Isle of Wight Steam Railway

TRACTOR FEVER GRIPS RAIWAY STAFF!

Vintage Tractor Fever has taken hold of members of the railway's volunteer staff! Following the example of Andy Anderton, Railway Engineman and Born Again Tractor Enthusiast, a small group, mainly members of the Show Committee, decided to seek out and purchase a suitable vintage tractor that could be used to perform some of the tasks usually carried out by 'hired in' plant in support of the Summer Steam Show and, as a bonus, would also be worthy of a place in the parade of vintage tractors, a regular Steam Show feature.

After scouring the Island for the vehicle of their dreams without success, the search spread to the Mainland (Terrible place that it is!) and eventually led to a farm near Barnham, West Sussex, where an ideal example was located. Following protracted viewings and negotiations our team became the proud owners of a 1947 Fordson E27N (Possibly a 'Land Utility' model but then again possibly not - no one is quite sure yet). Having clinched the deal the next hurdle to overcome was how to get the Fordson to its new Island home. Luckily for our proud band of tractor enthusiasts the offer of transport to Portsmouth on a trailer was made by the Fordsons former owner and a date for the move was fixed - the 30th December 2001.

Pete Snashall and Steve Oates are towed from the St Cecilia aboard the Fordson E27N.

The day of the move came and started according to plan, after offloading at the Wightlink Gun Wharf terminal the tractor was started and driven proudly onto the car ferry St Cecilia. The sea crossing to Fishbourne passed without event but then disaster struck! The vintage vehicle refused to start and also deposited a hefty dose of petrol on the ships deck - the Wightlink crew were less than impressed!

Following the indignity of requiring a tow onto dry land by a Wightlink 'Tug' vehicle, our band of vintage vehicle fans made numerous attempts to coax life into the ancient engine, but all to no avail. Luckily Andy 'Ace Tractor Driver' Anderton was on hand to tow the failed vehicle to Havenstreet with his own Fordson Super Major. Following a protracted 20mph trip along narrow Island roads both tractors arrived at Havenstreet followed by a long and slow moving convoy of happy Island motorists, all waving a merry fist in our teams direction as they eventually managed to pass the vintage vehicle duo. Following this embarrassing performance the Fordson was coaxed into life in the Railway car park where it was driven in circles by its triumphant owners until the fuel supply ran out and further towing was required to get it to its new home!

Double Headed Fordsons in Fishbourne Lane! Andy Anderton on his Super Major prepares to tow away the E27N.

Who are the proud owners of this magnificent example of vintage agricultural engineering I here you ask - they are, in fact SPOTERs ( you may have guessed this already!): the Society for the Preservation Of Tractor Equipment at the Railway. Head SPOTER is Railway Company Director and Steam Show Committee Chairman Steve Oates and his accomplices are Pete Snashall, Ian Corney and Carole Barry - They like driving their tractor and, if you ask nicely, they may let you have a drive as well!

The SPOTERs with their Fordson E27N (Left to Right) Carole Barry, Pete Snashall, Ian Corney and Steve Oates.