So what is the 'Hole Load Of Trouble' display all about?

Well, the answer is simple. It is all about having fun. Getting people interested in the world of steam and hopefully as a result saving a few more of those 'items of junk at the back of sheds' from heading towards the nearest landfill or skip.

At first glance you will see I am an expert hoarder. Recycling isn't a word I care for that much. I honestly believe if an item was of use enough for someone to make, and work with then it is of use enough to keep. I simply hate throwing things away. It drives my wife mad, which of course is an added bonus!

 

The display takes the form of what would have been called in times gone by, the 'Stand'. This would be the base camp of the roller crew. A roadside location where they would work from. A spot where engine, Living Van and other associated
equipment would be left while the engine did a day's toil, before moving onto the next job.

Over the time in which we have owned our engine I have collected a lot of stuff together. Rather than leave it gathering dust in the back of the engine shed, I thought it a nice idea to display it in such a way that would have been 'similar' to working day practices. This not only gives visitors to shows a bigger picture of what life with a steam roller would have been about, but also provides the team with a good excuse to sit around drinking beer and watching the world go by.

Listing all the equipment we take about would take quite a lot of time, and prove a little dull to the passing visitor to this site. Basic details of the 'clutter' are included below and you will find the larger items have their own dedicated galleries as seperate links which not only show them as they are today, but also offer a pictorial record on how they got to be with us and in the form you see them today.

Be aware though as I have a pretty strange sense of humour and like nothing more than a good wind up and extraction of urine. Not everything you read will be true, and some of the comments may well be near the mark. You have been warned.

 

LIVING VAN

Just after we got the Roller we decided that as we intended on roading the engine everywhere a trailer would be needed to accompany us on our travels. Serving as a store for tools, coal and excess crew members. Whether we be tight wads or just skint is up to you to decide upon but rather than buy one we decided to build one.

Based around an old bomb trolley we built a perfectly suitable companion for the roller which included a tilt that could be lifted converting the trailer to a people carrier. It also carried a 50 Gallon water tank which was more than helpful out and about on the road.

The only downside to the trailer was that it did not really look ascetically pleasing to the eye, lumped on the back of the engine and although it served us well we decided that after one year of trundling the trailer behind us on our travels, we would like a more suitable looking trailer to carry our clutter, kit and kin in.

Having built the pretty sturdy trailer we decided that it would be a bit of a challenge to build another, rather than go out and buy something. This way we could add bits that would be of use along the way, which of course included the water tank previously used. A set of suitable wheels were sourced from another local engine owner, Richard Willcox who had four wooden wheels hidden away in his hedgerow. From this point on it was all systems go and work on the trailer began in earnest in the closed season.

From the outset it was obvious that only two of the wooden wheels would be usable as the remaining two had provided plenty of meals for some pretty well nourished wood worm. Unperturbed we continued and before long a half decent chassis was built. At this stage I don't know who had the idea but we decided that as the chassis was good and solid and the dimensions somewhat near the mark, the trailer should become a 'Living Van'. Obviously it wouldn't be the real thing, but what the hell it was keeping us out of trouble so we may as well keep on building.

Richard once again came to our rescue and loaned us a set of 'Bomford' wheels which he had just removed from his own living van and replaced with pneumatics for a better ride behind one of his three speed engines. Various dimensions were taken from other vans, and hey presto before long our own van was unveiled, much to the bemusement of many who thought the idea was as hair brained as any we have had over the years.   

In July 2009 following both ourselves and Richard attending a local event together he very kindly gave us another set of wheels that he had recently had re rubbered. These obviously are a lot stronger than the wooden ones we had fitted so we duly set to work and changed them all over (gallery). Richard is to have the wooden wheels in exchange as he thinks they are of some importance. I know they served us well anyway!

The results though are to be seen by all and the Van has been of great use over the years. No it's not 100% authentic, but it's not supposed to be. It's just us taking an idea and seeing what we can come up with, and in this case we have a very useful trailer in which we can carry coal, that 50 gallon of water, tea, coffee, kettle, wives and a stove that keeps us warm when the British Summer turns grey.

Ideal really, and at a fraction of the cost of a genuine Living Van most people don't really know the difference........until now!

To find out more factual information on Living Vans please click here.

THE WATER BOWSER

In October 2008 we 'acquired' an ex Military Water Bowser that at one time worked with the Gloucestershire County Council fleet of Steam Rollers and was based at the Staverton depot, which up until recently still had a steam roller shed in place.

We have named the Bowser 'Hilary', after Hilary Duff. You can make up you own reason for this but as this was the lady on the October FHM Calendar and that like the Bowser, would be of great use, the name seemed quite fitting!

In February 2009 I reaslised that Spring was fast approaching and as of yet I hadn't even touched the bowser. As with anything that is old and vintage I went out to take a little look and access what would need to be done and started  fiddling with this that and the other. By the time I had finished several hours had  passed and Hilary was not only full of water, but all pipework had been tightened and sealed and she was sporting a nice fresh coat of black paint.

With the bowser holding water it was decided to move it to the engine shed where more work could be done, which included the fitting of a hand brake and a towing hitch on the rear. Now this is done we can use it between engine and living van. It was originally intended that once we had changed the rear wheels of the living van, we would tow the bowser at the rear of the 'road train', however after a few trials on the road it was evident that the 'overrun' break on the bowser holds not only itself back on hills but also the living van. as well. 
 
 
TAR SPRAYER
 
 
In June 2008 we 'acquired' another piece of old road making gear to add to the collection, in the shape of a Tar Sprayer. It seems relatively complete and in a very near state of workability. 
 
It has been named 'Kate' at this stage in line with all the other bits and pieces in the display. Why Kate? after Kate Moss of course. Okay it has no relevance to her other than the fact that is has literally been dragged through a hedge backwards, but I thought it appropriate and the few people that have asked thus far have found it funny.
 
Kate's vital stats can be found anywhere on the (just Google Kate Moss images), but for those with a genuine interest in the item as opposed to my warped sense of humour, the item in question is a Wallis & Steevens, Wallis 7C, self priming cold emulsion sprayer. We think it is dated at around the 1950's, but can't really confirm it one way or another.
 
 PUSH BIKE



A few years ago we came into the possession of an old Raleigh Bicycle that had been locked away in the roof space of someone's garage for a good few years. When it was offered to us, we couldn't resist it as it was always thought that a Bike such as this would look good lent up against the side of the Living Van.

 

It was named Paris, after Paris Hilton as it seemed a pretty apt name at the time and has been a pretty useful addition to the team when roading to and from events. It's not uncommon to see a crew member taking Paris for a ride, here and there.

As for the history of Paris it's pretty vague to be honest. I have been told it's a Policeman's Bike, but have no real idea if this is true or not. Perhaps if you could cast some light on its model and year and usage etc you could let us know.

Oh and if you find a copper looking for his bike, you never saw this website okay!!!!

CONCRETE MIXER

 

The most recent addition to the collection is our Concrete Mixer. Purchased at an auction in June, it caused all sorts of ridicule when people first started to look at it. I have to be honest and say it was originally a bit of an impulse buy and besides since when have I ever really cared what people think.

Obviously its working history is long since lost in the mists of time, but we know it was built by Stothert & Pitt of Bath (renowned for their cranes) and is fitted with a Lister D engine, which has been dated as being build in late 1947. As their is no reason to doubt it's not the original engine, we are dating the Mixer as 1948.

It was orinally named 'Jordan' as we were all drunk, but on refelxtion it perhaps warrants a more suitable name. Being a mixer we thought of several DJ's, and settled on the name 'The Judge', after Judge Jules.

MORE STUFF

There is a lot more stuff currently lurking around. To list it all would be almost impossible, and if I am honest a bit dull. In time this page will expand further and not just show you some of the things we have, but explain their uses etc.

I have a lot of images of our stuff which can be found by looking about the site, and indeed clicking on the relvant Gallery links as and when you come across them.

In conclusion on this particular page, if anyone has any old signs, lamps, tools or any equipment they feel would suit this display of ours, please get in touch via email. We are already looking towards the 2010 event season where we intend to do a few more interesting things and hopefully turn the 'static' side of the display into a more 'working' one.