A local landowner spoke of the usefulness of his traction engines before a new bill was introduced which removed the speed limits and rules previously introduced for motorised vehicles.
“TRACTION ENGINES ON ROADS. – EVIDENCE BY LORD ANCASTER.
A Select Committee of the House of Commons, presided over by Mr. H. Hobhouse, sat again on the 26th ult. for the consideration of the Traction Engines Bill. The Earl of Ancaster being called, said that he owned a large amount of agricultural land in Lincolnshire and Rutland, and for the last 20 years had used traction engines as a convenient means to its development. Owing to the restrictions imposed by the law he was not able to use the engines to the extent that he could wish. With regard to the effect of the passage of locomotives upon the roads, his opinion was that no harm was done where the roads were in good condition. Of course, if the roads were mere tracks it was quite possible that considerable harm might be done by the traveling of the locomotives. There was no reason, as far as he could see, why the engines should not be used at any hour of the day or night. They were most vauable to farmers, and so much cheaper than horses. His engines weighed about eight tons, and the two trucks weighed about four tons each. The engines probably would not turn out a profit if used on other than very large farms. His employees were always most careful as to the passing of traffic on the roads. No accident had happened except on one occasion, when a horse turned round and broke the shafts. The incident did not impress itself upon his mind largely because he had to pay very little damage. (Laughter). – In answer to Colonel Kenyon Slaney, the witness said that if all roads were available for traction engines, they would have to be made up’ at a considerable cost, and he was not prepared to say upon what body the expense should fall, although he thought that if a village was brought into a prosperous condition by a landowner employing traction engines, the cost ought not to be placed altogether upon him. He was perfectly aware the the locomotive wheels, as now constructed, ‘bit’ the road, as it was termed. – Mr. Eddison, director of Messrs. John Fowler and Co., Leeds, said that his firm built a large number of traction engines and road locomotives. They had had been engaged in the business for upwards of 30 years, and made each year a hundred or more engines for road haulage, and agricultural purposes, exclusive of the export trade. The engines were used by estate agents, property owners, co-operative companies, mine owners, and others. In lat years there had been improvements in the construction of the engines, and care had been taken to protect the gear. He did not see why there should be any limit placed upon the number of waggons drawn by any engine. Road locomotives should be treated in the same way as vehicles drawn by horse power. Speed to the extent of that allowed to horse traffic should be permitted; also he suggested the removal of all restrictons and taxes upon traction engines.”
The Stamford Mercury, 3rd April, 1896.