Steam roller goes for a spin for first time in 50 years - Enthusiasts hail ‘amazing day’

Now called the ‘Rattler’, the Aveling & Porter 8 Tonne Steam Roller spent its early days in Reigate, Surrey, before sitting in a field ‘laying derelict for more than 50 years’ as part of the Thursford Collection in Norfolk. Tim and Tarina Walter, from the Glenwood estate, bought the steam roller in December 2017, when it went up for auction in Par, Cornwall. “We restored her to what she looks like today,” Tim said. “We decided to name her Rattler, as not only does she rattle as she goes along but the Cornish Rattler Cider also goes down rather well.” On Saturday, the vehicle rolled down Brooks Lane on the estate at the request of the land owner. Tim added: “We were kindly asked by Brian Brooks to roll his piece of land, as he goes past our house and saw our engine sitting on the drive. He thought it would be a lovely thing to do and see an engine doing what she was built to do, but all those years ago. It has been more than 60 years since she has done any work like that and it was amazing. Not only did she roll the road, she also cooked dinner for us all, stew and jacket potatoes.” Among the other vehicles to join in at the event were Tim and Tarina’s half size Foden Waggon, named Aloha Spirit. Tim, who, with Tarina, runs an initiative called The Villagers’ Collectors of Stuff, said he built the Foden over more than four years ‘from the kits we got monthly’. He said: “There was also a Foster Traction Engine named Captains Pride. This is my dad’s engine and is owned by Stewart Walters (captain), but also looked after by my brother Douglas Walters. [There was also] an MG Midget owned by Peter Hawkins and an Austin Healey owned by Brian Brooks.”