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Steam wagons were produced in vast numbers from the late Victorian period up until the Second World War. They were commonly available in two forms, undertype with the cylinders mounted under the bodywork and overtype with the cylinders mounted on top of the boiler in a more conventional way. Makers had their preferred arrangement but generally experimented with both ways of getting the job done.
Steam wagons were faster on the road than standard traction engines and by the 1930's were capable of in-excess of 50mph.
Changes to legislation in favour of internal combustion powered lorries made them expensive to run and the fell out of favour during the 1930's. It was not unusual however to see well worn steam lorries working as late the 1950's.
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