It is a blast right out of the past. It is one of the most amazing things that runs on the road these days. Long after everyone thought Steam propulsion was dead, you see a little steam engine chugging along on the road in a vintage Mumbai Port Trust Road Roller. This machine, propelled by a single cylinder piston engine was on duty, smoothening down a stretch of road, the other day.

Built in 1921 this Marshall's roller is interesting in its exhibition of the technology of the time. The Engine is a single cylinder reciprocating type driven by steam at 100 psi (7 bar) (derated from 150 psi (10 bar)). There is a large flywheel from where the drive takes off. The boiler is of the horizontal flame tube coal fired variety reminiscent of railway engines. The furnace, boiler and engine are in three tiers one above the other. There is a small Engine driven water pump which replenishes the water level in the boiler (seen through a sight glass) from a sump located below the coal storage behind and below the driver's seat. The machine has two forward gears and a reverse, engaging by short throw handle behind the steering wheel. The gearbox is open. You can see the gears in mesh or sliding from one gear to the other. The brake is -- non existent. So keep your ears out for the whistle, which sounds from time to time to warn you.

The rear right is the driven wheel. The front wheel has the steering arrangement. No power steering. There is a long chain attached to the two sides of the wheel and run over a worm, which is turned by the steering wheel. The chain actually pulls the wheel in the desired direction. It takes quite a few turns of the wheel to actually get the wheel moving. You can see the chain running from the wheel in the photographs. Control is seemingly easy. To increase power, add more coal into the furnace. To decrease power pump in water. All the time the driver watches out for the pressure so that the safety valve does not lift.

The driver boasted proudly about the rugged quality of the roller. Much superior to the present day machines. It can easily run at its rated 150 psi but has only been derated for safety reasons he said. He is sure the roller will live to be hundred in 2021. The only problem it faces is lack of fuel - the coal needed for its furnace.

Kudos to the Port Trust for having kept this piece of history alive. And hope to see it live to be a hundred.