WSR Rally 2006

08-07-2017

The Steam Fayre and Vintage Vehicle Rally is organised by the West Somerset Railway Association and takes place at Bishops Lydeard, close to the WSR's station on the first full weekend in August hence its inclusion in this section of the site, there are more photos of traction engines and steam lorries on Road Steam. There is much more than steam at the Fayre though as you will see on this page.

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To start with the steam, a 1900 Marshall 6nhp agricultural engine belonging to HL & TG James of Newquay.

Left to right, a Fowler steam roller, 2 Foden steam wagons and a Sentinel S4 steam wagon.

There's a wide variety of steam power, full size and miniature, rollers, engines & wagons in this view of the line up in the ring.

The miniatures starting their run around the ring.

A modern 2002 built Roanoake steam wagon using new steam components and recycled running gear.

A couple showing their miniature traction engine.

Next a pair of full size engines, led by a Burrell named the Duke of Kent followed by the Marshall agricultural engine.

A close up of the Burrell Road Locomotive as it is described on the smokebox door.

This was followed by a Fowler 5 hp road locomotive Princess, entered by the Loaders from Dorset.

A close up of the Marshall.

Back to the miniatures, this one has a trailer for the driver to sit on and a wagon behind that for a passenger.

Another view of the Fowler road loco Princess.

Now comes a steam roller, not sure of the maker.

A miniature steam wagon alongside the full size ex Cowlairs Co-op Sentinel S4 wagon.

A line up including steam wagons, rollers and road locomotives.

The Cottage Brewing Company's Foden steam wagon setting off at a cracking pace around the ring.

This was followed by this Foden C type 3 way tipper which started life with local quarryman W. J. King. This one also set off at a fair old pace hence the smoke!

The miniature Foden steam wagon passing in front of a fairground organ.

The ex Cowlairs Co-op Sentinel S4 on the far side of the ring.

Also on the far side, the Cottage Brewing Company's Foden steam wagon.

This was followed by the other Foden wagon, the ex W J King one.

A last couple of shots of the lorries in the ring.

The line up of traction engines and steam rollers.

Outside the ring this steam roller was taking water, I wonder what such a machine's range is between refills?

A Fowler steam roller resting in the very hot August sun. Note the penny farthing bicycle behind it, that appears further down!

Another Fowler steam roller - no shade for the driver of this one.

A Wallis traction engine - the heat seems to have exhausted the chap lying down behind it!

A last one of the steam section, another view of the Burrell Road locomotive.

That penny farthing again, John Glover who was marshal of the steam section as a change from his many activities on the WSR took a break by trying out this machine - he did a full lap of this side ring after a shaky start.

In one corner was this army section, could almost have been Normandy 1944.

Next to them was the Land Rover section with a mix of civilian and military ones.

Tucked away right in the far corner of the site were the heavy horses including this shire Tommy who belongs to a friend of ours. A real gentle giant, one time he stopped, refused to move and we found that there was a harvest mouse on the ground in front of him!

This pair were harnessed to a rake, they did some work with it but it was a rather hot day for them to do much.

Along with the horses someone had a Harris Hawk, didn't see it flying but it was nice to be able to get a close look at it.

Staying with agriculture, the tractor section with a variety of old machines including a grey Ferguson and some blue Fordsons.

Not sure now what the nearest one here is but behind it is a David Brown.

A closer look at the David Brown tractor.

An old threshing machine, originally it would have been steam driven but this one is being driven by a tractor via a belt.

Also originally steam driven but later tractor powered was this saw bench.

This 1969 AEC Mandator was acquired from it original owner for preservation by a local man, it was providing some welcome shade for our dog it this photo.

A line of diesel trucks, nearest the camera is a 1974 Mercedes Benz, then two 1967 Fodens - what a contrast to the same makers steam wagons above! - and a large Scammell, can't be sure what's on the end of the line.

In amongst the trucks were a couple of buses, one of which was this Leyland Titan PD2 ex Ribble, this series was unusual in being double deck coaches largely used I believe on services to Blackpool. It was known as a "White Lady", a name that was passed on the later Ribble double deck coaches on Atlantean chassis.

Another Leyland Titan this time a PD2A formerly with Exeter Corporation. The "A" suffix denoted the "St. Helens" style glass fibre front that can be seen behind the notice board. There's more photos of Exeter Corporation buses on Western National and Devon General .

There were only the two buses in the show, however Quantock Heritage were running a free shuttle service to and from the Fayre using examples from their heritage fleet. It's a shame that more buses don't attend, what can we do to attract more?

On to the cars starting with this Bond three wheeler with its motor cycle type engine on display and the Nutsial caravan which it tows.

A variety of Vauxhalls were displayed by members of an owners club including Wyverns, Veluxs and this Victor on the right.

There was a group of Ford Zephyrs and Zodiacs there including these that were shining so much in the sun it was hard to photograph them.

Another line up starting with a 1950 Triumph TDB Renown with an MGB next to it.

A pair of Austin 7 Swallows from 1930 and 1932. These were Swallow Sidecar bodies on Austin chassis - Swallow Sidecar Company went on to become Jaguar Cars.

A group of Morris Minor 1000 cars and travellers with that lovely wood framing. Cars might be better in some ways now but they don't have the character or distinctive exhaust notes of ones like these.

Some classic British sports cars, an MG nearest the camera then a variety of Triumphs including a TR2, a Spitfire and some TR4s.

Four more Triumphs, a TR7, a TR6 and two Stags. What went wrong, why aren't these great marques still going?

I've no details of this American fire truck which was with the Alabama Fire dept. according to the sides - it was for sale at £4495, fun but I'd hate the fuel bills!