Tuesday 7 October 2014

Manoeuvring

Ah, life on the open road chugging along on 'Billy' the steamroller built in 1903
and still steaming at Blists Hill Victorian Town. Having done its rolling for the day it was time to manoeuvre it into the shed for the night
Through the gate, oh no, just too much to the right
Better reverse back to take another run at it. Left hand down a bit and then
full steam ahead with room to spare.

The driver took more than one run at the gates but I admired his manoeuvring ability on a machine that was built to go in a straight line.  I also rather liked the handle on the wheel that you spun it around with.   

The Steamroller was built by Wallis and Steevens of Basingstoke in Hampshire who started manufactured agricultural machinery from the 1840s and then expanded into road making equipment, it ceased to trade in 1981.  The steamroller's home is now Blists Hill, an Open Air Museum on an old industrial site recreating a Victorian town in the late 19th and early 20th century located near the Shropshire Canal.

An entry to ABC Wednesday, a journey through the alphabet, this week parking at M here.

9 comments:

carol l mckenna said...

What a delightful post and great photos for M !

artmusedog and carol (A Creative Harbor)

Anonymous said...

I wouldn't want to be driving that rig around for sure. What a great creative choice for the letter M!

lotusleaf said...

A mesmerising manoeuvre!

Roger Owen Green said...

looks like lots of fun

ROG, ABCW

Trubes said...

What a magnificent machine, I wouldn't want to manoeuvre it in that small space.
lovely clear pictures, most enjoyable read,

Di x

orange said...

Fab - I love your posts from Shropshire!

Hazel said...

This is one of my fave things about the UK - so many old things and I love most things old. Gorgeous steamroller.

mrsnesbitt said...

I hate reversing and am happy in my little C1 - heaven help me in one of these!

Linda said...

Wonderful post, and I love the photos!