The first steamroller brought by the Luton Corporation in 1908 now resides at Stockwood Park museum, a popular attraction at steam events held here throughout the year.
Farley Hill
Luton
Bedfordshire
LU1 4BH
Tel: 01582 54 86 00
Email: museum.gallery@lutonculture.com
The first steamroller brought by the Luton Corporation in 1908 returned to Luton to reside at Stockwood Park museum in 1997. Once used on the roads of Luton, it now forms one of the permanent exhibits in the gallery. It is often used as a working vehicle in our events programme and is popular with visitor and enthusiast groups.
The steamroller is of historic significance as it is the earliest surviving tandem steamroller in the UK. Its design was unique. The use of two rollers, to the front and back, were in line therefore enabling it to work between the tram rails when the system opened in 1908.
When in full operation it would have been used to flatten the road surfaces during repairs and maintenance work and has not been in use since the 1950’s when the council finally took its steamroller stock out of service.
