The Working Steam Weekend at Stotfold Mill (that's the water mill in the background of the first picture) takes place every October. Maybe because the sun wasn't blazing down and reflecting from polished brass and bright paintwork it had a very different feel from the summer steam weekends I've been to in the past.
This is after all a Working Steam event so there was a predominance of greasy, grimy functional machines like the ploughing engine above. These powerful machines work in pairs and were the beginnings of mechanisation down on the farm. Underneath the body of these vehicles are steam-powered winding drums which haul a huge plough back and forth across the field on a steel cable.
Of course there are some polished and pristine engines too.
But I rather fell in love with the unusual design and beautiful paintwork and design of the tractor shown here.
This, so the owner told me, is an Eagle tractor Model F, a quite rare machine. A little research revealed that it was manufactured 1916 -22 and made in Wisconsin, USA. The garish red and green livery is exactly how they were originally painted.
The owners of all this historic tackle move here for the whole weekend, staying in a variety of wagons, caravans and even tents, and at Stotfold their living quarters are right there in among the machines.
You get the feeling that some of them simply can't be parted from their beloved engines.
Anyone fancy a ride on a steam-powered bus? You'd need to be fit just to climb aboard!
A threshing machine was demonstrating the rather dusty process by which the grain used to be separated from the straw and chaff in the past, though this one was powered by an old Fordson tractor rather than a steam engine. I remember my Dad coming home from work saying he'd been doing threshing when he work for old Tom Ayres at Two Pots Farm.
I don't think Dad ever wore a cowboy hat like that though!
That's more like Dad's old cap! There were quite a lot of these working models at the show, they were very popular with the young children and ideal for explaining how things work.
Down on the field there was some serious ploughing going on using several different vintage tractors like this old Nuffield.
Who needs machines anyway? Working horses being put through their paces.
Take care.
(we will get around to finishing Flo's Story soon).
Hi John - these were a delight to see ... and it's wonderful people keep the restoration up ... and travel to find machines they can restore ... amazing to see what can be done. Love your tractor ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteLovely photographs John - I remember this era of course and used to love threshing time on the farm.
ReplyDeleteWe had a Steam weekend in Hunton near her at the beginning of September - just like yours by the look of things. It is a certain type of man who gets into such things isn't it - tough, rugged and down to earth.
This looks a wonderful event, all the better for being a bit unpolished in parts. It's interesting when you see them actually demonstrating the workings. Didn't know steam buses were a thing!
ReplyDeleteThe Eagle is a beauty. One of the machines has Endurance on the side. It is a fit description for these old machines, or is it the owners who really fit the title.
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful vintage machinery there. They really capture such a different time. The photo of the threshing machine made me think of some of the "small houses" that people have been building lately and attaching to trucks for camping.
ReplyDeleteI love steam fairs, haven't been to one for a long time. I love the little models at this one - it looks like a great day!
ReplyDeleteSuch wonderful and vintage machines. I've seen an old steam engine train once but that was a long time ago. Never heard or seen a steam bus. The event must be very popular, sadly I am not familiar with it.
ReplyDeletewow great photos and love from Poland
ReplyDeleteIt must have been a joy for you to get out into the fields with your camera again, John. But, don't leave us hanging with the rest of Flo's story.
ReplyDeleteJim greatly enjoyed this! Restoring older tractors has become his retirement occupation. I liked the outing as well, and glad you had this jaunt.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting post! I enjoy the big workhorses best.
ReplyDeleteThese are wonderful steam tractors & such! My parents often recount tales of the thresher coming at harvest time. The whole community came to watch!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your post, John, but my dear husband would have been delighted with it!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a wonderful event, a step back into history. Thanks for taking us along!
ReplyDeleteMagnificent old machines John, you must have been in photographer's heaven here. It's so good when the owners take care of these beauties, seems a shame to let them deteriorate! Your last shot here is my favourite, too, too handsome those two are!
ReplyDeleteMy father loved shows like this. He and his brother could strip any engine from any machine and put it back together again. Those handsome horses are magnificent.
ReplyDeleteI was intrigued with the Eagle Manufacturing Co. tractor as they were made not far from where I grew up in rural Wisconsin, USA. It's been wonderfully restored. My grandpa farmed with horses right up until World War II.
ReplyDeleteI like looking at things like this...but I LOVE the horses.
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