CRAIG WEATHERLEY looks at the early development of steam rollers.
A steam roller, or road roller as they are also known, are heavy duty construction vehicles used for flattening grassland, airfields or flattening tarmac during the making of roads. The steam roller is different type of vehicle to traction engines; firstly both rear driving wheels are flat and smooth - to stop the impressions of tyres getting imprinted within the dirt or tarmac - and secondly the front rollers were two drums held together as one piece within a frame. The frame was held on one pivot point which made the roller take all of the weight of the engine on the front. The roller on the front was of course how the name of the vehicle came about.
In 1860, a very early form of steam roller was demonstrated in France by Louis Lemoine, followed in 1863 another form by William Clark and his partner W.F. Batho. in Britain. During this period different companies were trying to produce the best steam rollers that contractors can buy - manufacturers such as Marshall, Wallis & Stevens, John Fowler & Co., and many others. However, one company took the market by storm. In 1862 Thomas Aveling and Richard Thomas Porter entered partnership in Kent and founded the company Aveling & Porter. Three years later the pair produced their first steam engine and went on to produce other different types, sizes and varieties for the market.
Steam rollers were used everywhere around Britain, in fact many rollers were used right up until the 1960s. They were even used in the construction of the M1 Motorway.
Many steam rollers have made to preservation and can be seen at steam shows around the country. Some larger shows like the famous Great Dorset Steam Fair even let them make roads around the showground.
Were there any strange looking rollers? Believe it or not yes. Companies tried making their version of the steam roller more efficient so then making them odder looking. The strangest two in my opinion were from a company called Wallis & Steevens, the first was the 'Simplicity' roller, and the other was the 'Advance' roller.
W&S Simplicity
W&S Advance
The "Advance" is a nice little roller with one big difference to other rollers or traction engines - it has no flywheel on the crankshaft. It has two cylinders which smoothly deliver the power to the rear wheels, this makes the roller change direction easily and quickly thus not destroying the freshly laid tarmac.
Fowler Steam Roller No.15981 Eve
A few different companies produce diecast or kit versions of steam rollers, as they are a common sight on many rural layouts. These Steam Rollers can added to a roadworks scene on your layout.
SPRV73 Aveling & Porter 10t Steamroller Whitemetal Kit