In England these engines were called Showman's Road Locomotives. Some had two dynamos. A smaller dynamo was used to excite the larger dynamo. These engines had cranes on the rear used to build up the rides. There are some good books about these engines.
I’’m 70 yrs old and grew up in rural East Tenn and one of my friends grew sorghum . When it was harvest time and time to make molasses we’d go help take the sorghum and push it into the the press run by one of these great machines that had been in their family for decades. As kids we thought it was a train locomotive but it had wheels . I wish I knew what they did with that thing.
My Dad was born in 1901. I wasn't born until he was just over a month away from 66 years old, YOU GO DAD!!! His stories from " back in the day " fascinated me. 3 cent a gallon gas, and they had electric cars way back then. He said when the battery started getting weak you pulled into a station and changed them out. He made it to 97 years old and was still carrying railroad cross ties on his shoulder in his eighties. One remarkable Man and my best friend.
oh wow this gives me hope! I recently fell head over heels in love with a beautiful 27yo future STAR named VALERIE. She and I have yet to meet in person but we both already feel the connection! I am scheduled to turn 66 in October 2023. we ARE INDEED living longer these days! I want to have children with Valerie. This IS happening!
in russia we have told that - LENIN came with NEW electricity machines or powerstations - to the russian country side....b coz old electricity become not effective - they dont even explane what was the old electricity system . but we see these old electric systems in old buildings even in old churches - they all have wires in walls also free electic devices like air electricity. but - we know nothng how the old system worked....but we do know that every palace and church and house were illuminated....with that old electics. before the 1900s
i think you sir are susceptible to chicanery simply because you dont understand the world around you, its just a steam tractor, it does everything a backhoe does
So why don’t you share your info and where you got it on these “beasts” and the terror they were? Is it the same source that called oil “fossil fuel” which is not the case. Just saying.
In the early 2000's I worked with a farmer at a machine shop 3rd shift. He invited me over once in a while for some Pabsts and Willie Nelson sessions 😅 But, then he invited me out to his large farm and his office at the gigantic pole barn. He had three of these engines! They all worked and were in great original condition! Bonus - he had a Boss Hog White Cadillac convertible with the bull horns on the hood! Marvel after marvel in that pole barn!
My great grandfather had one bought it from the circus and it came with the operator. He used it in Scotland to run thrashing machines and grain grinding mills.
They were still in use Steam Shovels and Seam powered pile (steel post) drivers! 60s&70s! Just last year on I-69 and once in a great while! They might dig one out [ when really needed] for road work yet today!. Usually hammering long pieces of steel into the ground! For road or bridge supports!
Our town Gosford (NSW Australia) had a machine show a few years ago at the showground, & I saw lots of these steam machines. They showed how they worked too, it was great! I took photos & some video of them.
I have travelled the country, repairing engine driven welders and generators and totally respect this. I remember watching the late Fred Dibnah on his engine and was surprised how easily they managed to get under the radar so to speak because they are very rare. Brilliant video.
Fred. What a man. Remember he converted his first engine “Allison” into a shop engine to help forge and manufacture his second? He really is the epitome of “the last of the good old fashioned steam powered trains”.
@@georgedavis9943He single handedly took down a serious amount off old architecture though and lasts off its kind sometimes I seen he taking what appears too be old looking tech off buildings also just removing the interesting looking strange stuff but yh no disrespect for Fred's skills n balls lol
@@jshaw4757 yeah, I’ve thought the same about the old tech and strange anomalies. But, the dude had an expensive hobby to fund so he took the jobs as they came lol. The world needs more people with Fred’s ingenuity and work ethic. Hopefully he’s BUILDING chimneys in the big party in the sky. RIP
@@georgedavis9943 Brown bread Fred he's walking around with his plumbs hanging out his trousers bossing angels and demons around steaming across the clouds at 600mph on his traction engine with plasma screeming out the back off it still eating work sarnies covered in soot and I heard he's currently laddering the moon one wooden ladder at a time...thats sounds about right what you reckon ??
Hey jarid I'm from England here there used to be a show with a guy called Fred dibnah he was like everyone's grandad on TV, my point being he touched about how these where used even having g his own steam powered workshop before he died , he was also the last of the steeple Jack's that used the victorian technique to maintain large chimneys or to demolish them in the way they did , I think might be worth a look , also jack Hargreaves he's not so much steam but he goes to the steam fair in the 1080s he talks how the countryside was before world war 2 ,love your videos bro ❤
My boss has one of these engines and it's now used as a wood stove to heat his workshop which also contains more steam engines and a bunch of model A Ford vehicles, a 1921 Nash and several stage coaches.
In England we called them Traction Engines . My Mother held a driving license from about 1930 and her license allowed her to drive a Traction Engine which was the term by then for the Showmans engine, not that she did. Her father and grandfather had a major house building business
Up until now, I've seen plenty of tractor style steam engines. But never one with that enormous generator in front or that mast and cable pilon in the back. If I had, I probably just assumed it was a farm track. And overlooked the generator. In the early 18 hundreds, there were very few trees in North America. Maybe they could have driven these things cross country. Or maybe the originals were only found in one or two locations and / or never reproduced in the US.
Power? 300amps at 110volts DC that's about 76 horsepower and you need another ten to drive the macherinary. I the UK many of the Dynamos were made by Mather and Platt who had an agreement with Nicolas Tesla for the use of some of his patents. Remember the engines without the dynamo but with an under boiler winch were used for ploughing, two engines required. Others were used as Tractors are today. Moving loads driving threshing machines etc. Others fitted with rollers instead of wheels were use for smoothing roads. Curious note in the UK you can drive a traction engine on your normal car licence, but you have to have another driving test to drive a roller. It's not cheap to own a steam traction engine. I commentate on steam rallys and we had a poem dropped into the commentary box. 'It used to be Red but now it's Blue, It didn't go, but now it do, We used to have money, But now we're broke.....
I WAS distracted, but NOW I'm paying attention! Thanks so much for this ❤️ I wish I could have shared it with my father. He was totally into this stuff when we were kids and couldn't have cared less but went anyway because that's what families did back in the 60s. If only I had paid more attention 😪 jeeze there's just so much right in front of our eyes! Thanks again!
If I'm not mistaken I have seen one of these sitting out deep in the woods in Central kentucky about 50 miles from any people or "civilization". Was out on a hike and happened across one back before cell phones were a common thing so there weren't any photos taken.
This will explain all those Terraria photos of Worlds Fairs . The always claim [ Where did they get the power to light up all those lights ? ] Thanks for clearing that up .
@@0harris0 It would be hard to use anything smaller for a Crane but I see what you mean. These do seem more suited for circus construction. You know setting up rides and tents etc.
I got all the photos my grandpa took in the Philippines when he was stationed there. I could swear in one photo there was something like those beat to hell but in use. I gave them to my brother for restoration. If I can I will send you a copy when they are restored. The photos were stored on acid paper and I don't have the money for restoration.
Omg you just helped me connect some serious dots! I have totally heard of Showman's Engines and traveling dynamos, but I never realized they generated electricity! 🤯💡⚡😅
Dynamo literally means generator. I'm not an expert, but I'm pretty sure the design is exactly the same as a motor. You just run it the opposite direction and hook up wires to it to produce DC power. This technology had to exist before we could create a gas powered engine. We also had electric vehicles before gas engines which were likely a better choice from the get go. Money and power were the real reasons for the popularity of gas engines.
@@Ed-ym4tu yes, and I learned about dynamos being generators some time ago but I never connected it to these traveling dynamos. Dynamo is also an informal definition of "an extremely energetic person". (Kinda convenient to have two very different definitions if you want to make history confusing.) So, I had apparently just assumed that was the dynamo that was being referred to when it was actually the generator definition! It's all very exciting to me! I agree too about money and power, it's a constant theme.
This, for me, was an outstanding watch as I enjoy anything vintage steam. There was a Showmans engine in the movie "Paddington Bear 2" It was like Art on wheels.
Liked and subscribed 👍. Around 2005 I went to the annual Steam Show at the Clark County Fair Grounds in Berryville VA. If you have no idea what I’m talking about do yourself a favor and check it out next year. It’s the nicest most unique fairgrounds I’ve ever been to. They had multiple steam powered tractors and lots of other old/antique machines to gawk at.I lived in and loved the charming town of Berryville for 10 years so admittedly I’m a little biased. But they hooked a steam powered tractor ( not sure if it was a Showman) up to a sled used for truck/tractor pulls. The operator reminded me of “that man behind the curtain “ in The Wizard of Oz 😂. He seemed to be constantly spinning valves and pulling levers. I believe the announcer said the tractor produced a peak 18 hp. I thought - this should be over pretty quick. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Although it produced an unimpressive 18hp, I would love to know how much torque it produced. It seemed to take forever but after pulling the sled the full run of the track and then some it never slowed,spun,skipped or stopped until the ground crew flagged him to stop. I was amazed. I’d seen large modern tractors and trucks with over a 1,000 hp only make it 2/3 of the way or less using the same sled on the same track. And yet, this steam powered tractor seemingly effortlessly with a leisurely chug chug chug seemed like it could have easily pulled this modern sled and its operator across the Shenandoah River and over the Blue Ridge Mountains if it wanted to. I believe this tractor ( there were many like it) had a wooden slat semi circle canopy covering most of its length including the operator’s “station “ , steel tires with cleats and a crossed logging chain attached to its front axle to steer what was essentially a trackless locomotive. I can recall being amazed at how efficiently it used its limited hp and it never broke a sweat or seemed to increase its rpm’s. Unfortunately I’ve since moved, but I plan to ( maybe next summer) to attend the steam show again. I recommend it to anyone interested in seeing dozens if not approaching 100 steam engines still operational from generations ago. Along with antique ICE farm tractors,road tractors from the 1930’s/40’s thru the 70’s/80’s, old construction equipment like dozers etc, some implements that’ll probably make you curious about their purpose. Good food (country ham sandwiches) ice cream etc. I know this has started to sound like an advertisement ,but while writing this I’ve made my mind up. I’m going back next summer 👍.
A few notes from the UK. The Circus & the Fairground were two very different things. The Circus had a Big Top (Tent) and showed animal & human acts - one or two performances per day. The Fairground was open all day and would run for several days - they would have a lot of different 'rides', food outlets, booths & entertainments - consequently they need a lot of power for the rides & lighting etc. All the steam powered vehicles were called Traction Engines - most were used for farming & general contract work (the biggest were called Ploughing Engines & were severely practical, no decorations). The Circus used whatever they could, mainly for towing their kit from site to site & putting up the Big Top. The Fairground people (called Showmen) had highly decorated Showmen's Engines with lots of brasswork & superb paintwork - like their rides. The dynamos were big (Victorian technology) and had as much brass & paintwork as possible. They were not Secret Portable Dynamo Engines, they were simply Showmen's Engines ! They were made in comparatively small numbers, compared to the general use traction engine - but a number have been 'enhanced' to increase their kudos. Even today you have to be a member of the Showmen's Guild to be able to tow more than one trailer on line on the road. Nowadays they use impressive ex-military WW2 towing vehicles with mounted enclosed generators.
A curious question, but what if these machines (large and built for very serious work) were also inherited? Found in warehouses and among the many gigantic buildings from pre-1900 lands? Making entries in history books as though they were released one year and discontinued almost immediately would make easy work to explain them away. I think Brooklyn Bridge is pretty damning for having rails going on it and then removed.
A lot of the old rails were for street cars which ran off of electricity. All the old pictures of utility poles with wires everywhere were for these street cars and not for wireless power as hypothesized.
steam engines were used for work, yes, you can see this plainly in old machine equipment, they run off of belts and clutches as a part of a "lineshaft". this type of power was used for centuries from water mills all the way until early electric power, when it became more economical to have small electric engines in each tool rather than one large engine run every tool
Everything was inherited, with such short lifespans and hard lives why could we ever expect the elaborate engineering and craftsmanship. There may have been an old production line, and government contracts to make them out of necessity, because thats still how they run things today.
Thanks Jarid. I've seen these beautiful machines depicted in films and had no idea what they did. Its a real shame that this technology has been deemed obsolete and even more shameful is the tinkering with it's real history. Thanks Jarid again for teaching me something I didn't know. Cheers my friend.
That's what I got, Jared, de ja vu when I first saw those big rear wheel hubs and noticed that they are not round, but almond shaped. I saw those and thought, "I've seen these before, a long time ago" - - I wonder where?? I have never heard of a Showman's Dynamo! I'm sure big oil and big car won't like us little people knowing that they used to exist - ; ]
From the UK The Showmans Road Locomotive not only provided the power for the rides but also hauled the Rides from one Fair to another these loads were sometimes up to 45 Tons when the rides grew in size and required more power to start them Charles Burrel devised the Scenic Engines which carried a main Dynamo in front of the smokebox but also an exiter Dynamo mounted between the chimney and the cylinder block.
A number of the old photographs show the extra bracket and at least one shows the belt drive from the main dynamo. The brass supports for the canopy were commonly known as "olivers" a reference to Oliver Twist
The powers that be dismantled and hid most of the old tech. It was cheep and or free. They could not make money off of it. Tesla is a good example of Government taking and hiding tech.
If these STEAM ENGINES are only train engines that were taken off of tracks and given a steering wheel = mechanism! Then how old actually are trains on tracks?
Yes, this is exactly why we see them digging out tracks rather than laying them in many places. I am obviously not saying they didn't lay any tracks, but if you look at pictures from basically all cities across the entire world including the amazon rainforest, all through siberia, Madagascar, other tiny islands, you will see most of the infrastructure was basically already there and just added on to. I mean they really are in some obscure hard to get to places, and go over mountains and crazy bridges. That's also why our subway systems seemed to be "built" so quickly. I mean, they are literally abandoned and many of the trains still reside underground in New York city. That's downright suspicious, and this also points to the fact that those underground systems are incredibly vast and complex. One thing thats left out, is the fact that the larger trains were so very luxurious and nice. Same with the zeppelins..they were literally like hotels were you could have your own room to sleep, go to a bar and drink, etc etc..I so wish I could have experienced it. But who knows, maybe many of us have in a previous life time lived in the old world hence our gravitation towards it.
@@mickguadagnoli8779We will probably see more of that as not only was much more buried than we have found during the flood but I think still the majority of their civilization and therefore tech resided deep underground. We really don't know what we are on (FE?) how deep it goes and what is stored beneath, the Old Cities always seem to have endless tunnels. We are living now in the time of Revelation.
Luckily there are a few score traction engines as we English call them around today, showman engines are quite rare but regular rallies, especially in Eastern England are often an annual occasion. I've been to rallies where up to 30 or 40 mobile engines lumber about as well as scores of steam and primitive oil engines are exhibited, mainly used in agriculture.
THIS episode is my ALL time favorite. A difficult claim to make, but I mean......compared to a Showman's Engine? Thank you for your hard work and showing such great respect(always){especially to} The Showman's Engine! You inspire me to check out the local steam engine association.
been watching since the beginning of your channel when you said at the end about de ja vu... my brother we think alike... cheers for effort that goes into the content
This is so strange! You ending the video telling about your "déjà vu" feeling about these machines! I had exactly the same when watching this video, wondering where i have seen these machines before. Looked so familiar , Yet this was for me the first time i set my eyes on them.
They look just like tractors that perform the same function. Steam and gas engine tractors were a common site at fairs around the world. They are still shown today, normally connected to a lumber mill jig, but with some creativity, the sky's the limit on what you can do with that power and they harnessed it a variety of ways.
Simpler type are the Steam Traction Engines used on farms and to power sawmills as well. They tend to show up at tractor pulls in NC. My mother used to speak of how loud they were when she was a girl.
My grandfather travelled england with a wild west show and had a traction engine for motive power and electricity, it was not not a mobile gin palace like these, it was smaller but had the canopy and the dynamo, it was a converted normal steam tractor, my dad told me once a year it was a nail biting time when the boiler inspector to test for the safety certificate.
"Road Tractor Dynamos" seem comparable to the tractor /trailer sized power generators I remember seeing once as a kid while attending a county fair. They seemed spectacular belching out a column of black smoke whenever electrical demand increased. The necessity of a "dynamo"/ generator truck to supply a circus or fairgrounds with electricity hasn't changed for over 150.
Thankyou so much for sharing this video. Very well done and informative. Just to see the details of the craftsmanship that went into the machine of the time says alot about the society at the time. Even though it was designed to be a work horse, it also enthralled you with details that were a pleasure to look at. Thanks again!
These machines like most of the antique stuff were probably inherited and not designed or built by us. We turned on ancient production lines and managed to assemble the resulting parts into working cars. It would not make sense to expect such elaborate and well engineered stuff from previous struggling humanities.If a lifespan of less than 30 years on average is correct, there is no way these prior peoples had a chance to achieve the required skills and experience.
wow. you get some intetesting stuff. the fact that most all of these presented had no changes but paint and names. i bet they wrte perfected decades before or they would still be in flux as these photos were produced. they appear " mass produced but with heavy craftsmanship.
A very interesting take but I think you missed the big picture. However, thanks for all the pictures and commentary. A visit to the Great Dorset Steam Fair (GDSF) would be the real eye opener. Simply, these are modifications to the available technology of the day and not some "advanced technology". The circuses and fairgrounds of the day travelled and everything had to be mobile - including living quarters (the earliest mobile homes). Horses were out and coal was in, so expansion of presentations was supported. These "portable dynamos" were simply traction engines with attached generators. They were not "secret" but common and made by many manufacturers. They towed the equipment from one site to another and then provided electricity (and/or power off the flywheel). Because they were clearly visible while travelling and on site, they were "dressed up" to promote the activity - circus or fair - as was most of the equipment being towed.
These are small, I've seen ones more like the drawing of the Crain in person, but didn't know they were a Crain thing, they just showed off how big there's is. It was in upstate new York, a tractor pull thing, think they still ride them there
I read some time ago that there where Showmans dynamo Lokomobile outfitted with a generator set behind and in front of the lower funnel so those had two generator sets
No mention of the principal builders...Chas E Burrell of Thetford or John Fowler of Leeds, or the fact that many more road locomotives commissioned for Great War by the UK government were later converted to Showmen's use. Worth a visit to any major Steam Rally and see them for yourself!
Chief Khastslanoh of the Spamish people near Vancouver canada came across an old unit like that and took some rubber off wheels and made a lacrosse ball. that ball is in the museum Old Mill Store North end of Alma Street in Vancouver.
I have no idea why these steam traction engines are being portrayed as mystical etc. Models of these were sold since the 1960s and even appeared in many children's books. They look old even soon after new, as they run on coal and coal powered steam engines get very dirty very quickly, plus they were very hardworking doing what they did over long distances and long hours. The nominal power rating was approximately 10 percent of the actual power. So a 5hp engine was mich more like a 50hp engine or even more.
9:37 is an amazing photo, it was taken outside the museum of science and industry in Birmingham, UK. I used to visit that steam rally, right up until the late 1980's and have seen that very engine and another one with Pat Collins Travelling Amusements livery. The museum no longer exists now, it was replaced with an inferior one.
Another thing that British TV's Fred Dibnah had. Not only a steeplejack and destroyer of Tartarian towers. Also an engineer. Sold us the myth of the wonders of steam. As if it was the main technology of the industrial revolution.
@fredbrandon1645Great supplies of coal and natural gas. Most cities had gigantic storage towers for natural gas, not to mention wireless power, albeit the wireless power was not on full all the time. It was probably turned on using the pipe organs during certain times of the day and week
I'm a generator man. These engines are really interesting and useful. As a Generator Man, I would sure like to get my hands on one of these! Way Too Cool! If anyone wants one of these Rebuilt.....
Fowler engine "Supreme" was cut down and used for pulling down bomb damaged buildings in London during the war. In a very poor state it ended up in Harwick`s yard at Ewell, Surrey from where luckily it was rescued and completely rebuilt to original spec.
I can just about remember these, I have an early childhood memory, I'm guessing it was late 60's at a fare in north east England. I suspect it was a rarity then as I can remember being taking specially to see it. It had a steam organ attached. I have slightly fresher memory of steam traction engines being used regularly has heavy rollers when laying tarmac on roads (asphalt for the US audience)
My grandmother talked of the traction engine her father had built for their traveling fair and how it was a show piece and symbol of success, before this they used horses to pull the rides and wagons which they had to "double up" when they came to steep hills this was basically using twice as many horses per load then going back down with the same team for the rest this of course was time consuming and not without hazard as her foot was trodden on by one of the horses which caused permanent deformation to her foot.
I think you will find that these traction engines with dynamos were primarily for lighting as a lot of the rides you mentioned were powered themselves by steam like the roundabout (carousel). On later models they also had power take off pullies for large flat leather belts as used even today in some remote places in the world. As for electrical power production diesel became the norm quite early. And yes they were scrapped for the war effort just like steam locomotives!
Dann kennen Sie wohl nicht die "Krinoline"? Ein kegelförmiges, an der Spitze drehbar gelagertes Fuhrgeschäft, welches von 3 bis 5 Männern darunter in Drehung und zum Schaukeln gebracht wurde. 😊
Most early fairground rides in the UK were powered by a “centre engine”, smaller than a showman’s engine and built into the centre of the ride, and one showman’s engine lit the entire fair. Later rides used electric motors and several showman’s engines were needed.
Your channel is right on target, thank you for your research. You might be interested in "The Pretender" 1997 series on Prime. Would love to see a video about the oldest photographs from Trento, Italia.
While in school, these were presented as farm tractors, suitable only for the prairies of the West. If the original engines were removed, then the higher technology engines were destroyed and replaced with a simple boiler type steam engine. Best guess: after the 'destruction' these were portable power plants used to help get towns back on their feet, possibly used by the military and who knows, maybe they powered high tech and very deadly weapons. I have heard reports that they use to electrocute their enemies, now, we have our clue!
Apparently these never caught on in the USA, which used the railroad for large traveling circuses and horses for the road. That begs the question: How did they get their electrical power?
Electric light bulbs weren't available until the 1880s, but I think that the primary use was to provide power to amusement rides by means of the belt drive. In the USA, the distances between cities was so great that it only made sense to travel by rail, but in the UK using a "road locomotive" was probably quite useful. Dynamos and electric lighting was added later at the turn of the century as it became available and dynamos became capable of higher current output.
seen hundreds of these at rural fayres! pretty sure they were originally farm/industrial vehicles, the flywheel was used for mechanical power (for portable threshing machines and balers etc). I can see why carnival shows picked up on their use for powering attractions and rides and dynamos etc! they were still in use in some areas until at least the 1940s!
Trains today = diesel running electric motors! Before that = trains powered by steam only! What was before? Possibly steam powering electric motors? ETC.?
One branch of speculation point out to a free energy world, where antique-tech collect energy from the ether. Due the nature and geometry of star-forts, and city grids, there might have been a period in time when a different type of energy (heat and light in what we call fireplaces today) was available.
There were no steam-electric locomotives. There was no need, because two-cyl steam engines have full torque from zero speed and the cutoff time can be changed for a higher "gear".
i've a specific memory of an old small metal toy I had, it was definately one of these with the crain on the front. No idea what happened to that, one of my cousins might have it
I think you maybe a little wrong here mate , These machines were originally used on farms for threshing machinery and ploughing also used as haulage tractors , the showman or travelling circuses adapted these for their own use later on and installed the dynamos. , they were also used on the roads as road rollers and quarrys for moving stone , there are videos on you tube showing their use of all the different machinery look for the great dorset fair its on every year although they haved moved site and the previous name was different , I helped restore a burrel called the Saint Branock in the 1980s with the owner Trevor Williams down at his yard over the Blackwall tunnel. The chimneys had the extention for when they were working to allow smoke and sparks get up higher so as not to cause a fire on the fields of straw etc but when in use on the roads they took them off . just saying
I mention their origins in farming, agriculture, and city development, however the testament they hold to history appears under the auspices of the title “Showman’s Dynamo”, hence the video. However I do go over the history you just mentioned, as well as giving sources which discuss the same down below.
Couldn't power the rides? So explain an engine called EX Mayor pushing over 300 amps at 110 bolts to the fairground at Old Warden rally. Rated at 10 nhp but actually producing around 75 electrical hp for several hours on end. Steam Power. Don't stand in the way, it doesn't take prisoners.....
haha u guys are so funny, I love this mudflood stuff, yeah u have never heard of it and most have not, but it dont mean its to be questioned, but those into steam engines know all about it, you can go to shows and see examples, maybe not exact examples but there around and fully restored. Berkley CA has a steam show every year, you can go to scotts valley and go to the steam show there and even ride steam trains... just cause your a computer warrior and not in the know dont make it some conspiracy brother. like the effort though. cmon guys haha i like the effort as i said.
Fantastic. You outsmarted us. You are the best. Now follow your enlighten path and go spinning on your globe. We have a lot to rediscover from the past!
It's a tractor. The word tractor is blended from 'traction' and 'motor'. In Latin that would translate to puller-mover. So more accurate than puller-device (traction engine). It's job specific. They've been around from 1851. It would take another 30 years for electricity to catch on, then another 10 years to rig a dynamo to steam, and anything to actually actually power up.
There is no use for a showman’s engine on a farm. They are a true road locomotive used to haul loads to a Showground. They were sprung and travelled on relative will paved roads. The only exceptions were the fields the shows where held on. Some examples of loads where; living vans, rides, wagons carrying such loads as tents, animal and the like.
Bro in 1920 the us adopted the 120 volt system .. these were all 12 volt systems. My last tiny house was almost all 1è volts and it worked great no power bill for 2 years while I lived off grid
That could power not only the lights but also the rides of a whole fairground? Not in a million years. In reality, the early (mid 19th century) rides were individually steam powered. And electric light bulbs only became commercially available in the 1920s, so 19th century fairgrounds were not electrically lit either. Some people will swallow anything.
In England these engines were called Showman's Road Locomotives. Some had two dynamos. A smaller dynamo was used to excite the larger dynamo. These engines had cranes on the rear used to build up the rides. There are some good books about these engines.
I’’m 70 yrs old and grew up in rural East Tenn and one of my friends grew sorghum . When it was harvest time and time to make molasses we’d go help take the sorghum and push it into the the press run by one of these great machines that had been in their family for decades. As kids we thought it was a train locomotive but it had wheels . I wish I knew what they did with that thing.
My Dad was born in 1901.
I wasn't born until he was just over a month away from 66 years old,
YOU GO DAD!!!
His stories from
" back in the day "
fascinated me.
3 cent a gallon gas,
and they had electric cars way back then.
He said when the battery started getting weak you pulled into a station and changed them out.
He made it to 97 years old and was still carrying railroad cross ties on his shoulder in his eighties.
One remarkable Man and my best friend.
oh wow this gives me hope! I recently fell head over heels in love with a beautiful 27yo future STAR named VALERIE. She and I have yet to meet in person but we both already feel the connection! I am scheduled to turn 66 in October 2023. we ARE INDEED living longer these days! I want to have children with Valerie. This IS happening!
in russia we have told that - LENIN came with NEW electricity machines or powerstations - to the russian country side....b coz old electricity become not effective - they dont even explane what was the old electricity system . but we see these old electric systems in old buildings even in old churches - they all have wires in walls also free electic devices like air electricity. but - we know nothng how the old system worked....but we do know that every palace and church and house were illuminated....with that old electics. before the 1900s
탁지지에 기록된 태조, 인조, 정조시기의 호구총수 진짜 우리역사를 ㅡ 다음 검색
명성 황후 사 진 과 살해한 진짜 범인은 ㅡ 다음 검색
Those are beautiful machines !!
They are such a masterful work of art! My intuition tells me that they do much more than we know of! Thank you! 💜🙏
i think you sir are susceptible to chicanery simply because you dont understand the world around you, its just a steam tractor, it does everything a backhoe does
There is an old time country fair in kinmount Ontario Canada....my whole life there was one of those set up running a sawmill"
Great video man!
My great grandfather drove steam engines for pick fords heavy haulage at the start of the 20th century my mum still has some photos of them,roy.
The idea that there was a time when this was viable career choice, and I wasn't there for it, is maddening 😂
I second that!!!😅
So why don’t you share your info and where you got it on these “beasts” and the terror they were? Is it the same source that called oil “fossil fuel” which is not the case. Just saying.
In the early 2000's I worked with a farmer at a machine shop 3rd shift.
He invited me over once in a while for some Pabsts and Willie Nelson sessions 😅
But, then he invited me out to his large farm and his office at the gigantic pole barn.
He had three of these engines! They all worked and were in great original condition!
Bonus - he had a Boss Hog White Cadillac convertible with the bull horns on the hood!
Marvel after marvel in that pole barn!
My great grandfather had one bought it from the circus and it came with the operator. He used it in Scotland to run thrashing machines and grain grinding mills.
They were still in use Steam Shovels and Seam powered pile (steel post) drivers! 60s&70s! Just last year on I-69 and once in a great while! They might dig one out [ when really needed] for road work yet today!. Usually hammering long pieces of steel into the ground! For road or bridge supports!
only in the US, the rest of the world moved on
Our town Gosford (NSW Australia) had a machine show a few years ago at the showground, & I saw lots of these steam machines. They showed how they worked too, it was great! I took photos & some video of them.
I have travelled the country, repairing engine driven welders and generators and totally respect this.
I remember watching the late Fred Dibnah on his engine and was surprised how easily they managed to get under the radar so to speak because they are very rare. Brilliant video.
Fred. What a man. Remember he converted his first engine “Allison” into a shop engine to help forge and manufacture his second? He really is the epitome of “the last of the good old fashioned steam powered trains”.
@@georgedavis9943He single handedly took down a serious amount off old architecture though and lasts off its kind sometimes I seen he taking what appears too be old looking tech off buildings also just removing the interesting looking strange stuff but yh no disrespect for Fred's skills n balls lol
@@jshaw4757 yeah, I’ve thought the same about the old tech and strange anomalies. But, the dude had an expensive hobby to fund so he took the jobs as they came lol. The world needs more people with Fred’s ingenuity and work ethic. Hopefully he’s BUILDING chimneys in the big party in the sky. RIP
@@georgedavis9943 Brown bread Fred he's walking around with his plumbs hanging out his trousers bossing angels and demons around steaming across the clouds at 600mph on his traction engine with plasma screeming out the back off it still eating work sarnies covered in soot and I heard he's currently laddering the moon one wooden ladder at a time...thats sounds about right what you reckon ??
I loved these machines as a child, as an old man, I love them even more.
Thank you for posting this.
Hey jarid I'm from England here there used to be a show with a guy called Fred dibnah he was like everyone's grandad on TV, my point being he touched about how these where used even having g his own steam powered workshop before he died , he was also the last of the steeple Jack's that used the victorian technique to maintain large chimneys or to demolish them in the way they did , I think might be worth a look , also jack Hargreaves he's not so much steam but he goes to the steam fair in the 1080s he talks how the countryside was before world war 2 ,love your videos bro ❤
Fred Dibnah was a great guy. I'm a fan from the states.
My boss has one of these engines and it's now used as a wood stove to heat his workshop which also contains more steam engines and a bunch of model A Ford vehicles, a 1921 Nash and several stage coaches.
Interesting boss!
my boss is a piece of crap.
@@petermelnyk7664 hopefully your not self employed
Where do you work?
Are they hiring?
😂😂
In England we called them Traction Engines . My Mother held a driving license from about 1930 and her license allowed her to drive a Traction Engine which was the term by then for the Showmans engine, not that she did. Her father and grandfather had a major house building business
Up until now, I've seen plenty of tractor style steam engines. But never one with that enormous generator in front or that mast and cable pilon in the back. If I had, I probably just assumed it was a farm track. And overlooked the generator. In the early 18 hundreds, there were very few trees in North America. Maybe they could have driven these things cross country. Or maybe the originals were only found in one or two locations and / or never reproduced in the US.
Power? 300amps at 110volts DC that's about 76 horsepower and you need another ten to drive the macherinary.
I the UK many of the Dynamos were made by Mather and Platt who had an agreement with Nicolas Tesla for the use of some of his patents.
Remember the engines without the dynamo but with an under boiler winch were used for ploughing, two engines required.
Others were used as Tractors are today. Moving loads driving threshing machines etc.
Others fitted with rollers instead of wheels were use for smoothing roads.
Curious note in the UK you can drive a traction engine on your normal car licence, but you have to have another driving test to drive a roller.
It's not cheap to own a steam traction engine.
I commentate on steam rallys and we had a poem dropped into the commentary box.
'It used to be Red but now it's Blue,
It didn't go, but now it do,
We used to have money,
But now we're broke.....
I WAS distracted, but NOW I'm paying attention! Thanks so much for this ❤️ I wish I could have shared it with my father. He was totally into this stuff when we were kids and couldn't have cared less but went anyway because that's what families did back in the 60s. If only I had paid more attention 😪 jeeze there's just so much right in front of our eyes! Thanks again!
If I'm not mistaken I have seen one of these sitting out deep in the woods in Central kentucky about 50 miles from any people or "civilization". Was out on a hike and happened across one back before cell phones were a common thing so there weren't any photos taken.
This will explain all those Terraria photos of Worlds Fairs . The always claim [ Where did they get the power to light up all those lights ? ] Thanks for clearing that up .
For sure one of my favourite trackless steam locomotives
Thank you so much. Never heard of these. Never seen a photo of them at a construction sight. My grandfather loved steam engine shows.
they didn't use this type in construction. they used smaller engines for rope pulleys (cranes and cart tracks etc).
@@0harris0 It would be hard to use anything smaller for a Crane but I see what you mean. These do seem more suited for circus construction. You know setting up rides and tents etc.
Very welcome
I got all the photos my grandpa took in the Philippines when he was stationed there. I could swear in one photo there was something like those beat to hell but in use. I gave them to my brother for restoration. If I can I will send you a copy when they are restored. The photos were stored on acid paper and I don't have the money for restoration.
Good to see Princess Royal (Pride of the South) in the video. I worked on this engine in the late 60s /early 70s when owned by Peter Startup
Omg you just helped me connect some serious dots! I have totally heard of Showman's Engines and traveling dynamos, but I never realized they generated electricity! 🤯💡⚡😅
I can tell you a ark rectifier is what powered the dynamo to supply 110dc volts of electricity ⚡️
Dynamo literally means generator. I'm not an expert, but I'm pretty sure the design is exactly the same as a motor. You just run it the opposite direction and hook up wires to it to produce DC power. This technology had to exist before we could create a gas powered engine. We also had electric vehicles before gas engines which were likely a better choice from the get go. Money and power were the real reasons for the popularity of gas engines.
@@Ed-ym4tu yes, and I learned about dynamos being generators some time ago but I never connected it to these traveling dynamos. Dynamo is also an informal definition of "an extremely energetic person". (Kinda convenient to have two very different definitions if you want to make history confusing.) So, I had apparently just assumed that was the dynamo that was being referred to when it was actually the generator definition! It's all very exciting to me! I agree too about money and power, it's a constant theme.
This, for me, was an outstanding watch as I enjoy anything vintage steam. There was a Showmans engine in the movie "Paddington Bear 2" It was like Art on wheels.
I used to have a dynamo on my bike , the tire would make it spin and it would light the headlight and tail light
Each of those lights had a reflector and a socket for an incandescent lamp, and the lamps were very different to each other in power.
Perfect to redesign with today's tech. Sized down with the same original tech. Perfect survivalist vehicle. Self sustaining and provides your needs.
pressure cooker on wheels
its surprising that people are not turning to steam once again or that nothing is available in terms of mini steam engines for small power generation.
It is because of great videos like this we are not distracted anymore! Thank you.
Liked and subscribed 👍. Around 2005 I went to the annual Steam Show at the Clark County Fair Grounds in Berryville VA. If you have no idea what I’m talking about do yourself a favor and check it out next year. It’s the nicest most unique fairgrounds I’ve ever been to. They had multiple steam powered tractors and lots of other old/antique machines to gawk at.I lived in and loved the charming town of Berryville for 10 years so admittedly I’m a little biased. But they hooked a steam powered tractor ( not sure if it was a Showman) up to a sled used for truck/tractor pulls. The operator reminded me of “that man behind the curtain “ in The Wizard of Oz 😂. He seemed to be constantly spinning valves and pulling levers. I believe the announcer said the tractor produced a peak 18 hp. I thought - this should be over pretty quick. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Although it produced an unimpressive 18hp, I would love to know how much torque it produced. It seemed to take forever but after pulling the sled the full run of the track and then some it never slowed,spun,skipped or stopped until the ground crew flagged him to stop. I was amazed. I’d seen large modern tractors and trucks with over a 1,000 hp only make it 2/3 of the way or less using the same sled on the same track. And yet, this steam powered tractor seemingly effortlessly with a leisurely chug chug chug seemed like it could have easily pulled this modern sled and its operator across the Shenandoah River and over the Blue Ridge Mountains if it wanted to. I believe this tractor ( there were many like it) had a wooden slat semi circle canopy covering most of its length including the operator’s “station “ , steel tires with cleats and a crossed logging chain attached to its front axle to steer what was essentially a trackless locomotive. I can recall being amazed at how efficiently it used its limited hp and it never broke a sweat or seemed to increase its rpm’s. Unfortunately I’ve since moved, but I plan to ( maybe next summer) to attend the steam show again. I recommend it to anyone interested in seeing dozens if not approaching 100 steam engines still operational from generations ago. Along with antique ICE farm tractors,road tractors from the 1930’s/40’s thru the 70’s/80’s, old construction equipment like dozers etc, some implements that’ll probably make you curious about their purpose. Good food (country ham sandwiches) ice cream etc. I know this has started to sound like an advertisement ,but while writing this I’ve made my mind up. I’m going back next summer 👍.
This helps us understand they could build amazing buildings and they had alot more then horses
A few notes from the UK.
The Circus & the Fairground were two very different things.
The Circus had a Big Top (Tent) and showed animal & human acts - one or two performances per day.
The Fairground was open all day and would run for several days - they would have a lot of different 'rides', food outlets, booths & entertainments - consequently they need a lot of power for the rides & lighting etc.
All the steam powered vehicles were called Traction Engines - most were used for farming & general contract work (the biggest were called Ploughing Engines & were severely practical, no decorations).
The Circus used whatever they could, mainly for towing their kit from site to site & putting up the Big Top.
The Fairground people (called Showmen) had highly decorated Showmen's Engines with lots of brasswork & superb paintwork - like their rides. The dynamos were big (Victorian technology) and had as much brass & paintwork as possible.
They were not Secret Portable Dynamo Engines, they were simply Showmen's Engines !
They were made in comparatively small numbers, compared to the general use traction engine - but a number have been 'enhanced' to increase their kudos.
Even today you have to be a member of the Showmen's Guild to be able to tow more than one trailer on line on the road. Nowadays they use impressive ex-military WW2 towing vehicles with mounted enclosed generators.
Absolutly great these machines. Thank you to Jarid for showing these vehicles. Greetings from Bavaria
A curious question, but what if these machines (large and built for very serious work) were also inherited? Found in warehouses and among the many gigantic buildings from pre-1900 lands? Making entries in history books as though they were released one year and discontinued almost immediately would make easy work to explain them away.
I think Brooklyn Bridge is pretty damning for having rails going on it and then removed.
They was definitely used on construction sites and road works I remember them powering merry go rounds and fair lights
A lot of the old rails were for street cars which ran off of electricity. All the old pictures of utility poles with wires everywhere were for these street cars and not for wireless power as hypothesized.
steam engines were used for work, yes, you can see this plainly in old machine equipment, they run off of belts and clutches as a part of a "lineshaft". this type of power was used for centuries from water mills all the way until early electric power, when it became more economical to have small electric engines in each tool rather than one large engine run every tool
Everything was inherited, with such short lifespans and hard lives why could we ever expect the elaborate engineering and craftsmanship. There may have been an old production line, and government contracts to make them out of necessity, because thats still how they run things today.
@@CEE-DOT-DEEI have no recollection of our engines being used in construction. Nor have I heard of this?
Thanks Jarid. I've seen these beautiful machines depicted in films and had no idea what they did. Its a real shame that this technology has been deemed obsolete and even more shameful is the tinkering with it's real history. Thanks Jarid again for teaching me something I didn't know. Cheers my friend.
it was superseded by diesel-based mechincal power and generators... smaller and easier to transport
That's what I got, Jared, de ja vu when I first saw those big rear wheel hubs and noticed that they are not round, but almond shaped. I saw those and thought, "I've seen these before, a long time ago" - - I wonder where?? I have never heard of a Showman's Dynamo! I'm sure big oil and big car won't like us little people knowing that they used to exist - ; ]
I had a similar experience!!
I felt like I've seen one somewhere!
Sure, because steam engines are a threat to Car Manufacturers.🙄🤣😂🤣😂
What an asinine statement.
@@hime273Steam runs on anything
From the UK The Showmans Road Locomotive not only provided the power for the rides but also hauled the Rides from one Fair to another these loads were sometimes up to 45 Tons when the rides grew in size and required more power to start them Charles Burrel devised the Scenic Engines which carried a main Dynamo in front of the smokebox but also an exiter Dynamo mounted between the chimney and the cylinder block.
A number of the old photographs show the extra bracket and at least one shows the belt drive from the main dynamo. The brass supports for the canopy were commonly known as "olivers" a reference to Oliver Twist
Reminds me of the intro to twisted metal 4. Had one of these in the opening Cgi, I wondered what the inspiration for it was.
Thanks for making these videos! These are absolutely stunning pieces of machinery! I'd have no idea otherwise. Just magnificent craftsmanship.
Thank you very much for the kind words. Just doing my part to share what interests me.
These machines are living proof that people in the past had more advanced technology than us
The powers that be dismantled and hid most of the old tech. It was cheep and or free. They could not make money off of it. Tesla is a good example of Government taking and hiding tech.
I wouldn't say more but definitely hidden tech
Ok Luddite cry 2 the unibomber ; )
It’s a generator the size of a train. What’s more advanced about that? We have generators the size of trains now, that are way more efficient.
Not really “secret” just a lot of spare time
Sometimes I wish I had been born 50 years earlier when these beautiful machines were commonplace.
If these STEAM ENGINES are only train engines that were taken off of tracks and given a steering wheel = mechanism! Then how old actually are trains on tracks?
At least thousands of years.
Yes, this is exactly why we see them digging out tracks rather than laying them in many places. I am obviously not saying they didn't lay any tracks, but if you look at pictures from basically all cities across the entire world including the amazon rainforest, all through siberia, Madagascar, other tiny islands, you will see most of the infrastructure was basically already there and just added on to. I mean they really are in some obscure hard to get to places, and go over mountains and crazy bridges.
That's also why our subway systems seemed to be "built" so quickly. I mean, they are literally abandoned and many of the trains still reside underground in New York city.
That's downright suspicious, and this also points to the fact that those underground systems are incredibly vast and complex.
One thing thats left out, is the fact that the larger trains were so very luxurious and nice. Same with the zeppelins..they were literally like hotels were you could have your own room to sleep, go to a bar and drink, etc etc..I so wish I could have experienced it. But who knows, maybe many of us have in a previous life time lived in the old world hence our gravitation towards it.
@@dergutehut3961 awww you're back! Welcome my sweet summer child.
@@mickguadagnoli8779We will probably see more of that as not only was much more buried than we have found during the flood but I think still the majority of their civilization and therefore tech resided deep underground. We really don't know what we are on (FE?) how deep it goes and what is stored beneath, the Old Cities always seem to have endless tunnels. We are living now in the time of Revelation.
Luckily there are a few score traction engines as we English call them around today, showman engines are quite rare but regular rallies, especially in Eastern England are often an annual occasion. I've been to rallies where up to 30 or 40 mobile engines lumber about as well as scores of steam and primitive oil engines are exhibited, mainly used in agriculture.
THIS episode is my ALL time favorite. A difficult claim to make, but I mean......compared to a Showman's Engine? Thank you for your hard work and showing such great respect(always){especially to} The Showman's Engine! You inspire me to check out the local steam engine association.
been watching since the beginning of your channel when you said at the end about de ja vu... my brother we think alike... cheers for effort that goes into the content
This is so strange! You ending the video telling about your "déjà vu" feeling about these machines! I had exactly the same when watching this video, wondering where i have seen these machines before. Looked so familiar , Yet this was for me the first time i set my eyes on them.
They look just like tractors that perform the same function. Steam and gas engine tractors were a common site at fairs around the world. They are still shown today, normally connected to a lumber mill jig, but with some creativity, the sky's the limit on what you can do with that power and they harnessed it a variety of ways.
Thank you.
Simpler type are the Steam Traction Engines used on farms and to power sawmills as well. They tend to show up at tractor pulls in NC. My mother used to speak of how loud they were when she was a girl.
My grandfather travelled england with a wild west show and had a traction engine for motive power and electricity, it was not not a mobile gin palace like these, it was smaller but had the canopy and the dynamo, it was a converted normal steam tractor, my dad told me once a year it was a nail biting time when the boiler inspector to test for the safety
certificate.
"Road Tractor Dynamos" seem comparable to the tractor /trailer sized power generators I remember seeing once as a kid while attending a county fair.
They seemed spectacular belching out a column of black smoke whenever electrical demand increased.
The necessity of a "dynamo"/ generator truck to supply a circus or fairgrounds with electricity hasn't changed for over 150.
This was a very cool video,I fully enjoyed this episode.
Fascinating! Thank you for sharing this with us.
Nice phrase to end the video
-“are you distracted yet”-
Nicely presented Jarid .... From London !
A barn find like no other if you found one!
Thankyou so much for sharing this video. Very well done and informative. Just to see the details of the craftsmanship that went into the machine of the time says alot about the society at the time. Even though it was designed to be a work horse, it also enthralled you with details that were a pleasure to look at. Thanks again!
These machines like most of the antique stuff were probably inherited and not designed or built by us. We turned on ancient production lines and managed to assemble the resulting parts into working cars. It would not make sense to expect such elaborate and well engineered stuff from previous struggling humanities.If a lifespan of less than 30 years on average is correct, there is no way these prior peoples had a chance to achieve the required skills and experience.
wow. you get some intetesting stuff. the fact that most all of these presented had no changes but paint and names. i bet they wrte perfected decades before or they would still be in flux as these photos were produced. they appear " mass produced but with heavy craftsmanship.
I'm pretty sure a few old specimens of these are well-preserved in the museum in Washington DC I remember seeing them when I was a kid
A very interesting take but I think you missed the big picture. However, thanks for all the pictures and commentary. A visit to the Great Dorset Steam Fair (GDSF) would be the real eye opener. Simply, these are modifications to the available technology of the day and not some "advanced technology". The circuses and fairgrounds of the day travelled and everything had to be mobile - including living quarters (the earliest mobile homes). Horses were out and coal was in, so expansion of presentations was supported. These "portable dynamos" were simply traction engines with attached generators. They were not "secret" but common and made by many manufacturers. They towed the equipment from one site to another and then provided electricity (and/or power off the flywheel). Because they were clearly visible while travelling and on site, they were "dressed up" to promote the activity - circus or fair - as was most of the equipment being towed.
These are small, I've seen ones more like the drawing of the Crain in person, but didn't know they were a Crain thing, they just showed off how big there's is. It was in upstate new York, a tractor pull thing, think they still ride them there
In the photos, the mounting of the dynamo looks like an afterthought to the design.
I read some time ago that there where Showmans dynamo Lokomobile outfitted with a generator set behind and in front of the lower funnel
so those had two generator sets
No mention of the principal builders...Chas E Burrell of Thetford or John Fowler of Leeds, or the fact that many more road locomotives commissioned for Great War by the UK government were later converted to Showmen's use. Worth a visit to any major Steam Rally and see them for yourself!
Chief Khastslanoh of the Spamish people near Vancouver canada came across an old unit like that and took some rubber off wheels and made a lacrosse ball. that ball is in the museum Old Mill Store North end of Alma Street in Vancouver.
I have no idea why these steam traction engines are being portrayed as mystical etc. Models of these were sold since the 1960s and even appeared in many children's books. They look old even soon after new, as they run on coal and coal powered steam engines get very dirty very quickly, plus they were very hardworking doing what they did over long distances and long hours. The nominal power rating was approximately 10 percent of the actual power. So a 5hp engine was mich more like a 50hp engine or even more.
great work Jarid
Belongs on the old tv show, Wild Wild West!
9:37 is an amazing photo, it was taken outside the museum of science and industry in Birmingham, UK. I used to visit that steam rally, right up until the late 1980's and have seen that very engine and another one with Pat Collins Travelling Amusements livery.
The museum no longer exists now, it was replaced with an inferior one.
Another thing that British TV's Fred Dibnah had. Not only a steeplejack and destroyer of Tartarian towers. Also an engineer. Sold us the myth of the wonders of steam. As if it was the main technology of the industrial revolution.
@fredbrandon1645Great supplies of coal and natural gas. Most cities had gigantic storage towers for natural gas, not to mention wireless power, albeit the wireless power was not on full all the time. It was probably turned on using the pipe organs during certain times of the day and week
superb once again!
Thank you! Cheers!
I'm a generator man. These engines are really interesting and useful. As a Generator Man, I would sure like to get my hands on one of these! Way Too Cool! If anyone wants one of these Rebuilt.....
Fowler engine "Supreme" was cut down and used for pulling down bomb damaged buildings in London during the war. In a very poor state it ended up in Harwick`s yard at Ewell, Surrey from where luckily it was rescued and completely rebuilt to original spec.
I can just about remember these, I have an early childhood memory, I'm guessing it was late 60's at a fare in north east England. I suspect it was a rarity then as I can remember being taking specially to see it. It had a steam organ attached. I have slightly fresher memory of steam traction engines being used regularly has heavy rollers when laying tarmac on roads (asphalt for the US audience)
My grandmother talked of the traction engine her father had built for their traveling fair and how it was a show piece and symbol of success, before this they used horses to pull the rides and wagons which they had to "double up" when they came to steep hills this was basically using twice as many horses per load then going back down with the same team for the rest this of course was time consuming and not without hazard as her foot was trodden on by one of the horses which caused permanent deformation to her foot.
The Apocalypse is awesome! 🤣 I want one!
I think the showman engine was used in some promotional flyers for Led Zeppelin in the ‘70’s 🤔🎸
I think you will find that these traction engines with dynamos were primarily for lighting as a lot of the rides you mentioned were powered themselves by steam like the roundabout (carousel). On later models they also had power take off pullies for large flat leather belts as used even today in some remote places in the world. As for electrical power production diesel became the norm quite early. And yes they were scrapped for the war effort just like steam locomotives!
Most rides required electricity from the showman’s engines not just for lights
Dann kennen Sie wohl nicht die "Krinoline"? Ein kegelförmiges, an der Spitze drehbar gelagertes Fuhrgeschäft, welches von 3 bis 5 Männern darunter in Drehung und zum Schaukeln gebracht wurde. 😊
Most early fairground rides in the UK were powered by a “centre engine”, smaller than a showman’s engine and built into the centre of the ride, and one showman’s engine lit the entire fair. Later rides used electric motors and several showman’s engines were needed.
Glorious factory on wheels ‘ one at Coventry motor fest uk stunning engineering brass copper cast iron ‘ displayed near a modern tram made of plastic
Your channel is right on target, thank you for your research. You might be interested in "The Pretender" 1997 series on Prime.
Would love to see a video about the oldest photographs from Trento, Italia.
While in school, these were presented as farm tractors, suitable only for the prairies of the West. If the original engines were removed, then the higher technology engines were destroyed and replaced with a simple boiler type steam engine.
Best guess: after the 'destruction' these were portable power plants used to help get towns back on their feet, possibly used by the military and who knows, maybe they powered high tech and very deadly weapons. I have heard reports that they use to electrocute their enemies, now, we have our clue!
Those wheels are for streets and roads and that dynamo up on the front is a big boy !
What came first the tractor or the train ?
a film called Heavens Gate , stars Kris Kristofferson set in 1890s has some steampunq also hatfield -miinnesta raids
In the Tremors movies in the one from the 1800's movie not sure which number. My point is the dynamo is shown in the town of Perfection.
At the 14:14 mark, where is that wall behind the engine located?
Where did they keep the extension cord and where do you plug it in ?
Dynamo portable electric generation, water power - tow circus how many animals?
in England they have annual steam fairs.
from those l have been to l reckon there are more than 100 throughout Europe
Apparently these never caught on in the USA, which used the railroad for large traveling circuses and horses for the road. That begs the question: How did they get their electrical power?
I guess this is how the Circus traveled after getting off the train in the USA.
th-cam.com/video/07q6L7CW7co/w-d-xo.htmlsi=fXaiUL97xBQ-Yoxx
Electric light bulbs weren't available until the 1880s, but I think that the primary use was to provide power to amusement rides by means of the belt drive. In the USA, the distances between cities was so great that it only made sense to travel by rail, but in the UK using a "road locomotive" was probably quite useful. Dynamos and electric lighting was added later at the turn of the century as it became available and dynamos became capable of higher current output.
seen hundreds of these at rural fayres!
pretty sure they were originally farm/industrial vehicles, the flywheel was used for mechanical power (for portable threshing machines and balers etc).
I can see why carnival shows picked up on their use for powering attractions and rides and dynamos etc!
they were still in use in some areas until at least the 1940s!
Trains today = diesel running electric motors! Before that = trains powered by steam only! What was before? Possibly steam powering electric motors? ETC.?
One branch of speculation point out to a free energy world, where antique-tech collect energy from the ether. Due the nature and geometry of star-forts, and city grids, there might have been a period in time when a different type of energy (heat and light in what we call fireplaces today) was available.
There were no steam-electric locomotives. There was no need, because two-cyl steam engines have full torque from zero speed and the cutoff time can be changed for a higher "gear".
i've a specific memory of an old small metal toy I had, it was definately one of these with the crain on the front. No idea what happened to that, one of my cousins might have it
I think you maybe a little wrong here mate , These machines were originally used on farms for threshing machinery and ploughing also used as haulage tractors , the showman or travelling circuses adapted these for their own use later on and installed the dynamos. , they were also used on the roads as road rollers and quarrys for moving stone , there are videos on you tube showing their use of all the different machinery look for the great dorset fair its on every year although they haved moved site and the previous name was different , I helped restore a burrel called the Saint Branock in the 1980s with the owner Trevor Williams down at his yard over the Blackwall tunnel. The chimneys had the extention for when they were working to allow smoke and sparks get up higher so as not to cause a fire on the fields of straw etc but when in use on the roads they took them off . just saying
I mention their origins in farming, agriculture, and city development, however the testament they hold to history appears under the auspices of the title “Showman’s Dynamo”, hence the video. However I do go over the history you just mentioned, as well as giving sources which discuss the same down below.
Couldn't power the rides?
So explain an engine called EX Mayor pushing over 300 amps at 110 bolts to the fairground at Old Warden rally. Rated at 10 nhp but actually producing around 75 electrical hp for several hours on end.
Steam Power. Don't stand in the way, it doesn't take prisoners.....
haha u guys are so funny, I love this mudflood stuff, yeah u have never heard of it and most have not, but it dont mean its to be questioned, but those into steam engines know all about it, you can go to shows and see examples, maybe not exact examples but there around and fully restored. Berkley CA has a steam show every year, you can go to scotts valley and go to the steam show there and even ride steam trains... just cause your a computer warrior and not in the know dont make it some conspiracy brother. like the effort though. cmon guys haha i like the effort as i said.
Fantastic. You outsmarted us. You are the best. Now follow your enlighten path and go spinning on your globe. We have a lot to rediscover from the past!
@@koubenakombi3066 in order to rediscover the past one must actually discover something. and the earth is flat DUH... everyone knows that....
The point of this video just flew over your head… you might be able to catch it if you try
It's a tractor. The word tractor is blended from 'traction' and 'motor'. In Latin that would translate to puller-mover. So more accurate than puller-device (traction engine). It's job specific. They've been around from 1851. It would take another 30 years for electricity to catch on, then another 10 years to rig a dynamo to steam, and anything to actually actually power up.
There is no use for a showman’s engine on a farm. They are a true road locomotive used to haul loads to a Showground. They were sprung and travelled on relative will paved roads. The only exceptions were the fields the shows where held on. Some examples of loads where; living vans, rides, wagons carrying such loads as tents, animal and the like.
You can see the generators at the front powered by the big flywheel
Bro in 1920 the us adopted the 120 volt system .. these were all 12 volt systems. My last tiny house was almost all 1è volts and it worked great no power bill for 2 years while I lived off grid
That could power not only the lights but also the rides of a whole fairground? Not in a million years. In reality, the early (mid 19th century) rides were individually steam powered. And electric light bulbs only became commercially available in the 1920s, so 19th century fairgrounds were not electrically lit either. Some people will swallow anything.
Notice how they almost always have a 5 or 6 pointed star on them. I believe its significant...
8
Thank you