Chiltern Steam Rally

[David Powell]

In the early days of rallies there were complaints that some engine owners did not steam up if the weather was poor.
For many years programmes carried the note " All engines will be in steam Regardless of the weather"
The first event I ever attended was Pickering in 1956. One engine was stuck on the rally field out of steam with water up to the footplate---- the rest were standing outside the pubs in the town, in steam with crews in attendance,
A friendly engineman lifted 5 yr old me into the coal bunker of his engine and talked to me while my parents went into the pub for a drink.
Much later I learned that engineman was Esmond Kimbell.
I have been firmly hooked ever since. Regards David Powell