There is a gang of determined people from Vale of Belvoir, near Melton Mowbray, who call themselves The Friends of 1760 They have performed something of a modern miracle restoring an engine to working condition that most experts said could never be restored, because the boiler is made from wrought iron. In straight age terms, 1760 is the second oldest surviving steam roller but, unlike the oldest, it is substantially original and unaltered. Once returned to steam it will be the oldest operating steam roller and may well be the oldest operable steam boiler on any road engine. For many years it sat in a corner of the Aveling Barford collection, intact, but inoperable as much repair was needed for the boiler, and seemingly no prospect of ever steaming due to the fickle nature of the original boiler material. It then fell into the hands of Edd and team, who are no strangers to a challenge or two. It was first seen by the NTT adjudicator a number of years ago, sitting in a corner of the workshop where the same team were working on another early Aveling that would in itself win an award. Working with metallurgy experts, and with the very real prospect of the project shuddering to a halt over some insurmountable metallurgical problem at any point, by using extensive material analysis and testing, the team came up with a repair scheme that will see this unique early engine back in steam and fully certified. It is a credit to the determination and tenacity the team of restorers who have worked tirelessly to see the project through - knowing that at any point the whole project could stall. They have thrown every modern trick in the book at it, from ultrasonics to X ray, with constant testing of samples of material and welds. As a little easy side-line the team even manufactured a new mechanical pump as the old one was butchered during its last working years. This is a small engineering miracle. A unique and timeless reminder of the skills and drive of our forebears - an attitude it seems that is shared with the Friends of 1760. This is a very well deserved restoration award.
