Carters Steam Fair completed its final tour in 2022 and since then Joby Carter has been working hard to find new homes for the rides and vintage vehicles.
We currently have the following items remaining for sale:
Traditional British fairground rides for sale:
The two remaining rides are known as the ‘jewels in the crown’ of Carters Steam Fair: and represent an iconic piece of British fairground history: The Steam Gallopers and the Steam Yachts.
John Carters Jubilee Steam Gallopers
The oldest ride owned by Carters Steam Fair, this 40ft ride was added to the collection in 1976. The Gallopers were built around 1895 by Robert Tidman & Sons in Norwich.
Gallopers are a British invention – the ride spins around and the horse travel in a ‘clockwise’ direction. Versions of the ride abroad rotate anti clockwise, most likely because we drive on the left, so when ladies would sit side-saddle they would face outwards. When it was new, this would be the fastest most people had ever travelled.
When the Gallopers were bought the engine was missing, but a Tidman engine was found for sale and when it was lowered into place all of the bolt holes lined up exactly. While we can’t be sure it is the original engine, we believe it is highly likely.
About the ride: build up and operation
Steam powered but fitted with a 3 phase electric motor in the centre. 3 phase transformer also built into the centre truck.
The ride packs on a specially constructed draw bar trailer affectionately known as the sledge. Towed behind that is the centre truck.
One of the things that makes the ride so iconic is the sound of the organ. The ride features a 46 key Gavioli organ which was made around 1900. We purchased this from the Who frontman, Roger Daltrey. It is the sound that triggers the jolt of nostalgia for any visitor.
Can be operated by one, or more. Take five hours for three people to build the ride up.
Decorative features
Most of the 30 horses are carved from wood by Andersons of Bristol around 1910, with some copies and they are subtly different to one another. They are all named for friends and family on the fair. There are also two chariots on the ride which are popular with families with younger children as a group can sit together.
The paybox was originally built for Waddingtons gondolas and is a stunning example of English fairground carving. Wooden boards with carved surrounds ‘tombstones’ fill the centre.
The machine has top centres plus beautifully carved original centre droppers beneath them. Hanging from the swifts are shields with portraits of monarchs on them. Nearly every bit of artwork on the ride has been decorated with genuine gold leaf. Brand new red and white Odyssey tilt was made after we stopped touring.
The platforms, steps and rounding boards range from 5-8 years old.
As seen on screen
You may have seen the Gallopers on the big or little screen as it was in Paddington 2, The Krays, 28 weeks later, Call the midwife, Mid summer murders, Wurzal Gummage, numerous adverts and music videos. Regular film and TV requests added additional income to us out of season.
Current condition: Ready to be built up and operated. At point of sale, an ADIPS and boiler test will be completed.
Asking Price: £395,000 plus VAT sensible offers are invited
Carters 1921 Savages Excelsior steam yachts.
This impressive set of steam-driven yachts is one of only two or three surviving examples of a very popular ride in Britain at the turn of the 20th century. They were built for the Showman Joe Ling by a company known as Savages who built fairground and traction engines.
Two ‘yachts’ swing under steam power to an almost vertical angle which, although appearing sedate from the ground, gives it a kick which made it one of our most popular rides with thrill-seekers.
Less intrepid riders can still enjoy the yachts by sitting in the central yellow seats which, due to centrifugal force, are much gentler than those marked ‘brave’ and ‘very brave’.
History and restoration
The Steam Yachts were the rarest ride in our collection and it was purchased as a pile of bits in around 1974. A two-year restoration by John and Anna Carter began in 1982. Original Savage drawings were sourced and every part of the wooden frames were recreated from original Savage drawings. When it was bought, the original engine was missing and had been scrapped by previous owners. Showman Harry Lee sold an alternative engine known as ‘Yorky’ to Carters Steam Fair. This steam engine was built in 1901 for Waddingtons.
New boats and hills (loading platforms) were built. Plus an organ was made by Deans and is very much still going strong.
The completion of the ride continued when Joby took the ride on early 2000s adding top boards and artwork down the centre canopy. Lights were added on top of the boats. Artwork panels were remade under the loading hills. New steps with a queue system to help with busy venues.
The ride now consists of a Foden Alpha with a rear mounted crane, a draw bar trailer and the center engine. It can be built up mostly with two people other than a couple of jobs that require three.
Current condition: Ready to be built up and operated. At point of sale, an ADIPS and boiler test will be completed.
Asking price: £150,000 plus vat, sensible offers are invited
Vintage vehicles for sale
The fair was famous for its fleet of rare vintage vehicles which were carefully restored by Joby and his team at his restoration workshops in Maidenhead.
Joby takes great pride in restoring vehicles back to their original ‘showroom’ condition but is now offering to restore rides and vehicles for others so that the vehicles can have new owners and be used.
With that in mind he is selling the following vehicles and living wagons from his collection:
Scammell No 1 ‘Kathleen”
Built new for United Dairies as an articulated unit, this lorry was converted to a showman’s tractor by the Wynn family, with an engine overhaul around 1960. We bought it from Kathleen Wynn in 1977 following her husband’s death and we promised her that it would keep its name. No. 1 has had many bodies over the years and has been used for many different jobs on the fair, but its primary role has been to pull living wagons.
You can see more about this scammell on our vehicles page.
Current condition: Running, but due for a repaint
Asking price: £15,000 plus VAT
Scammell No 14: The Maidonian
No.14 was originally built for Shell Mex in 1960, before going into service at the haulage company Sanders. It was then laid up for twenty years, before we found it and bought it.
It was given a thorough overhaul in the late 1990s. As part of its adaptation for show use, a crane was fitted to the front to lift the heavy Steam Yacht A-frames and axles. It’s powered by a Gardner 180 engine and has a Gardner 6LW generator mounted on the back, with a 364 Lister 110v DC Dynamo.
This has recently had an extensive restoration to the highest standard with a few final finishing touches to be completed prior to sale including fitting lights, mirrors and putting the generator back. (Photos show some of the restoration work in progress, it will be sold completed with headlights and mirrors etc)
Current condition: immaculately restored ready for use by new owner.
Asking price: £40,000.00 + VAT
You can read more about No.14 on our vehicles page.
Atkinson Venturer No. 9: The Wanderer
The Atkinson, No.9 towed the Dodgems. This lorry had originally served for Gaskell Bros, gravel and sand merchants, near Wigan in Lancashire, and when we bought it it was still in its Gaskells livery. This has been in the family a long time. It was first converted to showman’s use by Joby Carter’s brother Seth and has been used ever since.
This has recently had an extensive restoration to the highest standard including a new cab. It features a full 8 cylinder Gardner engine rebuild and new cab in first class condition.
(Photos show some of the restoration work in progress, it will be sold completed with headlights and mirrors etc)
Current condition: immaculately restored ready for use by new owner
Asking price: £35,000 + VAT
You can read more about the Atkinson on our vehicle page
Vintage living wagons for sale
Brayshaw Living Wagon
Brayshaw were famous for their living wagons; they began as blacksmiths and wheelwrights in Yeadon near Leeds in the late 19th century, and by 1889 were making carriages for Romany families and showfolk. We believe this 26 foot wagon was built in 1946.
This particular wagon is very original on the inside. We bought it from the estate of Mrs Shaw in the early 80s, and Joby Carter began a total and thorough restoration in 1993, and made every effort to get it as historically accurate and authentic as he could.
This van is believed to have been the first Brayshaw to have been fitted with a metal roof (rather than canvas) from new. Rather than stripping the brown paint off, Joby chose to re-clad the aluminum. When he removed the skirting from the sides it revealed the belly box doors, and he was amazed to find the original scrollwork surviving on them. He was able to paint the boxes around the scrolls and keep them in the finished restoration.
How many does it sleep? One bedroom, one living room, one kitchen
What else is inside? Original table, chairs, drinks cabinet, writing table, two fireplaces, multiple brilliant cut mirrors inside.
Current condition: The Brayshaw is currently having a full restoration and will be ready in a few months time.
Asking price: £75,000.00 +VAT
Restoration project: Billy Smarts Royal Windsor living wagon
Billy Smarts Royal Windsor was built by Reels of Slough and is one of three ‘Royal Windsor’ wagons that they had on the show. The other two belonged to his sons David and Ronnie Smart and they were built by Southerns. Billy was one of the 20th century’s greatest showmen, very well-known even today for the famous Smart’s Circus, but he also travelled a fairground in his early days. Smart’s Circus was at its peak in the mid 1950s.
This wagon was built in 1958 but has lost all of its interior which included a round bar. During the pandemic Joby Carter began restoring this wagon with the kind help of Patreon, but further work and investment is required.
The living wagons were ‘a palace on wheels’ and were very luxurious. They were designed to draw attention and to look different to other wagons on the road at the time: they had a striking modern silhouette. These three living wagons all had Mollycroft roofs (the row of narrow windows along the roof line that brings in lots of natural light).
They were a family home but also used for entertaining guests or VIPs visiting the circus: (Princess Margaret visited the Smarts in Ronnie & Kays wagon, the one Joby & family lived in whilst on tour!). Each wagon had a cocktail bar.
Current condition: The wagon has had some panels paint stripped. There is no visble rot, it just needs restoring and furnishing. Please note: this is a clean slate: Interior panels and furniture are missing. The image above shows what it looked like in its heyday
The proof is in the pudding – Joby and Georgina Carter did a full restoration on their wagon. it would be nice to see the other two done as well.
A documentary was made about the restoration of the Royal Windsor living wagon that Joby and Georgina restored. You can also watch Joby talking about his wagon on a YouTube video from 2019 here.
Joby is looking for a new owner of this former palace on wheels. Joby and his team are available to support with ongoing restoration work.
Asking price: £12,000.00
Restoration project: David Smarts living wagon
This wagon was built by Southern in 1955 for David Smart, Billy Smart’s son. It has been kept at Carters Yard since Joby obtained it in around 2015. The plan was always to restore this back to its former glory, but Joby is now looking to pass this opportunity onto another owner as he is busy with signwriting and restoration services for other people.
Further information about the living wagon may be available from the National fairground and circus archive at Sheffield university
Current condition – in need of major restoration
Asking Price – £5,000.00
Find out more
All can be viewed by appointment at Carters Yard, Grove Park Industrial Estate, Waltham Road, White Waltham,
Maidenhead, SL6 3JF
If you’re interested in any of the items for sale please email us at [email protected]
We look forward to hearing from you and finding these items good homes.
