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Also closely situated near the loco at Think Tank are the Ruston Proctor portable steam engine from 1876 and the 1904 Foden steam wagon donated to the Science Museum in 1972 by Roy Snodin. The Proctor had a retube and new boiler fitted around five or six years ago.

At Think Tank, Millennium Point.

One more shot. The City of Birmingham loco being off loaded on to her new home in May 1966. I attended her removal on 2 December 2000 and it was a very solemn occasion to see her go. My dad who worked at the museum when the loco originally arrived was understandably moved as we both watched this...

Some more Newhall Street traction engine rally shots. 1970, 1962, 1982 and two exhibitors rally plaques given to engine owners who attended. The black and white shows the 1927 Burrell engine "Busy Bee" which was donated to the museum that same year 1962 by Frank Holl. She now resides at the...

My dad Keith on duty manning the junction of Mary Ann Street/Newhall Street at the 1976 museum traction engine rally during the grand parade. I've been pondering the thought of arranging a couple of traction engines (that used to attend and still with owners from the museum days) to trundle...

Lovely memories! My dad worked at the museum from 1963 - 1996. That rally pictured was the very last one in 1995. It had been held every second Sunday in May since 1960. Still breaks my heart to see the museum gone, but the memories will stay forever.

Hi Bob,I remember that mishap well. It was during the parade of the 1980 20th Anniversary rally. The engine that lost it's flywheel was a 1930 Fowler roller named "Hengist". We were very fortunate indeed no one was injured.

Jack Crabtree's 1912 Foden tractor that attended. A very strange beast. Owned later by the late Jim Calder.

Great times indeed, Bob. Still makes me tearful when I think of the last rally held in Newhall Street in 1995, and then the eventual closure of the museum in 1997. Re- Winston Churchill, I remember the engine powering Bill Hunt's Wonderland organ at the rally.

Those Saturday evenings I also remember well, Bob. My dad, myself and Ray Morris use to get all the barriers and paraffin lamps ready about 2pm, whilst around 9 - 11 engines turned up anytime between 1pm and 8pm. The pub atmosphere was great! Ray loved a pint of mild it must be said! Tom Luck...

Hi Bob, I remember Ray Morris very well. He used to work with my father Keith Roffey a lot and was a well loved member of the museum's team. Ray started work at the museum in 1970, until his untimely passing in 1989. I also remember the Millward's Garrett, and most of all Len Crane's Fowler...

The rally ended in 1995 sadly. Two of the Museum's own engines, the Burrell tractor "Busy Bee" and a 1894 Aveling roller have been in the Collections Centre for some time now, but the 1904 Foden wagon and Ruston and Proctor portable engine moved to the Think Tank.

Thanks for sharing those pics, Wendy. That Newhall Street rally was around 1987, or thereabouts. I was there ever so slightly covered in coal dust and oil spots!

Glad to be of help, Mary, regards the Newhall traction engine rally. My father (Keith Roffey) used to work at the science museum. The rally was first held in 1960 and became a regular fixture annually, being held on the second Sunday of the month in May. The first 1960 rally saw a total of 7...

Here's a shot of the Birmingham Science Museum Traction Engine Rally, circa 1977.

Glad to be of help, Mary, regards the Newhall traction engine rally. My father (Keith Roffey) used to work at the science museum. The rally was first held in 1960 and became a regular fixture annually, being held on the second Sunday of the month in May. The first 1960 rally saw a total of 7...

Here's Bill Hunt's beautiful 'Wonderland' 98 key Marenghi organ, being set up for one of the Museum's traction engine rallies in 1987. The lovely 1921 foster showman's engine The Leader always did a spectular job of providing the organ's power. Other showmans engines that powered the organ at...

Just to mention the Newhall Street traction engine rally, that was the highlight of my year in my youth. We used to have around 10 - 12 engines turn up the day before the rally from the afternoon onwards and on the day of the rally it was always a delight to see the rest of the engines arriving...

The Busy Bee still looks in good shape, though I should imagine she's in dire need of a boiler inspection to test her firebox and tubes, same applies with the 1892 Aveling and Porter roller. The bottom pic is of the lovely 'Ruston and Proctor' portable engine, which when in steam inside the...