This weekend (7th/8th May) Central Park, Dartford will once again be filled with reminders of Britain's industrial heritage such as the steam traction engine "Challenger" pictured above.
She was built by John Fowler & Co in Leeds in 1914.
Around the same time each year the Trevithick's Industrial Dartford Celebration takes place. Central Park is filled with traction engines, vintage buses, cars and tractors of all shapes and sizes.
The celebration honours the memory of the pioneering Cornish steam engineer Richard Trevithick who worked at J & E Hall & Co in Dartford in the twilight of his career.
He died in the town and is buried close to the Dartford Martyr's Memorial off East Hill.
One day I will write a more detailed post about Richard Trevithick. He had a very colourful life but came to a sad end despite the major contributions he made to British engineering.
Admission to the park is free and it's well worth a visit if you are in the area.
Here are a few more pictures taken at last year's event....
They don't make them like that any more. 1921 Foden steam omnibus.
A bit more up to date. This Routemaster RML2345 entered service with London Transport in 1965 but was later painted green and based in Northfleet, Kent. She operated the 480 service between Dartford and Gravesend. She has now been restored to her original London Transport livery and is privately owned.
She was built by John Fowler & Co in Leeds in 1914.
Around the same time each year the Trevithick's Industrial Dartford Celebration takes place. Central Park is filled with traction engines, vintage buses, cars and tractors of all shapes and sizes.
The celebration honours the memory of the pioneering Cornish steam engineer Richard Trevithick who worked at J & E Hall & Co in Dartford in the twilight of his career.
He died in the town and is buried close to the Dartford Martyr's Memorial off East Hill.
One day I will write a more detailed post about Richard Trevithick. He had a very colourful life but came to a sad end despite the major contributions he made to British engineering.
Admission to the park is free and it's well worth a visit if you are in the area.
Here are a few more pictures taken at last year's event....
They don't make them like that any more. 1921 Foden steam omnibus.A bit more up to date. This Routemaster RML2345 entered service with London Transport in 1965 but was later painted green and based in Northfleet, Kent. She operated the 480 service between Dartford and Gravesend. She has now been restored to her original London Transport livery and is privately owned.
Two steam rollers, "Moby Dick" (in the background) and "Rhoda" both manufactured in Rochester, Kent by Aveling and Porter.
Finally and fittingly a 1912 Hallford bus built in Dartford by Trevithick's employers J & E Hall & Co Ltd.If you have enjoyed this post, you may also like....
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That would have been great to see! I saw the signs in town last week but did not realise it was only on for two days! I really did intend to go see them and in fact, made plans with a friend to walk through the parks next week. :(
ReplyDeleteHi Emm - better luck with the steam engines next year. Never mind, Central Park is looking really good in any case. The gardeners do a brilliant job to make the place come alive with colour. The bandstand and cafe are also up and running now
ReplyDeleteThe steam and heritage gathering is on again this year,12th May in Dartfords Great Park.
ReplyDeleteColin