Orange tractors gather at Tractor Fest 2024!

Posted by Chris Graham on 8th August 2024

David Reed reports on the bumper crop of ‘oranges’ that he found at Tractor Fest 2024, the UK’s biggest tractor enthusiasts’ extravaganza.

As part of the ‘all things orange’ theme at this year’s Tractor Fest, a great line-up of Allis Chalmers enjoyed the honour of assembling in pride of place in front of Newby Hall.

Although the Massey Ferguson red and grey and Ford and Fordson blue tractors dominated this year’s Tractor Fest, there was a great line-up of orange tractors on display as well.

Gordon Riddell’s Chamberlain Countryman was registered in Victoria, Australia.

There were getting on for 1,500 exhibits to inspect at this year’s event that was held, as usual, at Newby Hall, the eighteenth-century country house situated between Boroughbridge and Ripon, in Yorkshire.

This 1949 Allis Chalmers Model B spent most of its life in Appleby and has been with Jim Lofthouse, in York, for two years.

It’s a show not to be missed nowadays and, while tractors bearing the Ford and Fordson and Ferguson names tend to dominate proceedings, many other marques are represented. Every year the show celebrates with a special theme and this time it was ‘all things orange’.

This 1966 Zetor 3011 was bought by Ken Watson about 10 years ago and restored by Luke Garrity from West Marton.

So, as you’d expect, there were plenty Nuffield, Allis Chalmers, Marshall and Field Marshall tractors to be enjoyed, as the photographs here illustrate. I was certainly struck by the diverse selection of tractors proudly wearing orange paint, and the variation in condition on display only added to the interest.

A French-built, 1953 Allis Chalmers G bought in Cumbria – an ongoing restoration with C Walker, from Brigg.

It was a tremendous turn-out all round with many more machines on display than we have space to mention here. So a very successful weekend overall was enjoyed by exhibitors and visitors alike, with the latter attending in great numbers. There literally was something for everybody, and the idea of the ‘orange’ theme was a fascinating one.

Bill Wood’s 1942 Allis Chalmers C wide was one of two tractors that he found in Lincolnshire about five years ago.

So, many congratulations to everybody involved in this successful show, and it’ll be very interesting to see how the organisers attempt to better this year’s success next time!

Dave Wedlake’s 1956 Marshall MP6 was the third one off the production line. It was brought back from Australia and is being kept in original condition.

Richard Henderson’s 1942 Allis Chalmers M was bought from a Cheffins sale a few years ago as a non-runner. It now pulls rollers on the farm.

David Aylward, from Andover, owns this superb 1949 Nuffield M3 bought by his father, for £15!

Malcolm Hutchinson’s 1976 Same 60 was sold new by Farmway of Stokesley.

Jonathon Craske bought this 1938 Fordson N in 2022, and it was restored with this year’s Tractor Fest in mind.

This 1942 Allis Chalmers HD7 crawler is an ex-US army machine that was part of the Robert Wilson collection.

A 1966 Nuffield 470 Super four-wheel drive owned by Brian and Chris Elliot.

John Bateman’s 1956 Fowler VFA crawler came to the UK from Luxemburg last year.

Seen here parading in the ring, this 1967 BMC Mini 9/16 was entered by G Fishwick, from Thirsk.

This original-condition Field Marshall was entered by Gordon Riddell, from Aberdeen.

Gordon Riddell’s very original, 3-cylinder Nuffield Universal with Duncan cab.

This 1965 Allis Chalmers Super Gleaner A combine was new in Dumfriesshire, Scotland. Danny Key, from Lockerbie, is only the fourth owner.

Angela Kirkwood’s 1958 Nuffield Universal 3; restoration is still in progress.

This feature comes from the latest issue of Tractor & Machinery, and you can get a money-saving subscription to this magazine simply by clocking HERE