As one who also still calls those big pavement-flattening jobbers "steam" rollers, I find it indescribably gratifying to know that people salvage, restore, collect and exhibit such things. Thinking about the logistics involved in such a hobby is mind-boggling, though.

What kind is it?

[Service Motor Truck Co. of Wabash, Indiana. - Dave]

Progress never stops but men always do, like the one on the fence, to watch a construction project.

At least one Thew steam shovel survives and operates:

Two working and nine watching.

I was surprised to see Clifton Webb -- but it turns out he was already about 30 at this point.

Founded in 1899 by Richard Thew, a Lake Erie freighter captain interested in the problems of handling iron ore and coal. He invented a new kind of shovel that revolved 360 degrees and could dig and deliver material from any position. More here.

My four-year-old never gets tired of Mike Mullligan and his steam shovel Mary-Anne. I had never seen the real thing before. Thanks for posting this!

They're straight out of Mike Mulligan. I suppose they only held one or two yards of dirt in those tiny buckets. Still, they were at least an order of magnitude faster than people with shovels.