Chelford steam rally UK

Been to the Chelford Steam Rally today at Astle Park just down the road from Jodrell Bank telescope, in leafy Cheshire (where else!).

Always a good show here and there were a good turn out of bikes, probably because of the good weather, here's a few piccies. Have a close look at the red 'Fastback' and let me know what you think.

Not a bad turn out of bikes


Nice 650


This Roadster had a complete history attached to it, from a wreck to a good restoration


I used to have the 175cc version of this NVT Rambler


Have close look at this timing side view of a 'Fastback'


Now have a look at the primary side


This thing is for sale!


Fire engines


Bloody big 1927 Gardner engine


Mounted on the back of this wagon


Always a lot of interest in USA war stuff. Don't know what the truck is but I know what a Jeep is



Oh and some traction engines

Uplifting to see how many preserve the past power objects all over the place.
The American truck is what was called a "duce and a half" for
its 2.5 ton rating. My little '38 John Deere 'Popin Johnny' tractor was modified by the 86 yr old I got it from by putting in one of these duce's 3 spd heavy duty transmissions.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M35_2%C2%B ... argo_truck

We had a duce as a fuel truck back in A&P school. They are beasts. Some guys buy them and lop off the rear axle and build a truck bed for them, a really large PU truck. The rockwell axles are indestructable.

A duce and a half! it certainly is a big beast! Every show like this in the UK has a load of American vehicles all lovingly cherished and most of them are driven to the show. And at this time of the year there are probably three or four shows every weekend, all very well attended. If you are over in the UK late August and love the old stuff, including hundreds of bikes, make a trip to 'The Great Dorset Steam Fair' largest in the world apparently! Here's a link http://www.gdsf.co.uk/

The Fastback in the photos with the MK3 electric start conversion looks good, anyone else tried this?

Is the preservation of old stuff as active in the States?

In America, [as opposed to US Inc] we have steam rallies too and the English items are the exotica taken care of lovingly. They fire em up and work em too but once in a while there is a disaster that kills half a dozen, no not particular to the country of origin. After WWII Made in America was in its heyday.

I'd like to rig up a wood gas generator and run my old tractor and new Commando on it for fun.

Powerful lugging sounds
[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=fvwp&v=EUT8rN-1zi0&NR=1[/video]

Lovely idle to lugged down sounds
[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ln17jYbVkfQ[/video]

Ah , the lesser know red crested Mk III Commando Fastback .

Well it's the first one I've seen so it must be a rare thing indeed, quite a clever conversion, don't know if it's any cheaper or more available than an Alton set up, but it's certainly a good effort. I wanted to chat to the rider but they must have seen me hovering around and hid somewhere :mrgreen:

Good to see the preservation society alive and well in the USA Hobot. I think it's good to know where we come from otherwise we don't know where we're going!