Steam Engine "car"

It's a traction engine.

I know someone who owns a Steam roller (actually it's Arthur Ransome's grandson), my Dad used to work with him helming Gondola on Coniston Water. Anyway, he takes it into town and leaves it parked on double yellows with the piston drains open and the throttle cracked open.

Parking wardens won't go near it.
 
One day there will be a BMW 330s - 3 litre steam powered 3 series! :D

Not as a daft an idea as you might think.
BMW have tested a system that generates power from exhaust heat using a steam engine. I'm not sure if the system generates mechanical power or electric power from then steam engine though.
 
Not as a daft an idea as you might think.
BMW have tested a system that generates power from exhaust heat using a steam engine. I'm not sure if the system generates mechanical power or electric power from then steam engine though.

Must admit, after looking at some veg burner stationary engines i've realised there is a mass of wasted energy from the exhaust heat.
 
exactly my point, just steam engines on the road don't go fast because the drivers arn't fools :)

No, they aren't geared to go fast. As has been said, they are geared for torque, not speed. They move very slowly, normally less than 25mph, but can pull huge weights.

I used to see them a lot back home as there was a local Steam Rally every year.

Saw one the other day in Yeovil, overtook it as it was doing like 15-20mph down a large street and I didn't fancy being stuck behind it...didn't photo as I was driving and am a sensible driver. :)

InvG
 
I used to be involved in running a transport festival and the traction engines would all turn up Wed/Thurs. They would then light up 5 or 6 and drive the 1/2 mile to the local pub.

We would sit in the beer tent on site and listen... best we had was 3 crashes and 2 near misses - one was especially class as the drive of car A was so distracted seeing a traction engine going the other way one the A385...what he drove straight in the the back of the one in front of him.

Traction Engine: Slight mark on 'tyres' and split in bag of coal hanging off the back.
Car: Written off.

^_^
 
I used to be involved in running a transport festival and the traction engines would all turn up Wed/Thurs. They would then light up 5 or 6 and drive the 1/2 mile to the local pub.

We would sit in the beer tent on site and listen... best we had was 3 crashes and 2 near misses - one was especially class as the drive of car A was so distracted seeing a traction engine going the other way one the A385...what he drove straight in the the back of the one in front of him.

Traction Engine: Slight mark on 'tyres' and split in bag of coal hanging off the back.
Car: Written off.

^_^

Mr Ransome had a batter one with his steam roller. Driving over a blind 1 lane bridge he encountered a mini going the other way, the mini crashed into the front roller, but the roller just kept going.

By the time he'd closed all the taps and stopped the mini's bonnet was flat and the engine block was stuck in the road. I imagine the the driver of the mini was rather surprised.
 
steam Yo

traction engine racing



3400 lb ft torque on the dyno

 
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tractor vtec :)




vtec yo :)

jet engined and quad engined tractor goodness :)
 
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You gotta have some serious trust in your engines and fabrication to sit behind 5 blown fuel V8's at full chat :D :D :D :D
 
No, the occupants got out as the crash was still happerning, steam rollers aren't very fast.

Guy I used to work with at my Grandads business had a steam roller that he used to take to local events. Apparently stopping them is a bit of an art, as they have brake shoes made from wood (apple IIRC) that will quite easily catch fire on a downhill stretch if you don't use engine braking all the way down. They can reach quite impressive speeds if you knock them out of gear :D
 
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