Identifying unknown caterpillar traction engine

[michael howarth 1Participant @michaelhowarth1]

At the Carrington Steam and Heritage Rally today I was talking to an old retired engineer about a part built model that he was exhibiting. It is, I would guess, a 11/2" scale traction or ploughing engine with caterpillar tracks and looks to have been built some considerable time ago. He would like to finish the model but has not got a clue what it is or even where to start looking and the fact that he does not have the internet does not help. I did not have a camera with me and the detail I can recall is sparse. The boiler is about 3 – 31/2" diameter. The tracks, which are about 2 – 21/2" wide are controlled by two levers at the very rear of the model. Presuming that the model was built from plans, would it be reasonable to assume that it appeared in ME? Does it ring a bell with anyone as it would be good to put the old chap back on the right path.

Mick

[michael howarth 1Participant @michaelhowarth1]

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Hornsby Chain tractor would be a likely candidate but usually modeled in larger scale

[michael howarth 1Participant @michaelhowarth1]

Thanks Jason but not the one I am afraid. The model I have seen had wider tracks which sat lower down than the Hornsby. That sounds clumsy but what I am trying to say is that the top and bottom of the tracks are parallel with each other rather than the ellipse of the Hornsby. I do wish I hadn't forgotten my camera!

Mick

[davebParticipant @daveb17630]

I recall reading an article in ME some years ago about a similar machine that was built for the war office for towing big guns, it may have been a Ruston Hornsby, I no longer have the magazines so I can't check. I do recall It was not accepted due the rocking motion causing problems with the boiler.

[Maurice Cox 1Participant @mauricecox1]

Facing page 221 of "A century of traction engines" by W,J.Hughes, there is a picture of the Hornsby tracked engine, and beneath it the Fowler 'Snaketrack' engine. Its tracks are much lower than the Hornsby example, and are flatter on the ground, and so less prone to rocking.

The text says "Later on, in 1923, Fowlers' conceived and built the remarkable vehicle seen in Fig.158, and in 1929 even put a ploughing engine on endless tracks. Because of the rope drum beneath the boiler, this was not easy, but the problem was solved by having separate tracks in the place of the hind wheels, with a kind of tracked bogie in place of the normal fore-carriage. The 'Snaketrack' of 1923 was a 'go-anywhere' vehicle, of course, but like the four-wheel drive vehicles of half a century before, it was too heavy and cumbrous to prove of real value." There is no illustration of the ploughing version. I think that the 'Museum of English Rural Life' in Reading, Berkshire, hold the archive of Fowlers drawings, you could try there.

Maurice

[michael howarth 1Participant @michaelhowarth1]

Hallo Maurice. My memory may be playing me up but I do believe that this is the very one! I have found a photo elsewhere. And talking of memory, now all I have to do is remember where I put the old fellow's phone number. Does anyone have any ideas re plans for this one?

Mick

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

This may or may not help

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited By Ady1 on 29/09/2015 09:34:28

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