Models of traction engines and other steam road vehicles has been a part of the model engineering activity since well before the 1940's. In the early days builders of such models had to be totally self reliant, they had to produce their own drawings, patterns, castings and fittings. Consequently only the really dedicated model engineer was able to undertake such work. In the late 1930s Henry Greenley and Bassett-Lowke started to provide a service to model engineers for the construction of the smaller scale traction engines.

In the early 1950s the Model Engineer magazine published a series of articles on the construction of a 1½ inch scale Allchin traction engine. This was followed in the late sixties by a series of articles for the construction of the 1 inch Minne traction engine. In the early 1970s John Haining published a design for a 2 inch scale Aveling and Porter compound road roller. These publications gave the ME suppliers the confidence to invest in the production of the patterns to produce the necessary casting for such projects. Thus encouraging more modellers to attempt them.

In common with other branches of the ME activity things got bigger from the early 1980's onwards!! Several suppliers invested in the production of sets of drawings, patterns and castings for the larger scale models. Initially, 3 inch to the foot then 4 inch or 4½ inch and of recent years 6inch to the foot models are regularly seen at steam events. Indeed they are becoming as popular as the full size items since in these larger scales the engines are capable of doing some very useful work.

Building a scale model traction engine in these larger sizes is not a project to be undertaken lightly. Many thousands of hours of work is involved perhaps as much as 5000 hours spread over 3 to 5 year, a considerable investment of perhaps £5000 and the need to be able to access significant machine shop facilities. Despite these obstacles many models of been built over the past 20 years or so. They continue to be a growing part of the ME activity.

Within the BSMEE there is a small but growing group of traction engine and road vehicle builders and operators. This trend has been helped in the past year by the construction of a traction engine circuit at the Ashton Court railway site. This circuit enables the larger scale engines to operate a passenger carrying service alongside the steam locomotives. Facilities are also available for the demonstration of the smaller scale engines.

FOSTER 4 inch Scale AGRICULTURAL ENGINE

The picture at the top shows a 4inch scale FOSTER Agricultural engine built by a member of the Society and now operated by another. This engine was built using drawings and castings produced by Live Steam Models of Derby. As can be seen this engine is of such a size that the driver is able to ride directly on the engine. In addition it will easily pull a trailer with 5 adult passengers onboard. Similar engines have also been seen pulling a full size family saloon car. The engine is a single cylinder operating at up to 125 pounds per square inch boiler pressure. In these lager scales it is normal to use a welded steel boiler to give the strength necessary to operate in near realisic situations.

Some photographs of club members traction engines, steam lorries etc.