Miniature Traction Engine Weekend 2014...

Hi guys. Here we go then...with only three months to go before the event it is time to start rationally plugging Miniature Traction Engine Weekend 2014. This event will be held over April 26th/27th at Market Bosworth Station on the Battlefield Line. The Goods Yard will play host to over 30 miniature traction engines and lorries in scales 3" - 6" and from makers such as Burrell, Foster, Fowler, Garrett, Allchin, Foden and rarer examples such as a Case and a Savage. The engines will no doubt be happily milling around on the Old Goods Yard. To compare their size, two full size road engines will be joining us for this gala event. In 2014, we are kindly joined by Wallis Expansion Engine "Pedler" and Aveling & Porter Roller "Louise". As well as the steamers there will be a visiting organ creating a steam rally atmosphere throughout the weekend. If you want to go even smaller, why not try the ride-on 5" gauge steam railway, courtesy of GEC MES (small extra charge payable)...

Close of Play on Saturday - MTEW 2013 - M.Heseltine

To see how traction engines were used in past years, why not come along and see our small working area. New for 2014, the area will demonstrate steam wood sawing and flour milling. These two trades came to be when the traction engines were coupled up using strong belts to exchange power from their spinning flywheels to the required appliance. Throughout MTEW 2014, it is hoped to show you steam wood sawing and steam flour milling in 1/3 scale, and at the time of writing we hope to have a 1/3 scale threshing box in attendance too. As if that wasn't enough, witness the beautiful 1/3 scale Showmans Engine "The Griffin" powering her much larger organ via her in-built Dynamo: just as her full size forefathers did. You will also be able to see Showmans engines powering their lights as they did in fairground days...though perhaps only by daylight in our case! The beauty of MTEW is that you can chat and socialise with the drivers of the various steam machines and learn more about the histories of these fabulous models...

"Vera" In Steam (She'll Be There In 2014) - P.Grain

The opportunity to see all of the engines: including the full size pair: together will come once a day. At 1:50pm the engines will all line up in the Goods Yard square in preparation for the 2pm (1:57 to be precise) "BIG WHISTLE" where everything that can whistle will whistle...including the passing bulk of GWR Heavy Freight No3803 on the metals of the Battlefield Line! This was the scene on the Sunday of the 2013 event at 2pm...

Line Up - MTEW Sunday 2013 - D.Playfoot

Indoors in the historic Market Bosworth Goods Shed there will be a catering stand as well as Model Engineering displays from Nuneaton MES and GEC MES. A live steam 16mm model railway (including coal-fired models at various intervals) will also be joining in the fun as well as Toy Steam displays, coupled with a Meccano display stand and Model Trucks. Why not stop for a cuppa' with our Catering Department?

 

Entry to the 2014 event is price-frozen with the 2013 pioneer. Therefore entry to Market Bosworth Station is £4 per adult and £2 per child respectively. These tickets are however refundable against the price of a train ticket aboard our full size steam train. To get the most from your day, why not travel to the event from Shenton or Shackerstone stations? The picturesque 10-mile round trip calls in at Market Bosworth station in both directions and, as an added bonus, if you ride on the train to the event you enter MTEW for free! So why not ride on the train and see over 30 miniatures plus many other displays for free?! OK guys, that's it, no more plugging (for now!). I hope that we can make MTEW 2014 a success for our railway as we are always desperately short of much-needed funds. If anyone wishes to come along and support this little steam rally event then please do. It would be great to see you. So please support Miniature Traction Engine Weekend 2014, April 26th/27th 10am - 5pm. See www.battlefield-line-railway.co.uk for more details. Kind Regards, Sam...