Story: Transport – overview

Traction engine

Traction engine

Steam-powered traction engines, such as this one, were used from the 1880s, mainly for agricultural tasks such as ploughing and hauling loads of grain and wool. They could also be used instead of horses or bullocks to transport heavy loads from town to town.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, I. F. H. Johnston Collection
Reference: PAColl-5800-36

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

James Watson, 'Transport – overview - Steam transport', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/24985/traction-engine (accessed 30 March 2024)

Story by James Watson, published 11 Mar 2010