A rare restored vintage engine that once belonged to one of Tractor Fest’s founders will be on display at this year’s show at Newby Hall in North Yorkshire.
The single cylinder Ruston & Hornsby 1HR engine manufactured by the British engineering company in the 1940s, was previously owned by founding Tractor Fest member and former National Vintage Tractor and Engine Club chairman, the late Brian Chester.
Now owned by Peterlee collector Jeff Hall, the vintage 5 bhp engine will be part of an exhibition of 350 engines which have been entered for Tractor Fest which takes place at Newby Hall, near Ripon over the weekend of 6-7 June.
The smallest in a range of industrial horizontal diesel engines, HR engines were produced by Lincoln-based Ruston & Hornsby from 1929-1965. These heavy oil stationary engines often featured large flywheels and were widely used on farms and in industrial settings to drive machinery such as mills, pumps and generators. Many are now preserved as collectors’ items and exhibited at museums.
Jeff Hall added the engine to his collection of engines in 2023.
Jeff said: “I have always been interested in engines and have exhibited my collection at vintage rallies around the country for more than 40 years – it’s a great way to meet people. I started to search seriously for an 1HR during lockdown in 2020, having previously seen Brian’s at Tractor Fest. I soon discovered that they are as rare as hen’s teeth so when I spotted Brian’s engine in an auction, I had to bid on it.
“The engine had previously been used to drive a saw bench, but when I acquired it, the engine had no compression and wasn’t working. Vintage engines are a huge part of our country’s engineering history, and it is important to preserve them. Ruston engines, in particular, are highly regarded by collectors. I restored the engine over a period of two years and it now runs a water pump at home. I am delighted to be taking it to Tractor Fest this year.”
Organised by the Yorkshire Vintage Association (YVA), Tractor Fest is the UK’s largest tractor festival. It is expected to attract more than 15,000 visitors, with thousands of vintage and modern tractors, stationary engines, commercial vehicles, cars, trucks and motorcycles on display across 120 acres of the Newby estate.
Highlights of this year’s show include tractors and engines Made in Scotland, motor rollers, and the Zetor tractor brand.
A host of entertainment, crafts, food and drink will be on offer at the show and admission includes access to Newby’s RHS Chelsea gold medal winning gardens, adventure playground, dolls house and teddy bear exhibitions.
WHEN? Saturday 6 June – Sunday 7 June, 10am-4pm
WHERE? Newby Hall & Gardens, Ripon, North Yorkshire
COST Adult – £22, Child – £16, Family Ticket (2 adults + 2 children) – £65. Under 4s Free
TICKETS https://www.newbyhall.com/event/tractorfest-6th-7th-june-2026/
For more information visit: http://tractorfest.uk/
