There can’t be many better ways to spend your 50th birthday than surrounded by 100 plus steam engines. That’s precisely what the National Traction Engine Trust did at their 50th Anniversary Road Run over the weekend of 24-26 September, based at the Hollowell, Northamptonshire rally site, reports Malcolm Ranieri.

The celebratory road run of the foremost traction engine society for steam enthusiasts’ half-century followed on from their very succesful gathering of 50 ‘rarely seen engines’ (which, in the event, became 60!), at the Great Dorset Steam Fair held at the beginning of the month, and profiled in the last issue of Old Glory.

For me the gathering at Dorset was an absolute must and the organisation involved in getting together all those rare machines must have been a difficult task. But to follow that within the month with the 50th Anniversary Road Run is a real achievement, and one that the Trust should be justly proud of. I am sure that the event will be talked about for years to come.

A small team led by John Cook, Membership Secretary and Vice Chairman of the NTET, organised both events, encouraged by both the Great Dorset Steam Fair management and practical help from Allen Eaton and his team at the Hollowell site. Brian James and Paul Worbey both provided support as safety officers and travelling marshals.

Two other marshals on period machines were Keith Stott, circuiting the courses on his 1950s 350cc Ariel Hunter motor cycle and Steve and Linda Hayes in their beautiful Lagonda open tourer.

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