Month: March 2015

David Cameron today went to see the Queen, to dissolve Parliament ahead of a General Election on May 7th.  That means it is 38 days to Election Day…

However, far, far more importantly, it is 40 days til the Saffron Walden Crank Up!

 

We’re pleased to announce that the Pell fairground organ “Fenlander II”, owned by the Froment family will be attending our event, providing traditional musical entertainment to you all.  The organ was seen at Little Downham, where it was also advertising us!

Ruston Traction Engine “Success” was out near Ely today, at the Little Downham Organ and Bygone Extravaganza, advertising our forthcoming event!

We are delighted to announce that the following engines have entered for the Saffron Walden Crank Up.

The Sentinel steam waggon “Vectis Knight” is owned by Melvyn Camps, and spent its working life in a quarry on the Isle of Wight.  This is an unusual waggon in that it has a three-way tipping body.

Kevin Swann’s Garrett showman’s tractor “Lord George”.  This engine was built as a steam tractor (similar to “Adventurer”), but soon afterwards was converted to showman’s specification and worked for the Harris Family in Suffolk, transporting their amusements and generating electricity to light them, using the dynamo fitted to the front of the engine.

 

The Allen Family are bringing their Aveling & Porter steam roller “William”, which spent its working life in the city of Cambridge.

Ransomes, Sims & Jeffries were engine and implement manufacturers based in Ipswich, Suffolk.  This 7 horsepower traction engine worked commercially in Essex and is now owned by S.R. Haylock and driven by Phil Starling.

As stated before, while we are pleased to announce the steam engines as they enter for the event, please be aware that they are very old, and it is possible that last-minute problems may delay or prevent their participation.

Photos this time are from the webmaster’s collection.

 

Part of the line-up of steam engines at the 50th Anniversary Celebrations of the East Anglian Traction Engine Society, held at Saling in 2005.

This year the Society celebrates its 60th Anniversary, and we at the Crank Up are delighted to be a part of marking this special occasion.

Here is a link to our latest Advert, feel free to print and share it! SW Crankup 2015 Poster