Great Central Railway

On the Great Central Railway, two stations have a particular theme, at Rothley the theme is very much Edwardian with genuine gas lamps, furniture and decor to match. However at Quorn Station the theme is 1940's. Just observe this restored office at Quorn station.

Great Central Railway

The main engine sheds are based at Loughborough and are full with locomotives of all descriptions awaiting restoration.

There is now restricted access to the engine sheds unless you have a permit. So this is about as far as you could go.

Great Central Railway

On Tuesday 29th January, me, Matt Bisp and his mum Ann visited the Great Central Railway which runs from Loughborough to Leicester North. The line closed to passenger traffic in 1969, but there are plans to extend the existing preserved line and link into Network Rail just north of the Loughborough engine sheds.

The photograph is 'Oliver Cromwell' departing Rothley towards Leicester.

New Year

Well we got rid of all that Christmas malarkey; soon be taking the decorations down and put into storage again. However New Years Eve and New Years Day are looming fast and the North Worcestershire Vintage Tractor and Engine Club will be holding its annual New Years Day road run, starting from S.E. Davis and Son, Astwood Bank.

Today I thought I would get my tractor out and see if it starts etc. It did so then I went on a little run round up to the showground at Stoneleigh and back. I wrapped up well and everything was fine. So now I am ready.

Boxing Day

Well Christmas Day has gone and our guests have finally departed. Its a good thing we have a dish washer, not sure what we would do without one now.

Our Christmas Day feast was British roast beef and Yorkshire pudding plus a selection of vegetables. My sherry trifle for desert was consumed in seconds.

There was of course the usual selection of beer, wine and spirits.

Only New Years now then back to normal, hallelujah!

Christmas Day. Merry Christmas to all of you!

Enjoy!

Merry Christmas to you all.

May you all have a Merry Christmas.

Listen to Kathleen Ferrier singing 'Silent Night' Beautiful and stunning voice. Sadly taken from this life in 1953. She died in a London Hospital from cancer.

The wonderful talent of a Lancashire lass.

EuroStar my arse! This is a proper winter scene and just look what they did to keep the trains running.

Judge the lack of yellow coats, hard hats etc. No European style health and safety malarky, just get on with it!

Great Central Railway

Roll on Tuesday 29th December, we shall be visiting the Great Central Railway and 78019 will be in steam.

This is the locomotive that me and Chris Beale drove for a short time in December 2008.

Well the winter is here and summer is long since forgotten, but when you sit at home in these dark, wet and cold days and nights, I shall try to dig out some photos from past events.

These photos were taken at out clubs Annual Vintage Gathering this last June 2009.

Now there is me complete with radio and yellow hi viz waistcoat trying to look important. I don't look very chairman like do I?

The other photo is Chris Beale (Maggot) talking to 'Auntie Ben'

This lady owns a stationary engine and is seen on many a rally field.

Photos courtesy S.E. Davis and Son.

New Years Day Road Run

On Friday 1st January 2010, the North Worcestershire Vintage Tractor and Engine Club holds its annual New Years Day Road Run. Starting from S.E. Davis and Son's vintage yard at 10.30am, this run will comprise mainly of vintage tractors but also a smidgen of vintage commercials and cars etc. Last year we had some 80 plus vehicles on the road.

This years run is approx 19 miles, including our refreshment halt at the Moat House, Coughton, Nr Alcester, Warwickshire.

Photos taken at this years run 1st Jan.2009

It is My Birthday!

Well today 29th November 2009 is my birthday.

We are off to Woodstock in Oxfordshire to visit my other sister Janet and husband Michael.

I really should have been with the boys today as it is wash out day and a lot of work to be done and I know I have let them down. However this is the latest we have ever been in washing out the engines and normally does not interfere with birthdays and stuff.

Anyway just a couple of pics for you to amuse yourselves over. The one with the beer can was taken this year at Evesham Steam Rally at Easter, the other we cannot put a date on. Taken by my old school friend Paul Townsend, who I met up with recently, on the Norfolk Broads.

We had several boating adventures over there, fantastic pubs! Just moor up and join the fun, but the real fun is finding your boat later in the dark and there are three distinct possibilities. Falling in; boarding the wrong boat; or finding the correct one.

Not sure of the date, but I would say about 1974.

NTET AGM

Following on from my last blog, just another couple of shots taken on Sunday 22nd November 2009 at S.E. Davis and Son.

Photos taken by Matt Bisp of 'Linkey' K7 Fowler ploughing engine with yours truly driving and Chris Beale as steersman.

NTET AGM

This last weekend, 21st and 22nd November, the National Traction Engine Trust held its AGM.

Following on from the formalities, many gathered at S.E. Davis and Son on Sunday for a threshing demonstration and a number of steam engines were in steam as an added attraction.

The weather was not up to standard however, but this did not deter a number of guest assembling at Astwood Bank.

Do you remember the movie, The Three Amigos?

Well here we have the Sandhills Farm remake. The 'Linkey' crew. An unscrupulous trio of layabouts. From left to right, Peter Waghorn, Mark Jones (owner of 'Linkey') and Chris Beale (Maggot)

Photo courtesy of Vicky Egginton, fiance to Paul Davis, many thanks.

Newark Tractor Show

On the 7th and 8th November 2009, The Newark Vintage Tractor and Heritage Show was held at the Newark and Nottinghamshire Agricultural Society showground.

Organised by the Showground in conjunction with the Nott's Group of the National Vintage Tractor and Engine Club, headed by David Green their Chairman and ably assisted by Pat Scarborough, National Secretary and Nott's Group member.

This was the largest and best event ever to date with some 800 plus exhibits.

The North Worcestershire Vintage Tractor and Engine Club was well represented as shown in the photographs. My Ford 2000 tractor was supported by two smaller garden tractors exhibited by Matt Bisp and his family. Together with photographs and other literature ensured the stand was well appointed.

I must thank the Bisp family for their support together with Jon Boyce also from the same club.

Well done to you all.

Pictures courtesy of Matt Bisp.

End of Season

The End of Season usually spells completion of events, wash out and bed up for the winter. Now that's just the engines, as for the owners and crew that is a different matter.

Sometimes things can drag on a little bit, for example me and Chris took 'Linkey' to a bonfire party at Maurice Allely's farm last weekend, the 14th November, and on Sunday 22nd November some of the engines will be in steam for a demonstration in conjunction with the NTET AGM.

However here is a small selection of photos taken by Matt Bisp of 'Linkey' at the End of Season' held October 31st 2009.

You can see more photos of steam and vintage tractors on Matt's blog.
tractorlad-at-the-steam-rally.blogspot.com

End of Season

Now here we are at 'The Moat House' at Coughton, near Alcester in Warwickshire.

Yet another shot of 'Linkey' and living van on the way to Coughton, but as you can see from the others, Chris is reversing the engine for parking for the night with Matt Bisp steering. Now Matt was not expecting to join us. He came to the yard in the morning to take some pics and I thought it would be a wonderful experience for him to join us on the run, so a seat was found in Bob Davis's trailer and he therefore came with us for the entire run.

The other shot is all the engines lined up before much merriment was had by all in the pub that night!

End of Season

Now one task that is always performed with the steam boys in what we call 'the end of season' steam run and social gathering.

There were several engines in steam that weekend of 31st October 2009. We left Davis's yard sometime on Saturday morning and called at 'The Why Not' on the Evesham road for breakfast. Following on from that we all assembled at 'The Green Dragon' at Sambourne for another social interlude.

From there most of the engines went onto 'The Jubilee' for quaffing of more ale, but Chris Beale and me took 'Linkey' direct to 'The Moat House' at Coughton as we were the slowest engine.

The photo is taken on the way to Coughton with living van and Land Rover in tow.

Severn Valley Railway

Monday 26th October, we all had a day out on the Severn Valley Railway. Meeting at Kidderminster, there was Matt, his mum and dad, Chris with grandad and mate Jake plus me.

Tornado was in steam that week because it was half term so the place was busy. However it was a lovely day weather wise and we all finally got to have a ride with Tornado heading the stock.

Having had reserved seats, we sat in a 1930's carriage having just been restored to the tune of £120,000. This carriage was largely made from teak and it was an excellent restoration.

A good time was had by all and we returned home later that evening.

Back again!

Sorry folks, it has been a long time since I last updated this blog. My old computer blew up!
No seriously, we identified a serious fault in the motherboard, so a trip to PC World was in order, and here we are.
Don't worry, I will now be sorting through the photo selection, so please be patient and shortly I shall return and bring you all up to date.

Cheltenham Steam Rally

Well that all folks, its all over. No not the blog, the steam rally season as far as Linkey is concerned.

We all assembled at Cheltenham this last weekend. The rally site is part of the Cheltenham Racecourse overflow facilities right by the Gloucester and Warwickshire Railway. A wonderful setting.

The rally was fully booked and my young friend Matt Bisp and his Dad were not able to exhibit their little garden tractors. However they did come and visit us on Saturday and brought Mum with them. At the end of the afternoon, Matt had the chance to steer Linkey with me at the controls, then afterwards I let him have a go on my Ford 2000 tractor. I really think he enjoyed the day. Next year Matt you get booked in early!

The weather on Saturday was perfect, and much ploughing was done. Michael Davies from Avon Dassett in Warwickshire provided the other Fowler ploughing engine, 'Achilles'. John Garman presented the plough we used and we got on with it. The evening was cool, quite and we had a BBQ for several of us. Big Dazza was elected to cook and we all had a splendid time. I was the last man standing again, or at least I think it was standing.

However Sunday was the reverse. It rained and the day was effectively ruined. We had to take the engines out of a hole in the hedge and up the main road. Michael Davies's engine had that much mud on it that at 20 tons it slid across the road and up the curb. On witnessing this we cleaned Linkeys wheels so we did not suffer the same fate.

Anyway we all got home in good order and now looking forward to the steam boys end of season run on Saturday October 31st.

Steam Boys at Night

Oh dear, I was reminded to post one of the pics taken on the Saturday night in Cheshire at Mike Priestner's 'do'

Well here I am talking to 'safety' Kev a little the worse for wear. Kevin brought over from Europe some very strong beers, ranging from 8% upwards to 12% and more.

We had a good time and still got up on Sunday morning, had breakfast and steamed up!

North Yorkshire Moors Railway

Well the steam rally season is drawing to a close. Next weekend 10th and 11th October I shall attend the Cheltenham Steam Rally, held on land adjacent to Cheltenham Racecourse and very close to the Gloucester and Warwickshire Railway.

A fantastic event organised by preservation enthusiasts. ' Linkey' will be there steam ploughing again and this time my Ford 2000 tractor will be in the tractor line up.

The next event for me after that will be the Newark Tractor show held on 7th and 8th November on the Newark showground, then that is it!

My thoughts at this time go towards steam railways. I will be visiting the Great Central on Sunday 24th October with Matt Bisp, but my real inclination is to visit the North Yorkshire Moors Railway sometime over the winter months. I just love Yorkshire and this railway. Perhaps I may just check out the winter timetables and go up for a couple of days. The photos are Levisham in the winter.

Garden Railroad Harz German Steam Engine

Now this is something I have fallen in love with. A fantastic little video I found on YouTube recently.

This a video that will draw your attention away from all your problems and leave you at peace with yourself.

Just listen to the sound track, music is 'Ave Verum Corpus' composed by W.A. Mozart in 1791 to celebrate Corpus Christi.

Just relax, watch and enjoy!

Steam in Cheshire

Sometimes it is difficult to get photos of Linkey in transit on The Mack.

I arranged with Matt Bisp from Rubery to wait patiently in a lay by for us to pass up the A38 towards the M5 from Bromsgrove.

Matt is a young man, who with his dad hopefully will be joining the North Worcestershire Vintage Tractor and Engine Club in January.

Well done Matt and thank you for the photographs. More will follow.

Matt is also going to start his own blog, so he will link with mine and then you will have two excellent and fantastic blogs to study.

Steam in Cheshire

Yet another little video of me on Linkey on Saturday morning.

Fortunately the weather was cloudy but kind all weekend and a good time was had by all.

Now this land I understand is owned by the NT, but managed by local farmers etc.

Mike Priestner is an excellent engineer and his yard and workshop have to be seen. This event however is private and is open to invited quests and their respective crews only.

On Sunday after a hearty breakfast, (no hangover!) I spend most of the day on the scuffle. This is an interesting agricultural machine and would you believe it is the first time I have ever handled it solo. I enjoyed this very much.

However Sunday afternoon arrived and it was time to clear up, load up and return once again on the M6, but this time it was a doddle, one of the best I have had on the M6 for some considerable time.

Steam in Cheshire

This last weekend, Linkey was on the way up the M6, with Mark Jones driving, Christopher Beale as passenger and me behind in the Disco.

Due to typical driving conditions on the M6 on Friday night it was passed 9pm when we pulled into Mike Priestners yard in Altringham.

After a welcoming plate of curry and chips plus a glass or two of ale we retired to our beds to restore our energy for the weekends ploughing and other work.

I spend most of Saturday on the engine as you can see here from the video taken on a simple Canon Pureshot camera by Chris Beale from Little Comberton.

We then roaded with other engines to the pub for a quite social interlude steam fashion before returning to Mike Priestners home for a typical steam gathering.

John Johnson from Banks in Lancashire brought down his organ and road locomotive, Mike had his showmans in steam plus three other engines including Linkey all in his back yard!

Mike's hospitality was fantastic, the spread was enjoyed by all and there was an excellent barrel of free beer to finish off. I sampled some other stronger European beers as well and needless to say it was a good thing I was not driving that night!

Bedford Steam and Country Festival

One of the main reason for going to Bedford was the return of the two sister engines, 'Linkey' and 'Sevington'. They have not been together for a number of years, let alone working together. Most ploughing engines were indeed made in pairs and this was the occasion to see them at their best.

I thought that I would publish the other photo of 'Linkey' loaded in the lorry park at Bedford on Sunday evening ready for departure.

The 'Mack' was driven by Ed, one of Mark Jones's work associates who has indeed got the appropriate licence to drive this unit. On arrival incidental we found that the Mack had a puncture in the rear nearside tyre. As this in an American left hand drive truck, the wheels and tyres are also American and non standard to this country. Fortunately it was the inner tube that had the puncture and a repair was effected.

Bedford Steam and Country Festival

These are two photographs from this last weekend in the Old Warden Park, Bedford. The one photo clearly shows the plough used in this type of work. This plough belongs to Mr John Garman from Shropshire.

The other photo clearly states the sort of chaos we achieve when we go to steam rallies. The previous evening we sat out 'till quite late with a BBQ and several alcoholic beverages. This is normal for steam enthusiasts. I have to say though that when we depart on a Sunday evening, every last piece of litter is collected and disposed of!

This year Chris and I had our work cut out, and after I had the engine on Saturday, I decided to join Sam on the plough, which I enjoyed very much. Chris was on the engine for most of the time on Sunday and he is an excellent puller.

Bedford Steam and Country Festival

This last weekend I attended the Bedford Steam and Country Festival, located at The Old Warden Park. This is indeed a lovely country park setting, and the ploughing field allocated to us was just outside the limits of the park. Our camp was by a small lake overflowing with fish. At night you went to sleep listening to the hoots and screeches of Barn and Tawney owls.

This is just an 11 second video taken on my Canon Power Shot by Chris Beale. We were ploughing with 'Sevington', the sister engine to 'Linkey'

Forest of Arden Ploughing Match

Today just outside the village of Haselor, nr Alcester in rural Warwickshire, the Forest of Arden Agricultural Society held its annual ploughing match. There were some 116 exhibits working over an extensive area.

This is a well organised event with display of rural crafts and competitions. The attendance from the public was excellent and a good time was had by all.

I have just posted some of the photos I have taken today, and if I have time tomorrow before going off to Bedford Steam and Country Festival I will post some more.

Sorry for the delay in updating the blog, yesterday the sever was down, however, there are just a small selection of photos taken this year at the Great Dorset Steam Fair.
The weather could have been better. Wednesday was a wash out, and there was plenty of mud. But as the week went by the weather improved so that by Sunday the final day we were all able to pull off dry.
I thought the show was a little quieter this year, although I am not party to the attendance figures I think they were down from previous years.
We had a number of visitors on the North Worcestershire Vintage Tractor and Engine Club stand. It was good to have amongst the visitors a number from the club.
Steve Crump from Stourport on Severn attended this year once again with two American commercials. Steve also brought a grey Fergie TE20 and exhibited on the stand. He and his son George, lady friend and newly borne baby girl helped out on the stand each day. Many thanks.
Jon Boyce who books the stand in could not attend until the Thursday. He arrived by 8am and was provided with a full English breakfast and tea.