Tag: Astle Traction Engine Rally

35mm · Film photography · Photography

More folks and old machines

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Well the photographs from the Astle Traction Engine Rally continue to appear, and still several more likely to make a showing too. I hope I’m not boring anyone with these.

I don’t really have any great interest in the machines for their own sakes. They’re impressive, to be sure, and interesting to look upon, and I’m very grateful for the fact that they’re still being maintained and made available to see for the general public. But my interest almost ends there. They make beautiful subjects for photographs though, don’t they?

And so I visit steam rallies, classic car shows, and other similar events where old machines and other artefacts of days gone by might be found. I might not know much about the things on show but I know a worthwhile picture when I see one I think.

I know what these are
Not at an expert level
I just make pictures

Between the engines
Big
Two guys and a traction engine
Haulage contractor

Nikon F80, Nikkor 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6D & Ilford HP5+. Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 9mins @ 20°.

Taken on 14 August 2021

35mm · Film photography · Photography

Recliner

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Let’s hope it doesn’t suddenly roll forwards!

I’m still uploading photos from this steam rally, even though I’ve attended another one today and now have a whole bunch more to develop and scan!

Does tons of metal
Make for comfort when weary
Perhaps it might do

Leaning

Nikon F80, Nikkor 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6D & Ilford HP5+. Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 9mins @ 20°.

Taken on 14 August 2021

35mm · Film photography · Photography

Bond Bug

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When I was a kid the Bond Bug wasn’t an unusual sight, even if not completely commonplace. Every one (to my knowledge) was painted the same bright orange and this, plus the lift-up canopy door and three-wheel design made them special in the eyes of my friends and I. For a while I thought they were so named due to some sort of connection with James Bond – perhaps he drove one in some spy movie I hadn’t yet seen.

They were actually named due to them being manufactured by Bond Cars Ltd (I’m assuming that James Bond wasn’t moonlighting as a vehicle manufacturer…) and were the last in a range of three-wheel vehicles that began in the 1940s with the Bond Minicar.

Despite their sleek and futuristic design, the car was powered by a 700 or 750cc engine with a top speed of just 75mph. I’ve never ridden in a Bond Bug but did have a trip in a Reliant Robin once – another three-wheel car – and based on that experience (it nearly tipped on its side going around a corner!) can only assume that reaching top speed must have been a somewhat terrifying experience.

Did James Bond once drive
His namesake car the Bond Bug?
Well he should have done

Behind the Bond Bug

Nikon F80, Nikkor 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6D & Ilford HP5+. Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 9mins @ 20°.

Taken on 14 August 2021

35mm · Film photography · Photography

People sat in cars

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The weather at the Astle Traction Engine Rally the other week was dull and rainy. While this meant there were umbrellas in abundance and raindrops of automotive paintwork – both attractive subjects for a photograph – it also made the act of making photos was far more troublesome, especially without the benefit of a weather-sealed camera.

It also meant that a lot of the exhibitors could be found sat inside their vehicles to escape the damp, as in this Rover 100 and Rolls Royce Wraith.

Sat in your dry car
Looking out at passersby
Don’t want to get wet

Bonnet up
Sat in the roller

Nikon F80, Nikkor 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6D & Ilford HP5+. Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 9mins @ 20°.

Taken on 14 August 2021

35mm · Film photography · Photography

Land Rovers

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There was a considerable fleet of Land Rovers at the Aslte Traction Engine Rally. All neatly lined up in groups. Here are a couple of photos of two of the groups. I kinda feel that “pack” would be a better collective noun for this sort of vehicle.

Four wheels to the floor
Steady footing on soft ground
For roving the land

Land Rovers
Sat in a Land Rover

Nikon F80, Nikkor 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6D & Ilford HP5+. Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 9mins @ 20°.

Taken on 14 August 2021

35mm · Film photography · Photography

Lanz Bulldog

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The rear wheels and tyres on this Lanz Bulldog tractor are huge. Normally – for a tractor – this wouldn’t be unusual, but this particular example is kitted out as a car. It looks distinctly hot-rod-ish in style, although I doubt the engine is up to making much speed.

Bulldog vehicle
With back wheels like a hot-rod
A disguised tractor

Beside the Bulldog

Nikon F80, Nikkor 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6D & Ilford HP5+. Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 9mins @ 20°.

Taken on 14 August 2021

35mm · Film photography · Photography

Denby Maiden

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Many traction engines are painted in matt-black but others, such as the one shown here – the Denby Maiden – are painted in bold colours – in this case a green body and vivid, banana-yellow wheels. Had the sun been out I’d have likely made some photos on colour film, but it wasn’t, so I didn’t.

I’ve seen many lovely colour photographs made on dull, overcast days, but my success rate in such conditions is not stellar and, as a result, I tend to stick to bright, sunny days for my colour film use.

Our cat is home now and we’re very glad to have him back. He’s not too happy about being confined to the house for the next few days though, and I’m not particulalrly excited about having to clean out his litter tray either (especially the fragrant “incident” he produced this morning :D), but those are the responsibilities of having animals in the family. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

See these vivid scenes
Reduced to monochrome sights
On dull British days

Denby Maiden

Nikon F80, Nikkor 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6D & Ilford HP5+. Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 9mins @ 20°.

Taken on 14 August 2021

35mm · Film photography · Photography

More traction engines

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A few more traction engine photos from the Astle Traction Engine Rally for today’s post, mostly because it’ll be quite quick to post them as I need to go out shortly.

Our cat will be home soon – my wife has gone out to pick him up from the vets. He’s doing much better and is eating food again, and I’m very much looking forward to seeing him when he’s back.

More traction engines
I hope you don’t get fed up
Of seeing such things

Traction engine
Traction engine
Traction engine

Nikon F80, Nikkor 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6D & Ilford HP5+. Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 9mins @ 20°.

Taken on 14 August 2021

35mm · Film photography · Photography

Small engine

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Today’s photo was taken (along with a bunch of others that I’ll be publishing here shortly) at the Astle Traction Engine Rally a couple of weekend’s back. Normally I would’t travel as far for one of these events but, as the two similar rallies closer to home have been cancelled this year, and as some other photographers I know were going, I decided to make the journey.

Our cat is still not home although the vet called to say he’s making a bit more progress – he’s started to lick his lips and has attempted to eat some food (although not with complete success) today. We shall await a further update tomorrow as he’ll be staying at the vets for at least another night.

Smoky old engine
Chugging, puffing, and smoking
Burning through its coal

Little engine

Nikon F80, Nikkor 50mm f/1.8GD & Ilford HP5+. Ilfotec DD-X 1+4 9mins @ 20°.

Taken on 14 August 2021