Wallis and Steevens Steam Wagon, 1912

Wallis and Steevens steam wagon used by Pickfords, towing a horse-drawn van fitted with a towbar for more modern traction

 

 This unique surviving vehicle is a Wallis and Steevens of Basingstoke three ton steam wagon, of a type first built in 1911, fitted with solid rubber tyres to give a top road speed of twelve miles per hour. It is an 'overtype' steam wagon, with the front end looking like a traditional traction engine, as opposed to 'overtype' engines which often had a vertical boiler, with a more modern looking cab, which was also shorter, giving increased area for cargo carrying. With the internal combustion engine still in its infancy and not particularly reliable, especially for heavy loads, steam wagons like this were extremely popular until the 1920's and 1930's. This is the only surviving Wallis and Steevens steam wagon and is on display at the Milestones Museum, Basingstoke. There is also a replica Wallis and Steevens wagon that appears at some steam rally events during the year