Burrell Traction Engine 3 Inch scale driving a saw bench

Burrell Traction Engine 3 Inch scale (1/4 full scale) driving a saw bench, with living van.

Traction engines in the Victorian period represented an expensive capital investment in the latest agricultural technology of the period. Many were owned by contractors who would move them from farm to farm for hire, as required. Typical work included threshing at harvest time. A traction engine, threshing machine, a living van and often a water cart would travel from farm to farm as needed, stopping at each for a few days. The engine's crew would include a driver, a steersman, and usually a boy. The agricultural labourers carrying out the threshing work would already be resident on the farm.

Living vans developed from the earlier shepherd's wagons were used to provide portable accommodation.