Yes they are available to see all season round if you pay the extra fiver to do the behind the scenes tour when visiting

I did wonder weather this may be the case.

Thanks to the kind assistance of another TT member I have identified all the engines in the yard and them on Steam Scenes. Probably the strangest collection of engine pictures you'll ever see!

Preview	Maker	Number	Type	Class	Name	Link
http://www.steamscenes.org.uk/pictur...7_DSC_2196.jpg	Aveling & Porter	10003	Convertible Tractor	M		Pictures Here
http://www.steamscenes.org.uk/pictur...0_DSC_2160.jpg	Aveling & Porter	10341	Convertible Road Roller	M		Pictures Here
http://www.steamscenes.org.uk/pictur...9_DSC_2189.jpg	Aveling & Porter	10342	Road Roller	F		Pictures Here
http://www.steamscenes.org.uk/pictur...7_DSC_2150.jpg	Aveling & Porter	10345	Road Roller	B		Pictures Here
http://www.steamscenes.org.uk/pictur...6_DSC_2154.jpg	Aveling & Porter	10456	Road Roller	E		Pictures Here
http://www.steamscenes.org.uk/pictur...0_DSC_2171.jpg	Aveling & Porter	10780	Road Roller	D		Pictures Here
http://www.steamscenes.org.uk/pictur...1_DSC_2140.jpg	Aveling & Porter	11454	Road Roller	C		Pictures Here
http://www.steamscenes.org.uk/pictur...8_DSC_2186.jpg	Aveling & Porter	11822	Road Roller	D		Pictures Here
http://www.steamscenes.org.uk/pictur...2_DSC_2177.jpg	Aveling & Porter	12205	Road Roller	C		Pictures Here
http://www.steamscenes.org.uk/pictur...8_DSC_2184.jpg	Aveling & Porter	14137	Road Roller	AC		Pictures Here

Perhaps Thursford should have a 'come and paint an engine with oil day' then all those that are moaning oop's sorry commenting on the shame of them rotting away could donate a tub of engine oil and a brush and go and help keep these engines from getting any worse. I do wonder if some people have any idea what it takes in money and effort to restore an engine from this condition as i and many others have found out, not that i regret a moment. This is only my opinion of coarse.

People have actually volunteered to restore engines at Thursford but have their offers have been refused.
I certainley know of a couple of steam men from Norfolk who have volunteered their services.

Jim s

I realise this might be a bit of a radical suggestion for some to comprehend, but has anyone considered the possibility that perhaps the owners don't want all of their engines restored to working order?? ...and if that's the case, then is it too much to ask for people to respect that wish??

What's wrong with a lump of machinery being left 'as is'?
It can still be 'wanted' and 'appreciated' by its owners without needing to be operational.



There are times when I can't help feeling the worlds of 'steam railways' and 'road steam' aren't too dissimilar - and when people start universally moaning/complaining/passing comment about what others should do with their engines, especially a collection of them, the two worlds can appear to merge! :D

Yes Ian , too many boys , not enough toys .

Absolutely right but in the case of Thursford I dont think any are in working order and those outside especially one Aveling that Steamboy refers to will soon be down its its knees as there not a lot hodling the front end on and to me does not appear to be appreciated.

Dont get me wrong, Thursford is a great place but sadly lacking the atmosphere only live steam can give.

(only my opinion)


Jim S

well said that man.

Chris.

Museums don't have to feature 'working' exhibits, in fact I suspect in general most don't.

If corrosion sees the front drop off a roller - well, that's nothing but the owner's problem.

I've seen machinery that was abandoned for scrap years before many of today's road engines were even built new. Sometimes watching nature take it's path and seeing a lump of iron return from whence it came has a peaceful charm of it's own.