Traction engines were used in Scotland from the middle of the nineteenth century until the 1960s – for road haulage, powering threshing mills, ploughing and, in steam roller form, in road making.

 

The book explores their history, with particular focus on National Museum Scotland’s 1907 Marshall traction engine and its construction, acquisition and restoration.

 

The large number of extensively captioned photographs give a vivid insight into the construction and use of the machines, and the conditions of those who worked with them.

 

Contents:

• Foreword by John Hume OBE

• Raising Steam: Setting the Historical and Technical Context

• Making Steam: Manufacturing Traction Engines in Scotland

• Selling Steam: Presenting and Promoting Traction Engines

• Working with Steam: Uses and Users of Traction Engines

• Keeping Steam: Preserving Traction Engines

• Museum Steam: The Marshall Traction Engine in National Museums Scotland

• Bibliography and References

• Index

Alexander Hayward is Keeper of Science and Technology at National Museums Scotland, and heads a department responsible for outstanding objects ranging from a 1786 Boulton and Watt steam engine to Concorde.