New Zealand - Traction engine - Methodist Sunday School Picnic at Blenheim Post Office - 01 Nov 1903 - Spence Photo A traction engine - A steam-powered tractor used to move heavy loads on roads, plough ground or to provide power at a chosen location - The name derives from the Latin tractus, meaning 'drawn', since the prime function of any traction engine is to draw a load behind it - They are sometimes called road locomotives to distinguish them from railway locomotives – that is, steam engines that run on rails. - Traction engines tend to be large, robust and powerful, but also heavy, slow, and difficult to manoeuvre - Nevertheless, they revolutionized agriculture and road haulage at a time when the only alternative prime mover was the draught horse. (Reference: Wikipedia) --------------------- Image source: Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, purchased 1999 https://www.aucklandartgallery.com/explore-art-and-ideas/artwork/13319