Trevithick may also be credited with the invention of the powered pub crawl.

My Grandfather left school at the age of 14 and went to work as a farm laborer. He was 81 years old when he passed away and had worked the land his entire life. From time to time he used to tell us stories of older times at the turn of the 20thC and I still have a cassette tape recorded by my father of him talking about learning to use steam tractors and steam powered threshing machines. He was quite graphic about some of the accidents that used to occur with steam vehicles and inattentive farm-hands.. He also went into quite alot of detail about how hard and dirty the work was., how the fire wasn't allowed to go out and taking it in turns to keep the "kettle" simmering overnight ready to start work again in the morning. If the night watchman fell asleep and let the fire burn too low they'd be in some seriously deep cowpat because of how long it took to get the steam back up. Idle hands cost money.

I was in rural Wales when I could hear the chuff chuff of a steam engine in the distance. While there was a narrow gauge railway a few miles away, no way could it be that. Eventually I spotted a steam roller on a road in the distance, apparently the owner would hire it and him out to do local jobs.

I, as founder if UERL, should have hired Jago as Head of Marketing at UERL after that sponsor segment.

Looking forward to the video on steam automobiles. This was fascinating. Looks like a really nice fair.

Tractors (as in the farm vehicle, not as in tractor trailor) might be the modern equivalent of a traction engine, and not just because of the obvious visual similarities. Tractors are pretty flexible, so you can also haul things with one, and with the help of a PTO shaft or hydraulic connectors, you can also power a lot of things. This isn't what they're primarily used for, but they have that kind of capability.

I’ve encountered two weirdly special versions of traction engines: In Guernsey in the 1970s there were still engines that visited the greenhouses used to grow tomatoes. These had perforated pipes buried in the soil inside and the engine’s boiler was connected to steam sterilise the soil to kill fungi and bacteria in the soil. In central France I’ve seen engines with inbuilt alembics for distilling locally made wine into ‘eau de vie’ for the farmers own use!

Jago mentioning 'dredging' brought back a long forgotten memory of being a child in the 80's on Tooting Common with my Dad & Uncle & they were dredging the lake with a traction engine

The Puffing Devil also spawned a famous cornish folk song that you can still hear echoing wherever you may find a few semi intoxicate Cornishmen - namely "Going up Camborne Hill Coming down." This was based on the fact that to maximise traction the boiler needed to be above the driving wheels - which meant that Trevithick's engine was technically being driven from behind... ie backwards, and hence Going up Camborne hill (while) coming down. Back when I lived in Cornwall I've joined in with singing that song a good many times over a nice pint of Tinners (or two).

I had the privilege of driving a Traction Engine a few years ago, and... quite the experience. The owner dealt with the power, while I had the job of steering - what you need to remember is that, because the steering is done via a chain connected to a worm drive, it's not very quick, so you really need to get a few revolutions of the steering wheel in in order to get a decent turning circle, but the sheer force of it was something I will never forget.

The first section of Keith Roberts' classic SF book "Pavane" has a memorably vivid description of how traction engine powered road trains are used to haul goods in a world where cars are regarded as little more than toys. Once read, never forgotten.

A few years ago, I shared on Reddit a picture of the road roller that was parked to the side of the road and left to rust after building the 8 miles of road on the island of Papa Westray in Orkney (destination of the shortest regular commercial flight in the world and home to 80 souls and the oldest house in Western Europe). It was pretty clearly an early diesel or hot bulb engine, so I used the term 'road roller' advisedly, as it could easily be mistaken for its contemporary, steam-powered brethren. Boy did I get some flack for that....

Thank you, Mr Hazzard. There now follows a **Shameless Plug** . All traction engine rallies are worth visiting, but the annual steam gala (the name changes) at Beamish Open Air Museum every April is spectacular. The engines can be seen at work in various period settings, and the road around the museum is long and hilly enough to make the engines work hard - last year's show included four road locos moving an enormous transformer. As well as the traction engines, there are vintage lorries, buses, motorbikes and cars (including steam cars) while the museum's own trams, buses, a colliery railway, a narrow gauge line, and a very short line with working replicas of early locomotives.

Years ago, indeed, decades ago I was part of a group constructing a 7¼" gauge railway. We had acces to a roadbuilders' workshop to make our large 'set-track'. Now this roadbuilder had a collection of old steamrollers, a couple of them even in working condition. One Saturday I was asked to move one of the rollers on their huge wharf. I did tell them I only knew steam locomotives but was told to "just imagine the track" (really !) All went well until I approached the diesel pumping station with four pumps to service the tarmac lorries. Lucky for me the steel/concrete bollards protecting them were stronger than the roller. I was "not to worry, happens all the time". The roller still rolls today, be it with a new boiler, they had to change it 'cause of it's age, and not my (lack of) driving skills.

As a Strood resident, Aveling and Porter's Edwardian office building was a part of mine and my children's local heritage, so it was with its great wisdom and foresight that the council demolished the building in 2010 in favour of a 'temporary car park' which continues to temporarily grace the landscape to this day.

I love steam powered stuff, the noise it makes, the steam, the fast big moving parts, and the camera doesn't do it justice, in person they are majestic and intimidating

Portable engines were among the first things built on flow production assembly lines, a long time before Henry Ford got in on the action.

Bloke up the road has both a full size and a third scale traction engine. During the season, we often see him trundling up or down the hill at the weekend with his traction engine or driving through the village. A lovely sight and sound.

You could’ve titled this video ‘Steampunk Starter Pack’.

I would love a video on other steam vehicles

Having grown up on a farm in the US where we used equipment dating back to the 1870s-1950s, the evolution of steam traction has always fascinated me, as has how much longer it (and steam road haulage) stuck around in Britain than in North America. One small note, which doesn't invalidate the central point: You don't necessarily need two steam engines to do cross-field winch ploughing. Oftentimes, the traction engine would sit on one side of the field and be paired with a heavily-weighted cart with a pulley on the opposite side. This would be moved forward by hand, animals, or winches after each furrow.

The first time I saw a traction engine was watching Fred Dibnah driving one on TV. So they always remind me of him.

Oh yes… please, the other steam vehicles…looking forward up to it.

Whatever I have to do to also earn the nickname "The Puffing Devil," I will do. This is my new life goal.

In the 1960s, I had a rather nice working model of a traction engine, genuinely steam powered. I'm rather pleased to see that the manufacturer, Mamod, is still in business, and now selling a 60th anniversary version of the one I had.

I remember as a kiddie seeing the old Aveling & Porter factory in Rochester, we lived on the outskirts of Gravesend for a while in the 70's and I remember the slow transformation of the old hogback railway bridge to the modern concrete road bridge, going to work with the old man when he was reliefing out of Cuxton and the old Odeon of Strood, the modernity of Gillingham or Rochester signalboxes. I also remember the old wagon cripple sidings of what was Medway docks yard with its insanely long footbridge from Rochester station to the other side of the yard, sometimes my uncle would be tasked to take some cripple wagons down there in his rorty old 33 which was an absolute doss because he would get them parked up then off he would go in his ever lasting quest for tea and that was his day done.

Jago turned into Fred Dibnah so gradually I didn’t even notice

When I was young my grandfather had a Showman's Engine, his pride and joy. I used to love seeing it at shows and getting a ride.

A neighbour owns a traction engine and goes to various rallies. He’s got Christmas rope lights in the shape of a traction engine.

When I was a kid, they used to bring a traction engine to the farm at the back of our house. It was used at various times to operate a threshing machine and also to operate a tatty riddler.

Excellent video (as always) and I for one am more than happy for you to cover other steam-driven vehicles in future videos. 🙂

That painting of the portable engine in the field surrounded by straw just screams, "FIRE, FIRE!"

A video about steam lorries would be welcome. I've been to shows in the U.K. where there were operating Sentinals and Fodens which were built in the late 1930s. And then there's hot air engines from the late 19th century. I've seen a few operating at vintage machinery shows. Tall, ornate engines that made a sound like an asthmatic person's breathing. And for all the size of them, they only put out 3/4 of a horsepower.

I am of that age to remember steam rollers owned by Kent County Council working our road, most entertaining for a small boy.

Another good one Jago. I'm a steam nut and although I now live in the modern world (/sarc) of Canada where there is little industrial history, I visit the old country and love learning about the roots of the industrial revolution and visiting the museums. A favorite memory is The Great Dorset Steam Fair in 2018 when 472 traction engines, from miniature to full size, were in steam. I can't afford the big stuff so I make do with miniatures - 2 Burrell Showman's engines and two 7-1/4 steam engines. Thanks for your excellent contributions.

In the US we used steam traction engines to pull felled trees up mountainsides. We called them steam donkeys. My grandparents remember traction engines that were used for threshing. My grandmother travelled with one of these threshing crews as their cook before she married.

It's now too expensive to hold a steam traction show such as The Great Dorset Steam Fair at Tarrant Hinton cancelled for 2024 because it is estimated the cost to run it by then would be up to £4.9 million!

I can still remember the classes on the old red cover driving licences, Heavy Locomotive, Light Locomotive, Motor Car, Motor Bicycle, Agricultural Tractor, Track Laying Vehicle and Moped.

Steam Rollers were used to (ironically!) build parts of the M1 motorway between Birmingham and London. When the project started and contractors were employed to start building the road, not enough diesel powered rollers were available in the UK. Appeals went out to any enthusiast who had a preserved steam roller to come forward if they were willing to earn some money rollering the M1. Quite a few came forward and were employed insuch locations as Bedfordshire an Northants.

Thank you for steaming head first into that video, most enjoyable.

Loved this one Jago, a part 2 would be welcomed.. cheers.

If only they could bottle the hot steam oil smell

I go to the Steam Really every year in Shrewsbury, the grand finale of the show is all the engines blowing their whistle at the same time ☺️

I went to Bressingham Steam Railway when I was young and living in Norfolk at the time and I saw one of those steam vehicles and actually went on one. And it was so much fun. Brings back great childhood memories.

They're called that because if you're not careful working around them you could end up in traction.

Hi Jago. What a delightful dis-traction (did you see what I did there?). More, more, more!

I guess that the modern equivalent would be a farm tractor being used for a power take off unit (PTO) vrs. a steam powered traction engine

A fascinating overview, Jago. I'm definitely interested in learning about steam cars.

My two cents here: if you like speaking about trains and rail and transportation related stuff you get free pass on steam engines, ships, trollies, trams, paternosters, shwebebahn, shinkansen, canal boats, and steam tractors.

Sometimes in the summer I hear a preserved steam traction engine on the lane outside my house. It makes the whole building shake!

Having been blessed to be born in an area of England where some of these fine machines were designed and built, I count myself fortunate. Also in Norfolk there are 4 museums I know of that are still running traction and stationary steam engines. As well as having a well run and preserved North Norfolk steam railway, I am somewhat spoiled for choice of a steam loco fix! I was also fortunate to know for a short period of my youth a gentleman who served his apprenticeship with Chas. Burrell and Sons, Engineers in Thetford, Norfolk. Exactly where that fine example of a showman's engine in your video was built. I remember the first time (as a child) I was taken on a day out to Bressingham steam museum on a warm summer's day to see live traction and showman's engines. I was (and still am) in awe of these mighty beasts. Thank you for reminding me of how blessed we Norfolk folk are with steam engines.

That was fascinating. It brought back memories of my early childhood, in 1970s South West London. We would regularly see an actual steam roller in the area. I think always driven by the same man

I wish i could like the video twice... I loved the video, I learned something. I loved the ad, such a beautiful act!

There is something delightfully terrifying about seeing a steam tractor live in action. A train is confined to its track - these things seem like they could come after you.

Next stop, stationary engines!

Always enjoyed a traction engine when I was a kid (and still do today…) like steam locos, they seem almost alive and all the moving parts that are visible always give them a “busy” appearance…

Carter's Steam Fair has at least one steam traction engine, to run equipment. Who amongst us boomers remember toy traction engines, that worked by creating steam using meths on a lit piece of lint. My older brother had a static steam engine of that kind, but you could get wheeled ones. I suspect they are banned now....kids lighting flammable material with meths on it, to make a miniature steam engine go.

I've been a long time subsciber but have never commented. Firstly, please keep producing great content - my wife and i particularly appreciate your London centric content. Secondly thank you for posting the still photograph of a prewar Polish Army Horse Artillery Regt, with their French 75mm guns. It made my morning!

I am always reminded of Fred Dibinah or WW1 when I see these vehicles. First time I ever seen one was in WW1 footage in They Shall Not Grow Old

And thanks to their geological torque, traction engines are still as of today the ultimate showstopper of any tractor pulling event.

I never go out to see these vehicles, but it always makes me happy when I accidentally find them.

Oh my! I'd quite forgotten about these machines! Thanks for the reminder! Looking forward to the next video about them!!!

Wonderful machines traction engines! There was a rather delightful film called The Iron Maiden, sort of mirrored the Titfield Thunderbolt. Well worth a watch if you can find it on a streaming platform.

And of course, some of them did make it onto railways. The wonderful Aveling & Porter engine, Sirapite, is really just a traction engine with flanged wheels. You can still see it today at the excellent Long Shop Museum in Leiston, Suffolk, formerly Garrett's Engineering Works, a major producer of all things steamy and efinitely worth a visit.

+1 for the para-railway videos. I have always liked canals.

As always an interesting and informative video, thank you. Aveling and Porter's head office was at Strood in Kent, just across the Medway from Rochester Castle. A&P became part of Winget and they extended the lovely red brick building with a modernist concrete block. When they moved out Medway Council, yes the outfit that lost Rochester its city status, occupied it. After they had moved to grander premises (better suited to their egos) it was empty until a supermarket expressed an interest in the site. Although Strood already had the most supermarkets in the Medway conurbation, all within a few metres of each other, the council rubbed their grubby mitts together in glee and bulldozed the whole site at the tax payer's expense in readiness. Needless to say the supermarket then decided not to proceed. Now, instead of a handsome and historic building that would make excellent flats with a castle view we still have a bare site with a mound of crushed brick and concrete on it years later. Still angry at the short-sightedness and loss. In recent years there has been a Thomas Aveling commerative meeting at the church in Hoo St Werburgh with traction engines in attendance. Always conflicted with something else but hope to attend next year.

Yes, please! A video on steam Road vehicles would be most welcome! Looking forward to seeing it. I recall dodging steam lorries around Liverpool Docks sonn after I passed my driving test.

I absolutely adore steam traction engines, have done all my life

One of my fathers friends who ran a garage (car repair shop) had an old showmans engine which restored to working order. It was a thing of beauty to behold and traveled around the south of England to steam fairs and shows....all at 4 miles an hour. Which meant several days if not weeks were necessary to get to some showgrounds. I'm not sure what became of it. Being a bit of geek for these things, I do still like to get to a steam fair every so often. Would recommend "The Great Dorset Steam Fair" which I believe is still an annual event - it is truly massive show with fairgrounds, road rollers, and even ploughing demonstrations. So on or off the rails, steam powered stuff fascinates me (some would say I produce too much of my own hot air ....🙄)

After one particularly wet summer, I was at a country show, where one of the traction engines managed to get stuck in the mud while going to the display arena. Initially they tried to haul it out of the mud with a Range Rover... without any success at all. It did take another traction engine running at power, to catch a thrown heavy rope, and attach it to something strong, to haul the stuck machine out.

might be worth doing a collab with the whitewhicks about how the condition of british roads held back then allowed development of road locomotion (turnpikes/ toll bridges and so on)

Great video Jago. Have a lifelong love of steam after visiting rallies when younger. Dad had a couple of friends with road rollers and used to get to steer them. Hard work but good fun. Good memories too of clinging onto the back of a steam tractor bumping over the showground (health and safety whats that!) Been to a couple of rallies this year but sadly not many engines on show. Would love to watch any video you put up about steam powered transport.

If you had any worries about being off the rails with this video, it might help if you notice these engines are often known as Road Locomotives, as seen at 01:12.

My husband and I really enjoyed this. Here in the States we call them steam engines, but they’re the same kind of tractor. Please do more videos like this; it was so fun to watch! 💜

Those machines are beautiful! If you have more of this stuff... by all means publish it please!

Another excellent "Tale from the Steam Tube!" 🚂

I do like a quick history. Please do more of them.

Wonderful! As so often, you have answered questions I never knew that I had. I would very much like a video on other steam powered road vehicles.

Looking forward to more.

Love traction engines! Great video

Jago, please can you make a video on departmental tube stock past and present!?

My 42 year old daughter, when describing some local roadworks referred to one of the vehicles as a 'steam roller'. I did used to take her, as a child, to see steam locomotives but dont recall taking her to a steam rally.

That event reminded me of the Gloucester vintage and Country Extravaganza at the South Cerney airfield. An amazing event

Definitely different Jago 👍

I was lucky to watch the lake at Danson Park, Bexleyheath, being dredged by two traction engines. Early 1960s.

The Stokerow Steam Rally near Reading is worthwhile

This is certainly a video with great traction. Thanks Jago

I love traction engines! I have a working model from Mamod standing proud on the shelf above my desk (though, admittedly it's only been run once since I got it)

Not Jago's usual route. But a good alternative.

These are really neat machines. I went to a "tractor meet" in 2014 with a friend of mine across the pond here in Orange, Massachusetts. It was a treat to see the antique steam and early gasoline powered tractors "racing" and operating. Like the ones at the fair you attended, many were highly decorated and restored.

Great video Jago from a traction engine fan. It would be good to see some stream lorries, Sentinel, Foden etc and very large steam engines used in industry.

When we bought an Edwardian house back in the 1990's the solicitor pointed out that, the deeds recorded an agreement with the next door neighbour that prevented us from selling firewood commercially at the end of the drive, it also prohibited the occupant of either house from firing up a traction engine on a Sunday. Obviously at the time that was a major concern, however we went ahead with the purchase (after all we could fire up traction engines on the other six days of the week).

The twin cylindered side mounted geared roller at 9:12 certainly looks like the road rolling version of an American Shay geared locomotive. Named "Iroquois" it certailnly has the American connection.

Perfect video. I've always loved traction engines and have driven one several years ago so more on these please 😊

I enjoyed the traction engine story and I look forward to other Steam related vehicles getting the same treatment. My Dad used to take me to Steam Fairs in the late 1950s and through the '60s.

Traction engines still big in Cornwall. Used to go to West of England steam rally every year as a kid

I really enjoyed that. I'd definitely be interested in other areas you mentioned. Thanks Jago

I for one would like a video on steam cars etc.

How your video footage brings back happy memories of attending such shows as a child with my father. I really need to get back into all that. They are fascinating and more on the different types of vehicles would be highly appreciated.

Fine history JAGO