Lowe estimates that about 130 locomotives
were constructed by a firm which is extremely well-known for its traction
engines and steam rollers. The firm was founded
by Thomas Aveling as
an agricultural engineering business. It began by repairing portable engines,
and by converting new portable engines into road locomotives by substituting
a revolving road-shaft for the ordinary axle, wider and stronger wheels,
and the addition of a pitch-chain to transmit the power from the crankshaft.
The earlier engines were without steering gear, a single horse in shafts
serving to steer them. The first patent for pitch-chain driving-gear was
taken out in 1859, the object being to take up slack due to chain wear, without
affecting the pitch-line of the gearing. The first traction engines were
manufactured in 1861. In 1860 he had exhibited a self-moving engine at the
Royal Agricultural Society's Show at Canterbury; In 1861, at the Leeds Show
of the Society, he exhibited for the first time an engine entirely of his
own manufacture. It was at this period that he was joined
by Porter, and by Aveling's
son, Thomas Lake
Aveling In 1864 the traction engine type was modified to run on
rails and construction of this type continued until 1926. The firm always
aimed at simplicity and strength. Two cylinders were not used if one would
do. By placing the crankshaft aft, and the cylinder forward, he secured two
advantages: first dry steam when most wanted, i.e. when pulling up hill;
and secondly, the fly-wheel within reach of the driver, should he carelessly
let the crank stop on the centre. Seeing that one of the most important elements
of success in road locomotives was a supply of dry steam to the cylinder,
he arranged a steam-jacket in such a way as to serve for a dome; and in later
years he substituted wrought-iron brackets (formed by continuing upwards
and backwards the side plates of the firebox) for the cumbrous cast-iron
brackets previously in use, thereby greatly increasing the strength of the
engines and their immunity from breakdowns. Aveling introduced steam for
military use: "steam sappers" were adopted by the Artillery and Royal Engineers
Two chain driven locomotives were supplied to the Duke of Buckingham for
use on the Wootton Tramway: one is preserved by London Transport. In association
with Alfred Grieg the Aveling-Greig Street Tram Engine was marketed.
. In Locomotive Mag1927,
33, 130 list: British locomotive manufacturers, past and present. See also Andrew Neale. Traction
engine locomotives.Archive, 2015 (87) 2-21 and Macnair From road
unto rail Backtrack, 2020,
34, 164.
