I enjoy going to them, but I would normally put a railway first. However, I'm so glad that I didn't today, as I would have missed a fabulous display. The 2011 Torbay Steam Fair took place over August 5th-7th at its site near Churston, only a few miles from Brixham (Devon). As we were leaving for home today, I only had around 3 hours to check out the Rally which I thought would be more that enough time. But, again, I was very wrong! I did see everything but more time would have helped; there were just so many exhibits! It was a huge site, spread over around 4 fields if I remember rightly, not to mention the car parking too. At £6 per Adult for entry it was a bargain. I haven't featured all of the exhibits in this post, due to the sheer number of them(!), but I have included a good few pictures to give you an idea of the goings-on. The Rally, now in its 25th Year, is held annually. This year, according to the souvenir guide, there were THIRTY-THREE Full Size Engines, including Showmans, Rollers, Road loco's, Lorries and even a Fire Engine. There were also 25 Miniature traction engines of varying types, 88 Classic Cars, 44 Vintage Motorcyles, 54 Preserved Tractors, 39 Commercial Vehicles, 10 Miliatary Vehicles, 61 Stationary Engines as well as countless crafts, models, wildlife displays and even two miniature railways...
Now, just a few pics folks, to keep you entertained. Below, 1919-built "Firefly", a lovely Fowler Tiger Tractor...
Just a few of the many vintage tractors...
Just a few of the classic cars; a Ford Anglia is amongst them...
What a fabulous machine...
This white VW Beetle really caught my eye...
The Showmans Engines were here in very strong numbers today. This example is "King of the Belgians", a 1916-built Burrell. I must admit, a Steam Rally is a fantastic place to get up close and personal with engines such as these, with very little restriction...
As well as events in the Main Arena, there was a centralised area with a strong gradient, sectioned off from the public. This area seemed to be being used to give engines a good 'test'. The noise of them thundering back up the incline was something to behold indeed. This 1937-built Marshall 'S-Type' Roller made for a fantastic display of power on the bank, particularly as the safety valves were blowing! This engine is fitted with Marshall radial valve gear which includes a single eccentric for each cylinder...
Another feature of the Steam Rally, as per tradition, was the faithful Fairground Organ. I reckon there must have been 4 or 5 at least. These noisy examples were very interesting, for around 5 minutes (then I had to walk away!). However, the work that goes into them must be tremendous...
"Chimneys at Dawn"...
Perhaps the smallest engines in steam came from this expensive-looking display of Mamod models. Very nice little display indeed. I had my eye on the vintage car, they are fabulous models...
As well as main arena events, there were selective demonstrations too. Perhaps one of the most historic displays was that of the engine & threshing machine. Once upon a time, threshing engines were common-place on the farms and provided reliable and very useful service. "Attraction"; a Burrell Single Crank Compound engine of 1904; was providing today's display, linked via belt to a lovingly kept threshing machine. A lovely display and a pleasure to see...
Some of the miniatures that were going around were not so miniature in their own right! This Showmans engine in particular was huge...
Inside the craft/model tent there were a few very nice displays. Amongst them was a lovely fairground collection and an N Gauge model railway layout. There was also a collection of locomotives from the Swansea Society of Model Engineers. I had a chat with them for a while, about "Achilles" and CMES amongst other things. The best looking loco on their stand, from my point of view, was this very shiney little 3.5" 'Juliet' 0-4-0...
An Owl gives me the eye from one of the wildlife conservation displays...
1923-built Burrell Showman's Engine "Supreme" was one of only three examples of this type ever built. As you can well guess, "Supreme" is the last survivor of the three sisters...
Most of the line-up of the miniature traction engines which graced the arena. Click to enlarge if you wish! Too many to name them all but the view was fabulous. The huge Showmans model dwarfs its peers in the centre...
"King of the Belgians" and "Nightmare"; what a duo that would have been. "Nightmare" is a Foster A8 Road Loco, built in 1912. I've never seen an engine with such a huge bunker; it was carrying 7 people on its footplate (the entire family of the owner no doubt) thanks to all of the extra room. Not much more info on "Nightmare", only that she was driven to the fair all the way from Billericay (Essex)...in steam(!), hauling a Showmans trailer. Below, the Foster overtakes the Burrell in the arena...
Below we can see a pic of probably half of the full-size line up in the arena. Now, I'll have ONE go at naming them from left to right (click to enlarge the pic). First, Garratt "Lady Sylvia", then Aveiling "Major", Burrell "King of the Belgians", Foster "Nightmare", "Alice", Marshall "Toby", "Supreme" and two more unidentified examples (I tried folks!)...
Burrell Showmans DCC Engine "The Gladiator" (of 1909) chugs around the arena...
A beautifully restored, smokey Marshall...
The next engine in this post is one that really caught my eye; 1913-built "Wallace"; a Garrett Tractor. This is the engines first season in steam for around 50 years, following a full, extensive restoration. The engine is crewed by two youngsters, showing the popularity for steam even amongst the younger generations. This engine has had various new parts machined by its driver in the shot below, a 16-year lad with a fabulous engineering talent no less. Well done guys, fabulous job...
Did anyone ever see that show "Salvage Squad" where old rusting hulks were restored to their former glory? They made a few series of that show, with Madness frontman 'Suggs' as the presenter. The engine below, "Mary" of 1870, was the feature of one episode of "Salvage Squad". She is a Fowler Ploughing engine and looks fabulous. Though not a throughbred traction engine person myself, I love the Ploughers. They've just got something special about them, fabulous machines. "Mary" was a beauty...
More engines in the arena...
A Stanley Steam Car...
Now, another thing I haven't seen before(!). This engine carried trays in the smokebox in which can be cooked your jacket potatoes! I've seen potatoes cooked in a smokebox before, as well as lots of bacon on the shovel and pasties on the pressure gauges but, never in a specially built tray! Great idea!...
Another Plougher in attendence was this fabulously restored Fowler K7 of 1918. For me, her and "Mary" stole the show...
Well, THAT IS IT folks. Apologies for the huge length of the post but there was just so much to see and describe. It was a fantastic show; enjoyable indeed. Well done to all who took part and organised it. Well worth £6 of anybodies money! I hope you have enjoyed this rather different and very long post folks. Good evening!...
Hi everyone! Today we were taking a ride on the beautiful Paignton & Dartmouth Railway. The line runs daily between Paignton and Kingswear along its coastal route, and is operated for a profit. Preserved steam locomotives are used, in this case as a marketing ploy. However, the engines are professionally kept and operated to the highest standards so they are safe here. During the summer, two locomotives are operated each day. After spotting the two Western tanks out & about on Tuesday, I kind of expected that it would be them again today. However, yesterday, during a visit to Broadsands beach, the beautiful "Lydham Manor" crossed my path, taking the place of "Hercules" for the next few days. I was very pleased with this. Arriving at Paignton at around 10am, we purchased our tickets and prepared to board the train. Our locomotive for the outward trip; the chunky "Goliath"; was simmering in the sunshine at the end of the platform. For your interest, all PDSR locomotives and most of the stock have been given names. This is again another marketing ploy I believe but, of course, the 42/52xx tanks never carried names in service. At the back of our chocolate & cream rake, the wonderful "Devon Belle" Observation Saloon was waiting for custom. This fantastic coach is lovingly kept and very comfortable indeed. The large windows and open-plan layout provide the best possible views of the railway. The "Devon Belle"; one of only two examples in the world...
Our locomotive; the beautiful 52xx 2-8-0 No5239 "Goliath"; is seen below sitting in the sun. The engine was built in 1924 at the famous GWR Swindon Works. She was retired after a hard life in 1963, and preserved by the Dart Valley line in 1973 from Barry Scrapyard. The restoration work was transferred to Paignton in 1976 with the 2-8-0 entering service two years later. Apart from overhauls, the tank has been in regular use on the PDSR ever since, providing powerful and elegant service...
We rode the 10:30am train in the beautiful "Devon Belle" Saloon, enjoying the fantastic views over Torbay. The train made its leisurely way to Kingswear, through the sunny, coastal landscape whilst we sampled the delights of the Pullman lifestyle. I must admit, the coach is very comfortable indeed; beautiful design. At Kingswear, with the coach empty before the return trip, I managed to catch a few shots...
What a coach...
We left the train at Kingswear and proceeded towards the Foot-Ferry across to the beautiful riverside town of Dartmouth, which can be caught from just behind the station buffers. At the buffers, "Goliath" was waiting to run round, with a good fire in the box...
After a stroll around the bustling little town, we caught another Ferry back to the railway. We then had a quick look in the station visitor exhibition before the lovely Manor arrived. Pulling in tender-first from Paignton, the 4-6-0 looked wonderful. She is now the only PDSR engine in Authentic colours, following a repaint in May. After being uncoupled, the loco reversed towards the buffers before pulling forward again. She was then halted and handbraked, staggering the points. The crew then left her for their 30 minute lunch break. The Manor simmered quietly with 160psi on the clock and gauge glass isolated. The firehole doors were left open and the fire pretty much dead...
Now, that looks beautiful...
"Lydham Manor" was built at Swindon, but by BR (W) and not GWR, in December 1950. Of course, the GWR had already gone by this time. The Manor's were built for lightly loaded lines which couldn't take the weight of other 4-6-0s such as the Grange's and the Hall's, let alone the heavier Castle's and King's. In 1966, 7827 left service and was sent to Barry, no doubt rubbing shoulders with stable-mates "Goliath", "Hercules" and even the Standard 4 "Braveheart" whilst there. She was preserved and restored by 1973 to operate the first season of the Torbay Steam Railway. However, her claim to fame came earlier, in the late 1950s, when she once hauled the Royal Train, aided by sister Manor, No7828 "Odney Manor" (now preserved at West Somerset). The Manor is perhaps the most well-known PDSR engine, and the only one that carried a name in service...
With the engine staggering the points, she could be easily photographed yet not accessed by the public. Footplate access on the PDSR is a big no-no; probably due to insurance or health & safety seeing as it is a company and not a preservation society. Shame really, it has alot of potential. Other things that makes the PDSR a bit inauthentic are the signals. There are no semaphores, just colour-light signals. Also, apart from "Lydham", the loco's are painted in a PDSR-style of GWR Green, and not the proper type. Mind you, they look great, and I'm not being picky about it too much. Apart from these things, the line is beautiful and always well patronised. The coastal views on the Goodrington section are, in my opinion, the best in the country. Anyhow, the Manor was soon crewed again, allowing her to run round for the 2pm departure to Paignton. We boarded the front coach, with me leaning from the window as normal. I took some more film today too, at Kingswear and on the journey back. The loco is examined at Kingswear after arrival, and can then be heard charging up the bank towards Greenway Tunnel; fantastic. If you wish, have a little watch and a listen; the Manor sounds fab...
Following our lovely return trip, we watched "Lydham" run round and depart again. We then left after another comfortable, scenic and enjoyable visit. I would recommend this line to anyone, even enthusiasts. Though some people are very picky about the railway, you can't argue that the Manor is inauthentic anymore; why not pop down and see her?! She looks beautiful. A lovely railway. Thank you for reading folks. Good evening...
Hello there everyone. On our way down to the beautiful beach at Oddicombe, we rode the historic Babbacombe Cliff Railway once again. The 1926-built tracks carry passengers up and down the cliff for a reasonable fare. The cars start seperately; one at the top of the incline and one at the bottom. The cars then pass half way up/down the hill, before going their seperate ways again. It is a short but interesting journey, providing reliable service daily. The walk which you have to endure if you don't ride the railway is nothing short of 'testing' so it is best to ride! A fantastic little place. Evening all. Sam.
Hello everyone. As we're currently on holiday in Torquay, today I took a few hours to explore the coastal area alongside the local steam railway, with some favourable results...
The Paignton & Dartmouth Railway runs between Paignton and Kingswear, via Goodrington and Churston in Devon. The line is of course standard gauge, and runs as a business with steam trains operating daily. Locomotives are often ex-Great Western on this line, with a BR Standard 4 being the odd one out. The current running fleet is made up of three loco's; a Manor Class 4-6-0 and two Heavy Freight 2-8-0 tanks. Today's engines were the two Heavy tanks; 5239 "Goliath" and 4277 "Hercules". Both engines were hauling well patronised trains, often made up of ex-BR DMU Trailers. The locations that I filmed at today were between Goodrington Sands and Waterside, giving me the chance to capture the trains by the sea. One of the best views, though the track here is downgrade, is at Sugarloaf Hill. Below, "Goliath" descends past the hill on the edge of Saltern Cove...
The other Western tank; a 42xx rather than sister "Goliath" who is a 52xx; descends into Goodrington Sands above the beach huts. The trains have given this location a trademark look, with various departures being easily viewed from the comfort of the beach. I could sit here watching the trains all day, though I wouldn't mind a little more regulator when attacking the hill!...
Below, 4277 "Hercules" barks out of Goodrington Sands bunker-first. The PDSR crew; professional, paid staff; seem to be taking it alot easier departing this station than they used to. For example, the little Pannier that used to run on this line ("Ajax") used to roar out of there; mind you, she was smaller. The Heavy tanks do sound quieter, mind you, they are stupidly powerful and lovely looking things...
After watching a few trains make their way up and down the bank through Goodrington, we departed for Babbacombe. I hope you enjoy the film that I took and the small selection of pictures included. We will be riding the PDSR on Thursday, look out for a post on that asap. Thank you folks. Good day...
Hi all. After a nice afternoon at Ryton, I headed home in the bright sunshine. However, all was not over, as the 00 gauge Garden Railway was soon brought into action to run a few trains. The railway operated quite a few services until they ended at 5:30pm. I have included a few pictures for your interest. Below, the visiting A4 Pacific coasts past the house on a 5-coach train. The loco is just about to climb the steepest part of the bank towards Chilvers...
"Oh no!". The A4 pacific stalled on the final approach to Chilvers due to oily rails. The 45xx 2-6-2T was sent to aid the train. She has just 'buffered up' to the tail end of the 'Devon Belle'. The tank managed to get the train on the move again, with ease...
The Black 5 roars up Ashford Bank, running southwards with a heavy, fitted freight...
The BR-blue "Mallard" steams through the greenary above the Rockery...
'Steam Amongst The Petals'...
At Chilvers Loop, the 45xx tank clanks through on a southward freight of around 25 wagons...
4560 at Sutherland Curve...
Below, see a brief clip of 2 trains following eachother across the Rockery...OK "thats all folks!". Thank you for reading. The Garden Railway will continue to run at various points throughout the year, giving me some 'quiet time' away from the 'BIG Trains!'. Evening all, Sam...
Hello everyone. Today, under the lovely blue skies, Coventry Model Engineering held a Visitors Day at their Ryton pool track. An invitation had been given to the GEC Miniature Railway of Binley, to come along and run their locomotives on our 2000ft-long 3.5"/5" gauge route. I got to the track at around 11:30am. Already there were a few members of the GEC present, as well as a couple of loco's too. In the end, four GEC engines turned up; two steam, two electric. We had expected more engines but many members were either on holiday or going through loco overhaul's. Nevertheless, a nice, pleasant little turn-out. Due to the low number of loco's present from GEC, one or two CMES engines appeared on the RPMR metals. Reg (of CMES) brought along his latest locomotive, a lovely red 'Sweet Violet'; the 3.5" gauge Sweet Pea...
The Violet was out and about later in the afternoon, still undergoing trial runs. However, from what I could see, all seemed well. Lovely little engine. To compliment Reg's engine, the society's own Sweet Pea "John H Owen" was also pressed into service on 'Driver Training' duties. It is always interesting to see the two types running alongside eachother; shame we haven't got 7.25" to run a William too! Now to our GEC visitors. Stewart brought along his recently completed 0-4-2 Great Western 14xx 'Autotank', in 5" gauge. This engine is also undergoing running-in trials. Today, she seemed to be running just fine. Nice speedy little thing...
The other steam visitor was the Compound 4-4-0, built from Works Drawings I believe. This lovely example, in LMS Crimson, failed early in the afternoon. However, after a swift repair, she was back in action. Under repair...
With the repairs carried out, and the glasses showing a strong level, the engine waits for a resteam on the bays...
One of the electric's which turned up was "Percival"; a Ride-on-Railways 0-4-0 'Trojan', under the steam outline body. This loco was a consistent performer throughout the day and enjoyed countless laps of the track... 
The fourth and final GEC visitor was the club's own 0-6-0 Class 08 electric. This did a few laps before failing with battery problems. However, its the taking part that counts of course!...
CMES' own 'Pea' was going very well all day. Mind you, she is a top-class machine!...
Repairs underway...
The Great Western 14xx in the Arrivals Platform at 'Ryton Halt'. I love this livery...
The lovely little Western at Ryton Halt. She is fed by injector from the driving truck tank, and via bypass pump from the crosshead motion; with water being taken from the side tanks for the latter...
Preparations for resteam underway...
As well as the above mentioned loco's, CMES' two electrics; the 37 and the Slate Loco; also had brief stints on the track. I myself took the 'Slate Loco' 0-4-0 for a run, capturing the journey on film...
All in all, a nice little day at Ryton. I hope the GEC enjoyed themselves! I'll be back up at their track next Saturday (Aug 6th) for the 5" gauge Public Running, with "Achilles" in tow. Evening all. Sam...
Hi everybody. Today, with a good weather forecast, I was rostered to fire on GWR 2-8-0 No3803 at Shackerstone. Arriving at Shack at 6:20am, Dave was right behind me. Driver John duly arrived too. We then set about checking over 3803 in the loco shed, following signing on and getting tools ready. I lit the Great Western lady at around 7:20am, leaving us plenty of time to steam up as we weren't due off shed until 11am. Even better, the pressure gauge was still reading 50psi; great (so we thought!). At 8am, a Footplate Experience participant arrived, who we were not expecting at all! "Oh dear". So, we got 3803 ready asap and got out onto the Foot.Ex only 35 minutes after we should have done; at 9:35am. First we did the light loco trip to Bosworth and back, before returning to Shack to collect the 5-coach ECS for the second trip. This time, we went to Shenton and back. The participant seemed to enjoy himself; apologies for the misunderstanding, sir! After the Foot.Ex we got ready for the 5 public trips of the day; though we were already 10 minutes down due to the earlier confusion. 3803 was already steaming well; as usual; and we were soon out on the line with the first train. The sun was shining and the light breeze and blue sky made a perfect setting. Today, the loco was carrying a wreath for a founder member who passed away recently. 3803 at sunny Shenton...
Throughout the day, I fired whilst Mr Britt and Dave shared the driving. Due to the heat, it was a long and tiring day but we did it; no problem! 3803 was her usual self; a dream. This huge GWR masterpiece is so big that a 5-coach train doesn't test her one bit. Its a pleasure to be out on her on a day like this! Firing is easy. As long as you maintain a strong back end and keep an even bed of fire across the sloping grate, 3803 steams easily. The three Dampers also help. Normally, the Centre Damper is enough to keep steam up. However, I also use either the Front or the Back one as well as the Centre one when starting away from stations or when working hard. This gives better air-flow through the fire bed. With such a big boiler too, 3803 doesn't have any problems with water. On the approach to Shackerstone, the line descends down a bank. On smaller engines, the water level will decrease rapidly when topping the bank onto the downhill section. However, due to the overall size of 3803's boiler, and the massive amount of water in it, the drop is far less considerable. She is, by far, the best loco I've ever been on; closely followed by fellow Buckfastleigh-resident; No5542 the Small Prairie. At Shackerstone, after the second public train, 3803 arrives back with me resting in the Fireman's seat (C = D.Hanks)...
Mr Britt and Dave certainly provide an experienced and humorous crew. I always have a good day on with those two. Below, the crew pause as 3803 awaits the 'Right-Away' at Shackerstone. Dave is on the left, with Driver John in the centre and myself on the tender, waiting to stoke up ready for the climb up the bank (C = D.Hanks)...
With the "Right Away" received, 3803 chugs away from Shackerstone with the 5-coach train. The sun shone all day; it was lovely. I never thought in a million years that I'd be on a GWR 38xx, pulling out of Shackerstone holding a shovel ;) . The great shot below is another one by Mr Dave Hanks...
After our successful 3rd public trip, we briskly ran round ready for the 3pm train; which was running 7 minutes down. We had made a few minutes up but the heat and the lack of breaks were slowing us down; as were the stops at Bosworth. Nevertheless, a lovely day on the footplate of 3803. Below, 3803 slowly makes her way across the cross-over, towards the Signalbox. You can see me in the cab, taking a breather before yet more firing (C = D.Hanks)...
By the 5th trip, all three of us were getting very tired. Afterall, the last public trip for us completed a 6.5 trip day! So, really, we did 66 miles in a day; rather than the usual 40 or 50 of normal days. However, we managed the entire day without problem and it was fantastic. By 5:40pm, we were back in the shed and disposing of 3803. The day was a success, and very enjoyable. Thanks very much to Dave & John, as well as to Carl for sorting the day for me. I'm so tired now, I need some rest...work tomorrow...no rest ay?! Good evening everyone. Sam...
Hi everyone. Now, I joke you not, but I'm not really a Steam Rally kind of person. I enjoy going to them, but I would normally put a railway first. However, I'm so glad that I didn't today, as I would have missed a fabulous display. The 2011 Torbay Steam Fair took place over August 5th-7th at its site near Churston, only a few miles from Brixham (Devon). As we were leaving for home today, I only had around 3 hours to check out the Rally which I thought would be more that enough time. But, again, I was very wrong! I did see everything but more time would have helped; there were just so many exhibits! It was a huge site, spread over around 4 fields if I remember rightly, not to mention the car parking too. At £6 per Adult for entry it was a bargain. I haven't featured all of the exhibits in this post, due to the sheer number of them(!), but I have included a good few pictures to give you an idea of the goings-on. The Rally, now in its 25th Year, is held annually. This year, according to the souvenir guide, there were THIRTY-THREE Full Size Engines, including Showmans, Rollers, Road loco's, Lorries and even a Fire Engine. There were also 25 Miniature traction engines of varying types, 88 Classic Cars, 44 Vintage Motorcyles, 54 Preserved Tractors, 39 Commercial Vehicles, 10 Miliatary Vehicles, 61 Stationary Engines as well as countless crafts, models, wildlife displays and even two miniature railways...
Now, just a few pics folks, to keep you entertained. Below, 1919-built "Firefly", a lovely Fowler Tiger Tractor...
Just a few of the many vintage tractors...
Just a few of the classic cars; a Ford Anglia is amongst them...
What a fabulous machine...
This white VW Beetle really caught my eye...
The Showmans Engines were here in very strong numbers today. This example is "King of the Belgians", a 1916-built Burrell. I must admit, a Steam Rally is a fantastic place to get up close and personal with engines such as these, with very little restriction...
As well as events in the Main Arena, there was a centralised area with a strong gradient, sectioned off from the public. This area seemed to be being used to give engines a good 'test'. The noise of them thundering back up the incline was something to behold indeed. This 1937-built Marshall 'S-Type' Roller made for a fantastic display of power on the bank, particularly as the safety valves were blowing! This engine is fitted with Marshall radial valve gear which includes a single eccentric for each cylinder...
Another feature of the Steam Rally, as per tradition, was the faithful Fairground Organ. I reckon there must have been 4 or 5 at least. These noisy examples were very interesting, for around 5 minutes (then I had to walk away!). However, the work that goes into them must be tremendous...
"Chimneys at Dawn"...
Perhaps the smallest engines in steam came from this expensive-looking display of Mamod models. Very nice little display indeed. I had my eye on the vintage car, they are fabulous models...
As well as main arena events, there were selective demonstrations too. Perhaps one of the most historic displays was that of the engine & threshing machine. Once upon a time, threshing engines were common-place on the farms and provided reliable and very useful service. "Attraction"; a Burrell Single Crank Compound engine of 1904; was providing today's display, linked via belt to a lovingly kept threshing machine. A lovely display and a pleasure to see...
Some of the miniatures that were going around were not so miniature in their own right! This Showmans engine in particular was huge...
Inside the craft/model tent there were a few very nice displays. Amongst them was a lovely fairground collection and an N Gauge model railway layout. There was also a collection of locomotives from the Swansea Society of Model Engineers. I had a chat with them for a while, about "Achilles" and CMES amongst other things. The best looking loco on their stand, from my point of view, was this very shiney little 3.5" 'Juliet' 0-4-0...
An Owl gives me the eye from one of the wildlife conservation displays...
1923-built Burrell Showman's Engine "Supreme" was one of only three examples of this type ever built. As you can well guess, "Supreme" is the last survivor of the three sisters...
Most of the line-up of the miniature traction engines which graced the arena. Click to enlarge if you wish! Too many to name them all but the view was fabulous. The huge Showmans model dwarfs its peers in the centre...
"King of the Belgians" and "Nightmare"; what a duo that would have been. "Nightmare" is a Foster A8 Road Loco, built in 1912. I've never seen an engine with such a huge bunker; it was carrying 7 people on its footplate (the entire family of the owner no doubt) thanks to all of the extra room. Not much more info on "Nightmare", only that she was driven to the fair all the way from Billericay (Essex)...in steam(!), hauling a Showmans trailer. Below, the Foster overtakes the Burrell in the arena...
Below we can see a pic of probably half of the full-size line up in the arena. Now, I'll have ONE go at naming them from left to right (click to enlarge the pic). First, Garratt "Lady Sylvia", then Aveiling "Major", Burrell "King of the Belgians", Foster "Nightmare", "Alice", Marshall "Toby", "Supreme" and two more unidentified examples (I tried folks!)...
Burrell Showmans DCC Engine "The Gladiator" (of 1909) chugs around the arena...
A beautifully restored, smokey Marshall...
The next engine in this post is one that really caught my eye; 1913-built "Wallace"; a Garrett Tractor. This is the engines first season in steam for around 50 years, following a full, extensive restoration. The engine is crewed by two youngsters, showing the popularity for steam even amongst the younger generations. This engine has had various new parts machined by its driver in the shot below, a 16-year lad with a fabulous engineering talent no less. Well done guys, fabulous job...
Did anyone ever see that show "Salvage Squad" where old rusting hulks were restored to their former glory? They made a few series of that show, with Madness frontman 'Suggs' as the presenter. The engine below, "Mary" of 1870, was the feature of one episode of "Salvage Squad". She is a Fowler Ploughing engine and looks fabulous. Though not a throughbred traction engine person myself, I love the Ploughers. They've just got something special about them, fabulous machines. "Mary" was a beauty...
More engines in the arena...
A Stanley Steam Car...
Now, another thing I haven't seen before(!). This engine carried trays in the smokebox in which can be cooked your jacket potatoes! I've seen potatoes cooked in a smokebox before, as well as lots of bacon on the shovel and pasties on the pressure gauges but, never in a specially built tray! Great idea!...
Another Plougher in attendence was this fabulously restored Fowler K7 of 1918. For me, her and "Mary" stole the show...
Well, THAT IS IT folks. Apologies for the huge length of the post but there was just so much to see and describe. It was a fantastic show; enjoyable indeed. Well done to all who took part and organised it. Well worth £6 of anybodies money! I hope you have enjoyed this rather different and very long post folks. Good evening!...
