Aveling & Porter D Type 10 Ton Steam Roller 1923
| "Earl E Ryzer" 1923 Aveling & Porter 6 n.h.p. D Type 10 Ton Steam Roller Serial No: 10753. This Steam Roller was bought at a cost of: £779. 8s 0d by New Mills Urban District Council in 1924 from a show at Earls Court. It worked for the council and on private contract work, remaining in the councils service and fully operational until 1966. The rates for hiring the roller in the 1940's were 33/4d per day plus 7/6 per hour when scarifying. The drivers wages were charged at 3/4d per day with coal being provided by the hirer. After being laid up in 1966 the engine was offered for sale in the Manchester Evening News on 21st November 1969 and Worlds Fair on 27th December 1969. On the 2nd of April 1970 it was bought by Mr F. Hardman and Mr. N. Lawton, who removed it to Birch Vale where it was stripped down and repaired with many parts being replaced, including a new canopy. Upon completion the engine was re-painted and lined out after which it attended several rallies around Derbyshire and Cheshire. In August the Steam Roller was purchased by David Lomas and attended two local rallies with the help of the previous owners. In December 1987, the engine was stripped down for annual boiler inspection, it was found that some of the crown stays were badly wasted. The boiler inspector requested certain repairs to be carried out before the engine could be steamed again, upon further investigation , having removed the lagging, it was decided that major boiler repairs to the firebox, boiler barrel and front tube plate were necessary. In February, 1988, the engine was completely stripped down, including removal of the firebox and boiler barrel. Taking copies from the original parts, the new components were manufactured under the supervision of the boiler inspector. Whilst the engine was dismantled it was decided to make a new back axle with wheel and axle box bearings. First gear on the crankshaft, an intermediate gear on the second shaft and the final drive gear on the axle were built up and machined back to the original profile. Following a hydraulic test on the new boiler the engine was reassembled, repainting and and lining out. After fourteen months and approximately fifteen hundred hours work, the engine was fired up and a steam test carried out, successfully, whereupon an insurance certificate was issued. In April 1989, after this extensive restoration work, the Steam Roller attended the opening of the New Mills Heritage Centre with Frank Hardman and David Lomas. |