186 - This steam powered road roller was built in 1927 for York Corporation and was used by them for almost thirty years, and then sold to W & J Glossop Ltd, and they continued to use it in and around York until 1965.
It was purchased for preservation in 1965 and has since been fully restored to working order. It is now kept in Bramely, Leeds.
It has been visiting the National Railway Museum for a few days this week, and while there has been out around some of it's old haunts in York.
The red lamp (bottom left) hung under the boiler is a typical oil lamp used by a number of organisations to mark road works, The letters YEB on this example suggest that it once belonged to the Yorkshire Electricity Board.
Nice collage for this steam monster. Many similar machines were built in the US arund the turn of the 20th century to do harvest work and drive farm machinery. Many parts of the US mid-west have fall festivals with these steam machines as their central focus. They race them (at 2-3 miles per hour) and compete in other ways. Nice capture and thanks for the memories.
Thank you Tony - I'm only disappointed that I didn't manage to catch it on its tour round York - this in front of York Minster, now that would have been a great shot!
Thank you Ruth - funnily enough the lamp brought back a vivid memory of my childhood when workmen put out a row of this around roadworks near where I lived!
Thank you Junan, glad you like it! - funnily enough the lamp brought back a vivid memory of my childhood when workmen put out a row of these around roadworks near where I lived!
Thank you Livia, glad you like it - and for me the red lamp reminds me of seeing workmen doing road repairs near where we lived when I was a young boy!
Thank you Bob, glad you like it! We have quite a few steam events here too, with working machines of all kinds, but as far as I remember, this is the first preserved example that I've seen that was designed for rolling tarmac roads.
I knew my Dad, @collin would like this! We used to go and see gatherings of these steam and traction engines when I was young and I loved it. I can even remember the excitement when a really big one was passing our house, we could hear it coming a mile off!
is this a coincidence. ? yesterday ( of the day before ) I visit you site as my attention was captured by this lovely pic of this steam road roller. I `m a big fan of everything powered by steam. to day you visit mine . Thanks for it and you nice comment
Thank you Jen, glad you like it!
Thank you Tony - I'm only disappointed that I didn't manage to catch it on its tour round York - this in front of York Minster, now that would have been a great shot!
Thank you Ruth - funnily enough the lamp brought back a vivid memory of my childhood when workmen put out a row of this around roadworks near where I lived!
Thank you, glad you like it! I don't remember Glossop's, but I do remember seeing machines like this at work in South Yorkshire when I was a lad!
Thank you Junan, glad you like it! - funnily enough the lamp brought back a vivid memory of my childhood when workmen put out a row of these around roadworks near where I lived!
Thank you Janet, glad you like it! - and I agree, I wouldn't imagine one of these would do the cobbled and flagged streets much good at all!
Thank you Brian! - we in Britain have a weakness for spending money on restoring and running such wonderful old machines!
Thank you Livia, glad you like it - and for me the red lamp reminds me of seeing workmen doing road repairs near where we lived when I was a young boy!
Thank you Marie, glad you like it! - it was lovely to see this beautiful old machine!
Thank you Bob, glad you like it! We have quite a few steam events here too, with working machines of all kinds, but as far as I remember, this is the first preserved example that I've seen that was designed for rolling tarmac roads.
Thank you Caren, glad you like it! - it really was a delight to see a machine that has been so lovingly restored and that is in such good condition!
These are certainly a fantastic sight. I'm just disappointed that I missed it's tour around York.
Thank you Roslyn - these great machines are certainly impressive to see.
Thank you Lynne - and you aren't the first person to like the lamp. It's a nice piece of retro design!
Thank you, that's quite a coincidence! I love to see these beautiful old machines, especially when they are well looked after!