THE iron monsters of yesteryear still hold their appeal, as the enduring popularity of events across our district shows.

For example, the Pickering Traction Engine Rally, which took place earlier this month at the Malton Road Showfield, is now in its 49th year.

The rally is the largest steam and vintage event in the north and has always attracted enthusiasts and engines from all across the region.

Our pictures are taken from earlier times, showing people celebrating these impressive machines at venues across our region - including Pickering.

The top image, from 1964, shows Jack Hardy, from Ulleskelf, steaming along the Malton Road en route to Pickering on an Iron Lady with his daughter, Kathleen, and son, Steven. Even Father Christmas loved these old machines - in 1965 he rode from York City Station to the Co-op store in Rougier Street on the Evening Star, a handsome fairground steam engine owned by MD Thackray & Sons of Old Malton.

Updated: 10:58 Friday, August 16, 2002