The commercial life of traction engines and steam wagons largely came to an end in the 1950s and early 1960s. It was also at this time that preservation and display in the form of rallies came into being. It is generally acknowledged that the traction engine rally scene has its origins in a race between two engine-owning farmers at Appleford, Berkshire in August 1950. The rally movement soon grew as area preservation societies were formed. Some of these early societies and rallies continued to flourish and a number of these have now celebrated fifty or more years of activity, albeit not always on the same site throughout. Other rallies flourished for a while but then ceased for varying reasons. There have also been a number of ‘one-off’ events.

The initial concept of rallies has developed over the years. Instead of just ring events many now try to incorporate working areas where the different types of engines can be demonstrated doing the tasks for which they were built.

This book features a number of these rallies, starting with some of the early events of the 1950s and 1960s. Then a few ‘one-off’ events are featured, followed by looking at some of the rallies that no longer take place, and finishing with examples of those that are still flourishing. It aims to show something of the individual character of each rally, and some of the highlights of events that the author has visited over the last fifty years.

• Cover
• Title
• Copyright
• Contents
• Introduction
• Early days 1950s
• 1960s flashback
• ‘One-off’ rallies
  • Grand Reunion of Burrell’s Steam Engines 1972
  • Clapham Common, London 1973
  • Clapham Common, London 1977
  • Northampton 1996
  • Lincoln 2000
  • Fawley Hill 2014 & 2016
• Annual rallies that have ceased
  • Birmingham Museum of Science & Industry c.1969–97
  • Knowl Hill Steam Rally 1970–2004
  • Lambeth Country Show c.1973–1990s
  • Expo Steam, Peterborough Showground 1972–89
  • Rushmoor Arena 1975, 1978–98
  • Essex Steam & Country Show/Essex Country Show 1986–2016
  • Preston Rally & Country Fair 2003–14
• Annual rallies ongoing
  • HCVS London to Brighton Run 1962–date
  • Banbury Vintage Vehicle and Country Fayre 1969–date
  • Bedfordshire Steam & Country Fayre 1957–date
  • Chiltern Steam Rally 1962–date
  • Hertfordshire Rally 1964–date
  • Island Steam Show 1975–date
  • Medway Festival of Steam & Transport, Chatham Historic Dockyard 2002–date
  • Netley Marsh Steam & Craft Show 1971–date
  • Weeting Steam Engine Rally 1968–date
  • Great Dorset Steam Fair 1969–date
• Bibliography