Traction Engine on the A39

Yesterday lunchtime (Sunday 10th July), I was surprised to hear the distinctive sound of a traction engine passing my window, trundling through Wells.

A bit of investigation (ie following the traffic jam...) revealed it to be a Showmans Engine named "The Griffin", pulling a trailer (loaded with two boilers) behind. Does anyone know where it was going, or who it belongs to? More out of curiousity than anything - I had no idea that it was coming, or where it was going.

It came into Wells on the A39 down Penn Hill (from the Bath direction), traversed the bypass (over the site of the old Priory Road station), and on towards Glastonbury and Street.

Any ideas where it was off to, or where the boilers on the trailer are destined for?

The image below (hope it works....) shows the procession passing the old S&D goods shed at Priory Road, on the trackbed of the S&D. For a while at least, steam was back in in Wells!

Cheers,

Phil.

 

I could ask in another place? PM me if you want.

I don't know the answer, but I might be able to find out for you......

 

Can't answer the question but if it was going/had come any distance there'd have been some ripe language in the queue of cars behind as that's not a road that you can easily pass it on!

 

The answer is on Traction Talk, the road steam forum, but as I am typimg this on my blackberry I can't cut and paste the relevant bits, sorry.

 

Where on tt?, if I can find it then I'll C&P the info to here EDIT - found it......

A bit short notice I know but for those of you that are in the area you may be interested in tomorrows run.

Simon Caudwell will be driving his Burrell 2804 the White Rose of York/The Griffin from Stoke St Michael to the Langport show ground. They will be towing a period 4 in line trailer with the old and newly completed boiler and box of 1901 Burrell 6 hp Traction engine, co owned by Simon and Brendon Rowe of New Zealand.

The route taken will be, a short distance from the Wagon and Horses at Doulting Beacon, BA4 4LA, Crossing the Old Froome Road to the B3135 to Green Ore. The following the A39 and acending the 1000ft off the Mendips into Wells city centre. The load will then pass through Glastonbury and out on the A39 to the A361 Taunton Road at Pedwell. They will then cross the Somerset Levels and then climb over 300 feet up Ham Hill into High Ham. From then it is a couple of miles onto the Low Ham site ,TA10 9DR.

The crew are hoping to be on the road by 9:30 in the morning and I would imagin progress to Langport will take most of the day. The climb up Ham Hill is very steep and is sure to make 2804 work hard and an ideal spot for photos.

Brendon Rowe will be visiting the Somerset Steam Spectacular next weekend 15th, 16th and 17th the first time he has attended a UK steam rally and the first time he will be seeing his completed boiler.
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From looking at the pics on TT, I think they had several stops to let people past......

 

A belated thanks to both Stoneroad & Anthony Coulls for this information - it certainly made a pleasant surprise addition to my Sunday afternoon!

If anyone hears anything about a 'return run' to Stoke St Michael, I would be very interested to hear of it - particularly as this would involve the procession climbing the steep Penn Hill (A39 on the outskirts of Wells), instead of descending it....

Many thanks again for the info, gents.

Cheers,

Phil.