Welcome to the Steam Traction Engine Site

Welcome to TractionEngine.info, the site where you can find all kinds of traction engine related items at auction or to buy now, plus information about traction engine rallies, fairs, club meetings, collections and a whole lot more. This site is intended for all types of steam traction engine enthusiast be they reader, steam fair visitor, model engineer or lucky owner of a real historic engine.

Historic Traction Engines

Despite the fact that far too many of these magnificent engines ended their life being cut up for scrap, a significant number survived and with the help of loving owners have been restored to their former glory. Traction engines were originally put to use in a variety of roles, both in the field and on the road. Semi-stationary engines had large flywheels hooked up to a drivebelt. The ploughing engine removed the need for horses before the plough. The engine could also be hooked up to a threshing machine come harvest time. The traction engine provided motive power for all manner of agricultural and building machinery in addition to being a capable vehicle for towing heavy loads. Probably the most evocative image of the traction engine is of a showman's engine along with a showman's caravan in a steam fairground convoy. The traction engine provided perfect transport and onsite power for the latest gallopers and other rides.

Live Steam : Scale Working Model Traction Engines

There are various working model scales including 1/12 twelfth (1"), 1/6 sixth (2"), 1/4 quarter (3") and 1/2 half (6") scales (inches to the foot). Live steam working models, as the name suggests, are scale models of engines, with functioning components and each has a fully functional scale boiler. Boilers should be properly steam pressure tested by qualified professionals on a regular basis. At the lower end of the hobbyist budget is the Mamod steam traction engine. It features a solid fuel heated boiler and working steering. At the upper end are larger, faithful scale replicas of actual engines. Many of these are unique and handcrafted by highly skilled engineers.

Traction Engine Books, DVD & Video

There are numerous books, DVDs and videos about the age of the traction engine and about restored heritage engines. You will also be able to find limited release footage of traction engine rallies, steam fairs and other annual events.

Find : Live Steam | Mamod | Books | Video | DVD

Steam traction engines were once a ubiquitous sight in the English countryside and towns alike. In the 21st century their heritage and survival is entrusted to a band of enthusiastic owners, engineers and volunteers. TractionEngine.info applauds everyone responsible for keeping these engines steaming.