11th March 2010

On Sunday we entertained delegates from the Road Roller Association’s AGM, which had been held in Durham on the previous day. For the occasion we steamed what was available, namely the big Marshall, Guy Rutter’s Wallis and Fiddler. The weather was superb and it was a great way to start the new season – without getting wet or too cold!

Below: Mary Margaret and the Wallis at rest in the town – note the ex Eddison water cart in tow behind the Marshall.

Below: Mary Margaret basks in the afternoon sunshine – not much to date this scene as anything other than the 1890s!

Below: Fiddler at Foulbridge. In tow is the restored water cart (see earlier posts), making its first appearance behind a steam engine at Beamish – both engine and cart are lettered for ‘Beamish Rural District Council/Beamish R. D. C.).

Below: Guy’s Wallis in front of the colliery screens.

Below: Marshall and Wallis satisfy their hunger!

Below: Normally I wouldn’t feature myself in the blog, but the RRA decided to present us with an award for ‘Outstanding contribution to the preservation and interpretation of road rollers and associated equipment’. Thanks (or not!) to Anthony Coulls for the photo!!!
It would therefore seem appropriate juncture to thank all those who have made this possible – we regularly run steam on the road, have now a number (and growing) of restored roadmaking exhibits and are currently planning a council depot/yard to base them in. In no order, the following should all be acknowledged for giving so freely of their time and making this possible: David Sheen, David Young, Michael Davison, Mike Holden, Graham Taylor, Guy Rutter, Mark Sutherland, John Young, Anthony Coulls and Bob Fielding.