Royal Express - Heavy Steam Traction Engine
Not a well known fact today, but early iterations of what we now call 'tractors' were powered by steam engines. Not only that, they weren't called 'tractors' but 'traction engines', kind of like a 'stem engine' but for providing tractive ground locomotion.
It is easy to see how they then became known as 'tractors'.
In the Steampunk universe, the primary energy system winds back 150 years to the steam boiler. If we were then to trace this through to the present (mostly), we should end up with something a bit like this:
The 'Royal Express Heavy Steam Traction Engine'. Kind of the steam-powered version of today 400 hp tractors.
Much of the other required innovations are still present: big broad tyres, multiple lights, lifting and drive fixtures front and rearm, glassy cabin for good visibility, mirrors and warning lights. All presented in the ornate Steampunk style.
Key changes are the steam boiler and condenser in place of a petrol or diesel internal combustion engine, and the use of, and storage systems within the tractor for coal or other suitable heat generation. Actually, many stationary power systems today rely on steam, electricity generation supplied by coal-powered stations powers most of Australia's energy transmission (electricity) needs, though in other countries the use of nuclear energy still uses steam generation to run turbines. But I digress. I think much of the fun of steampunk is living within a universe being polluted by steam-powered machines with minimal particulate cleaning.
This Lego miniland-scale Steampunk 'Royal Express - Heavy Steam Traction Engine' has been created for Flickr LUGNuts' 86th Build Challenge, - 'Steampunk Motorworks', - a challenge to create land vehicles in Steampunk style and form.
Royal Express - Heavy Steam Traction Engine
Not a well known fact today, but early iterations of what we now call 'tractors' were powered by steam engines. Not only that, they weren't called 'tractors' but 'traction engines', kind of like a 'stem engine' but for providing tractive ground locomotion.
It is easy to see how they then became known as 'tractors'.
In the Steampunk universe, the primary energy system winds back 150 years to the steam boiler. If we were then to trace this through to the present (mostly), we should end up with something a bit like this:
The 'Royal Express Heavy Steam Traction Engine'. Kind of the steam-powered version of today 400 hp tractors.
Much of the other required innovations are still present: big broad tyres, multiple lights, lifting and drive fixtures front and rearm, glassy cabin for good visibility, mirrors and warning lights. All presented in the ornate Steampunk style.
Key changes are the steam boiler and condenser in place of a petrol or diesel internal combustion engine, and the use of, and storage systems within the tractor for coal or other suitable heat generation. Actually, many stationary power systems today rely on steam, electricity generation supplied by coal-powered stations powers most of Australia's energy transmission (electricity) needs, though in other countries the use of nuclear energy still uses steam generation to run turbines. But I digress. I think much of the fun of steampunk is living within a universe being polluted by steam-powered machines with minimal particulate cleaning.
This Lego miniland-scale Steampunk 'Royal Express - Heavy Steam Traction Engine' has been created for Flickr LUGNuts' 86th Build Challenge, - 'Steampunk Motorworks', - a challenge to create land vehicles in Steampunk style and form.