Recently we supplied the gaskets necessary to help a heritage steam engine pass her steam test. The engine is an 8-ton Aveling & Porter steamroller named White Rose, built in 1915 and first used by William E. Free at Marlborough in Wiltshire. 

Before the Second World War, she moved to West Riding of Yorkshire where she was owned first by Harry Ellis of Netherton and then George Graham (Contractors) of Huddersfield, before passing to the firm of Joshua Rodgers, South Crosland, Huddersfield, in 1959.

Originating in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, these steam-powered rollers were pivotal in compacting and levelling road surfaces, making them smoother and more durable. Steam rollers were crucial in developing the country's infrastructure during the industrial era.

In 1968, the White Rose became the sole possession of our client Derek Rayner, now Vice Chairman of the Road Roller Association and President of the Leeds and District Traction Engine Club. Derek has a long and successful history restoring steam locomotive engines to their full glory, often bringing them to heritage steam rallies.

The White Rose as it appeared after a rally in 2007 (left), and right: newly restored in the late sixties, featuring owner Derek Rayner, standing, and steersman Ken Tonks.

Derek intended to take the White Rose to one such rally at Emley Moor in mid-June. However, some last-minute gasket issues meant she wouldn’t pass her steam test. Also known as traction engines, they are essentially pressure vessels and therefore must be subjected to testing before operating in a public space, such as a rally.

With time running out, Derek turned to our expertise and experience in fabricating custom gaskets for heritage steam applications. We were able to manufacture new replicas of the original gaskets, combining traditional techniques with new materials that enabled the engine to pass her steam test and appear at the rally that very weekend.

Highly experienced in steam engine restoration, Derek was extremely pleased with how the gaskets turned out and wrote to us to explain:

I’m delighted to be able to advise you that - at the very last minute and with your splendid help - my steam roller passed its steam test which enabled me to take her to the rally at Emley Moor which took place over last weekend. I’m extremely grateful to you for your help in providing me with those wonderful gaskets and I’ve sung the praises of your firm about this material to those other engine men who also attended the event - and will continue to do so.

We were incredibly honoured to be able to assist in getting this beautiful machine back to steam and see it in action at the rallies through the pictures kindly sent in by the client. Our amazing team of technicians are always ready to advise you on your next heritage steam application project and manufacture custom gaskets to your exact needs.