Dorchester's iconic steam roller is ready for action again
The engine has been finally repaired and should last another century
Children young and old in the Dorchester area are in for some great news as after many months of hard painstaking work, the steam roller play equipment is back and open in Kings Road play Area.
Dorchester Town Council are pleased to be able to say it’s time to come and enjoy this icon of Dorchester’s industrial heritage again.
Much loved by many in Dorchester and a magnet for children over the many decades it has been on site, the engine is finally repaired and ready to last another century.
Whilst the work progressed to strip back years of paint, temporary repairs and corrosion, one big discovery was made, just how decayed it actually was.
It quickly became clear that the decision to undertake the remedial work was very timely as the corrosion inside the old engine was extensive and significant, if left much longer the engine would have been beyond repair.
The works were carried out by William Murgatroyd at Spitfire Forge and the Town council would like to thank him for time and effort he put into the repair work, making sure the roller was fit for many generations to come. He went above and beyond the role of simply affecting repairs which has been a huge help.
Some interesting reproduction features have been re-instated, to reflect the rollers past, courtesy of volunteer William Crumbleholme who 3D scanned and printed both the engine identification plate and the famous Aveling and Porter prancing horse and Invicta logo, which, alongside the sign written name now present again on the roof, give a very visible reference to the engine’s heritage.
Sadly, a recent event to mark the opening involving Simon Crumbleholme bringing his Eddison steam engine along with the Hayden Princess driven by other members of Dorset Steam Engine Preservation Society, to help the mayor celebrate had to be cancelled due to significant heat and fire risk.
It is hoped a future event will be arranged, but for the moment it’s a very big welcome back to a much-missed friend.
Kings Park will be a prime location to view the Tour of Britain as it passes through Dorchester on Saturday 10th of September.