NINETEEN SIXTY FOUR – PART 125
Great Dorset Steam Fair – Introduction (1)
Michael L. Roach
On Friday 25 September 1970 I travelled to a traction engine rally by car. That was nothing new as I went to a couple every year, mostly in Devon and Cornwall. A month earlier I had been to the Redruth TER by train and connecting bus out to the site at Sinns Barton, St. Agnes; and the month before that a TER at Chelson Meadow, Plymouth – a one off to celebrate Mayflower 350. The TER at the end of September was different as it was in Dorset and advertised itself as “A Great Working Of Steam Engines” bringing together all the different types of outdoor work that was done by traction engines and road locomotives in Victorian times. Most of these had been done before but no-one had thought to bring all the different types of work together in one place. The location was at Stourpaine Bushes just east of the A350 north of Blandford Forum and ran from Friday 25 to Sunday 27 September 1970. The admission prices were: - Adults 5 shillings (25p); Children and OAPs half price. The Great Working became established and well-known after the first one at the end of September 1969, believed to be 26 to 28 September 1969.
The rally stayed at Stourpaine for 15 years, before moving to Everly Hill for three years, and then on to Tarrant Hinton where it stayed. We went to one of the last at Stourpaine after there had been a lot of rain before the show. The thousands of feet trampling on the grass destroyed it and turned the topsoil to liquid mud about 30 to 40 mm thick. Those who could resorted to tying Tesco bags around their shoes but the rest of us got very muddy. The site at Tarrant Hinton was much better in that the ground was very free draining, and straw was used freely to soak up any wet areas.
With a later change of name, date, size and location this rally would become ever more famous, bringing enthusiasts from all over Britain and Europe to become world famous as The Great Dorset Steam Fair. At the start the dates of Stourpaine were probably chosen to fit in with other rallies in Southern England and the availability of the fields which were mostly grass from memory. The revised dates were at the end of August on the first weekend after the Bank Holiday Monday on fields which had grown an arable crop and quite free draining. The chosen location was at Tarrant Hinton some 3½ miles north-east of Blandford Forum on the south side of the A354 Blandford to Salisbury Road. The location worked well for the rest of the show's existence. It was held every year from 1969 to 2019; was stopped by Covid in 2020 and 2021 and resumed in 2022. The show was held over five days, ending on a Sunday, and attracted some 200,000 paying visitors. It claimed to be the largest gathering of steam and vintage vehicles in the world with some justification. There were traction engines, steam rollers, tractors, classic cars, commercial vehicles, buses, fairground organs and much more. There were also hundreds of stalls of every description. For me the two things that stood out were the line-up of showman's engines and the heavy haulage area where three or even four traction engines struggled up a hill with a very heavy load which was sometimes a railway locomotive; and then had to come gingerly down the hill to get back to the start.
I, later we, went to the GDSF about every three years, often arranging a holiday so that we could stop at the show on the way home. Occasionally we stayed a few miles away so that we could stay until dark and see the showman's engines in all their colourful glory generating electricity for the funfair directly behind it. Perhaps the best year was when it was almost unbelievable. The organisers had booked an amazing 100 showman's engines to celebrate an anniversary, and we stayed until dark, which at that location and at that time of year was about 8.30pm. It was just such a fantastic and memorable sight and sound, never to be forgotten.
Covid upset the apple cart, and although the show came back for one year in 2022, it could not be sustained. Costs had risen and with such a huge site needing so much of everything on a temporary basis (fencing, electricity supply, security, tentage, waste disposal etc) the show had become a victim of its own success. But amazingly there is a country show which is just as large, attracting 220,000 paying visitors over four days, and that is The Royal Welsh Agricultural Show at Llanelwedd, Builth Wells. The difference is that the Royal Welsh has its own permanent site with many permanent buildings and infrastructure.
Our last visit to the GDSF was in 2015 when we stayed at a Premier Inn in Frome for 5 nights. It was the nearest we could get a room at a reasonable price; and about 35 miles and an hour away, traffic jams permitting; and they were bad at times particularly along the A354. Over the next few months, I will devote complete articles to one aspect of the Fair each time to give a flavour of what is I am sure sorely missed by many steam enthusiasts. Today a few typical general views of the GDSF.
The rally stayed at Stourpaine for 15 years, before moving to Everly Hill for three years, and then on to Tarrant Hinton where it stayed. We went to one of the last at Stourpaine after there had been a lot of rain before the show. The thousands of feet trampling on the grass destroyed it and turned the topsoil to liquid mud about 30 to 40 mm thick. Those who could resorted to tying Tesco bags around their shoes but the rest of us got very muddy. The site at Tarrant Hinton was much better in that the ground was very free draining, and straw was used freely to soak up any wet areas.
With a later change of name, date, size and location this rally would become ever more famous, bringing enthusiasts from all over Britain and Europe to become world famous as The Great Dorset Steam Fair. At the start the dates of Stourpaine were probably chosen to fit in with other rallies in Southern England and the availability of the fields which were mostly grass from memory. The revised dates were at the end of August on the first weekend after the Bank Holiday Monday on fields which had grown an arable crop and quite free draining. The chosen location was at Tarrant Hinton some 3½ miles north-east of Blandford Forum on the south side of the A354 Blandford to Salisbury Road. The location worked well for the rest of the show's existence. It was held every year from 1969 to 2019; was stopped by Covid in 2020 and 2021 and resumed in 2022. The show was held over five days, ending on a Sunday, and attracted some 200,000 paying visitors. It claimed to be the largest gathering of steam and vintage vehicles in the world with some justification. There were traction engines, steam rollers, tractors, classic cars, commercial vehicles, buses, fairground organs and much more. There were also hundreds of stalls of every description. For me the two things that stood out were the line-up of showman's engines and the heavy haulage area where three or even four traction engines struggled up a hill with a very heavy load which was sometimes a railway locomotive; and then had to come gingerly down the hill to get back to the start.
I, later we, went to the GDSF about every three years, often arranging a holiday so that we could stop at the show on the way home. Occasionally we stayed a few miles away so that we could stay until dark and see the showman's engines in all their colourful glory generating electricity for the funfair directly behind it. Perhaps the best year was when it was almost unbelievable. The organisers had booked an amazing 100 showman's engines to celebrate an anniversary, and we stayed until dark, which at that location and at that time of year was about 8.30pm. It was just such a fantastic and memorable sight and sound, never to be forgotten.
Covid upset the apple cart, and although the show came back for one year in 2022, it could not be sustained. Costs had risen and with such a huge site needing so much of everything on a temporary basis (fencing, electricity supply, security, tentage, waste disposal etc) the show had become a victim of its own success. But amazingly there is a country show which is just as large, attracting 220,000 paying visitors over four days, and that is The Royal Welsh Agricultural Show at Llanelwedd, Builth Wells. The difference is that the Royal Welsh has its own permanent site with many permanent buildings and infrastructure.
Our last visit to the GDSF was in 2015 when we stayed at a Premier Inn in Frome for 5 nights. It was the nearest we could get a room at a reasonable price; and about 35 miles and an hour away, traffic jams permitting; and they were bad at times particularly along the A354. Over the next few months, I will devote complete articles to one aspect of the Fair each time to give a flavour of what is I am sure sorely missed by many steam enthusiasts. Today a few typical general views of the GDSF.
The admission prices at the 2015 GDSF. Copyright Michael L. Roach
There was a bus service around the perimeter of the 640-acre site which varied from a tractor and trailer to a steam bus at times. Copyright Michael L. Roach
The Scammell “Showtrac” was always a joy to see; this one PWV 618 dated from January 1968. The first batch of Showtracs were built between 1945 and 1948 and numbered just 18 examples. Several went to West Country showmen, and one lives at St. Blazey. 17 of the 18 built survive. Copyright Michael L. Roach
Military vehicles were always popular. This was an ex-RAF 1941 Bedford with a 6-cylinder petrol engine. Copyright Michael L. Roach
There were usually some very rare vehicles onsite. I had never seen one of these Aveling Barford mini dozers before which might have suited a landscape gardener. Copyright Michael L. Roach
Sid Knowles was once a well-known Penryn haulier. Copyright Michael L. Roach
This Foden steam lorry UU 1283 was a C type 6-tonner dating from 1929 and carried a tank for holding liquids. It was previously painted in the colours of Horrell Brothers, cider makers of Stoke Canon. Copyright Michael L. Roach
This was one of the “buses” carrying visitors around the edge of the site. Reg. no. HX14FXR was a New Holland farm tractor dating from May 2014 with a 6.7 litre diesel engine. Copyright Michael L. Roach
We boarded the tractor hauled bus service and were very surprised five minutes later to pass a modern bus going in the opposite direction, as it was the first one I had ever seen on the service. HF09FVV was a Wilts & Dorset Scania with a 9 litre diesel engine. Copyright Michael L. Roach
DMU's on the mainline
Michael Forward
As others have said, I too neglected taking pictures of dmus but I hope these two will help our friend who made an enquiry about them last week. Firstly we see W51092 and others halted at Mexico Inn crossing .This was one of a three car Gloucester Carriage and wagon Co. set. The driver and guard walk now to the front of the sets to take them into Long Rock depot. Copyright Michael Forward.
A few years later, maybe June 1980, we see a smoky departure from a busy Penzance station. I did not record the unit numbers but I did note this was the 18.31 to Newquay(then reversing at Par). I hope these are of interest and help with the layout. Copyright Michael Forward.
Many thanks as always Michael - the Penzance - Newquay DMU is having a good old clear out there!
A Cornish Peak
Roger Geach
Nice to see the Peak pictures around Gloucester. Peaks were a daily sight in Cornwall through the 1970s and 1980s until, I think, September 1985. I rather liked them. Some were quite rare, but I think all appeared, bar 44001–10, over the years. Here is 45014 near Onslow Sidings on 1V70, the 09.01 Derby–Penzance, on Saturday, 9 September 1978. I had not got into position to photograph it properly, so this was a grab shot with a bush in the way. Copyright Roger Geach.
Many thanks indeed Roger - more 'Peaks' below!
Peaks in Gloucestershire & over the Midlands
Part 2
Ian Thomas
45046 at Coaley Jnc on the 1407 Bristol-York (Relief). 02.01.1983, copyright Ian Thomas.
45058 at Churchdown on a Bescot-Gloucester freight including an 08 shunter for Swindon Works. 30.04.1982, copyright Ian Thomas.
45060 at Berkeley Rd on the 1937 Bristol-Newcastle TPO 1E38. 07.06.1982, copyright Ian Thomas.
45068 Cheltenham on the 1305 (S.O.) Newquay-Nottingham. 24.07.1982, copyright Ian Thomas.
45104 at Coaley on the 1608 Derby-Newton Abbot 1V87. 02.08.1981, copyright Ian Thomas.
Many thanks again Ian - more 'Peaks' tomorrow.
Swindon Scenes
Ken Mumford
According to RTT [Real Train Times] this locomotive was supposed to be headed with a class 57 diesel-electric locomotive [57003], then it w changed to 98802 - BUT no diesel. 71000 Duke of Gloucester passes through with its support coach. 15.09.2026, copyright Ken Mumford.
A going away photo showing the interest shown in this steam locomotive as it passed alongside platform 4. 15.09.2026, copyright Ken Mumford.
66585 with 4L33 [Wentloog to London Gateway] passing through Swindon. 14.09.2026, copyright Ken Mumford.
4L33 should have stayed on the UMl from 11-45 a.m. to 12-24 p.m. BUT was only there from 11-43 a.m. to 11-58 a.m. while some IET s went ahead. 14.09.2026, copyright Ken Mumford.
'Locked Jaw' on a 5-car IET showing its inside. This Oxford to Bristol (Temple Meads) train was delayed because there was a change of drivers needed. The guard said that one was coming by IET from Chippenham - not sure if that happened. Train waited as a result from 11-51 a.m. to 12-27 p.m. 14.09.2026, copyright Ken Mumford.
6Q58 Bristol (Kingsland Road) to Bristol (Kingsland Road via what train enthusiasts call 'VIA THE WORLD - see RTT for its full journey. It was meant to reverse east of the station near Cockleberry Sidings BUT probable because of the Twyford incident it reversed at the western end of platform 3. 14.09.2026, copyright Ken Mumford.
66168 speeds through the station with 6C03 carrying waste from London to a site in the Bath area. Interesting in what the station announcer said. "Stand clear on platform 4 - fast train approaching." When this has happened on several of my past visits around 1 in the afternoon, the signal at the western end of platform 4 is RED! Why? This train usually triggers this station announcement BUT it does not come speeding through; instead it goes into Swindon East Loop and waits until there is a path for it to go westwards on. BUT NOT TODAY!! It did come through fast - one did not experience it normally coming out onto the main line and causing the smell of waste! 14.09.2026, copyright Ken Mumford.
Many thanks Ken, a good few hours on the platform for you there.
September 1976
Part 16
Roger Winnen
Drump Lane Signal Box. 11.09.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
Inside Drump Road Box. 11.09.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
Diagram in the Signal Box at Drump. 11.09.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.