Old Glory

If you love the spectacle of immaculately-restored old machinery, or are fascinated by Britain’s rich industrial and transport heritage, Old Glory is the magazine for you! In vivid detail it brings back all the sights and sounds of yesteryear. Glorious showman’s engines belt out the amperes to drive historic fairground rides; pairs of mighty steam ploughing engines turn the soil; steam rollers make up roads once more; tram wheel flanges squeal through town and city streets; colourful working narrowboats ply the canals; dray horses deliver good ale to the pubs; vintage tractors cough into life; stationary engines turn over tirelessly and the commercial vehicles we used to know take to the road again. This magazine covers these magnificent steam engines that once powered this nation. Whether you’re interested in the latest news, stories of steam engines saved from obscurity, upcoming events or detailed features on the history of these wonderful machines you’ll find it in Old Glory.

Meet the team

WELCOME

MIGHTY FOWLER B4 ROAD LOCOMOTIVE COMES SOUTH • This year’s Stotfold Mill Steam Fair and Country Show was a first chance to see 1897 Fowler B4 road locomotive Cuchulainn since it moved south to a new home in Bedfordshire. As always this was a well-attended event at the beginning of the rally season, writes Simon Colbeck.

A BITTERSWEET PINKNEYS GREEN STEAM FAIR • Hortons Steam Fair returned to the common at Pinkneys Green in Berkshire for a second year running this May bank holiday. What started as a wonderful weekend will always be remembered for the loss of one of the steam world’s greatest characters, John Wharton.

RELECTIONS ON JOHN WHARTON 1953-2026 • The steam world was greatly shocked by the tragic news of the passing of John Wharton at Pinkney’s Green on the Monday 25 May. John’s good friend PK Smith has very kindly provided the following reflections on John’s life with steam.

NEWS & Events • A STEAMY WEDDING!

MODEL NEWS • Mike Neale monthly look at recently released diecast and resin models, this month looking at steam rollers, showman's locos, fire engines, ambulances and promotional pickups in 1/76 and 1/18 scale.

Letters

RAILWAY Roundabout News

MINIATURES STAND OUT AT LLANDUDNO • David Reed reports that once again, the annual Llandudno Transport Festival brought together a great selection of miniature engines for the large crowds to see. Held over the May bank holiday weekend on Bodafon Fields at the eastern end of the town, the event brings together commercial vehicles, buses, motor bikes, cars, tractors and much more, while in the town itself, the Victorian Extravaganza has both full-sized and miniature engines on display.

THRESHING THE OLD WAY • It’s been a tradition for the Lewis family from Biggin Hill, Kent to grow a crop of Maris Widgeon wheat, cut the crop in August and then thresh the crop the following spring. This year it all happened on Saturday 9 May and a great many followers of the agricultural old times, particularly in the south-east, attended and as the day went on the sun came out to make it a great time for all.

STEAM LEADS THE WAY AT LLANDUDNO • The regal resort of Llandudno is home to two events over the early May bank holiday weekend, with this year’s events again attracting huge crowds.

Innishannon Gets Through Indifferent Weather • The 29th Innishannon Steam & Vintage Rally, County Cork, is very much the start of the Republic of Ireland’s major rally season and held over the bank holiday weekend of 31 May-1 June. The weather was rather off and on, but the rain kept away at the right times and a good crowd was seen here in this beautiful setting for a rally.

"LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR" - 1933 COMMER RAIDER • Today, only two Commer Raiders are known to...