Thousands turn out for vintage display at Blists Hill
Some of the world's oldest steam machines were on display this weekend at Blists Hill Museum, Ironbridge.
The wrought Ironworks was fired up for only the second time this year and hundreds of people were able to see them in all its glory.
A steam engine by Pollit & Whigzell was also running alongside the Woods Engine, which is the oldest steam engine in the world still working as it was designed to do so and which has a 27 tonne fly wheel.
They were joined by a road roller and a number of other engines as well as the Chief Fowler Ploughing Engine and Jo - which is a Fowler A7 Road Logo.
The town’s replica of Trevithick’s 1802 Coalbrookdale locomotive was also running while ‘Billy’, a1903 Wallis & Steevens road roller was joined by the Merry Weather fire pump and the Fielding oil engine.
Ross Davidson, operations officer at Blists Hill said that the weekend had gone extremely well with more than 2,000 people enjoying the spectacle.
"It was a very good turnout," said Ross. "We were helped out by the weather. While the sunshine was good for the visitors it was not so good for the men operating the machines. They did get very hot, sweaty and dirty.
"It was a great opportunity for people to see the engines at Blists Hill working as they are meant to do so. Some of them only run infrequently through the year but we do aim to have at least one steam engine running every day. This weekend was probably the last time this year that the Ironworks will run this year. It really is the crowning jewel in our displays here at Blists Hill. Many people do not realise we have such magnificent machines right here on their doorsteps."
