FRED DIBNAH A MOVING STORY (TRACTION ENGINES) R2 DVD

Loved it

This is a record of the removal from Fred's old home, narrated by a long term friend, of the two steam road engines he was best associated with. Sadly vandals and burglars had already started to wreak havoc on the empty unguarded property since Fred's demise and so the engines were removed to safety whilst legal procedures decided the future of the estate. Fred's intention was that both of these engines should become the property of his two sons by his second marriage but this wasn't to be the case. The process, well documented in the video was quite difficult due to the nature and layout of the property. The house is situated below the road level and the tarmac drive up to the road was slippery with leaves and damp, causing the removal experts a fair amount of problems particularly with the 12 ton roller. This has some major parts made in cast iron, which can easily fracture under stress in cold weather. I previously watched Fred move the roller out of the shed and up the drive "in steam" and so I watched the video with great interest. Fred would have certainly approved of the snatch blocks with trees for anchorage! As a record of the event this is a useful addition to the many videos of Fred's life, but it's more for collectors and enthusiasts as it gets a little technical at times. As a footnote the Aveling roller "Betsy" is now in a new home in the possession of the Dibnah Boys. The Aveling convertible tractor was bought by a private buyer at auction.

An interesting programme, especially for anyone interested in the final days of Freds engines and his yard in Bolton, Lancs

This DVD is a very sad ending to such a brilliant mans life. After watching most of the things Fred has done in the past and read books about his life i bought this DVD as the final chapter. Worth watching but it will make you very angry with the scum who have no respect for such an great man , on the other hand you see all Freds old and trusted friends pull together for Fred one last time.

Indeed it is a sad ending of a very special person's life and time. I did not understand what the friends and the widow had been trying to do about the situation there in Bolton in the years between Fred's death and the date the video was shot. I suppose that there was little they could do due to the legal mess, but still the abandonnement did not do the condition of house and equipment any good. Sad also that all Fred's relics had been laying in the house unattended, and only received attention when the house had been sansacked. Great to learn that the steamroller and the tractor found a good new home.

This was one of Fred,s that I purchased on a whim, it doesn't sound much in the cover but it is a really appropriate title. It really is "A Moving Story" in more ways than one..... I've got quite a few of Fred Dibnah's but in all honesty I think this one is (personally) my favourite. Probably because I liked him anyway even though I never even saw him let alone met him I really wish I had.

Purchased as a birthday gift for a relative, he informs me that this DVD is possibly the best one of the three that I got him. I think you have to be a "Fred" fan to really get the most from these DVD's but if Steam Engines and huge mechanical things are your thing then I guess you'll enjoy watching Fred.

This video documents the day that all Fred's Traction engines had to be removed from his former home, in Bolton, after his death. It is a very sad and moving tale, but has a happy ending, in that the two engines will be well cared for in new homes.