Festive steam threshing
It was in June when Dave Mansi asked Bryn and Trevor whether they were up for such an event using some of their implements, with the power coming from Dave’s ex-Tasmanian 1908 Marshall 6hp No. 51007 single-cylinder general purpose traction engine called Jess. The Marshall, made at Gainsborough, came back to the UK as a complete engine via Michael List-Brain of Preston Steam Services, Wingham, Kent. The engine was given the full works by the previous owner who even added a third speed in 2012, short canopy, chimney cap and smokebox ring.
The engine has been with Dave Mansi since 2018 and he thoroughly enjoys roading Jess to many events with various road wagons behind. With the thought of using the engine to work on the belt with the Marshall, the cross arm governors were overhauled and ‘tuned in’ during 2021, and they worked so well on 28 December.
As Dave says, “Rallies are very boring just standing there all day doing nothing, working
