A friend tells me that up until about 1924 Sheffield Transport Department employed circa 25 "Steam Engine Drivers" does anyone know why?

Could these engine drivers be something to do with the steam tram experiment in Sheffield?

The city had steam trams on an experimental basis, but it is said that they performed badly on hills and were not pursued.

Legend has it that locals put grease on the rails to stop the trams getting up the hills. I seem to remember reading that this was done by the horse-tram drivers and local blacksmiths etc who were reliant on horse trams continuing for their livelihood. But by the early 1900's electric trams were well established in Sheffield, so I'm not sure why you have a reference at such a late date. :confused:

Unfortunately the steam tram experiment appears to have been abandoned before the turn of the century, so I think we can rule that one out.

Probably more likely to be steam road roller operators? The PWD (or SWD?) were still using these in the early 60's when our road was surfaced in High Storrs.

I would think its more to do with steam lorries. Most large firms, steelworks etc used them including the council for refuse collections.

Check out the photo below.

http://www.picturesheffield.com/cgi-bin/picturesheffield.pl?_cgifunction=form&_layout=picturesheffield&keyval=sheff.refno=s12533