The Leviathan Project
'a piece of world heritage'
The National Lottery
Heritage Fund
The National Lottery Heritage Fund is the largest funder for the UK’s heritage. Using money raised by National Lottery players we support projects that connect people and communities to heritage. Our vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. From historic buildings, our industrial legacy and the natural environment, to collections, traditions, stories and more. Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations. We believe in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to build pride in place and connection to the past.
Using money raised by National Lottery players, The National Lottery Heritage Fund supports projects that connect people and communities with the UK’s heritage. The Leviathan Project is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to restore a historic steam roller, ‘Leviathan’, and bring it back into safe, presentable and educational use. The project will conserve the vehicle as an important example of industrial and engineering heritage while creating opportunities for members of the public, schools, community groups and volunteers to engage with its history through educational days, demonstrations and practical workshops. The project will combine heritage conservation, community participation, skills development and education. The restored steam roller will act as a tangible starting point for exploring Britain's industrial heritage, engineering history, local history and the development of steam-powered road machinery.
Restoration of the
Aveling & Porter Steam Roller
LEVIATHAN.
Leviathan is an Aveling & Porter steam road roller with the works number 6090. It is an historic 15-ton nominal weight class, compound slide-valve configuration, with 7 nominal horsepower (NHP). Built in 1906 (RC15 class type) and historically registered with the Berkshire county registration mark BT 8883, it is one of a pair, the other being 6091. Leviathan is the only roller out of the pair still in its original state as the sister engine was converted into a Showmans engine. Originally it was purchased by Beverley Urban District Council.
The journey begins
The Leviathan Project is Cromford Steam Rally Society’s mission to restore an original 1906 Aveling & Porter RC15 steam roller and return it to full working life for public benefit. Leviathan is a unique survivor of Britain’s early road building revolution - a 15 tonne engineering giant that helped shape the modern transport network. After 119 years, it is now at risk of permanent loss. Our project will restore Leviathan to the highest professional standards and bring it back into active use as a living piece of industrial heritage. Once restored, it will become a working educational asset based at Peak Rail Heritage Railway Museum, delivering school visits, public steam days, driver training, and mobile outreach across the region. By restoring Leviathan, we are preserving more than a machine. We are protecting an authentic witness to a pivotal chapter in Britain’s industrial history - and safeguarding the traditional engineering skills required to restore it. The Leviathan Project ensures this remarkable engine is not just preserved, but alive, working, and accessible to everyone.
Latest News
11TH SEPTEMBER 2026
Crowdfunding page now live
We now have a crowd funding page, so you too can also help us in the restoration of Leviathan. Click the link below for the donation page.
Crowdfunder.co.uk
12TH SEPTEMBER 2026
Leviathan on the move
On Saturday 12th September 2026, a small team of Cromford Steam Rally members carefully transported Leviathan....
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