Features
and Reviews
Celebrating
the ‘age' of Steam
In its
21st year, the Torbay Steam Rally Association celebrated by
bringing together over 50 full steam and miniature engines at
the Churston site, delighting audiences throughout the weekend
of August 4th and encouraging a new generation of enthusiasts.
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| Wandering around the fairground families
could enjoy testing out the rides that once would have been powered
by steam engines. Gleaming in amongst the crowds with their carefully
painted and polished parts, the engines and tractors were now
able to save their power for parading around the ring. |
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| At over 80 years old and the only one
left of its type in the world Jamie a young enthusiast stationed
himself upon ‘Supreme' (built 1923) where he was keen to talk
about the steam engine and its history. Having been built in Derby
as a Burrell's Showman's Engine it never took up life on the fairground,
but instead was bought by Sidney Jewell of Wadebridge and taken
to Cornwall where it was used as a tractor for many years before
being lovingly restored to its original Showman form, by Peter
Wright of North Devon. |
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| Needing to be filled up with another
15 gallons of water, miniature steam engine ‘Our Lizzie' was being
tended by John and his son. At half the size of Burrell S.C.C.
agricultural these scaled down versions of engines are still capable
of exerting great power. Many are home built, created over several
years and much more recent in age (Our Lizzie was built in 1990.)
In the ring these ‘ little giants' mixed with the full steam versions
evoking the ‘Golden days of Steam' and showing how many families
are still involved in this unique hobby. |
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| Celebrating their 100th Birthday ‘The
Princess Royal' (Pride of the South) visited the Torbay Steam
Fair for the first time, a Showman's engine which had seen many
years service in the fairgrounds and hauling the rides from site
to site. One engine which definitely did not show its age was
John Atkinson's Burrell Gold Medal Tractor which set a new record
for steam engines on June 28th taking 4 days, 18 hours and 44
minutes from John O'Groats to Lands End. Travelling for 874 miles
the team plan to give all money raised to the Renal Unit at Derriford
Hospital. |
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| Forming 21 years ago this was in fact
Torbay Steam Rally Association's 20th Event, as the Fair was cancelled
in 2001, due to the outbreak of Foot and Mouth. |
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The 2007 Fair was certainly packed with plenty to see and do,
including a massive collection of side stalls, displays and ringside
entertainment. Even so as this popular attraction continues to
expand, the driving force behind it is always the passion of a
few to keep ‘the age of steam' alive for generations to come.
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Features
and Reviews 
