Traction Engines: A Quick History

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ก.ย. 2024
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ความคิดเห็น • 372

  • @fatcharliethearchangel5122
    @fatcharliethearchangel5122 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +54

    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.

    • @maryapatterson
      @maryapatterson 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      Serious cowpat😂

    • @althejazzman
      @althejazzman 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +6

      I had never considered that they kept the fires going all night, but it makes sense, as you can't afford to wait 2 hours before you can start work.

    • @WillKemp
      @WillKemp 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +8

      If you haven't already, you should get that tape recording digitised while it still plays!

    • @bordershader
      @bordershader 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      ​@@WillKempdefinitely! A transcript isn't enough, hearing the old voices is amazing.

    • @althejazzman
      @althejazzman 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      @@WillKemp I have the equipment to digitize and clean up old cassette tapes.

  • @grahvis
    @grahvis 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +32

    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.

    • @Skorpychan
      @Skorpychan 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

      We could use that around here. Mostly every time they 'resurface' a road and don't bother to roll the chipseal surface down, get a steam roller in to compact it in and crush the sharp edges off.

    • @DD-qq8sn
      @DD-qq8sn 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +10

      Local 'jobs' made me smile. Gang member #1: 'We're gonna rob the post office but we need a getaway driver'. Gang Member #2 'I'll talk to "Jones The Steam" - he's good but he's not quick'.

  • @Richardincancale
    @Richardincancale 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +70

    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!

    • @highpath4776
      @highpath4776 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      sounds interesting

    • @samroberts7404
      @samroberts7404 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +6

      Similar to the wine one, in the ardeche when I was younger (early to mid 90s) they had travelling engines for pressing lavender to make lavender oil. I couldn't swear that they were steam engines (and I'm fairly certain they were trailers rather than self propelled) but my memory definitely has them with boilers, centrifugal regulators and pistons....

    • @SynchroScore
      @SynchroScore 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

      Reminds me of how locomotives hauling French troop trains during the Franco-Prussian War were fitted with special piping to brew huge kettles of coffee.

    • @kiwidonkeyk1656
      @kiwidonkeyk1656 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      The "steamers" weren't technically a traction engine although they looked similar. They were towed from job to job by ex army trucks (4wd). Another truck would haul the coal which was being replaced by oil also hauled in a huge tank. The whole set up vanished very quickly when growers switched from the soil to growing tomatoes in peat bags.

  • @MRTransportVideos
    @MRTransportVideos 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +17

    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.

    • @rjjcms1
      @rjjcms1 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      I had some mobile footage of one in motion from when I went on a country walk and one came trundling past on one of the roads here in SW Hertfordshire. I saw either the same one or another one going past near Ashridge on one or two other occasions,and it gave off a pleasing "toot toot" for the people there as it passed on its way.

  • @18robsmith
    @18robsmith 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +118

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

    • @michaelwright2986
      @michaelwright2986 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +17

      "I seem to have invented a self-propelled road vehicle."
      "Let's go to the pub."

    • @bryan3550
      @bryan3550 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Nah, where do you think Cugnot was when his beast ran amok?
      Having a quiet one!

    • @18robsmith
      @18robsmith 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

      @@bryan3550Being French it would be more like "Let's go to the nearest vineyard for a meal and a couple of bottle of wine each".

    • @Truth-And-Freedom
      @Truth-And-Freedom 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      Legend!
      I think of him and his engine, and how the world has changed since that day, every time I drive up Camborne hill!
      Tis a steep hill!

  • @kevelliott
    @kevelliott 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    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.

  • @roderickjoyce6716
    @roderickjoyce6716 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +14

    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.

    • @john1703
      @john1703 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      What did the transformer become? 😁

    • @atraindriver
      @atraindriver 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Heck, Beamish is worth a visit even when they don't have any events on. That way when they do have events you can concentrate on the event and not on all the other wondrousness.
      And there's a 25% discount on the admission fee if you show a valid bus ticket, which makes it even better. :)

    • @markwright3161
      @markwright3161 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@john1703 Very relaxed. 4 steam engines could power one heck of a sauna :)

  • @jennyd255
    @jennyd255 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +15

    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).

  • @Zeppflyer
    @Zeppflyer 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    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.

    • @totherarf
      @totherarf 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      To be fair thy would do more than one furrow at a time! ;o)

  • @gramsci420
    @gramsci420 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

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

  • @kathrynstemler6331
    @kathrynstemler6331 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    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.

  • @Damien.D
    @Damien.D 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

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

  • @Albanwinter
    @Albanwinter 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

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

  • @MrGreatplum
    @MrGreatplum 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    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…

  • @Stuartrusty
    @Stuartrusty 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    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.

  • @ramonido
    @ramonido 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

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

  • @divarachelenvy
    @divarachelenvy 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

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

  • @annaeborall934
    @annaeborall934 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    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.

  • @julianaylor4351
    @julianaylor4351 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    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.

  • @nicktrains2234
    @nicktrains2234 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

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

  • @tidmouthmilk12
    @tidmouthmilk12 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    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)

  • @roderickmain9697
    @roderickmain9697 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    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 ....🙄)

  • @TransportNut89
    @TransportNut89 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

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

  • @Clavichordist
    @Clavichordist 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    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.

  • @tdoran616
    @tdoran616 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    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

  • @1959BB
    @1959BB 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Yes, we would like... an acquaintance of mine has a steam powered car, it's a fantastic, if slightly mental thing. I've seen Whistling Billy race as well.
    For a while in early automotive days steam was one of the most popular propulsion methods, followed by paraffin, Electric and diesel. Petrol was a distant 5th.

  • @marvwatkins7029
    @marvwatkins7029 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

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

  • @teecefamilykent
    @teecefamilykent 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Brilliant video sir!

  • @Leonard_Smith
    @Leonard_Smith 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Definitely different Jago 👍

  • @paultidd9332
    @paultidd9332 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    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.

  • @philipdove6987
    @philipdove6987 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Very good as usual, yes I personally would like videos on other steam powered vehicles. Even something concise on Internal combustion vehicles or the development of transport and it's impact generally.

  • @backwashjoe7864
    @backwashjoe7864 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    His donors and patrons are the traction engine to his flywheel. :)

  • @andrewclayton4181
    @andrewclayton4181 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I'm a bit of a traction buff. Eversince I was about 6 and was overawed by a showmans engine. You've covered the basics, apart from steam wagons, but there is a lot more that could have been added if you'd extended the video to an hour or so.
    1896 was when the red flag was done away with, something that is honoured by the London - Brighton veteran road run each year.
    Enjoyed the video.

  • @quoniam426
    @quoniam426 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Cugnot's machine is on display in Arts & Métiers museum in Paris.

    • @JagoHazzard
      @JagoHazzard  10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      That is a good point that I forgot to mention.

  • @Lego6980
    @Lego6980 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    6:05 hilarious!

  • @abrr2000
    @abrr2000 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    yes, please make those other videos on steam lorries etc

  • @adrianrutterford762
    @adrianrutterford762 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Goody!!
    Teatime viewing sorted

  • @rdstedall
    @rdstedall 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    A most interesting video as I am technically the fourth generation of my family with connections to steam traction engines.

  • @jostberg
    @jostberg 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Very interesting!

  • @Starbelt
    @Starbelt 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    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.

  • @MrOllieBD
    @MrOllieBD 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Lovely stuff Jacob, I smell a new series?! By the by, which steam fair were your shots taken at, it looks very idyllic. Best.

  • @chrisbeynon8700
    @chrisbeynon8700 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I'd love a series on steam road vehicles!

  • @Calum_S
    @Calum_S 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Will we see an episode on steam lorries in the future? My ancestors owned a haulage company that had steam lorries.

  • @ashleyhamman
    @ashleyhamman 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    While steam traction engines are very striking and charming, I personally prefer the look of steam wagons that resemble modern-ish box trucks. They maintain an old-timey look, sound, and movement while being recognizably familiar as a vehicle for the streets.

    • @JagoHazzard
      @JagoHazzard  10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      I got some footage of those, too!

  • @AndrewGruffudd
    @AndrewGruffudd 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    If the rumour mill isn't too clogged with semi-intellectual chaff, methinks there are those within the mighty echelons of the powerful who would like to see a return to certain provisions of the Locomotive Act - specifically the red flag aspect - if the sudden sproutage of 20mph sign knotweed is anything to go by. It's a good thing Trevithick and Watt weren't also politicians - hot air tends more to compress...

  • @the_cheese
    @the_cheese 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Did you not thank your sponsors on KoFi and Patreon; the traction engine to your unplowed field? Or did I just miss it because I was drooling over those well-kept old steamers? Regardless, thanks for another awesome video, Jago!

  • @heavyecho1
    @heavyecho1 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Not directly related to this video, but the Great Dorset Steam Fair has been cancelled for next year (2024) 😔

  • @lapiswake6583
    @lapiswake6583 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I spy footage taken outside the Kempton Waterworks. Video on that (and its railway) soon?

  • @Colt45hatchback
    @Colt45hatchback 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Yes i would like. Thanks in advance

  • @emilyadams3228
    @emilyadams3228 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    12:57 Ten miles an hour was a bit too much to ask from these machines.
    There, fixed it.

  • @paulusthegrey
    @paulusthegrey 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    More steam please!

  • @bettyswallocks6411
    @bettyswallocks6411 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Steam powered urinals seem to be an innovation that is best avoided.

  • @nicstorer6375
    @nicstorer6375 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Some were known as road locomotives

  • @heidirabenau511
    @heidirabenau511 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    That sponsor segment was quite relaxing, until the Black Friday offer.

  • @RogerPritchard-k4p
    @RogerPritchard-k4p 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Anyone know where this steam rally was?

  • @Alex-cw3rz
    @Alex-cw3rz 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    4:53 where is that?

  • @warmstrong5612
    @warmstrong5612 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    More steam content please and thanks.

  • @captainjoshuagleiberman2778
    @captainjoshuagleiberman2778 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I am surprised you did not mention that the term "Traction Engines" is the origin of why we call the tow vehicles farmers use as "Tractors" or is that a North Americanism?

  • @ronalddevine9587
    @ronalddevine9587 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +53

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

    • @paulhaynes8045
      @paulhaynes8045 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

      And electric cars! Not many people these days realise that they were the first type of powered cars (with, or ahead of, steam?). We have come full circle!

  • @namenamename390
    @namenamename390 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +63

    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.

    • @pulaski1
      @pulaski1 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +9

      I would contend that a lot of equipment used on farms and pulled by tractors _does_ require power and so providing power from the PTO is _absolutely_ what modern tractors are designed for. Examples include bailers, sprayers, and hay-turners, among many other things.

    • @Damien_N
      @Damien_N 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +6

      I mean the name is a bit of a hint as to the lineage of their utility.

    • @eddmorrell90
      @eddmorrell90 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +8

      Steam traction engines are the grandfather of all tractors, if it’s a farm tractor, tractor units (semi’s) or a bull dozer. They’re all still tractors! As internal combustion engines, refined fuels and pneumatic tyres were invented the traction engine evolved into the different disciplines we have today.
      Awesome video as always Jago 👍

    • @thesteelrodent1796
      @thesteelrodent1796 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      modern tractors still do the same jobs as steam tractors did, they were after all made for the same purpose. The only difference is really how the engine is powered. The primary mechanical part of a combustion and steam engine are the same - pistons, pushrods, cams, valves, etc. They obviously differ in how the power is generated and the valves don't serve quite the same purpose, but if you look at the earliest combustion engines, especially Diesel's engines, you'll note that they can be difficult to tell apart from a steam engine, if you ignore the lack of a boiler.

    • @davidty2006
      @davidty2006 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Yeah for the roles that they do they are basically identical.
      Proberbly to the point it's not wrong to call traction engines steam tractors.

  • @CharlesTysonYerkesOfficial
    @CharlesTysonYerkesOfficial 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +27

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

    • @SLane249
      @SLane249 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +9

      I was going to add a comment about Jago's paid promotions prowess but I bow to your superior missive.

    • @Julius_Hardware
      @Julius_Hardware 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

      Better pay him in company stock (temporary short-term cash flow problem, I'm sure he will understand)

  • @Zeppflyer
    @Zeppflyer 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +28

    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....

    • @highpath4776
      @highpath4776 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      I am quite fond of the early diesel road rollers

  • @PokhrajRoy.
    @PokhrajRoy. 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +19

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

    • @andyg3
      @andyg3 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      Ugh no

  • @RichardFraser-y9t
    @RichardFraser-y9t 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +6

    If only they could bottle the hot steam oil smell

  • @heidirabenau511
    @heidirabenau511 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +15

    I would love a video on other steam vehicles

  • @LeoStarrenburg
    @LeoStarrenburg 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +13

    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.

  • @SamanthaWritesThings
    @SamanthaWritesThings 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

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

  • @HYUKLDER1
    @HYUKLDER1 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    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!

  • @popuptoaster
    @popuptoaster 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +15

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

    • @a11oge
      @a11oge 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      well. Not a lot of people know that.

  • @IACooper
    @IACooper 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +9

    "10mph is a bit of an ask for these..."
    Umm - I take it you haven't been on many steam tractors out on the open road then: 10mph is quite reasonable for a steam tractor, with many (I dare say most) quite happily cruising along above that figure.

    • @highpath4776
      @highpath4776 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      The later Steam Lorries of Foden and ERF went along 50mph+ I know of one ex road roller that was equipped with aircraft tyres which made for a brisk ride with better suspension

    • @sirrliv
      @sirrliv 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      That tracks with claims of smaller road engines in the moving industry, with many accounts of a 35hp Fowler engine rattling along a country lane at upwards of 35 mph with 3 giant Pantechnicon trailers behind. Good thing the Red Flag Act was poorly enforced out in the countryside.

    • @IACooper
      @IACooper 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      Yeah - a Wallis Advance, its original wheels had been scrapped, hence the replacement with aircraft wheels. In the realm of rollers they're fairly swift.
      Sentinel DG's tend to be 30-40mph, the shaft drive 'S' type generally will comfortably do 40-50 ...but given favourable conditions I've known them hitting 60 on the level. Steam cars tend to fly along as well.
      In terms of the steam tractors, I have GPS logs and personal experience from Avelings happily going over 10mph, Tasker will cruise well over 10mph, I have personal experience with Burrell tractors sustaining over 10mph for long periods, Foster compound tractors you're probably looking more like 15 up to 20mph. Garretts tend to be geared a little lower, but I'd be very surprised if they couldn't comfortably sit at 10mph as well. The small single-cylinder Foster new-builds are a little slower, I've only had experience of one on the road for a single fairly short journey, but I'd still think they'd probably reach up to 10, even if they're not cruising long distances above that.
      Most people only see road steam pottering around slowly on a rally field - on the open road their differences really start to show. ...unless you're stuck behind one in a car - then they're all stupidly slow again! lol.

    • @IACooper
      @IACooper 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      A fowler tractor doing 35mph would be a little scary. A Fowler T3 will shift along, but it'll still be less than 20mph (but once again - comfortably over 10mph).
      ...'tis a few years ago now, but there was an impressive little video clip of a Fowler T3 and Foster tractor on a 'thunderbird' mission on the run up to the annual Shrewsbury Steam Rally. A Sentinel 'Super' waggon & trailer had suffered a gasket failure a few miles outside of Shrewsbury, so the two tractors set off from the rally field with push-poles to tow it in. They were filmed going great guns dragging it up the hill out of the town centre in the dark.
      The next day the Sentinel had the gasket replaced and was back running again.
      Funnily enough the pair of tractors wuz doin' more than 10mph on that occasion as well.

    • @highpath4776
      @highpath4776 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@IACooper often it is not going fast that is the problem but stopping - safely - quickly

  • @trevorelliston1
    @trevorelliston1 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +9

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

  • @ironjade
    @ironjade 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +12

    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.

    • @paulhorn2665
      @paulhorn2665 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      I should read that book, now I heard so much of it. Its from the 1960s isn't it?

    • @ironjade
      @ironjade 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      @@paulhorn2665 I think so. It's actually a collection of linked short stories (aka a fix-up). In some editions a story called "The White Boat" isn't included. Full disclosure: there's a section dealing with the Inquisition's antics which is horribly graphic.
      Apart from that, it's one of the few SF books I can happily re-read.

  • @Richardincancale
    @Richardincancale 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +17

    Next stop, stationary engines!

    • @MikaelKKarlsson
      @MikaelKKarlsson 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Lessgo!

    • @RichardFraser-y9t
      @RichardFraser-y9t 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      Plenty in London

    • @ukmusichero
      @ukmusichero 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      stationary engines don't get any traction with me!

  • @LondonEmergency999
    @LondonEmergency999 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

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

  • @lawrencegt2229
    @lawrencegt2229 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Used to love the annual Steam Fair at Knowl Hill with its showmanship engines & workshop exhibitions. Sadly dead now, I fancy. Carter's Steam Fair, which has rides and attractions powered by steam engines, still does the rounds.

  • @FlyingScott
    @FlyingScott 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Shan't lie chaps, I skipped ahead when I noticed the pattern of an ad coming up forming and accidentally landed on "BUT YOU SHOULD GO CLICK THAT LINK NOW NOW NOW!!!"
    I think I've just been Hazzarded...

  • @htopherollem649
    @htopherollem649 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    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

  • @Suprahampton
    @Suprahampton 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    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

    • @andrewclayton4181
      @andrewclayton4181 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      I spent a weekend dredging on a steam ploughing engine. It was hard work!

  • @lawrencelewis2592
    @lawrencelewis2592 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    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.

  • @mcarp555
    @mcarp555 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

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

  • @davidrobert2007
    @davidrobert2007 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

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

  • @SlartiMarvinbartfast
    @SlartiMarvinbartfast 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

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

  • @ruperthart5190
    @ruperthart5190 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    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

  • @thomasm1964
    @thomasm1964 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +8

    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.

    • @Skorpychan
      @Skorpychan 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      Kind of a pain in the backside if you're stuck behind them, though. Especially when they can't get decent coal and have to import smoky stuff from Poland instead of clean Welsh steam coal.
      The Great Dorset Steam Fair last year showed the difference in coals very well; 2019 I could see stuff fine, 2022 half my pictures were of engines obscured by smoky clouds.

    • @shedhead00
      @shedhead00 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Brilliant video

    • @thomasm1964
      @thomasm1964 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

      @@Skorpychan I live in a rural area. You get used to being stuck behind things: classic vehicles; loose cows or sheep; livestock movements from one place to another; lorries on the hills; Sunday drivers who are terrified to go much above 25mph, no matter what the road is like; fallen trees; swollen fords; tractors and their trailers; tractor convoys (up to 50 tractors trundling along to a local fair); roadworks ....
      The occasional traction engine isn't even in my top ten of driver hindrances.

    • @Skorpychan
      @Skorpychan 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      @@thomasm1964 Cyclists have to be the worst, since you're not allowd to push them into the ditch.
      Also, sunday drivers are the worst, especially in 4PM twilight on weekdays.
      IF YOU CAN'T SEE, YOU SHOULDN'T BE DRIVING, KAREN!

    • @thomasm1964
      @thomasm1964 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      @@Skorpychan Funnily enough, no. Rural cyclists tend to be more respectful of other road users than city Lycra Wankers. Yes, I sometimes have to sit behind one for a few minutes because it is unsafe to overtake on a tight bend or the brow of a hill but I can see they are working to get out of my way and, in return, I hold back so they don't feel pressured to do something stupid.
      I used to live in Surrey. I know exactly whereof you speak!
      Also, I forgot to add horse-riders to my earlier list as well as cyclists.
      As for the Sunday drivers (and tourists), they aren't used to driving on tight, twisty narrow roads so brake heavily at every bend, poke the accelerator a little bit on the straights and brake heavily at the next bend. Their speed is totally erratic and their braking patterns can be difficult to work out as, often, even they don't know when they are going to panic-stamp the brake pedal.
      One spends far too much time watching Sunday drivers (and tourists) rather than maintaining true situational aawareness.

  • @Hanzo.Azmodan
    @Hanzo.Azmodan 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +10

    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.

    • @pulaski1
      @pulaski1 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      I assumed it was either imported from the US, or at least manufactured under licence in the UK.

    • @JohnyG29
      @JohnyG29 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      No, its not connected to that in any way.

  • @jillatherton4660
    @jillatherton4660 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    😄👍 Separate videos! Oooh, goody.

  • @DavidScholz-bu1ix
    @DavidScholz-bu1ix 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    YOU KNOW, THE FAMOUSLY WELL-KNOWIMGLY FAMILIAR THOMAS & FRIENDS CHARACTER KNOWN AS TREVOR THE TRACTION ENGINE HIMSELF CERTAINLY HAPPENS TO BE A TRACTION ENGINE HIMSELF!!!

  • @highpath4776
    @highpath4776 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    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)

    • @thesteelrodent1796
      @thesteelrodent1796 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      that's arguably still the case today. For instance the lack of proper ringroads around London means the city is in a constant gridlock from lack of proper travel routes for the ever increasing traffic, and the focus on only improving traffic conditions in the capital means the rest of Britain still have 19th century narrow roads unsuitable for safe travel with modern vehicles

  • @fussyboy2000
    @fussyboy2000 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    What events did you get your footage at? I think it would be great if you could name check them (with a link).

  • @RaspberryWhy
    @RaspberryWhy 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Jago. I didn't - nor couldn't - imagine that you could do excitable or engaging. I only subscribed to your channel for the off beat and care worn descriptions of a mundane metropolitan transit system. Now I am an unexpected subscriber to a techno babble security thingy that I wasn't sure I needed before. Well done you
    BTW (I'm keeping it real and getting down with the kids) I actually stopped your presentation mid flow to concoct this pointless trope

  • @PaulSmith-pl7fo
    @PaulSmith-pl7fo 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

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

  • @ukar69
    @ukar69 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

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

  • @Slycockney
    @Slycockney 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

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

  • @mariahamilton5305
    @mariahamilton5305 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Used to be taken to traction engine rallies as a girl - the video can't convey the characteristic smell of mown grass and oil !

  • @robin1987100
    @robin1987100 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I'll be very disappointed if this video does not contain Fred.

  • @SheeplessNW6
    @SheeplessNW6 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    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.

    • @julianaylor4351
      @julianaylor4351 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      I'd bet though kids wouldn't be allowed to buy them now, just us grown up kids.

    • @emilyadams3228
      @emilyadams3228 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      ​@@julianaylor4351Yeah, everyone knows that no kid can possibly be smart enough to do adult things.
      [Chuckles sarcastically in I Ran My Granddad's Projectors When I Was 3/Drove From Atlanta To Nashville At Night At 8/Shot, Processed, And Printed My Own Negatives At 9/Ran Diesel Locomotives At 12]

    • @julianaylor4351
      @julianaylor4351 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@emilyadams3228 Have you seen modern park play equipment, it's totally harmless. I used to climb over ten foot in the air, then slide on a metal slide, that froze in the winter and burned your behind in the summer. Modern kids are ' wrapped in cotton wool '. I was allowed to walk alone to and from school aged eight. It's a totally different world.
      My older brother and his school friends, he was at a boarding school, would disappear into the local woods as ten year olds to go fishing for hours. Teachers would have a fit now if kids did that.

    • @AtheistOrphan
      @AtheistOrphan 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      I had one too and remember filling it’s little burner with meths.

  • @klausolekristiansen2960
    @klausolekristiansen2960 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

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

  • @Ryan_D1994
    @Ryan_D1994 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    I watched Fred Dibnah drive the steam carriage, the things a death trap 😂

    • @AtheistOrphan
      @AtheistOrphan 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Yes I remember that too. Terrifying!

  • @Mark.Andrew.Pardoe
    @Mark.Andrew.Pardoe 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Whato Jago,
    Have you noticed the Serfshark globe doesn't seem to have the British Isles. A bit worrying for our future, what?

    • @highpath4776
      @highpath4776 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Serfshark, you villein

    • @highpath4776
      @highpath4776 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Wonder if AMTV can do a compare and contrast with the BBC/BBC News Globes of the past

    • @Mark.Andrew.Pardoe
      @Mark.Andrew.Pardoe 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Whato and oh no!
      That boggered up that joke.

  • @eattherich9215
    @eattherich9215 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Train adjacent. Close, but no cigar.