Steam Happening Event In England

transformed the estate into one of Britain’s most popular
tourist attractions. He holds two steam days a yeara Steam Festival
in the spring, and the Happening in the fall.

We had often heard the term, ‘showman’s engine’ but
did not get its full meaning until we attended the
‘Happening’ at Beaulieu last October. A showman’s
engine is a mighty vehicle, brightly painted with its metal
decorations gleaming, and a history all its own.

The showman’s engine is equipped with a dynamo up front. Its
original use was for hauling equipment for traveling showmen as
they transported their entertainment paraphernalia from one country
fair ground or show location to another. It could generate
electricity for use at the shows and could be used in lifting the
equipment as well.

Owners and their crew members proudly polish their engines, and
extend minute care to fueling and firing. Many photographers take
pictures of the engines and their crews. While we were at Beaulieu,
a young man who said he represented a German magazine was taking
many pictures.

Representatives of the National Traction Engine Club were on
hand at the ‘Happening’ to enroll members and take
renewals, and explain how the organization works. They said they
were running out of our magazines and would have to order more.

Great Britain has many steam societies and clubs which hold
rallies and shows. The national organization gives approval for
these events, when the local groups meet its code of practice for
the safety of the public. The rules are especially applicable where
engines are moving about.

The National Traction Engine Club will celebrate its 21st
anniversary this year. Its first rally was held in Appleford,
Bartshire, when one farmer challenged another to a race for a
barrel of beer. It was won by the man who became national
president, Arthur Napper.

Anniversary events will include a commemorative run from
Appleford to Nettleford, the week after the big anniversary
celebration is held July 12-13.

Among the owners of showman’s engines was Rin Hawthorne, of
Woodcote near Reading, who had his Fowler R3, titled Renown, on
exhibit. The Renown was always used on the fair grounds, he said,
with its sister engine the Repulse. At the start of World War II it
was used for timber hauling. It then lay derelict for ten years on
the Northumberland coast until renovated by a Mr. Parks. He sold it
to Hawthorne.

Peter Barber, of London SW6, showed his Little Jim II, made by
W. Tasker & Sons Ltd., only one of its kind left. It is a three
speed, compound, 5 horsepower. It was built as a farm tractor but
converted to a showman’s engine in 1928. It was used for that
purpose until World War II, when the dynamo was taken off and it
hauled timber. It fell into disuse 1943-44 and was completely out
of operation until Barber bought it in 1966. He did a full
rebuilding, including a new boiler.

The ‘Pride of Worcester’ was under the care of Ron
Harris and Rill Price, for the owner, Marsh Plant, New Lane,
Hampshire. Ron and Bill had put years of spare time work on the
engine, along with the late Reg Woolrich, for the company.

Ron gave us an information sheet about ‘Pride of
Worcester’, which had its history printed on it, along with two
pictures. It’s an idea American owners of outstanding, engines
could use, since many visitors to thresherees and reunions would
appreciate having this kind of fact sheet to take home with
them.

The ‘Pride of Worcester’ was made by the Burrell works
in March 1907. It traveled for the Bioscope show. In 1936 it was
sold to Arnold Brothers at Southampton and renamed ‘King Edward
VIII’. Later, when Miss Sally Beech owned it, she called it
‘Lord Fisher’. It was last used as a showman’s engine
about 1952. A later owner called it ‘Centaur’. March Plant
bought it in 1967 and restoration started. A new tube plate at the
smoke box end was fitted. The boiler shell was electronically
tested and some stays repaired. Gear wheels were built up to
original size; all bearings and bushes were renewed or replaced
where necessary. Items incorrectly nickel plated were returned to
polished dull nickel buffed. Final touch was complete relining and
repainting.

Showing miniature engines at the Happening were Len Arnold,
Gladstone Road, Gosport, and Jack Leabod, Morgan Road, Portsmouth.
Both are engineers, which is a ‘big help’ with their hobby.
They build three inches to a foot. Most of their castings come from
Lion Engineering.

We enjoyed chatting with Albert Arnold, old time showman, who
once drove the ‘Pride of Worcester’ with loads behind it.
All showman’s engines are now off the road, he said. They would
be allowed, but not profitable. He has a big collection of photos
at his exhibit.

It was also a pleasure to talk with Leonard Brooks of Harold
Hill, Essex, who operates a steam-driven organ. He uses a traction
engine to power the organ, and he is available for ‘Charities,
Fetes, County Shows, Firework Nights, Steam Engine and Vintage
Motor Rallies, Street Collections and Carnivals.’ We hope to do
an illustrated article on Brooks in a later issue.

Numerous organs play their melodies at the Happening. One huge
organ, whose operator sells longplay records of the tunes, was once
powered by steam. Now it is run by electricity and could still be
run by steam if a boiler were fitted.

The British National Motor Museum is a story in itself. We found
a number of small steam models, but the major attraction is the
old-time autos. Car buffs would certainly find this a dream world
to roam around in.

You can see an 1898 Benz, a 1913 Newton Bennett, a 1938 Morris,
an 1898 Cannstatt-Daimler, a 1901 Columbia Electric, and all sorts
of other choice cars. Some visitors, undoubtedly, come to Beaulieu
only for this museum. It was founded by Lord Montagu in 1952, and
draws wide support of the British motor and motorcycle industries,
as well as private collectors.

Beaulieu has been the home of the family of Lord Montagu since
1538, when King Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries and sold the
abbey and its lands to Thomas Wriothesley, first Earl of
Southampton.

Beaulieu has beautiful gardens. It also has what is called the
world’s greatest model railway with 100 working trains.

If you wish to visit Beaulieu, and are looking for overnight
accommodations nearby, we recommend the Master Builder’s House
at Buckler’s Hard, two miles away.

Buckler’s Hard was a shipbuilding center in the 18th
Century. Many of the wooden ships which sailed in Lord Nelson’s
fleet were built there. The village of Buckler’s Hard is
virtually untouched, along the Beaulieu River. The Master
Builder’s House is the center for lodgings and food.