For close on 75 years, the steam traction engine provided the motive power for numerous activities, from driving farm machinery, road rolling and road haulage to agricultural ploughing and fairground rides.

In the same way that the steam traction engine replaced the horse, the motor lorry and farm tractor replaced the traction engine. Many redundant traction engines were virtually abandoned in yards and hedgerows awaiting their final fate which, in many cases was the scrap dealer’s cutting torch.

A few enterprising enthusiasts in the early 1950s recognized the need to preserve at least a small number of engines, which were considered to be workable and not require any major expenditure. Most were purchased for a little over scrap value. As time passed enthusiasm for the preservation of traction engines grew and more engines were rescued from where they lay, to the point where today over two thousand traction engines, are known to be preserved.

In more than 140 superlative images of traction engines in settings which recall their original glory, Paul Stratford captures the essence of these magnificent machines.This large format pictorial album is intended as a tribute the traction engine manufacturers and to those who have laboured long and hard to preserve and restore some of these remarkable engines.

Hardback

Pages: 144

Size: 238 x 258mm