A Hobby for Life: William, the Cambridge Corporation Steam Roller
William, the Cambridge Corporation steam roller, who worked around the town from 1920 to retirement in 1965, is well-known for her appearances at events and rallies across the region. Find out more about the steam super-star at this talk by her owner, Nick Allen, who has devoted decades to bringing her back to life.
Nick will cover the Aveling factory, where she was built, and her work for Cambridge Corporation as well as charting the painstaking and skilled job of preserving the engine and bringing her back to working order.
Nick Allen has always been fascinated by steam and the way engines come alive. He joined a railway club at an early age and had his own miniature railway. He went on to have a career in the police but always retained his fascination with steam. He admits that he is not a trained engineer but has picked up skills, knowledge, and guidance along the way from friends. Nick is one of an army of what Fred Dibnah called ‘backstreet mechanics’ who help to preserve our industrial heritage and present it to a 21st century audience.
William will also be in attendance at the Museum for the talk so come and meet two of our steam heritage heroes at once!
The talk will take place in the Pye Building at Cambridge Museum of Technology. Entrance on the night is via the Museum’s Cheddars Lane gate.
Tickets for the talk are available on the door for £5 a head, £3 for students. Members and Volunteers of Cambridge Museum of Technology can attend for free.
Cambridge Industrial Archaeology group organises a programme of talks on industrial heritage at Cambridge Museum of Technology. Talks usually take place at 7.30pm on the second Monday of each month. For further information about Cambridge Industrial Archaeology Group contact Robin Chandler robin.chandler@btinternet.com
Cambridge Museum of Technology is the home of Cambridge’s industrial heritage. For further information on the Museum contact Nick Plaister nick.plaister@museumoftechnology.com
Pictures provided by Nick Allen