|
Steam Roller |
Seam Roller and workers - Where and when?
Does this steam roller still exists?
©
Reproduced with acknowledgement to Derek Hambly, Liskeard, Cornwall, England.
Derek's grandfather, Percy James Hambly, is probably one of the workers in this
photo
|
Steam Roller |
|
Old Photo Thank you to Derek Hambly for sending me this photograph of a steam roller and gang of workers. Derek does not know where or when this photo was taken, but he believes that one of the workers is his grandfather, Percy James Hambly, in his younger years.. Derek tells me that his grandfather was born in Bodmin, Cornwall and worked for Constable & Harts Co Ltd, a steamroller firm based in London. Acknowledgement: Derek Hambly, Liskeard, Cornwall, England: May 22, 2009 |
|
Questions |
|
Derek would like to learn more about this photo and wonders if the old steam roller has survived. |
|
Here is another steam roller photo sent to me by Derek: |
|
If you can answer any of Derek's questions and would like to contact him, please email me, then I'll pass on your message to him. Thank you. - Peter Stubbs: May 26, 2009 |
|
Answer 1. Mark Fellows Cornwall England |
|
Thank you to Mark Fellows who wrote: Cornwall "This roller bears a registration prefix, AF. This was the Cornish prefix years ago and I would have thought this was an image from possible around the Cornwall / Devon area. I think this roller is no longer with us, unfortunately. I'll post a link on to the Traction Talk website and see if somebody can shed some useful information on the engine. Mark Fellows, Cornwall, England: May 28, 2009 |
|
Answer 2. Mark Fellows Cornwall England |
|
Thank you to Mark Fellows for sending a further email - about an hour after his first! Mark wrote: Holland "The Cornish engine is identified!! This engine exists, but not as a steam roller. It has been converted into a traction engine. It is in Holland of all places!! Unfortunately in our hobby a small number of people convert rollers to traction engines and showman’s engines (like the ones that powered fairgrounds years ago). This is a major controversial topic in the road steam world! Below is a reply about the engine from the Traction Talk web site: 'This roller is Marshall 77479 (AF8674) - possibly a Dingles engine. It now lives as a traction engine in Holland.' The person who replied on the Traction Talk web site added: 'The firm, Dingles, was a very big road rolling contractor, years ago, and had many engines. I believe this firm did the majority of its work throughout Cornwall and into Devon. There is also a museum in Cornwall called the Dingles Steam Museum. It may be worth the owner of the photos visiting the museum as they maybe able to help even more.' " Mark Fellows, Cornwall, England: May 28, 2009 |
|
Answer 3. Ben |
|
Thank you to Ben who wrote the message below. Ben sent this message to me before I had chance to update the web site for Answers 1 and 2 above. Ben wrote: 1924 "This appears to be a Marshall steam traction engine. The registration number AF8674 was first registered in 1924 and is still currently on the same roller." Ben: May 29, 2009 |
|
Answer 4. Derek Hambly Liskeard, Cornwall, England |
|
Derek, who sent me this photograph, added: Holland "Thank you for the news about this steam roller landing up in Holland, converted into a traction engine. I wonder if there is a photo of it as it is now. That would be a nice ending to the story." Derek Hambly, Liskeard, Cornwall, England: May 30, 2009 |