Hollycombe Steam Rally (1st - 2nd June, 2024
and 31st May - 1st June 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 2024 introduction and overall index and here for the 2025 introduction and overall index.
We visited Hollycombe in August 2014, principally to see the steam powered fairground which is its unique selling point. The rest of the attractions were in a somewhat run down state, in particular, the road engines apart from portables used to power various rides were all stored in the open, for the most part sheeted over. There were a couple of signs of a revival, a new winter store for the rides and a refreshment block were to be built with the aid of a couple of large grants.
Since then it has largely fallen off the radar and we missed the 'Steam in the Country' Festival 2023 as it clashed with Paddle Steamer Waverley's cruise to Lundy Island which had a higher priority.However I do have Paul Gilbey's pictures of the event.
Hollycombe has long been in the shadows as it cannot generate sufficient cash or volunteers. Wisely, they have put into store the many steam engines which need work done on them and they are progressing (slowly) those rides which are no longer safe to operate. As such, a major event like this with visiting engines must be a significant source of income. There seem to be now just three 'steam' rides operating (which I made no effort to photograph) plus the narrow gauge and miniature railways. Never mind, we were blessed with a warm, sunny day and the visitors came in their droves, it was particularly pleasing to see so many families with young children.
And, from a purely selfish point of view, there were no less than 13 'new engines' for me, a total which hasn't been achieved for some years.
Choose the page you are interested in and within that, click on a thumbnail for a larger image. Then click again to return to the page. I made no effort to seek out the various preserved engines noted in Paul Gilbey's 2023 report.
