Aveling and Porter
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Thomas Aveling and Richard Thomas Porter entered into partnership in 1862, developed a steam engine three years later in 1865 and produced more of the machines than all the other British manufacturers combined.
Thomas Aveling was born at Elm, Cambridgeshire, in 1824 and was apprenticed to a farmer where he had the opportunity to familiarise himself with the new steam-powered farm machinery of the time. Aveling's interest in engineering led him to set up a business with his father-in-law producing and repairing agricultural machinery. In 1856 they produced the first steam plough.
In partnership with Porter, the steam roller they produced in 1865 was tested in Hyde Park, London, Military Road, Chatham and at Star Hill in Rochester, Kent. The machine proved a huge success. Aveling and Porter steam rollers were exported to Europe and as far afield as India and the USA.
In 1934, Aveling and Porter combined with Barford & Perkins to form Aveling-Barford which continued to make steam and motor rollers. After World War II the company continued to make motor and steam rollers as well as expanding into other construction equipment. Now American owned and known as Wordsworth Holdings, the company continues to make dump trucks at the original Grantham site.
An example of the Aveling and Porter Railway Traction Engine is found on the Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends TV Series. The character based on it is Fergus the Railway Traction Engine, and was introduced in the seventh season of the show. He wears the same colours too.
Also, an example of the Aveling and Porter Steam Roller is found on the Railway Series. The characters based on it is George the Steamroller.
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