THURSFORD STEAM ENGINE COLLECTION

Magnificent Steam Machines
Come and explore the country’s finest collection of steam traction engines and get up close and personal with these magnificent machines of yesteryear. Steam power on the land, the roads, and eventually on the fairground did not have a very long life. From the middle of the last century until the First World War it enjoyed its heyday, developing superlative engineering skills and techniques which are still admired today. But by the 1920’s, steam was faltering before the challenge of diesel and petrol engines. By the 1940s steam vehicles were heading in their thousands to scrap yards.

Climb On-board

Our Gondola is currently going through extensive restoration and as a result is sadly closed to the public.

There is an additional charge of £2 per ride, per person.

Many things compete for attention when, for the very first time, you walk into the Thursford Fairground Collection – the colour, the lights, the movement, the music and all the magnificent machines on display. The two large fairground rides inevitably draw our visitors to them to experience the delight of riding on these magnificent machines, also a small hand cranked carousel for children. Everyone loves the magic of the carousel and our 1896 Savages 3-abreast set of Gallopers is a truly magnificent fairground ride for all the family to enjoy. Just as special is our Venetian Gondola Switchback Ride. Called a gondola because the richly carved cars are shaped like Venetian Gondolas, and it is a switchback in that, during its roundabout whirl, it climbs two hills and dips down into the following valleys.

The Mighty Wurlitzer Show
The Mighty Wurlitzer is the centrepiece of the Collection and there are two half hour shows with our resident organist, Robert Wolfe, open each day during the Summer Season at 12.30pm and 2.00pm.In the days of silent movies, when there was no soundtrack on film, the atmosphere was created “on the spot” by the pianist improvising a mosaic of mood music. In due course the pianist was replaced by the more chic, up market cinema organist, and the cinema organ par excellence was undoubtedly the Mighty Wurlitzer.