Forncett Steam Museum

[DaveR]

So, the East Anglian section had a impromptu run out today to visit the Forncett Industrial Steam Museum on their August steaming day.
They have a very impressive array of Steam powered stationary engines, of all sizes, but mainly large. Those running are all powered from a very large central boiler, which was keeping two stoker's very busy.
Included in the collection was the Steam engine that used to open Tower bridge and a very large, 3 cylinder engine that was used to raise water 250 feet out of a borehole for the Kent water board.
We had a good turn out with Dacs and I on Monsters, Gazza on the electric Zero. Sarah and her partner, sorry forgot his name and Dacs' brother, another Steam enthusiast.
Dacs kept us amused with the world's smallest tomato, for show only!
A good ride back to Colchester, catching a few drops of rain, but nothing too much.

Dave

 

[Mr Gazza]

Thanks for organising this Dave. It was good to get out and meet up again.
I'm not exactly a steam enthusiast, but I respect the technology and I'm always impressed by the silent power. Not sure about all that heat though.
The sheer scale of some of those engines was most impressive. One big three cylinder jobbie was at least 3 storeys high.
Dacs diddy tomato was definitely the funniest moment, especially the special little box he brought it in.
Apologies for not bringing the Monster, but I wanted to road test my prototype hugger on the Zero, I got my wish on the way home and about half the journey was in rain.
Tbe hugger passed and now I have to try and make a carbon version.

 

[dacs]

An enjoyable morning, thanks Dave. Happy to bring a little humour to these occasions where I can, I am open to offers for the tomato