User:Steamscenes/Traction Engines in the UK

A traction engine is a self-propelled steam engine originated to supply the need for mechanical power to pull loads on the road, they were also used to provide power at a chosen location and were later adopted to plough ground, roll roads, and provide electrical power.

The first steam powered road engines began to appear on British roads at the end of the 1850's. The term traction engine originated at a similar time, traction coming from the Latin "tractus" which means to draw.

Early road going load drawing steam engines also called Road Locomotives, at term which continued to be used however to most, include those who built and operated them they were traction engines.