International Steam at Large 2019

[International Steam]

Frankly, this was 'disappointing' with steam engine numbers half what they were a few years back.

The rally desperately needs a 'reboot':

http://www.internationalsteam.co.uk/...rollers417.htm

[International Steam]

My report (mainly Thursday and Friday) is now available via the index page for 2019:

http://www.internationalsteam.co.uk/.../ukindex19.htm

After all the hard work, the organisers were most unlucky, we live some 20 miles west and we had no rain all weekend, the rally site was right on the western boundary of the rain that caused big problems further north.

Please advise errors and omissions, I'm rather tired after a one day visit to Boconnoc on the Sunday.

Conditions could not have been more different, suffice to say it was well worth the effort.

[International Steam]

For our second event of the weekend, we made a long day trip to Cornwall.

It was a superb experience in great surroundings with excellent weather, the highlight being the heavy haulage demonstration with three of the visiting NZ engines.

The report can be accessed from the 2019 index page:

http://www.internationalsteam.co.uk/.../ukindex19.htm

It's a large site with engines scattered far and wide, it's not impossible that some the 'no shows' were hidden away somewhere.

[International Steam]

We were at Woodchurch for this excellent event on the Saturday and Sunday.

There were quite a few (OK, lots) of A&P rollers but several were new to me and I believe only recently out and about. Not to mention plenty of other engines too.

It didn't rain although bright sunshine was in short supply.

See http://www.internationalsteam.co.uk/.../ukindex19.htm

Enjoy and let me know of any mistakes or omissions, some of the rollers are very similar...

[International Steam]

On my way to the Weald of Kent Rally, I spent Friday afternoon at South Cerney:

http://www.internationalsteam.co.uk/.../ukindex19.htm

Almost all the engines were on site and there was plenty of movement, with three saw benches.

However, the weather wasn't very friendly, it didn't matter as I checked what was present, but there was no more than an hour of quite good sunshine later by which time there was less movement. As such the pictures are a mixed bag.

[International Steam]

Despite the best attempts of the rain gods on Friday, the showground drained well overnight and the fair breeze dried the surface nicely. Plenty of sunshine, especially in the afternoon.

We attended a full day on the Saturday and just briefly on Sunday. Afterwards, we went to the Museum of Lincolnshire Life and while there the heavens opened again. I hope the showground a few miles away escaped it.

We found things much as in 2016 with mainly 'old friends' but a sprinkling of unfamiliar engines.

The usual report is now available, as always the link is here:

http://www.internationalsteam.co.uk/.../ukindex19.htm

Now to get ready for Dorset...

[International Steam]

Having returned exhausted from a hot and dusty GDSF on Sunday we had an early start on Bank Holiday Monday.

The sun took a long time to appear but there was enough of it to get a nice set of static pictures.

I had been told that there would be 20 steam engines which were new to the show and indeed there were 22 which I had not seen there since I started visiting in 2013.

With the returning pair of Shropshire Fosters and the first appearance of 'Talisman' in steam this was another show to remember.

Hopefully not too many mistakes and available as always via the index page:

http://www.internationalsteam.co.uk/.../ukindex19.htm

[International Steam]

I have now completed my photoreport, plenty of movement here...

Follow the link as usual in:

http://www.internationalsteam.co.uk/...ndexgdsf19.htm

Please let me know of any errors but more importantly any omissions. I have looked through the relatively few pictures on this forum and didn't spot any extra engines. I don't 'do' Facebook where no doubt there are thousands and thousands of pictures.

It was an excellent show but it seems that the numbers were well down compared to 2018. I don't know how they would compare with a 'normal year'. Certainly whether by better organisation or simply reduced numbers, many of the issues that sparked adverse comments last year were not apparent.

My one main criticism is that heavy playpen users were allowed to destroy the surface to the extent that by Saturday afternoon there was dust flying everywhere. Yuehong and I had enjoyed Friday's spectacle but we stayed only a short while and then moved on. It's easy to see in the report which pictures were taken on which day!

We were not present on Sunday or Monday, so more engines may have turned up then.

[International Steam]

A small but friendly rally in an attractive part of the country.

Heaven forbid there should be any mistakes this time!

http://www.internationalsteam.co.uk/.../ukindex19.htm

[International Steam]

We had a cultural day out in the North Cotswolds and on the way we popped into this small show.

http://www.internationalsteam.co.uk/.../ukindex19.htm

The good news is that 'the show will go on' and the family will pick up the reins following Keith Shakespeare's passing.