CROMPTON
REB Crompton built a steam car at Azerley, Yorkshire in 1861 at the age of 16 using a boiler made in Leeds. Its Achilles heel turned out to be its leather belt drive but it was improved gradually, particularly after Crompton gained experience in the Doncaster works of the Great Northern Railway. In 1864, as a member of the Rifle Brigade, he took his vehicle to India where it was named Blue Belle. Lt Col Crompton contacted road haulage engine maker R W Thompson (which see) in an effort to obtain solid rubber tyres. On the strength of this connection he ordered four complete machines for Government Steam Trains, for which he became supervisor. The first, built by Robey, arrived in 1870 and proved with its sisters to be reliable and long-lived. One hauled a gross weight of 64 tons up a I in 33 slope at 5mph.
On his return to Britain, Crompton brought with him and in 1912 it was displayed at the magazine’s first museum. He founded electrical engineer
