Traction Engine Driving days 

Testimonials 


Don't just take our word for it, we have run over 200 days out, all with different generations and families making lifetime memories together.  

Testimonials
Traction Engine Driving days testimonials
Pete Collins 

"We went out today for a traction driving experience with another chap who was treated for his big birthday. From the moment we arrived David and Paul were superb. We were immediately immersed in the world of traction engines. We were presented with commemorative badges and flat caps as a reminder of the day.

We then oiled, polished and stoked the fire in preparation for our outing and for our efforts we were rewarded with a bacon and egg roll which was very welcome and superbly tasty.We started off with a safety briefing and then a gentle trip around the yard to get used to steering and controlling the throttle.

We then alighted our support team (wives, girlfriends and friends onto the trailer and then we were off! We had a lovely trip along the highways and byways of the ringwood area before stopping at a local pub for lunch and a well earned beverage. We then loaded up and headed back on the road for our return to the yard.

We took turns steering and controlling the throttle which was more challenging than one would initially expect but once you got your eye in i think we both made a good representation of the required skills.I cannot thank you both enough for such a superb day.

As a lover of everything steam from a boy, actually operating a traction engine was a dream come into reality and i dont think i will stop grinning for the next week or two. I would recommend this to anyone who has been to a vintage day and hankered to know what driving a traction engine is like.

Definitely a 10 star experience!"
Sarah White 

"Our family had a fantastic day out on the Earl of Eldon on Sunday to celebrate my Dad's 70th. A perfect day for my steam mad Dad and my two boys who found the running of the engine fascinating.

We would give the day many more than a 5 star rating and highly recommend. The bacon sandwiches in the morning were an excellent start to the day and Dave and Joe were great at teaching how to drive the engine and how everything worked. They were very patient answering all of my 6

and 9 year olds questions! My Dad and brother really enjoyed the experience of driving the engine and we all enjoyed a ride on the trailer to a lovely pub lunch. Many thanks to Dave and Joe for a truly memorable day."
Sonnie Day 

"We booked a Experience day a year or so ago but couldn’t do the day as the pandemic struck and stopped us all in our tracks I had paid a deposit and David kept me totally informed how the day/booking would progress depending of course on the pandemic rules. We finally got our wonderful day as soon as it could be done on Tuesday 17th august 2021, the day started around 08.30 with a little drizzle but with bacon and egg butties being made by David and hot cups of tea, we knew it was going to be great.

My husband was a little involved in getting the traction engine ready and to be honest i viewed on with a bit of dread, as i had said previously to David, that i was also wanting to drive this machine. However on arriving and seeing it, i quickly realised this was not a sit back and watch the world go by, lol, I decided I would sit in the trailer and watch my husband learn to drive this beautiful machine, BUT oh no! David would not have that, he encouraged me to give it a go around the farm track and well the rest of the day is history as they say.We took turns, one on the wheel and one on the gears, or indeed with either David or Brian on either wheel or gears, we definitely go a close up and personal insight into a very much working piece of history. They were quickly on hand if needed and where watching an encouraging us.This is a wonderful piece of machinery that is still going strong and being looked after by David and Brain.

They honestly care for this traction engine and by the middle of the morning we were both caring for her too. We learnt about her history, how she works, how to care about her and in the end just loved her and we have total respect for the engine and for David and Brain who took the upmost patience to allow us to drive their beautiful traction engine.We can highly recommend this day, wear clothes that are not precious, clothes for the occasion is key, the right shoes and the right attitude to work lolHowever it’s a bit sad to see some car drivers not really having the respect for a 14tonne machine, perhaps they should have an experience day!It was lovely to be encouraged by on lookers and to wave to people on the side of the road who marvelled at this machine.

Book with confidence you will not be disappointed!!"

Dr Morwenna Collins

 “Thank you to you and Paul for your kind and patient teaching. We all had a great time. Give it a go ladies you won't regret it."
Nick Payne

"It was a long day with a lot of learning and hands on experience. A hearty thank you to David and Brian for sharing a memorable day out; one which I would recommend to any other steam enthusiast without hesitation. Don your boiler suit and flat cap and you’ll look the part for a fantastic steamy adventure!"
Robin Hines

“I spent the day on a traction Engine experience in the New Forest that I have to say exceeded all expectations! For me this was the ultimate in hands on (and dirty!) non sanitised experience… and as such all the better for it!

Sometimes when you do an “experience” you can feel like you are just part of the herd passing through… not the case with this experience! Right from the off, from loading coal and firing up the boiler to cooking your breakfast on a shovel, you are at the sharp end of things doing them as they would have been in days gone by on a Traction engine.

The two guys that take you for the experience are passionate about steam and have a wealth of experience (and stories!) to share with you.

Rumbling along the highway and byways of the New Forest was great in itself but add to that excellent instruction and the positive response from everyone we passed and it all adds up to a day never to forget!!

At the end of the day you head home grubby, tired, with a flat cap as a memento but most importantly a real sense of achievement and enjoyment”

Roger Perris

 “Thanks for your exceptional hospitality yesterday. We had a great experience and thank you sincerely for sharing the Earl with us. This was the experience we have long dreamed of and we thoroughly enjoyed every minute”