When we started this event, 3 years ago, we called it ‘Steam at Work’ because our rally is different. It is not in a field, engines are spread around the Museum grounds, and this is not a ‘park and polish’ rally with rows of gleaming engines, at our rally, engines moving, and working is the theme. Whilst not the biggest rally, our event certainly captures the sights, sounds and smells of the age of steam. Visitors can immerse themselves in this bygone world, and each day concludes with a mass parade of engines through the museum.
Saturday 7th, 10am to 10pm:
– 27 confirmed engines of different sizes
– Engine rides around the site
– Steer a engine for £10
– FREE public camping Saturday night only
– Bar and BBQ
– Live music on Saturday only, from 3pm.
– Saturday tickets are valid all day, 10am to 10pm inclusive.
Music from:
Two Weeks in Nashville
“After discovering their sound & identity whilst on a writing trip to Nashville, UK indie rock band TWIN, conceived their name in tribute to the music capital of the world.
Consisting of three mates that came together through love for their shared rock heroes, Billy, Marc and Ian have enjoyed significant growth over the past 2 years. They’ve picked up support from Wonderland Magazine, BBC Introducing, MTV Rocks and amassed over 8M video views and 50K+ followers across their fast-growing social platforms. They’re showing no signs of stopping.
Becoming best known for their raucous and electric live shows, TWIN have headlined grass-root venues across the UK, alongside support slots with The Hoosiers, Supergrass, Scouting For Girls, Tom Grennan, Everything Everything and Razorlight. They finished summer 2023 at Glastonbury’s, Pilton Party, supporting Arlo Parks.
Flo Wilkes
“Hailing from one of the most renowned music scenes globally, 18 year old singer-songwriter and musician Flo Wilkes intertwines the drive of indie-rock instrumentals with the passion of intimate lyricism, establishing a unique sound as recognised in her recently critically acclaimed release, ‘Hopeless’. Naming Madison Beer and OSTON as her most formative influences, Wilkes grew up immersed in London’s rock n roll scene, becoming a frontwoman of a band at the age of 9. This translated into sold out and headline shows at distinguished venues such as Nell’s, The Half Moon, The Ned, The Troubadour, in addition to upcoming festival slots in 2024. On June 21st, 2024, Flo Wilkes released her highly anticipated third single, ‘Rewritten’, defining the start of a new upcoming project to carve out her musical identity.”
Five Chambers Full
“Hailing from London, Surrey and Somerset, Five Chambers Full formed in 2010 and made it their aim to stand out from the covers band crowd. Focusing on a blend of rock, metal, punk and pop-punk tunes that made up their youth, such as Black Sabbath, Limp Bizkit, Korn, Limp Bizkit, Blink-182, Fall Out Boy, My Chemical Romance, Guns ‘n’ Roses, Slipknot, Kiss and more, Five Chambers Full have evolved into a hard rock entertainment machine that pride themselves on their musicality, passion and high energy performances.
Unlike other bands on the circuit, you won’t find Five Chambers Full performing songs by bands such as Kings of Leon, Stereophonics or other such artists because that just isn’t their thing. But, what you will get is a whole night of raucous rock ‘n’ roll mayhem.”
More to be announced on our social media platforms!
Sunday 8th, 10am to 4pm.
– 27 confirmed engines of different sizes
– Engine rides around the site
– Steer a engine for £10
– Bar and BBQ
Exhibitor Entry Information:
Entries of full size engines, miniatures and stationary engines are all welcome. Coal is provided. Engines can arrive any time the week before the event and can be stored on site after the event by arrangement with the Operations Manager.
Those wishing to enter should email the Museum Operations Manager, Rob Bentley at the following address steam@rural-life.org.uk, stating:
Name of Entrant
Engine type
Year of manufacture
Whether you are attending Saturday, Sunday or both.
Whether you require a camping pitch, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday night
Whether you are roading the engine to us or using a low-loader / trailer and whether or not you require storage for your low-loader / trailer on site during the event.
Joining instructions will be sent out a few weeks prior to the event. Please direct all questions via the email address above to the Operations Manager
