An eminent early preservationist, John Crawley was able to amass an enviable photographic archive of steam traction engines and road rollers in their working days, of which this Aveling & Porter selection formed just a part. Organiser of over eighty steam rallies, John saved up to thirty steam traction engines for preservation from the mid-1950s to the early 1960s, at a time when they were considered not much more than worthless scrap. Indeed, he became the first owner of no fewer than twenty-two of them. Utilising this incredible and unique collection of images, most of which are previously unpublished, Colin Tyson tells the story of this important manufacturer and iconic British brand.

Colin Tyson is Sussex born and bred, having returned to his native county following a publishing career in local newspapers and monthly magazines. He is editor of Bluebell News, the quarterly journal of the heritage Bluebell Railway and was editor for 20 years of the international monthly steam engine and industrial heritage magazine Old Glory.