Road Locomotive Society

The enhancement of education and research into the past history of all types of self propelling steam engines

Archive – Image of the Month

Image of the Month – August 2025

The photograph shows a Burrell 8NHP single cylinder traction engine No. 1602, registered AH 5875, supplied new in 1892. It is shown from the near-side the Flywheel is spoked, the motion gear shows a governor etween the cyliner and flywheel/ Some spuds for the wheels and hanging just ahead of the rear wheel.

Burrell 8NHP single cylinder traction engine No. 1602, registered AH 5875, supplied new in 1892.

Image of the Month – July 2023

A delightful period threshing scene with an portable engine. With thanks to Tim Smith, this has been identified as follows: Owned by Mr Witham of Erpingham Norfolk. The engine is a Holmes, and the drum a Ransomes. Erpingham was unique in that it once had both water and windmills. The Witham family are now agricultural engineers in the village. The photographer was A Bond of Heath Road Norwich.

Image of the Month – August 2023

A photograph that shows an unidentified Fyson traction engine taking Soham Baptist Sunday School on an outing circa 1923. This is the image of the month for August 2023.

An unidentified Fyson traction engine taking Soham Baptist Sunday School on an outing circa 1923.

Image of the Month – September 2023

Ruston & Proctor Class SR roller No. 26620 Reg No YA 1769 seen in the ownership of R & J Kent, Baughurst, Hampshire at their auction in 1938.

Image of the Month – October 2023

An unidentified Tuxford & Sons traction engine and period threshing scene.

An unidentified Tuxford & Sons traction engine and period threshing scene. The text on the engine reads John H. Thorold Syston. Weight 8 Tons.

Image of the Month – November 2023

Thornycroft wagon No. 284 of 1903 Reg No CR 28 in the ownership of Edwin Jones, Coal Merchants.

Image of the Month – December 2023

An early unidentified Kitson & Hewitson ploughing engine with roundabout tackle.

Image of the Month – January 2024

Fowler B6 Superlion Showmans engine No. 19989 “Onward” Reg No XG 2010 photographed in Cheshire in May 1935.

Image of the Month – February 2024

Burrell 6NHP Road Locomotive No. 3222 “Progress”, owned by W.E. Chivers & Sons, Devizes, Wiltshire.

Image of the Month – March 2024

Armstrong Whitworth roller Reg No NE 4655 in the ownership of T. C. Potts, Great Harwood, Burnley, Lancashire when photographed on 8th July 1955.

Image of the Month – April 2024

An early unidentified Dodman traction engine dating from 1880’s.

Image of the Month – May 2024

Fowler 6HP single cylinder ploughing engine No. 2656 built in 1875 is posed along with No. 2825 built 1876 at the cross roads in Sutton St Nicholas, Herefordshire . Although not an original pair they worked together in the ownership of Mrs Jane Kinsey, Seabourne House, Sutton St Nicholas. The pair were sold at auction on 9th April 1920.

Image of the Month – June 2024

Burrell 6HP road locomotive No.  3489, “CITY OF LONDON” built in August 1913 and engaged on haulage of 0-6-0 tank engine in the ownership of J. Hickey &Sons, London.

Image of the Month – July 2024

Aveling & Porter roller No. 4987 new on 15th March 1902  and a delightful Ruston, Procter 6 ton roller No. 29509 both in the ownership of J. J. Prior, Stonebridge Wharf, Blackwall working on road resurfacing contract for Tarmac Ltd.

Image of the Month – August 2024

Tasker A1 class steam tractor No. 1303 registered F 672 in the ownership of John Pearson & Co, Clay Hill House, Forest Road, Walthamstow, Essex.

Image of the Month – September 2024

An unidentified 6HP Wallis& Steevens single cylinder expansion traction engine engaged on transporting Methodists Sunday school outing in Church Lane somewhere in Hampshire. The engine has angle iron square cornered tender construction making it a 2000 series engine.

Image of the Month – October 2024

A nicely posed road making gang with T. Green roller No. 1433 in the ownership of T. W. Tilke, Melksham. The roller is in fine order and looks brand new.

A nicely posed road making gang with T. Green roller No. 1433 in the ownership of T. W. Tilke, Melksham. The roller is in fine order and looks brand new.

Image of the Month – November 2024

Fowler 8NHP B4 class road locomotive No. 7524 is engaged in the recovery of a Burrell roller. The Fowler was supplied new in October 1896 to Eddison and De Mattos, Dorchester and perhaps it was one of their rollers being recovered. The front roll has been recovered and the awning can be seen behind the roller which is fitted with a Hosack type bi-directional scarifier.

Fowler 8NHP B4 class road locomotive No. 7524 is engaged in the recovery of a Burrell roller. The Fowler was supplied new in October 1896 to Eddison and De Mattos, Dorchester and perhaps it was one of their rollers being recovered. The front roll has been recovered and the awning can be seen behind the roller which is fitted with a Hosack type bi-directional scarifier.

Image of the Month – December 2024

The photo shows a Davey Paxman single cylinder traction engine No. 15434 owned by Albert Chapman, Ashford. The view shows the engine from a three quarters angle from the rear, the Drive stands on the footplate, side on looking at the camera. The flywheel shows a blue as it is in motion. A belt attached to the flywheel is driving a Marshall Threshing drum but only a small amount of this is visible on the left of the image. A fence is in the foreground but is lightly made not obscuring the traction engine.

Davey Paxman single cylinder traction engine No. 15434 owned by Albert Chapman, Ashford and seen here driving a Marshall threshing drum.

Image of the Month – January 2025

Robey compound traction engine No. 29330 built in 1910 and fitted with 3 speed gearing, dressed up for an outing to celebrate the Coronation of King George V in 1911.

Robey compound traction engine No. 29330 built in 1910 and fitted with 3 speed gearing, dressed up for an outing to celebrate the Coronation of King George V in 1911.

Image of the Month – February 2025

An unidentified Fowler B5 class road locomotive dating from the Boer War period supplied to the War Office. These engines were supplied to a very high specification and fitted with copper firebox’s, brass tubes, deep hind tanks, full width front tanks, and all the shafts were from Taylor s Gun steel all hardened in oil. Two men pose by the rear wheel looking towards the camera. It is attached to a Traction Wagon Trailer which is partially shown.

An unidentified Fowler B5 class road locomotive dating from the Boer War period supplied to the War Office. These engines were supplied to a very high specification and fitted with copper firebox’s, brass tubes, deep hind tanks, full width front tanks, and all the shafts were from Taylor s Gun steel all hardened in oil.

Image of the Month – March 2025

A photograph of an Aveling & Porter Steam Road Roller, a three quarter view of the offside. It is freshly painted and photographed at the Strood, Rochester site, two arches of Rochester Bridge are shown in the background.

A “works photograph” of Aveling & Porter roller No. 5761 that was supplied for export.

Image of the Month – April 2025

Fowler 7NHP road locomotive No. 12434 stands proudly hauling three traction wagons. Supplied new on 23rd September 1911 to James W. Harris & Son, Timber Merchants and Haulage Contractors, Hook Norton, Oxfordshire. Three men are seen standing next to the engine., three other men are sat in the second traction wagon.

Fowler 7NHP road locomotive No. 12434 stands proudly hauling three traction wagons. Supplied new on 23rd September 1911 to James W. Harris & Son, Timber Merchants and Haulage Contractors, Hook Norton, Oxfordshire.

Image of the Month May / June 2025

Garrett “4CD” showman’s tractor No. 32122 “THE GREYHOUND”, registered BH 8900. It was photographed on 24th September 1938 at High Wycombe. The photograph shows the engine from the offside as a three quarters view from the front.

Garrett “4CD” showman’s tractor No. 32122 “THE GREYHOUND”, registered BH 8900. It was photographed on 24th September 1938 at High Wycombe.

Image of the Month July 2025

The photograph shows Aveling & Porter “XAC” class tractor No. 6971, registered D 4947 of 1910 seen here in the ownership of J. Saunders, Peckham, London. There are two men front (offside) and centre, one is dressed very smartly with a bow tie and flat cap. There is another man at the rear of the steam tractor and two men on the near-side, one of which is stood on the top of the front nearside wheel.

Aveling & Porter “XAC” class tractor No. 6971, registered D 4947 of 1910 seen here in the ownership of J. Saunders, Peckham, London.

Image of the Month August 2025

The photograph shows a Burrell 8NHP single cylinder traction engine No. 1602, registered AH 5875, supplied new in 1892. It is shown from the near-side the Flywheel is spoked, the motion gear shows a governor etween the cyliner and flywheel/ Some spuds for the wheels and hanging just ahead of the rear wheel.

Burrell 8NHP single cylinder traction engine No. 1602, registered AH 5875, supplied new in 1892.

Image of the Month September 2025

An unidentified Foden wagon seen here in the ownership of W. Alban Richards & Co Ltd, Engineers & Contractors, 19 St James Street, London, SW1. The photo shows the wagon from the offside, four men stand towards the rear, one has a wheelbarrow. There is a man above the others standing in the back of the carrying area on the back of the lorry. Another man stands towards the front of the wagon, leaning against the chassis. The driver is sat looking at the camera.

An unidentified Foden wagon seen here in the ownership of W. Alban Richards & Co Ltd, Engineers & Contractors, 19 St James Street, London, SW1.

Image of the Month – October 2025

Isle of Wight Rural District Council’s Aveling & Porter convertible tractor No. 7577 of 1912 photographed at Newport, Isle of Wight. The photo shows the engine from the near-side facing left. It is towing a traction wagon with the near-side downcontainment board dropped to allow the loading or offloading of the load, which is of barrels. There is a man on the trailer and one on the ground., looking towards the reactor, One barrel has been unloaded.

Isle of Wight Rural District Council’s Aveling & Porter convertible tractor No. 7577 of 1912 photographed at Newport, Isle of Wight.

Image of the Month – November 2025

This photograph of Burrell 8NHP single cylinder steam Traction Engine. Works No 1602 registration Number AH5875 from 1892. It shows the engine from the near-side with the smokebox facing towards the left hand side of the picture. The flywheel is of the spoked tyoe. The rear wheels have strakes and long grass surrounds it with trees in the background. to the far right the rear wheel of another engine is visible in the background.

Burrell 8NHP single cylinder traction engine No. 1602, registered AH 5875, supplied new in 1892

Image of the Month – December 2025

An early Foden Wagon No. 642, registered D 593 on hire to H. C. Dunn & Sons, Bromley, Kent on removal from Chislehurst Mineral Water Co. The photograph shows the wagon facing away from the camera with its removal trailer. Both showing the sign written branding of the company. Both the wagon and trailer have canvas tops. Six staff are included, four standing in front of the Wagon and two are sat on the hinged trailer flap, which is close to the ground.

An early Foden Wagon No. 642, registered D 593 on hire to H. C. Dunn & Sons, Bromley, Kent on removal from Chislehurst Mineral Water Co.

Image of the Month – January 2026

Davey Paxman traction engine No. 15434 in the ownership of Albert Chapman, Ashford. Photo shows the offside, its driver stands on the footplate and a second man stands in front of the tender at the rear. In the background are large hayricks.

Davey Paxman traction engine No. 15434 in the ownership of Albert Chapman, Ashford.

Image of the Month – February 2026

Wallis & Steevens overhead valve compound roller No. 7449, photographed at Andover, Hampshire on 17th August 1963.Photo shows the engine on the near side, its quite worn and well used, showing it's age. It has a half-canopy large solid flywheel. There is a scruffier fixed to the rear wheel, raised in the up position.

Wallis & Steevens overhead valve compound roller No. 7449, photographed at Andover, Hampshire on 17th August 1963.

Image of the Month – March 2026

An unidentified Burrell single crank compound traction engine and period threshing scene. The posed photograph shows the engine from a three-quarters rear view on the nearside. The driver stands on the footplate facing the camera. There are four men standing on top of the threshing machine and five men and a boy standing next to it. A large rack of hay is behind the engine and threshing machine.

An unidentified Burrell single crank compound traction engine and period threshing scene.

Image of the Month – April 2026

A 1964 black-and-white photo of a Fowler ‘T3’ steam roller (No. 15970) working on the A4 in Reading. The off-side view shows the machine facing right, with a driver on the footplate. A hose is coiled neatly between the rolls, a brass plate sits on the motion cover, and the rear roll features a scarifier.

Fowler “T3” roller No. 15970 at work on the A4 in Reading on 9th July 1964 when owned by The Mechanical Tar Spraying & Grouting Co Ltd, Reading.