Carters Steam Fair 2022
Final Season

This is one of a series of pages which I have uploaded to illustrate facets of steam rallies we have attended in the UK. Such events occur all over the country in the summer months, they are easily found by using your favourite search engine and may have anything between a handful of steam engines and hundreds (as at the Great Dorset Steam Fair which could probably be fairly described as having an excess of riches). Click here for the overall 2022 index.

This report, courtesy of collaborator Paul Gilbey, celebrates Britain's largest travelling vintage funfair in the world with side stalls with a range of vintage rides dating from the 1890s to the 1960s. Each has been lovingly restored and maintained with intricate lettering and decoration. It is now up for sale and will hopefully remain intact. You can read more about the fair and its 2022 itinerary here:

https://www.carterssteamfair.co.uk/ and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carters_Steam_Fair

These pictures were taken in Hemel Hempstead on Sunday 12th June. The order of the pictures is totally arbitrary although I have grouped similar subjects together.

Steam Powered Rides

A steam rally without the gallopers is distinctly lacking in my opinion. There are a number of operational sets most of which have Savage engines, but this one is a Tidman..

Tidman Engine - Anna

Organ engine, also by Tidman

Steam Yachts

These are powered by another Savage engine. This is one of only two operational sets in the UK, the other is part of the Saunders collection.

Savage engine 793/1901 'Yorky'

Below this organ, there is a board which records the ride's history. It reads:

"Built by Savages of Kings Lynn in 1921 for Yorkshire Showman Mr. Joseph Ling. Original Savage Steam Engine No. 886 was sadly destroyed in 1957. The identical Savbage Steam Engine No. 793 now powering these Yachts was new to Mr. J. W. Waddington in 1901 and has been saved from destruction by Mr. Harry Lee. These yachts were purchased derelict in Scotland by Carters in 1975 and fully restored during 1982-1984. The 47 key Dean Organ was built specially for the ride in 1984. This is the only set of Steam Yachts travelling on a regular basis anywhere in the World, and one of only two surviving sets."

Harum Scarum Rides

Giant Swings

The Octopus

Dodgems

Lightning Skid

Chair-o-planes

Supersonic Jets

Children's Rides

The rides above all have height (i.e. age) restrictions not surprisingly.

Train Ride

Toy Town

Dobbies

Cars

The Boat Ride

Side Stalls

These all require a degree of skill to win a modest prize.

Coconut Shy

African Jungle (Cork Shooting)

Original (Wild West) Shooting Saloon

Jollity Farm Balla

Finally, the classic Try Your Strength

Powerful 'tractors' for getting around between venues. there are nearly 30 in all.The bill for the diesel this year must be enormous.

Special accommodation - Living Wagons, 6 according to the website (for the family I assume)

We have a very intensive programme this summer but I hope to get to see the fair in Bath in August. Certainly they don't make them like this any more!