Welland Steam and Country Rally (24th - 26th July, 2026)

This is one of a series of pages which I have uploaded to illustrate facets of steam rallies in the UK. Such events occur all over the country in the summer months, they are easily found by using your favourite search engine and may have anything between a handful of steam engines and over a hundred at an elite few (Old Warden, Welland and Weeting). 

Click here for the overall index of illustrated reports of UK steam rallies.

Click here for attendance lists for 2026

I had been eagerly anticipating this, the 60th anniversary event. However, it turned into something of a personal disaster as just about everything that could go wrong did. For as long as I have been attending, the rally site has suffered from being bleached and dusty and this year the current extended hot, dry spell made it even worse. Like most rallies at the moment, the coal was unfit for purpose and the breeze spread smoke everywhere especially on the Hill. After a bright start on the Friday, it soon became hazy with high cloud eventually spoiling my photography. I am no longer as resilient to such conditions as I used to be and by 16.00, I was feeling distinctly uncomfortable and decided it was best to go home. I had an early bed and next morning, while I felt a bit better, it was obvious that the day would offer more of the same, so I stayed home. Sunday promised plenty of cloud so I cut my losses. I'm very grateful to Peter Hall for the list of engines present that follows.

There is no conventional report for this special event but I have uploaded a few pictures to record it.