Traction Gallery

Caterpillar track steam engine by R. Hornsby & Sons

The first and original Caterpillar or walking engine made by R. Hornsby & Sons of Grantham. R. Hornsby & Sons grew into a major manufacturer of agricultural machinery, at their Spittle Gate Works. The firm went on to produce steam engines used to drive threshing machines and other equipment such as traction engines; their portable steam engine was one of their most important products and the market leader. Later a chain-track was added to an oil-engined tractor: the caterpillar track; these were developed and patented by Hornsby's chief engineer (and managing director), David Roberts, from July 1904. These were first used on tractors which served with the British Army towing artillery from 1910, but were later fitted to tanks which were used in the First World War from 1916. In 1909, a development model called the Little Caterpillar was demonstrated to the War Office. The army officers present at the demonstration believed it would frighten the horses!

© Mary Evans / Grenville Collins Postcard Collection

Duke of York, The Netley Belle, Duke of Norfolk engines

A line-up of traction engines at The 1958 Worcester rally: Duke of York - Fowler. 10 Nhp Compound, Crane Engine, KD 2826, (number 17106), built in 1928. With: An unidentified Ruston Proctor General Purpose engine The Netley Belle': a 1917 vintage 4 NHP Compound, Garrett Tractor, number 32981, regn.BJ3282. Duke of Norfolk': a 1914 vintage Aveling & Porter, GND class, 4 NHP compound, Convertible Tractor, number 8384, regn KT 2937. Date: 1958

© The Peter Butt Transport Collection / Mary Evans A The Peter Butt Transport Collection / Mary Evans

Fowler Road Roller, regn. FF 4913

At a traction engine rally outside the Museum of Science and Technology on Newhall Street, Birmingham:- Fowler T3A2 class Road Roller, regn. FF 4913, number 21629. Built in 1937 by John Fowler & Co. in Leeds, powered by an 3 Nhp compound steam engine. With Aveling & Porter F class Road Roller, regn. WK 5769 number 12088, Margaret. Built in 1928 by Aveling & Porter at Rochester, powered by a 5 Nhp compound steam engine. Date: 1969

© The Peter Butt Steam Collection / Mary Evans