The Great Steam Up!

Traction engine wheel complete with solid rubber tyre.

I am taking a few days off - and happen, pretty much by accident, to find myself within striking distance of the Great Dorset Steam Rally - a massive celebration of the age of steam-power which blossoms into smokey action annually on a remote farm near the Dorset town of Blandford Forum. 

Here traction engines large and small steam and smoke and, quite honestly, cavort! It provided a stunning spectacle on a hot dry August bank holiday Monday. The highlight is to see some of these giants under full steam racing up and down a hill (see the final picture below), taking the viewer back to a world where steam was the main source of power.

One of the smaller and more delicate steam driven vechicles.

A line of massive steam rollers - the machines that used to roll the roads into being.

The traction engine displays included showing how they powered sawmills, hay bailing and emphasizsd their importance in World War One.

Wood sawing.

Excellent improvised use of beer (pub) umbrella.

A line of beautiful carnival steam engines.

Shoe engine on the move.

And from the front.

Traction engines - many pulling heavy loads make circuits around the arena.