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Title: |
1879 Article-Barrows & Stewart, Steam Traction Engine |
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Source: |
The Implement & Machinery Review, V4 #48, 01 Apr 1879, pg. 2141 |
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Insert Date: |
11/17/2014 9:43:25 PM |
The necessity for the traction engine steadily increases; and the demand is proportionate. Of this there are few engineers who are known to produce a first-class road locomotive, whose experience could not furnish proof. And if this be so during a time of slack trade what may not be looked for when trade has well revived. Lately civil engineering undertakings of magnitude have been held in abeyance in nearly every part of England; and that which is true of this country is true likewise of most other countries. Work therefore of a class, which is certain to increase the demand for the traction engine, will by and by have to be executed upon a scale in which the traction engine will have to play a very considerable part. Nor are contractors alone the people who either now are the only buyers of machinery of this class, on who hereafter will be those who will constitute the sole purchasers. The tendency to do business upon an extensive scale by combinations of capitalists rather than by individuals is operating in the same direction; whilst the wider area over which steam cultivation is practiced, wherever agriculture is pursued in a fashion worthy of the age, will exert a considerable influence in stimulating the traction engine trade.
Consequently the firm which is able to offer a traction engine which shall embrace the results of the moat advanced knowledge, in respect alike of economy of force. and adaptability of varied materials, is likely to do business in the early future, to which the past ought to bear but an indifferent comparison. Than the users of traction engines, there are few people who are more likely to be better judges of that which constitutes a really valuable machine. Traction engine makers have to meet difficulties which will still surround and attend the use of the road locomotive. It will never have to be left out of calculation that the high roads of the country will offer a very yielding base as compared with rails of any kind. The day may come when the traction engine may be relied upon to do not a little of the work of the road roller, but that day is hardly yet. Meantime the traction engine must be capable of hauling heavy loads at a good speed without itself being too weighty or becoming destructive of the route over which it has to pursue its course. All this will have to be done at the same time that the construction of the engine is of a sort which meets the necessities of the consumer in respect 'alike of cost, of endurance, and of efficiency in other respects than those already enumerated. In the meeting of these requirements the engineer has his work cut out ; but the engineer who has devoted his attention to this class of machinery will be quite equal to the demands made upon him.
Our illustration shows a new traction engine which has been put upon the market by Messrs. Barrows 6: Stewart. The reader will notice that the cylinder is placed at the smoke-box end of the boiler, and we may state that it is steam jacketed. The crank shaft brackets are of wrought iron. and as they should be, are firmly screwed to the boiler. Steel has been wisely and judiciously employed. The gearing is of that metal and the engine is altogether a combination of strength and lightness. In addition to the usual stroke engine pump. the boiler is fed by an overhead patent injector. The traveling wheels are conspicuous for their serviceableness and power. As will be readily guessed, from the engraving, they are of wrought iron; and being steered from the footplate', the driver has the control of the movement. It is explained to us that the boiler is made of plates of the “best best” quality, and that Bowling iron is used in the fire box. All the necessary tools, with cover, &c., go out with the engine. This new traction engine of Messrs. Barrow & Stewart, of Banbury, is worthy to rank high amongst the most modern specimens of this class of road locomotive. |
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1879 Barrows & Stewart, Steam Traction Engine
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