When a Wolseley WD8 stationary engine draws an appreciative crowd of onlookers on a June weekend in Tynedale, you can only be in one place – South Tyne Traction Engine Society’s steam and vintage rally.

Held at Tynedale Park, Corbridge, the 41st rally followed similar patterns set by previous years – bad weather on one day (the Saturday this year) but glorious sunshine on the other.

The aforementioned engine, thumping away among a line of other motorised work horses, was advertised when new in 1952 as the ideal piece of machinery for working on a farm, and the particular engine on show was once used to power sheep shearing handsets.

It wasn’t the only stationary exhibit attracting attention during the weekend. A steam launch built by John Beveridge from Ebchester was on relatively dry ground during the event, but is more at home when steaming along the Tees.

Manning the vessel, built to a 1922 design, was John’s brother in arms, Malcolm Proud who has also built an almost identical vessel.

Malcolm, the North-East representative of the Steam Boat Association, found it difficult sourcing parts so made most of them himself.

Looking the part sitting in the passenger seat of a 1950 Sunbeam Talbot 80 drop head coupe was Christine Simpson from Crawcrook. The beautifully designed Sunbeam, with its three-position hood, and sweeping lines belongs to Christine’s husband Alan.

But after attending numerous rallies, Christine decided to dress the part in 1950s clothes. “It was really to keep warm initially, but it has escalated and no when I go out I dress up,” she said.

The oldest car at the rally was the proud property of Steven Spicer from Allendale.

The 1901 Progress Voiturette was made by Steven’s great-grandfather who set up the Progress Cycle Company in the late 19th century. Like many of those companies, they mounted engines on bicycles and later developments led to the very first motor cars.

The Spicer family own another – the only two left in the world – after Steven’s dad, John, managed to track them down. The model at Corbridge won the Old Crocks Race at Brooklands in 1928.

A spokeswoman from the society said: “The Sunday was a good day. Everyone had a really enjoyable day. We get a good range of people coming from far who come specifically for it.”