Ref. Editor

The age of the traction engine is now past, but these romantic leviathans of road and field excite great interest not only among those who remember them in their heyday, but also those brought up in the age of the lorry and tractor.

Malcolm Ranieri, who has been photographing preserved steam for over twenty years, has assembled this classic selection of photographs of the best of British traction engines, rollers, steam wagons and more. Photographed at work and at rest at locations all over the United Kingdom, all the major manufacturers – with famous names like Fowler, Burrell and Aveling & Porter – are represented.