How to Operate a Steam engine

RANSOMES, SIMS & JEFFERIES Traction Engine No 26995. Reg. EW 2320. Built in Ipswich, 1916. Built to Ransomes’ Production No. L466, this engine is one of a very large order of agricultural engines supplied to the Ministry of Munitions during the first World War. The engine passed inspection on 28/10/1916 and was despatched to the War Dept (Forage Dept) on 17/11/1916. The engine was probably used for baling and transporting hay in support of the many thousands of horses used by the British Army during the Great War. Records show that the speculator Edgar J Edgar, with offices in High Street, Kensington, acquired the engine in 1920 following a deal made in March with the Disposals Commission for ex Forage Dept equipment. Edgar was a ‘get rich quick’ entrepreneur and acquired scores of ex WD engines at a fixed price with 12½% down and the balance to be paid after one month. Not surprisingly he went bust, and many engines were repossessed by the Army to be sold on again to more