Saffron Walden, Crank Up (15th

The International Steam Pages

Saffron Walden, Crank Up (15th - 16th April, 2023)

This is one of a series of pages which I have uploaded to illustrate facets of steam rallies we have attended 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 hundreds (as at the Great Dorset Steam Fair which could probably be fairly described as having an excess of riches). Click here for the overall index for 2023.

I'm pleased to present Paul Gilbey's pictures of this small event which has moved to a new location, Carver Barracks, which is an old air field. One welcome feature was a display for the centenary of Taylor Brothers, local road contractors from Wimbish. Aveling and Porter 'convertible' Southern Queen (7899/1913) which had been one other engines was on its way to attend when it had an accident in Great Dunmow. Fortunately no one was hurt but it would have been disappointing for the organisers.

Paul writes:

"Taylor brothers Oliver, Ben & Charlie set up business in Wimbish with an A & P roller 5055 water cart and living van for £450 second hand. They worked mainly in Suffolk and Essex. During the 2nd WW the business worked at Duxford and Debden airfields constructing runways etc. Over the years they purchased several engines second hand including A & P 3834, 7899, 8837, 9102 10651, 11240, 6588, 11556 and 7385. Ben Taylor died in 1979 and left the yard in Wimbish for the preservation and restoration of engines and is still used to this day to store and maintain them."

Steam Rollers

Maker	Number	Registration	Notes
Aveling and Porter	2941/1891	AL 9463	"The Old Girl" Saffron Walden 2022 Picture
Aveling and Porter	8837/1917	NO 1221	Taylor Brothers exhibit "George" Old Warden Rally 2014 Picture Saffron Walden 2022 Picture
Aveling and Porter	11556/1926	MK 6933	Taylor Brothers exhibit "Gentle Annie" Weald of Kent Rally 2019 Picture Weald of Kent Rally 2021 Picture
Aveling -Barford	AC 621/1937	GMK 939	"Lady Helen"
Wallis and Steevens	7943/1927	OT 6007	"Rodney" Welland Rally 2016 Picture Old Warden Rally 2016 Picture Old Warden Rally 2017 Picture Weeting Rally 2022 Picture Turvey Rally 2022 Picture