There are now 180 traction engines in the UK that are presented in a different form to that with which they were built or worked commercially.

The Road Locomotive Society has been associated with road steam engines since it was founded in 1937. Since then it has sought to record all the existing engines and maintain records relating to their construction etc.

In Old Glory No. 170, there was a news item relating to the Road Locomotive Society’s new initiative in connection with the introduction of a Reversion Award - for someone who has returned their converted engine back to a form that the engine worked in in its commercial days. The society have also introduced a cut-off date for this award of the 1950s. Some time previously, in the society’s own November 2002 Journal, a listing of conversions was published but it was almost inevitable that this ‘first shot’ list would contain some mistakes.
An updated list was published in their February 2004 Journal and this has been painstakingly looked at by many people in the hope that all mistakes have now been eradicated. However, even now, it is likely that this will require future amendment.

The aim of publishing this list of conversions is to highlight the large number of engines that have been materially changed from their working days’ condition. The list clearly shows some makes and types of engine which are particularly vulnerable to further conversion - the Fowler T3 roller is probably the most endangered type, but there are many other rare and unusual engines that could so easily be converted. There is little to be gained from bemoaning the fact that conversions have taken place. Since many conversions radically alter the original form of the machine, some may have to be re-registered with ‘Q’ plates as they fall within the guidelines issued by the DLVA for these types of vehicle.

End of the On-line article. You can read the full article in the latest issue of Old Glory.
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