Fairford Steam Show, (16th - 17th August, 2025)
This is one of a series of pages I have uploaded to illustrate facets of the steam rallies we have attended in the UK. Click here for the 2025 introduction and overall index.
Fairford 2023 was a new venture which could have sunk in a sea of mud but was rescued from disaster by an inspired effort by the management. Conditions could not have been more different in 2024, it was a warm fine day, ground conditions were near perfect and the organisers were rewarded by an excellent turn out, at least on the Saturday when we attended with 32 engines on show.
As in 2024 and, understandably again this year, 75% of the engines had come straight from the nearby South Cerney event 2 weeks earlier. Never mind, 2025 was a year of consolidation and all the signs are that the show is here to stay, as such it was a chance for me to relax. The sun came out just in time for Saturday's noon grand parade and if I had gone on the Sunday instead I would have had 100% sun and probably an even larger crowd to work with.
It would be difficult to fault the organisation, from arrival (with cars split in two directions once in the car park, taken straight from my virtual manual) to departure (through a separate gate near to the main road), everything seems to have been carefully thought out. Of special note is developing relations with local organisations such as the football club hosting the public camping and the cricket club running the bar, not to mention the local council being 100% 'on side' and facilitating the Friday night gathering outside the Bull in the town centre. It's still no more than a medium sized show but it was extremely well laid out with a large plan just next to the entry gate and the arena events ran to time, always a good sign.
The only criticism I would have would be the steam section programme notes which were somewhat skeletal and could have benefited greatly from all the engines having their works numbers listed. There were 37 'runners' listed and I noted 34. For me, there were 4 no shows (Burrells 2804 and 3739, Ruston Proctor 30472 and McLaren 1148) which had been at South Cerney 2 weeks earlier to which can be added an anonymous Wallis and Steevens engine so there must have been at least one late entry.
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This would have been the first time that the steam organiser had had the privilege of arranging a grand parade - there was too much mud in 2023 for any movement and the arena in 2024 was far too small. No chances were taken and I watched as each engine was carefully brought to a halt.
There wasn't quite room for everyone so with an easterly wind, the main group was facing in the right direction.
