The weekend of the 14th and 15th August we spent at The Singleton Steam festival at The Weald and Downland Museum, Singleton, near Chichester in West Sussex. We spent the weekend playing with the Burrell Showmans engine, Lady Pride of England, we are looking after this year.
We had a good weekend there with lots of other engines and our boys love looking around the museum.
Here is Fowler Showmans engine "Lion" driving Hortons set of gallopers.
Lion
No 19782 Year 1932 Reg UB 9763
This engine is still as it was found a few years ago after being in a shed for many years. The story goes that they dragged it out of the shed and after the boiler inspecter had a good look over it they put a fire in it and steamed it away.
No 8104 Year 1936 Reg No GOR 248
Fowler roller is filling up with water, time for the crew to take a rest and have a chat.
No 21833, Year 193,6 Reg No CRL 110, Called "Hermes"
After all the fun and games in the arena time to chuff round the field.
1st engine is a Tasker Tractor. No 1396, Year 1908, Reg No AA 2254
2nd engine is a Burrell Tractor No 3786, Year 1918, Reg No PB 9610, Called Tiger
This is Bess, she has had a major restoration over the last few years. The gent that owns her only lives a few miles away from us and when I remember back to when I first saw her I can't believe it's the same engine. She looks great and it's wonderful to see her in steam and chuffing around the rally field.
No 669, Year 1890, Reg No AP 9081, Called "Bess"
Things didn't go to well for us Saturday morning, while cleaning out the ash pan we noticed that it was full of water which can only mean one thing, "leaky tubes". It's a job that can be done without many problems but it's a dirty job. So off with the ash pan, out with the fire bars and then climb inside the firebox to sort out her tubes. Lloyd and Kev took it in turns to mend the 13 tubes and by 4.20pm they had her back together and were putting a fire in her. By 7pm she was in steam and chuffing around the field.
Sunday morning steam up went without a hitch and as you can see even time to stand around for a chat and a cuppa. "come on boys get on and clean that Lady" and they say women talk!!!
Here is Burrell traction engine called "William the Second" on the saw bench in the wood yard. Notice that there is a lady driving the engine, this is Kate and yes it is her engine....
No 4048, Year 1926, Reg No PW 8905.
There are lots of things to see at the museum and here are some of there chickens who were pecking at the apples that had dropped off the tree.