Old Glory

If you love the spectacle of immaculately-restored old machinery, or are fascinated by Britain’s rich industrial and transport heritage, Old Glory is the magazine for you! In vivid detail it brings back all the sights and sounds of yesteryear. Glorious showman’s engines belt out the amperes to drive historic fairground rides; pairs of mighty steam ploughing engines turn the soil; steam rollers make up roads once more; tram wheel flanges squeal through town and city streets; colourful working narrowboats ply the canals; dray horses deliver good ale to the pubs; vintage tractors cough into life; stationary engines turn over tirelessly and the commercial vehicles we used to know take to the road again. This magazine covers these magnificent steam engines that once powered this nation. Whether you’re interested in the latest news, stories of steam engines saved from obscurity, upcoming events or detailed features on the history of these wonderful machines you’ll find it in Old Glory.

DANNY BOY DEBUTS IN STEAM • The highlight for so many at the just excellent Netley Marsh Rally over 17-19 July was the fact there were three Foden traction engines together. This was made up of two ex Australian examples, No. 2072 Intrepidus and No. 2441 Danny Boy, both making great progress with their restorations but both lacking some gears. The engine towing them about was the mighty 1920 No. 9052 Rob Roy which on the Saturday worked so superbly on the Dovey's Foden threshing drums.

CONTENTS

WELCOME

MIDGET RETURNS TO RAF DEBDEN • This year’s Saffron Walden Crank-Up had a special visitor with former Taylor Brothers of Wimbish May 1911 Aveling & Porter R4 single-cylinder 4-ton roller No. 7385 of 1911 returning to the former aerodrome where it worked during World War Two. Simon Colbeck went along to see the engine at this year’s show.

HEAVY HAULAGE AT CHESTER-LE-STREET • The Chester-le-Street Steam and Vintage Fair has been a popular event on the rally calendar since 1956 with this year’s rally being its 70th anniversary. For 2026, heavy haulage was to the fore, says David Reed.

NEWS & Events

MODEL NEWS • Mike Neale takes his monthly look at recently released diecast and resin models, this month covering Land-Rovers, ambulances and ice cream vans in 1/32, 1/43, 1/76, and 1/148 scale.

Letters • The editor is always delighted to receive your e-mails, letters, photographs and more on any subject you like! But please be sensible and courteous to everyone when you write in. Letters published are not the views of the publisher or editor. Thank you!

BIGGEST WELLAND EVER! PART ONE

REMPSTONE CELEBRATES 70TH ANNIVERSARY IN STYLE • It was one huge party at this year’s Rempstone Steam and Country Show as its 70th anniversary was celebrated. Simon Colbeck was there to join in the fun and reflect on one of the UK’s longest-running rallies.

SUPERB RESTORATION • A full restoration of an Orton & Spooner living wagon with a long history of association with the Anderton & Rowland fairground family has just been completed by Dr Amy Goodwin and it made its debut at the Royal Cornwall Show on Thursday 4 June, unfortunately the Saturday of the show was cancelled due to high winds and rain.

STEAM IN THE SUNSHINE AT KELSALL • David Reed went along to the Kelsall Steam and Vintage Rally which is well-known for its huge display of commercial vehicles, but there are other exhibits that are certainly worth a look, including a great display of full-size and miniature steam engines.

THE PAR TWINS

ALL ABOARD AT SANDTOFT P1 • After visiting the Sandtoft Trolleybus Museum for the first time since the 1990s, David Reed looked at how the museum had developed, their plans for the future and took a ride on a few trolleybuses.

ROYAL AUTOMOBILE CLUB CONCOURS 2026 • After...