Steam Traction on the Road: From Trevithick to Sentinel: 150 Years of Design and Development

Steam power played a crucial role in the development of road transport, but attempts to build steam carriages and omnibuses failed due to opposition by road authorities and draconian legislation. It found a real purpose in agriculture, where the traction engine was used for heavy haulage work and powered a dynamo to light up fairs. Steam cars and trucks emerged in the late 19th century, but steam lost the war to the internal combustion engine. Nonetheless, steam vehicles survive and delight us today thanks to enthusiastic owners and restorers.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 200 pages
Publication date: 16 January 2023
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd

For over a century, steam power played a pivotal role in the evolution of road transport. The journey commenced with pioneering endeavors by individuals like Cugnot in France and Trevithick in Britain, where they attempted to construct steam carriages. In the early 19th century, significant efforts were made to develop steam carriages and omnibuses. Regrettably, these endeavors ultimately failed, primarily due to opposition from road authorities and stringent legislation.

While steam power's impact on road transport waned, it found a meaningful application in agriculture. The traction engine became indispensable for various tasks, ranging from towing and operating threshing machines to plowing fields. Once the value of the traction engine was recognized, it quickly spread across the globe, finding use in heavy haulage work and even assuming an exotic form as the showman's engine. This engine not only transported rides to fairgrounds but also powered a dynamo that illuminated the fairgrounds at night.

By the end of the 19th century, steam on the road experienced a renewed vitality with the introduction of steam cars and trucks. These vehicles initially competed with the new internal combustion engine for dominance on the road. The American Doble Company even developed a 100mph steam sports car. However, steam ultimately lost the battle for supremacy on the road. Nevertheless, steam vehicles continue to captivate us today, thanks to the dedication and enthusiasm of their owners and restorers.

Weight: 558g
Dimension: 244 x 173 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399077224