Steam Wagons & Lorries

Steam Wagons are the forerunners of the modern lorry and fall into two distinct categories:

The “Overtype” such as the Foden Steam Wagons, which are more easily recognised as steam vehicles due to the locomotive type of boiler arrangement and the traction engine type flywheel fitted. The rear wheels are chain driven.

The disadvantage of this type of arrangement was the carrying capacity having to be reduced by the necessary length of the boiler and cab.

Lorries, such as the Sentinel, are known as “Undertypes” as they have a vertical boiler, which is set inside the cab with the engine, positioned under the vehicles chassis, more in keeping with the modern lorry. This greatly increases the carrying or payload area making it more  profitable for road hauliers of the dayto run.