This photo graces the cover of the Ind. book. It was taken on
February 23,1907, in Ardleigh, Essex. The Fowler traction engine is
thought to be #3187, and the outfit was property of C. W.
Dorlin.
Aveling & Porter #4546,10-ton roller, owned
by Essex Steam Rolling Association; photographed May 29, 1922.
A sample photograph from the lnd. book, showing a Burrell
Ploughing Engine, #801, built in 1878 when owned by G. Bedford,
Little Bradley, Suffolk, England.
Aveling & Porter, #1296, built in 1877.
Owned by W. Dennis & Sons, Lines. Photographed September 17,
1915. 3
Fowler #3187, built in 1877.Owned by C.W.
Dorlin, Colchest Essex. Photographed June 8, 1906.
The Road Locomotive Society, founded in 1937 in Great Britain,
is entering its 45th year as an organization devoted to
preservation of engines and archives, and exchange of information
among collectors.
Steam road vehicles were still in use on roads and in the
countryside when the society was founded. They were far more
prevalent in Britain than in the United States. Although there were
experiments in America in steam’s early days, locomotives for
use other than on railroads did not become part of the scene. The
same was true of steam plows; they were tried in the United States
but received far broader application in Britain.
The Road Locomotive Society keeps rolling right along. While it
does not sponsor a museum of its own, it strongly encourages the
preserving of all engines. Interests of its members extend to
traction engines, rollers, wagons, portable engines and like
mechanisms.
One of its major services is in publishing of books on the
subjects its activities cover. These books provide excellent
illustrations and historical information which should interest many
American readers.
A book which is fascinating is ‘The Major R. J. W. Ind
Collection of Historical Photographs,’ edited by Peter G.
Smart. Most of the photos in the book show plowing engines, mainly
of older designs. Some are very unusual. Steam rollers and traction
engines are included.
A recent publication is ‘Steam Rollers and Steam Wagons of
the Worcestershire County Council,’by John T. Rhead. One
chapter deals with Bridge Testing by Steam, telling of the way
heavy steam engines would be run onto new bridges. The amount of
deflection indicated the loads that the bridges could bear.
‘Traction Engine Locomotives,’ by Ian K. Hutchinson,
tells the story of the traction engine as a railway locomotive. It
goes into conversion of road locomotives and steam wagons for use
on rails.
Stemgas lists titles and prices so that you may write to the
society direct to place your order:
Major R. J. W. Ind Collection book is $4.00 U.S.; airmail
postage is $4.00, total $8.00; surface postage is $1.00 (put it
takes longer).
Worcestershire Rollers & Waggons book is $10.00, air mail is
$6.00, total $16.00; surface postage $4.00.
Traction Engine Locomotives book is $4.00, airmail is $4.00;
total $8.00; surface mail $1.00.
These orders should be sent to: Road Locomotive Society, Oak
Lea, Moss Lane, Mobberley, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 7BU,
England.
If you wish to obtain a draft for pounds in your home town, we
can furnish the prices and postage fee figures.
Another book you should consider is ‘A Head Full of
Steam,’ the story of a 200-mile journey on a steam roller by J.
G. Stevenson. The roller was named ‘Cinderella’ by
Stevenson, who did all the restoration himself. The trip he wrote
about took place in 1979; he made another in 1980.
To order Stevenson’s book, send him $2.50 U.S., plus $2.00
for airmail or 80? surface. His address: J. G. Stevenson, 14 Arran
Ave., Sale, Cheshire, England.
