Getting steamy in Fairford

by Brady Haran BBC News Online

The engines range in size

To many people, the beautiful Gloucestershire town of Fairford is best known for its air tattoo - a high-powered display of modern technology.

But many locals like old fashioned things.

For them, the annual Fairford Steam Rally is more to their liking.

BBC News Online attended this year's event at the weekend - soaking up the smell of coal and engine oil.

Chairman of the organising committee, Reg Poulton, said the event has been going strong for more than 30 years.

FULL STEAM AHEAD This 1929 steam crane was a star attraction at the rally

He said: "It has been running since 1969 and it is to raise money for the local scouts."

The event attracted a crowd of about 17,000 people.

This year's rally featured 40 steamers, including an unusual crane engine making its first appearance at the show.

Mr Poulton has been involved in running the event since it started.

He said: "Somebody had the idea that steam engines might bring people into a field to make some money.

"It has worked very well for 34 years.

"Every year we come along the week before the August bank holiday, and people come to see the different steamers.

PICTURE PERFECT DAY Pictures from the rally

"Some of the steamers are working as they would have done in their working day.

"Some of them we play games with just to show the drivers can still drive them."

The rally is staged on a cattle field, with the cows moved to a nearby field about a week before the event.

So, is this the biggest event of Fairford's calendar?

Mr Poulton concedes the rally runs a close second.

"Unfortunately somebody brings a few airplanes up the road... which is slightly bigger than us."

For the record, the air tattoo attracts about 250,000 spectators - but it has never featured a Fowler Crane Engine with its original boiler AND copper firebox still intact.