The traction engine lasted from around 1850 to 1950 in the UK, during this timeframe there were a number of traction engine manufacturers. Over the years a number of these have drawn the attention of model engineers. I felt I need to understand and research them.
Allchin
William Allchin Ltd, Northampton
Castings, Drawings and Parts
Aveling & Porter
Aveling & Porter, Rochester, Kent
Castings, Drawings and Parts
- Maxitrak – 3″ machined kit for a road tractor
Burrell
Charles Burrell & Sons, St Nicholas Foundry, Thetford, Norfolk. In 1846 Charles Burrell was one of the first firms to make portable steam engines.
Castings, Drawings and Parts
- EKP Supplies – castings and plans for 4″, 6″ and 8″ traction engine
- Maxitrak – 1″ machined kit for traction engine and showmans engine
- MJ Engineering – plans for 2″ road TE, 2″ showmans engine and 2″ roller
- Plastow – have drawings and castings for a 3″ and 4.5″ un-sprung early single cylinder engine.
- Steam Traction World – produce kits for 2″, 4″ and 6″ single cylinder agricultural engine, double crank compound, a roller and a 4″ showmans engine.
Further Reading
- Grace’s Guide – Burrell Road Locomotives, History of Charles Burrell and sons
- The National Archives – Lists drawings that are available to view at Museum of English Rural Life
Clayton & Shuttleworth
Lincoln. It was a Clayton and Shuttleworth portable engine that was modified by Thomas Aveling to create the very first self-propelled traction engine in 1859. Hence Thomas Aveling being known as the father of the traction engine.
Castings, Drawings and Parts
- AJ Reeves – plans and castings for 2″ Clayton Undertype Steam wagon.
Foster
William Foster & Co Ltd, Lincoln
Fowell
G J Fowell & Co, St Ives, Huntingdonshire, designed by the engineer who designed the Burrell’s.
Further Reading:
- A family Firm – the history of the company. A list of the 109 engines that were made, some interesting examples and some vary rare images of some of the engines
Fowler
John Fowler & Co., Leeds, Yorkshire
Castings, Drawings and Parts
- Maxitrak – 1″ machined kit for a ploughing engine
- MJ Engineering – plans for 2″ and 3″ single cylinder A7 TE, 2″ compound A7 TE
- Plastow – 2″, 3″ and 4″ showmans engine and road loco
Garrett
Richard Garrett & Sons, Leiston, Suffolk
Further Reading:
- Garrett Engine Drawings – references for a number of different sources for drawings
- Thomas Green & Son, Leeds, Yorkshire.
- James & Frederick Howard, Bedford
- Mann’s Patent Steam Cart and Wagon Company, Leeds, Yorkshire
Marshall
Marshall, Sons & Co., Gainsborough, Lincolnshire
Castings, Drawings and Parts
- AJ Reeves – plans and castings for 1.5″ portable engine.
- J&H McLaren & Co., Leeds, Yorkshire
- Paxman, Colchester, Suffolk
- Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies Ltd, Ipswich, Suffolk
- Robey & Co, Lincoln
- Ruston & Hornsby Ltd, Lincoln
- F Savage, King’s Lynn, Norfolk – Portable centre engines for amusement rides
- Sentinel Waggon Works, Shrewsbury, Shropshire – Utilised vertical boilers
- Tasker & Sons, Andover, Hampshire
- William Tuxford & Sons, Boston, Lincolnshire.
- Yorkshire Patent Steam Wagon Co. Leeds, Yorkshire
Wallis & Steevens
Basingstoke, Hampshire
Castings, Drawings and Parts
- MJ Engineering – plans for 3″ traction engine
- Plastow – 3″ and 4.5″ road roller.
Yorkshire Patent Steam Wagon Co.
Yorkshire Patent Steam Wagon Co. Leeds, Yorkshire
Further Reading:
- Walters Vehicles – a brief history of the engines along with some great images
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