Traction Engines by Fred Dibnah

Author:Fred Dibnah
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: G2 Rights Ltd

At the 1874 Royal Agricultural Society of England’s Bedford Show, Ransome’s Strawburner won a silver medal and four years later a gold medal at the Paris International Exhibition.

Many manufacturers of locomotives intended for steam cultivation set up their engineering works within agricultural communities. Indeed certain areas of Britain could almost be demarcated by the patronage of owners to their local engine manufacturer. An identifying trademark for all engine builders was the design and embellishment of the flywheel which for general and agricultural purposes all featured a wide rim to accommodate a machinery drive belt. Wages for agricultural engine crews were very good compared to other farm labourers, and paid overtime and performance bonuses ensured locomotives were valued by their drivers and kept in prime condition. Even during periods of inclement weather, the crews were given a basic retainer if the engine was not able to operate, but it was nonetheless an arduous way to earn a living. Because of the soft ground conditions often encountered, and in order to keep weight to a minimum, general purpose and agricultural locomotives were rarely provided with any form of canopy protection and crews had to endure the elements from baking sun and howling gales to lashing rain and, occasionally, snow. Travelling by road could also prove a challenging exercise and frequent stops at convenient watering points every five or six miles were necessary to keep the tank and more importantly the boiler topped up. It was not unusual to see a traction engine filling up from a pond, stream or river and not unknown to illegally drain a cattle trough!

Marshal petrolparaffin tractor, 1909. (National Motor Museum/MPL)

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