You can watch a steam engine up close in our virtual tour and learn what all the different parts are called.[ click on VR in the top menu from the home page]

There are all sorts of other great activities shown in this tour, so why not make a cup of tea, put your slippers on and have a good look at the best day out in Devon.

Professionally organised and promoted by Westcountry Classic Vehicle Club.

For booking of vehicles and information please contact:

Margaret and Ken:

Telephone: 01803 315 231

Email : kenandmargaret@talktalk.net

You can also contact the Chairman of Westcountry Classic Vehicle Club for any further information:

Tony:

Telephone: 01803 406606

Email: anthony.jaworski@blueyonder.co.uk

We are lucky enough to have one of the largest collection of vintage vehicles and steam engines in the South West, including Reg Imray Motor cycle collection, [ see "vintage cars and bikes" heading on the home page for more info]

With so many other  great activities to do on the day, this is certainly the best day out in Devon for the whole family.

We look forward to seeing you all there….

It is nice to use this vintage vehicle as it was intended, in the towing large objects, and today our 10 Ton Foden will be towing an 8 Ton Clayton engine. I hope you get to see this classic event.

The tour has been produced to help show of the many attractions at our park from the exhibition hall, electric cars, falconry and vintage vehical hall.

We hope you like it.

VIEW THE TOUR

We are nearing completion on our new Virtual Tour of the park which will show off all the many attractions we have to offer. Some of the tours will include the Pirate Ship, Electric Cars, Exhibition Hall, Vintage cars and animal areas.

Please watch this space…

The rally attracted hundreds of visitors to view all manor of going on’s in the park.  The steam fair was a added attraction for the day which was a addition to one of the largest collections of vintage cars in the UK and many play areas we have at the park.

At the fair was some rare examples of vintage car and steam engines from the tradional to the unusual.

Guest were very happy with the day and we would like to thank all the exhibiters and guests for there support.

Scenic Road Locomotives were also fitted with a crane to facilitate building the ride and, of course to lift those heavy cars into place. The mountings and pulleys for the crane can be seen at the rear, along with the engines own winding drum and cable mounted inside the rear nearside wheel.

‘Gladiator’ was completed on 14th March 1921, and supplied new to Fred Gray, a London showman based in Hamstead. Originally called ‘Wonder’, her name was altered to ‘Gladiator’ at some stage in her career. When her showland days with Gray’s were over, she passed through four owners from 1955 to 1988, when the engine was occasionally rallied, before a major overhaul was required. In 1988, ‘World of COuntry Life’ bought her and decided to restore her to her former glory!.

The boiler was removed and was found to be in good shape, but the firebox was beyond redemption. Further investigations showed the rest of the engine was in quite good order. Apparently she usually hauled her owners living van, then spent her time generating while the fair was operating. Consequently her gears, axle and running gear were less worn that if she had regularly pulled the more conventional loads that her unfortunate sister tool. Other work included; new dynamo pulleys fabricated, and new steel cladding sheets made and fitted. Additional fluted brass-w2ork had to be obtained and end fittings cast and machined, along with a brass star decoration for the intersection of the front canopy supports. Many other fittings were replaced and a lot of detail work was done. Finishing with a full re-paint and coach-lining with gold leaf. I think you will agree that ‘Gladiator’ is now looking magnificent and is a tribute to the craftsmanship of yesterdays builders and today’s restorers.