Motor Road Transport For Commercial Purposes
(Liquid Fuel, Steam, Electricity)

96 MOTOR ROAD TRANSPORT The registered number must be shown clearly both at the front and back of the machine, or in the case where a trailer is attached, at the rear of the latter. Development of Steam Wagon. In former years there existed a definite boundary—• formed by load tonnage—between the scope of useful service of the steam wagon and that of the petrol driven vehicle. It is true that there were some of the latter class— especially on the Continent-—which were capable of hauling a load of over 3 tons, but, generally speaking, the Held of the commercial motor driven by liquid fuel was confined to loads of that weight and under, while the steam wagon and tractor were employed exclusively on work where the net load was in excess of this figure. This border line has undergone some change, by reason of steam vehicle manufacturers setting them- selves the task of producing a lighter type of chassis, which would be able to transport 3 tons weight of gooHs on. an economic basis, which would compare favourably with the oil-driven van or lorry. The outcome of this step has without doubt added greatly to the popularity of the steam-driven machine, and has enlarged its radius to a very appreciable extent. It must be remembered that in service where frequent stopping and starting are encountered— as wben transporting heavy goods in areas where crowded traffic is continually met with—the steam wagon is superior in many respects to that propelled by oil by reason of the nature of the fuel and the construction of the chassis. Special Advantages of Steam Transport. Perhaps the greatest disadvantage of the former class is the comparatively low rate of speed allowed