The Ruston in the Blue Lagoon

The Amazing Story of the world’s oldest working excavator …and recalling the Lincoln trams

THE RUSTON IN THE BLUE LAGOON

A rattling yarn that will fascinate all nostalgia lovers, steam fans, engineers, and those interested in the Ruston heritage.

This story of a conservation miracle tells of the dogged determination of engineering historian Ray Hooley who rescued what is now the world’s oldest working excavator from a watery grave.  The famous Steam Navvy no 306 was built by Ruston, Proctor & Co in Lincoln in 1909.

Thanks to Ray, a team of experienced engineers at the Vintage Excavator Trust, and a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, this amazing piece of Edwardian history will work on into the future at the Trust’s Working weekends.

The programme looks back to early engineering and uses old images of and uses old images and film to set No.306 in context.

Includes a second feature on Lincoln Trams

The Lincoln Trams

A thoroughly enjoyable ride with the Lincoln trams which ran from their depot in Bracebridge to the City Centre and back between 1882 & 1929.  From the horse-drawn days through to the overhead wire era.