Lichfield
International rally 2012
In 2012 we travelled to the International rally at Lichfield; Hans, Erik, Theo, Fokke, Harry, Bas and myself travelled in 4 Austin's (A30 and A35's) to Lichfield. Because of the weather we decided to go and visit some indoor activities. We went to a steam fair, steam pump station and a brewery museum.
The first day at the national we drove to the Foxton locks
The locks where in really good shape, well maintained
And then you realize what kinds of tools they must have had back in the day
First we went to the bottom of the locks
There where some lovely houses and cafés at the bottom
bas looking out over the last lock
This is the top of the slope where the two steam driven tanks used to load the boats
bottom of the slope where the boates left the tanks. The lift operated side by side with the locks from 1900 to 1911 until the railroads put them out of business.
more here
Then it began to rain, luckily we where able to drink some coffee and enjoy a sausage roll
The start of a rainy weekend
In the canal alongside the old horse track, there where some really nice boats
In Lichfield we filled up the little Austin's
practising our line-ups
This weather makes you cold, right Bas?
At least it was dry inside the big tent
Erik texting home
Harry, enjoying him self
On route to the brewery museum we stopped. The youngsters in front!
We parked in front of the brewery for all to see
The museum had some nice vehicles.
some lovely old buildings held a lot of brewing history and memorabilia.
The working steam engine used to power the brewery.
This building houses the Shire horse
This is one of the two shire horses living at the museum
Enjoying ourselves in the carriage.
We all fit inside of the carriage.
The horses where very impressive! They where used to pull along everything in the good old days
more here
Miniature steam engine inside the museum.
The horses where replaced by rail.
Diesel shunter's where used to pull along wagons filled with beer and other things you find in a brewery
There was some tasting.
Unbelievable the size of these horses!
can you spot the squirrel?
The next day we went to the Wolverhampton park where a steam and vintage rally was held.
All present?
Traction engine firing up!
lots of polishing!
All polished up, these traction engines would be used at fair grounds
Now, they just don't make them like they used to.
Line-up of some steam rollers and traction engines
nice
I really love the simplicity of the technology and at the same time they are so complex.
The hook is used to rip the soil open
what a pair of lovely level gauges
this model was so nice, they built it of of pictures, and it was really working. The owner explained in detail that the cable was gripped by the drum by patented grippers. The patent has probably expired though.
the farmer had to steer the plough
these where not often used, it was more common to use a second traction engine. The wheels are powered by the cable when a leaver is pulled.
driving around on a model traction engine.
Harry and his girlfriend
the last day we travelled to the pump station in Burton-upon-trend, its boilers where under steam
Central axle on the roof of the workshop that powered all the machinery to maintain the pump station.
A big steam powered lathe.
Also the blacksmith used a steam powered hammer. The blacksmith was a young woman driving a Mini estate.
Big....
There are two identical sides to the building. This one contained 2 of the 4 engines and was fully restored and in working order.. the other side was in more original state.
a big crank. Bas, your not cranky, are you?
These rods connect the cylinder to the beam they are connected through an extra beam to make the motion as straight as possible.
That's a big flywheel you have there
At the controls, don't forget to pull the small leaver on the left! ;-)
They have a large collection of engines that used to power al sorts of things around the site.
here's another one.
and another one.
Some pumps
The four Austin's waiting in the sun for the boat to come and take them back to Holland.