Saturday the 26th September was the day that the roads of Bedfordshire were inundated with road steam of all sizes, and what a day it was.
Shuttleworth Park, Old Warden twas the chosen start point for the NTET 60th Anniversary road run, a 130+ engines had three different routes on offer an 18 mile, 28 mile and a 50 mile route. Engines of all types tackling what they fancied of the three routes. Rollers, Traction Engines road and agricultural right through to steam cars and even some miniatures were seen by the locals and many visitors rumbling through the countryside.  

TVTEC was represented at the event by Noel Greenaway’s  Foden C Type Wagon ‘Emily’, Nigel Greenaway’s Aveling and Porter Tractor ‘Whippet’, Ben Brown with Marshall Traction Engine ‘Old Timer’, Richard Poole’s Allchin Traction Engine ‘Evedon Lad’ and newly restored Marshall Traction Trailer and James Wren Davis’ Burrell Showmans Road Loco ‘Britannia’ with Showmans Living Van in tow.  All engines enjoying different routes and completing them successfully.

This special event has a great atmosphere and with so many engines and picturesque routes was a real treat for the spectators as well as the engine drivers. I even think the local pubs approved too! Can’t think why…. 

Although the routes were mainly flat, there were a couple of ramps providing some chuffing action for the many spectators videoing from the side of the road. Some real highlights were seeing engines like Fowler R3 Showmans Road Loco ‘Renown’ ,  the Fowler B6 Super Lion Crane Road Loco ‘Wolverhampton Wanderer’ on the road, not engines we see much down our way. Also a nice nod to the Thames Valley was seeing ex local engines Openshaw’s Fowler B6 ‘Carry On’ and the Englefield estates old Fowler ‘Monty’ still proudy wearing its original Fowler working clothes!

Another treat was for those who couldn’t make the GDSF WW1 road run back in August getting to see the fresh out of the box Maclaren Road Loco ‘Gigantic’, in its WD livery with matching WD Traction Trailer eating up the miles on the 28 mile route, it really was an impressive sight to behold. 

I think it’s fair to say all of us who attended would like to wish our congratulations to the NTET for a well organised super event! Bring on the 70th! Maybe a return to home soils, who knows…..