Incredible: Check Out the 1919 Steam Engine That Is Causing a Stir among Petrol Heads

Following the success of the initial Heritage Collection at last year’s CBA Africa Concours d’Elegance this display of fascinating examples of old agricultural and industrial equipment has been enhanced for this year’s event scheduled for this weekend.

A 1919 steam engine which was entered last year in the Heritage Collection by Roger Tanner was a great attraction for spectators. Thanks to sponsorship by Auto Movers there will a second steam engine on show at the Nairobi Racecourse near the motor trade stands.

Another addition will be a Ferguson tractor kindly loaned by FMD which will be displayed together with modern Massey Ferguson equivalent to illustrate the contrast between the old and the new.

Flanking the two steam engines will be an early post World War II Mercedes truck which has been included in the Heritage Collection by DT Dobie. Both the engines will be working under the supervision of steam engine enthusiasts who will answer questions from spectators about these ancient machines.

Roger Tanner checks his 1919 steam engine which will be an exhibit in the Heritage Collection.

One of the engines was made by Ransomes Sims and Jefferies at Ipswich in England and was imported to Kenya by a company called Gailey and Roberts who were the agents. This was used to power saw mills in the Elburgon and Molo areas. The machine was found by Roger Tanner at an agricultural contractor’s yard in Langata. The engine was in reasonably good condition and needed only a light restoration taking six months.