Went to the Dorset steam fair yesterday, its a fantastic event, never seen so many children playing with steam engines at once, but then the commentator did make note that this event was completely unique in the world.

They find the heaviest thing to pull, chain some engines to it and have a go, here's a 200ton train and trailer being dragged up a hill.....

The lorry is coupled to add weight and hold the air brakes off.


train_under_tow

We have also got it very wrong, steam cars are the way forward, already blinged up with fat exhaust pipes, this one is good for over 100mph, the record is around 150mph now, although the previous record in the early 1920's was 134mph in one of these.


Stanley_going_away




Stanley_coming


[Edited on 5/9/10 by mark chandler]

I've had a ride on a replica Stanley steam car - almost silent putter-putter-putter through a busy lane, then a mighty roar up to 50 or 60mph on a clear straight.

Amazing acceleration, when you see the size of the steam engine itself (tiny).

not sure that stanley would pass iva, the visibile emissions tester is first blinded by steam and then boiled alive

cool pics

One of the lads who works for me was down there with their family's showman's engine. That's a big bugger!

Fantastic event the steam fair - haven't been for many years though, never seem to remember in time

Something magical about the smells and sounds and scale of the big engines.

I went yesterday too - an amazing event and the size is staggering, it's almost like a moveable town!

Day spoilt a little when I entered into a "discussion" with an ape who thought dropping countless bits of litter and then threatening me would impress his "lucky" wife...

Shame really - good day but there was a small element of people there that shouldn't have really been released for the day!

quote:

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Originally posted by McLannahan
I went yesterday too - an amazing event and the size is staggering, it's almost like a moveable town!

Day spoilt a little when I entered into a "discussion" with an ape who thought dropping countless bits of litter and then threatening me would impress his "lucky" wife...

Shame really - good day but there was a small element of people there that shouldn't have really been released for the day!

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A friend of mine used to have a steam roller, which he took to events like this. Was an awesome machine.
Unfortunately there was an incident where a kid high on something jumped right in front of him, with forseeable results. My mate wouldn't drive it again after that.