Hobart Vintage Machinery Society holds tractor trek

Hobart Vintage Machinery Society members took their tractors out of the sheds for a journey around the Southern Midlands.

Member Ted Domeney said the trek started at Colebrook, crossed the Coal River at Brandy Bottom, went through Eldon and up Crick Hill to Baden, crossed the Coal River again to Stonor Hall, went out to Rhyndaston, and then back to Colebrook.

Similar events take place on the mainland, dubbed tractor treks, where vintage machinery groups gather to run their old tractors on back roads.

Members from the Old Bits and Pieces Club, Collinsvale Machinery and Social Club, and the Military Vehicle Group of Tasmania joined the society for the trek.

Mr Domeney said five World War II Jeeps led the trek.

“As well as tractors, there was a 1936 Dodge sedan, a nicely restored Toyota Land Cruiser ute and wagon, a beautifully maintained 1976 LX Torana, and an equally beautifully restored near-original 1910 model T Ford from Oatlands, which toured with us all the way.

“There were 14 tractors in total, from a diminutive Leyland 154 to a huge Massey Ferguson 1100.

“Fergusons were the popular brand with several “little greys” and FE35s, MF 35s and 135s, privately owned or club assets.

“A John Deere and an International were also spotted.”

“The trek certainly created local interest, with many householders and families coming out to watch and wave.”