A visit to Banks

24th June 2009

Yesterday a group of us headed for Southport and a visit to the village of Banks where the workshops of Johnsons and Charles Hudson are located. Charles turned out Michael Davison's Marshall traction engine so often seen in this blog - a testament to his skills. He is now working on Guy Rutter's Wallis Advance steam roller, a companion to Guy's Fowler 'Rambler' also seen in these notes before.
The origin of the works are in threshing contracting, and the feel is very much of a steam workshop, with numerous engines in receiving varying degrees of attention. Commercial vehicles and vehicle recovery also play a part in the business.

Below: Alan Bulmer, boiler inspector, was carrying out a number of inspections, including to this McLaren traction engine.

Below: Guy Rutter's Wallis being reassembled. Extensive work is being carried out to this engine by Charles Hudson.

Below: A view from the read or the Advance, showing new bunkers under construction.

Below: Also in the works is Ian Craggs' Fowler T3 steam roller, ex Whitby Council and still bearing what appears to be its original paintwork! Much work has been carried out on this engine, which is also receiving a complete restoration but mindful of its amazing originality. It had just passed its hydraulic test.

Below: A view of the new inner firebox on the T3 roller, showing how robust these boilers are in their construction - plenty of stays, both crown and side.

Below: This is the Advance again - the regulator is the smaller handwheel, an unusual feature on an engine but which proved to be very effective on the Advance rollers, which also featured a tandem engine unit and no flywheel - this was to minimise 'dwell' when reversing during rolling operations which could cause a depression in the surface. The faster the engine could reverse, the shorter the dwell. As a flywheel is designed to store energy, such a device would preclude the rapid reversing and so the two cylinder arrangement was developed.
At some point, a lever reverser was fitted and the lettering on the rear casting was obliterated in places. George has rewelded these letters, and I defy anyone to tell which ones they are such is the competence of this job!