An eclectic collection of over 30 machines will take part in a challenging road run around the Ironbridge Gorge on Saturday,13th May when engines and drivers will be tested with steep climbs and gentle descents. It will set out from Blists Hill Victorian Town, where they will also be ‘in steam’ on Sunday 14th May for all to see. The spectacular Steam Road Run will visit many of the Museum’s sites and historic monuments in The Gorge.
Part of the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust’s 50th anniversary celebrations, the spectacular Steam Road Run will visit many of the Museum’s sites and historic monuments in the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site.
The 32 steam machines* will include a variety of makes and types ranging from traction engines and steam lorries to road locomotives and ploughing engines with Sentinels, Fodens and Fowlers. Some of these engines are especially rare, particularly The Chief, a huge early Victorian ploughing engine, as well as the Lord Doverdale, one of the last commercially working steam road engines. The only surviving Agri Tractor from the six originally built will also be joining the Road Run along with the Gold Medal Tractor, which took part in the Land’s End to John O’Groats race.
Many of the drivers will be wearing Victorian costume and some will be pulling period living vans and tractors. The crews and engines will also be judged by roving assessors on their historical accuracy, time keeping and even crew cleanliness.
All the engines will be available to view on Sunday, 14th May to visitors at Blists Hill Victorian Town where steam enthusiasts get to meet the crews and see the magnificent machines.
Open 10am to 4.30pm Blists Hill is one of the Ironbridge Gorge Museums. A great value Annual Passport Ticket allowing unlimited entry into all ten museums costs £25 per adult, £20 for seniors, £15 for children under 18, £68 for a family of two adults and all their children and £50 for a family with one adult; under 5s free (terms and conditions apply); Passports can also be bought online in advance saving 10% and individual entry tickets are available at each museum. Activities and workshops vary day-to-day and some carry an extra charge.
For further information, call the Ironbridge Tourist Information Centre on 01952 433 424 or visit www.ironbridge.org.uk. The Gorge is easily reached via the M54 motorway exiting at Telford junction 4 or 6.
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13th – 14th May Road Run Engine List (by maker):
John Fowler & Co Ltd
14 NHP Single cylinder ploughing engine – built 1875 – ‘The Chief’ – 142 years old and one of only three operational
8 NHP Traction Engine – built 1899 – ‘Blackjack’
12 NHP K7 Ploughing engine – built 1917 – ‘Linkey’ – 100 years old
5 NHP D5 Steam Roller – built 1923 – ‘Jessica’
5 NHP DNB Steam Roller
3 NHP T3 Tiger Tractor – built 1917 – ‘Lord Doverdale’ – 100 years old and one of the last commercially working steam road engines
William Foster & Co Ltd
4 NHP 3 speed Compound tractor – ‘Ikanopit’
J&H Maclaren Ltd
8 NHP Traction engine – built 1882 – only surviving example
5 NHP 3 speed traction engine – ‘Pecker’
8 NHP Road Locomotive
Charles Burrell & Sons Ltd
7 NHP Traction engine
4 NHP 2 speed tractor
4 NHP Gold Medal tractor – took part in the Land’s End to John O’Groats race
Clayton & Shuttleworth Ltd
7 NHP Traction engine
Wallis & Steevens Ltd
8 NHP Traction engine – ‘Panther’
4 NHP Oil bath steam tractor
Aveling & Porter Ltd
6 NHP Steam roller – built 1914 – ‘Aveliana’
4 NHP Compound tractor – built 1927 – ‘Oberon’
4 NHP Compound tractor – built 1926 – ‘Morning Star’
4 NHP Compound tractor – built 1906 – ‘Dougal’
Sentinel
DG4 Steam waggon
DG8 Steam waggon
Edwin Foden & Sons Ltd
5 ton Steam waggon
4 NHP Agri tractor – unique surviving example of only six originally built
Marshall & Sons Ltd
4 NHP 5 ton Steam tractor – built 1915 – ‘The Mascot’
4 NHP 5 ton Steam tractor – built 1925 – ‘Moonraker’
Richard Garrett & Sons Ltd
4 NHP 4CD compound tractor
4 NHP 4CD compound tractor
W Tasker & Sons Ltd
4 NHP 3 speed chain drive tractor – rare example
Ruston Hornsby Ltd
7 NHP Traction Engine – built 1922 – ‘Hildary’ – rare example
