NINETEEN SIXTY FOUR – PART 127
Great Dorset Steam Fair – Introduction (2)
Michael L. Roach
In this second part of the introduction I show more images of the Great Dorset Steam Fair of 2015 at its regular site on arable fields at Tarrant Hinton, some four miles north east of Blandford Forum in Dorset. The introduction is brought to a close with one photograph of a showman's engine which were undoubtedly the stars of any traction engine rally and always attracted a lot of interest from those wandering past. At the GDSF the funfair was usually located directly behind the line of several showmans engines, with the engines generating the electricity to power the rides. As darkness fell the engines would also be generating the electricity for hundreds of coloured lights on the engines and on the rides. As the ride's operator started the next session the electrical load would come on the engine which would respond with the characteristic chuff-chuff similar to a steam railway engine. Did this happen automatically or did the driver open the regulator – I do not know.
Thousands of people camped on the site. Copyright Michael L. Roach
This was a genuine Nissen hut, and part of the farm, not the Show. They were designed in the First World War, were much used in the Second World War, and came in three widths. Copyright Michael L. Roach
This Aveling & Porter traction engine named “Avellana” had a Cornish registration and is believed to date from 1921. Copyright Michael L. Roach
In the heavy haulage area are three road locomotives going gingerly down the hill hauling a complete road train of a steam locomotive from the Swanage Railway. It took all the power of the three engines to get it up the hill. 31625 was a Maunsell U-class built at Ashford Works in 1929. Copyright Michael L. Roach
Not everything at the GDSF was in pristine condition. Tommie's bar may be a reference to the British Tommy (soldier) of WW1, although the name was invented much earlier in 1815. Copyright Michael L. Roach
This early internal-combustion road roller in unrestored condition was built by Aveling Barford and was first registered in September 1938. It had a 10-litre petrol engine. Copyright Michael L. Roach
This wonderful display of makers plates contains examples from towns and villages all over Britain. If you zoom in you will find many examples from Devon and Cornwall. Very few of the businesses survive. Copyright Michael L. Roach
The waste water from up to 40,000 people on site meant that Andyloos had a full time job. This crew came from Devon or Cornwall. Copyright Michael L. Roach
Here I am photographing the wheel centre of a Burrell Showman's Engine with my Canon Ixus compact camera. Copyright Michael L. Roach
I round off this introduction to the Great Dorset Steam Fair with one of the stars of the show – a showman's road locomotive used by funfairs for towing a couple of trailers from one site to another. This one was built by Charles Burrell in September 1925. “Dolphin” was a Special Scenic Showman's Road Locomotive of 10 nominal horse power and was a 3-speed double crank compound works no. 4030 and reg. FA 2316. Only 22 of the class were built, and 12 survive in preservation. The class was described as the ultimate steam traction engine; and its claim to fame is that it was the last engine built at Charles Burrell's Thetford Works. Believed to having been based in Aberdeen at the time that involved a round trip of 1,125 miles to bring the engine to the show. The owner's loved the show just as much as the paying visitors. There is a website devoted to the 22 Burrell Special Scenic Showman's Road Locomotives. Copyright Michael L. Roach
Many thanks to all contributors who have sent in photographs for the three below articles - too many to thank individually. It's been a busy week with plenty of action on Cornwalls railway.
Gala Guests arrive!
33012 + 31210 head to Bodmin
33012 and 31210 arrived at Bodmin just before 6pm yesterday evening.
33012 hauled the non-mainline registered 31 from East Grinstead to Bodmin, a massive journeywhich begain at 0805.
The pair will be in action over the weekend at the Bodmin Diesel Gala, which starts today! Click here for info.
33012 hauled the non-mainline registered 31 from East Grinstead to Bodmin, a massive journeywhich begain at 0805.
The pair will be in action over the weekend at the Bodmin Diesel Gala, which starts today! Click here for info.
33012 and 31210 on their way to Bodmin, passing East Croydon. Video - click to play. 24.09.2026, copyright Simon Howard.
Running a little early Class D6515 towing Class 31 31210 passing Stoke Canon. 0V62 0810 East Grinstead Sidings to Bodmin Siding via Ascot and Newbury. 24.09.2026, copyright David Tozer.
D6515 and 31210 passing through starcross on the way to bodmin railway for their diesel gala. 24.09.2026, copyright Sam Ryder.
33012 (D6515) "Lt Jenny Lewis RN" and 31210, running as 0V62 0810 East Grinstead Sidings to Bodmin Siding, passing Starcross on their way to this weekend's Gala at Bodmin. 24.09.2026, copyright David J. Ive.
Mainline registered 33012 (D6515) hauls dead 31210 pass Aish with the the 0V62 08.10 East Grinstead Sidings to Bodmin Parkway Siding running 38 minutes early. Both the locos are featuring at this weekend's Bodmin & Wenford Diesel Gala along with 47306 and 37142. 24.09.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
Unmistakably now in Cornwall, the pair cross Coombe by Saltash viaduct with the Royal Albert Bridge in the background. 24.09.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
The pair of veteran locos soar high above on Moorswater Viaduct. 24.09.2026, copyright Tony Shore.
33012 and 31210 pass Bodmin Parkway en route to Lostwithiel to run round. Click for enlargements. 24.09.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
After running round at Lostwithiel, the pair arrive back at Bodmin Parkway. Click for enlargements. 24.09.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
After running round at Lostwithiel, the pair arrive at Bodmin Parkway. 33012 propels 31210 into the rarely-used exchange siding. 24.09.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
31210 and 33012 in the Bodmin Exchange Siding. 24.09.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
33012 pulls onto Bodmin Railway metals. 24.09.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
The crew prepare 31210 for the trip up to Bodmin General. 24.09.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
31210 makes a smokey departure from Bodmin Parkway, heading to Bodmin General. 24.09.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
31210 smokes its way over the viaduct as it leaves Bodmin Parkway behind. 24.09.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
Turning 'The Duke'
71000 goes to the Laira Triangle
Another working attacting interest from south west enthusiasts was a trip from Penzance - Penzance via the Laira Triangle for 71000 'Duke of Gloucester'. Hauled by 57302, the pair made their way up and back in preparation for 71000 to lead todays return leg of 'The Cornish Riviera 2026'.
LSL 57302 viewed in Ponsandane Yard with the Cornish Riviera 2026 Tour Stock. 23.09.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
57302 and 71000 shunting at Long Rock on 23.09.2026. Click images to enlarge. All above images copyright Andrew Triggs.
57302 leads 5Z71 10.00 Longrock T&RSMD-Plymouth in lovely morning Sunshine at Marazion. 24.09.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
71000 at Marazion. 24.09.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
57302 leads 71000 and its support coach across the seldom-photographed Tregeagle Viaduct. 24.09.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
57302 hauls 71000 across East Largin Viaduct. 24.09.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
57302 and 71000 pass through Saltash en route to Plymouth. Click for enlargements. 24.09.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
57302 and 71000 at Plymouth station where they waited 52 minutes before proceeding to Mount Gould Junction and then reversing to Laira Junction before heading back to Penzance with 71000 facing east for Friday's return tour. Click for enlargements. 24.09.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
The Plymouth - Laira - Penzance working crosses St. Pinnock Viaduct. 24.09.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
The Plymouth - Penzance leg crossing East Largin viaduct behind 57302. 24.09.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
57302 passes through Bodmin Parkway on 5Z72. 24.09.2026, copyright Steve Clark.
71000 at Bodmin Parkway. 24.09.2026, copyright Steve Clark.
The return 5Z72 13.00 Plymouth-Longrock T&RSMD, following turning on Laira Triangle approaching Marazion. 24.09.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
Thursdays Clay
66766 smoking away as it passes Bodmin Parkway with the clay from Treviscoe. 24.09.2026, copyright Steve Clark.
66766 crosses Pendalake Viaduct with the Parkandillack (Treviscoe) - Cliffe Vale Clay. 24.09.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
66766 crosses East Largin viaduct with 6M53. 24.09.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
66766 crosses Moorswater Viaduct with 6M53. 24.09.2026, copyright Tony Shore.
66766 passes Harford Bridge in Ivybridge with the 6M53 Treviscoe - Cliffe Vale clay JIAs. 24.09.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
Swindon RHTT
Colin Pidgeon
Colas ran their first RHTT train on Wednesday from Swindon which arrived back at Swindon 124 mins early. Here is a photo of 68014 on the rear of 3S32 Swindon Transfer to Swindon Transfer. 67023 was the front loco. 23.09.2026, copyright Colin Pidgeon.
Many thanks, Colin.
September 1976
Part 25
Roger Winnen
D1015 Western Champion at Respryn. 18.09.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
The approach to Bodmin Parkway. 18.09.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
47251 At Bodmin Parkway. 18.09.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.