Yorkshire Break part 2

On Saturday 30th October we caught the 9am train from Pickering to Whitby. What a difference a day makes. The sun was out, the wind had dropped and a good time was had by all. From some of these shots you can see just how bright and sunny it was in the harbour area. Whitby is a town a really do like, but don't go on Halloween weekend, the place is full of 'Goths'

This is the old lifeboat, no longer in service doing that, just simply now for pleasure.

This is Elizabeth the steam bus in service. A Sentinel built vehicle was originally a flat bed lorry. For a small charge this bus takes you round the town, and a jolly good ride she is!

Ah, now we have just returned from Whitby, and here is our train standing at Grosmont. This is 45428, a 'Black Five' 4-6-0 locomotive named 'Eric Tracey'. This loco has a main line ticket.

'Sir Nigel Gresley' at Grosmont awaiting departure for Pickering.

And here is 'Sir Nigel Gresley' on her way up towards the Grosmont Motive Power Depot, and on to Pickering

At the Grosmont Motive Power Depot, we have her locomotive 76079 at the coaling tower. This a BR Standard Class 4 2-6-0

Awaiting our departure for Pickering. Not a pleasant journey this time. The service was very busy, and despite out efforts we were joined by a family with an uncontrollable child. I am not a child lover!!

Yorkshire Break part1

On the weekend of Halloween, we had arranged to go and visit North Yorkshire for two or three days. Of course this meant that I missed the 'End of Season' run yet again. Sorry guys! On arrival up in Yorkshire after a trouble free journey, I decided that we had time and sufficient light to have a drive up the Whitby Road from Pickering, where we were staying. As a railway lover I just insisted that we have a drive around and see what was happening. It was a Autumn Steam Gala week, so several locomotives were in steam including 'Sir Nigel Gresley' a A4 Pacific.

'Sir Nigel Gresley' leaves Goathland for Levisham and Pickering on Thursday 28th October.

All those who watch 'Heartbeat', hands up! You may just recognise these next pics.

The Aidensfield Arms.

The Aidensfield Stores.

On Friday 29th October we visited Scarborough, it was a grey, blustery day and some of the fleet were in harbour.

This stern trawler was effecting some repairs and the nets also needed attention.

Later on in the day we visited Bridlington, what a dump!

Please do not ever visit Bridlington, it really is the poor relation to Scarborough. It is so run down. The quality of the shops is poor, those that were open of course! I was so disappointed and needed to get out quick.

NWVTEC Ploughing Match

Last Sunday, 24th October, in cold but bright conditions, North Worcestershire Vintage Tractor & Engine Club member Tony Latham organised the annual ploughing match at Harry Smith's farm just south of Bidford on Avon, Warwickshire.

Here with a selection of photographs from that event.

This is Joe Derby from Hopwood, South Birmingham on his International. Joe fully restored this tractor.

This is club safety officer, Ron Turner from Solihull on his Little Grey 'Fergie'

Another grey 'Fergie', this time with Neill Lobb from Tamworth. Warwickshire

Pete Summers from Sambourne on his Fordson Standard. This tractor has been in the family from new, it belonged to his Grandad. Pete attends numerous events during the year.

Willie Finnegan is a comparative new comer to the club on his 'Fergie' Willie is one of the principle organisers of the Birmingham St. Patricks Day Parade, one of the largest in the world and second to that at New York!

Geoff Lamb from Alcester on board his orange Fordson Standard.

Great Dorset Steam Fair 2010

Just thought you might like to see the 'Play Pen' boys in action at this years Dorset Steam Fair.
Alleys heavy haulage are always in attendance.

Toddington Steam Festival Part 2

The second part of this blog concludes my coverage of this years Toddington Steam Festival.

Miles Banks in control of the Marshall, single cylinder locomotive, owned by The Davis family from Astwood Bank.

An excellent display of period caravans, awnings and cars.

The 'Toddington' road making section. The living van in the foreground plus memorabilia belongs to Mr Pete Beale from Gloucestershire. The living van is a replica, and made by Pete.

Burrell Showman's Road Locomotive, 'Nancy' circa 1911, owned by The Prout family.

Fowler Steam Engine, 'Pride of Hanley Castle'. At the controls is Patrick Edwards; yes Patrick Edwards the tractor spares man.

And finally, the vintage and classic car line up in the parade ring late on Sunday afternoon.

Toddington Steam Festival Part 1

On the weekend of 9th and 10th October, I attended the 25th Annual Steam Festival, held this year at Toddington in Gloucestershire. This is a lovely site, right next door to the Gloucester and Warwickshire Railway. The event always was held on this site, then moved to Cheltenham Racecourse, but this year it had to return to its old site because of the land slip at Gotherington, thereby preventing the railway to travel to Cheltenham.

This selection of photos were taken on Sunday 10th and just in time for the vintage tractor parade.

This is Mr. Ron Turner from the North Worcestershire Vintage Tractor and Engine Club on a Massey 35. Tom Cullimore making the presentations.

Matt Bisp is our youngest member of the club, and he also talks to Tom Cullimore. Matt is driving his Ford 1200

This section is a small selection of Vintage and Classic Commercials present at the show.

This London Transport Routemaster is somewhat different to those normally seen on the streets of London when in service. Notice the window change about halfway down. These examples were made longer to carry extra passengers, so they were cut in half and a piece inserted to create that change.

Nuffield 3/45

Well here it is, at long last painted up in its true Nuffield colour, 'Poppy Orange'.

This project has been kick started after 3 years of nothing happening.

It was essential that the main body of the tractor be painted in warm weather in order that the final assembly can take over my winter months.

The final items have now been shot blasted and primed including the wheel rims and centres. I now have to remember how it goes together!

The tractor is still up at Andrew Tipping's mum's small holding premises.

The tractor is a Nuffield 3/45, built in 1967 in Bathgate and was not a successful tractor and only a small number now survive. The 3 cylinder BMC diesel engine was underpowered for this size of tractor. It was also built at a time when British Leyland owned Nuffield tractors and shortly afterwards, Leyland tractors took over and the Nuffield marque died.