Oxfordshire Woodland Group

The annual Woodcote Steam Rally attracts many steam traction engines that were previously used in agricultural, forestry, showman's and road making roles.

The creme de la creme must be the showman's engines with their beautiful decorated paintwork and brass.

These come in various sizes

Traction engines were also used to power mobile circular saws.

The saw bed is trailer mounted and today it is doubtful whether such a device would be acceptable today by the Health and Safty inspectors for commercial work.

After a hard days sawing the steam traction engine can be uncoupled from the saw and in the evening travel the lanes around Woodcote to find a country pub. To hear the quiet lanes resound to the sounds and sights of steam traction engines evokes memories of the past to a time when life was slower and very probably much harder.

The traction engine & crew eventually find a local pub where they can quench their thirst.

Ken Hume