Vintage traction engines working again
Posted by Chris Graham on 5th October 2022
Two historic and beautifully-restored vintage traction engines returned to work in Kent recently, as Peter Love reports.
Vintage traction engines returned to work: General French worked well at this year’s Weald Of Kent Steam Rally in Woodchurch, Kent. Its sister doesn’t exactly exist, as parts were used on other K7 restorations, although not all of them have been reused yet. (Pic: Peter Love)
Even though the land was mighty hard, it was good to see 1916 Fowler K7 No.14256 KE135 General French out and in an area where it worked during the 1950s, before being parked up in Holman’s yard, Dover Road, Canterbury for some years after they finished using it. Now with R&V Andrews & Daughters, the engine worked well over the weekend at the Weald Of Kent Steam Rally, Woodchurch, under the ever watchful eye of Bob Watts. Bob’s Wade/Watts 1914 Fowler No.14213 two-speed ploughing engine Bob (named after a former owner’s father) was at the other end of the cultivator.
Another engine that’s changed hands relatively recently is 1910 Aveling & Porter BSD-type side-valve compound No. 6970 YA893 Old Bertie. It worked for W Buncombe during some of its working life, and was also seen at Woodchurch. (Pic: Peter Love)
This news item comes from the latest issue of Old Glory, and you can get a money-saving subscription to this magazine simply by clicking HERE
