"You're manned by Truth and Science, and you steam for steaming's sake" --Kipling, The Three-Decker, 1894

Built by David.
Figures are small 25s made by Ral Partha, painted by Steve.

Other Keil-Kraft steam-vehicle kits include

a Fowler class Z-7 ploughing engine (Brit for 'plowing engine'), similar to those experimented with by the British army,

an Aveling and Porter steam road roller, and

a Fowler showman's traction engine (not shown).

These kits are 1:72 scale, theoretically correct for true 25mm figures. British made, they were available in the U.S. around 1990. They are reportedly out of production now, even in the U.K.

Martin Buck reports that at least two die-cast steam lorries, about the same size as the Keil-Kraft model, were made by Lledo in 1999 - a horizontal-boilered Foden (available in War Dept. markings) and a vertical-boilered Sentinel model. Tragically, Lledo closed its doors late in that year, so continued availability is problematical (Corgi has been reported to have bought the dies). The lorries have been seen on eBay.

These photos, from around 1900, show Fowler steam tractors on army maneuvers (above),

and armored (below) with a Boer War troop transport road-train. Photos are from Steam on the Road by David Burgess Wise, 1973

A smallish but appealing steam tractor was available as "Trevor the Tractor Engine" in ERTL's "Thomas the Tank Engine" line of die-cast toys. You will have to remove the face from the boiler front, but for US$4.00, you can afford to do a little work.

A sensational picture of the British Army trials of the Roberts Ruston Tractor, about 1905. This machine was tested as a gun- and supply-carrier. A proposal to build an armored fighting vehicle based on it was ignored.
For a larger version, click the picture. Photo is from Tank Versus Tank by Kenneth Macksey, 1988

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