City of York No. 3 City of York No. 3 is a 1927 Wallis and Steevens 10ton steam roller that was once owned by York Corporation and is now owned and maintained by three members of the Leeds and District Traction Engine Club. The summer of 2013 was the busiest season for this engine since it made its first appearance on the rally fields in restored condition in 2008 and has been out and about to a number of events, clocking up nearly a hundred miles on the road in the process. While that figure may not be very much, and certainly nowhere near as many as its owners used to do on the Aveling roller Billy Boy (we once did 67 miles in one day on that!) and the Fowler road loco Western Star, it’s still the most we’ve done since restoration was completed. The L&DTEC’s committee very generously agreed to sponsor the roller’s attendance at most of the events we’ve been to, including that splendid Fathers’ Day event at Harewood House in June when six out of the eight engines on display, and in in full steam, were owned by club members. Thanks go to club member Graham Towers for helping to organising, with Harewood, the steam part of that event. Burley-in-Wharfedale Classic Vehicle Show was another rather splendid affair where we flew the flag for the club… out of the five engines there, four were owned by club members. Member John Wright was responsible for the steam input there; thanks John. Middleton Railway’s Festival of Transport over the August Bank Holiday had City of York No. 3 and a Fowler traction engine on site, plus three old motor cars, all owned by club members. This event was followed, for us, by the club’s 50th birthday bash at Thwaite Mills where members Derek Rayner had his Aveling roller and Andy Biglands his Fowler Traction. These three engines were in steam all afternoon and well into the evening, where committee had done exceedingly well laying on a first-rate barbecue (superb hot-dogs and burgers) and beer and soft drinks for those wishing to imbibe (they had even supplied toilets!). Hum Crawshaw’s son Marcus did us proud with the sound and light system in the club’s big marquee (those mirror balls don’t age, do they!) and the band was a delight to listen to. While Andy Bigland’s Fowler simmered in the background, Derek and I would take visitors round the car-park on our respective rollers for those who, perhaps, had never had the dubious pleasure of either steering, driving or firing proper steam rollers. This event was essentially laid on for club members and while it was disappointing to see so few there, a number of the many non-members that enjoyed the evening expressed their gratitude to me; one chap by joining the club and a lady by making a generous cash donation. The setting for the bash was actually in the car-park of Thwaite Mills and through the trees had the back-drop of the early 18th century water-mill, looking superb in the late summer sun. But then, as darkness fell, the mill’s appearance took on another facet due to very effective and imaginative flood-lighting, it being reflected perfectly in the still water of the river Aire. Finally for the year for us, Thwaite Mills Classic Car Show the following day had City of York and White Rose, Derek Rayner’s Aveling roller, in attendance. I don’t know how many other engine owning members applied for sponsorship but I do know that our engine certainly acknowledged the club’s sponsorship deal at all these events; several people coming up to us and asking about the Leeds and District Traction Engine Club. ©J M Knapton, Nov 2013
Posted on: Tue, 12 Nov 2013 11:00:06 +0000
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