traction engine

American  

noun

1. a locomotive operating on surfaces other than tracks and pulling heavy loads, as fallen logs.

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traction engine British  

noun

1. a steam-powered locomotive used, esp formerly, for drawing heavy loads along roads or over rough ground. It usually has two large rear wheels and a rope drum for haulage purposes

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Etymology

Origin of traction engine

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

A bus driver who was seriously injured in an accident when a traction engine fell off a low-loader into his cabin has told how he thought he "would die".

From BBC • Oct. 29, 2015

"A low-loader had come past, but the traction engine that was on the back had fallen off and smashed into the bus - literally just made a massive, massive mess."

From BBC • Oct. 29, 2015

Built like a traction engine, with forearms like Popeye, Anderson is the kind of big-hitting middle-order batsmen who can make mincemeat of most totals.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2015

You don’t know what to do, what to wear, how to walk, how to look, or what to look for; and you’ll make as much noise as a traction engine.

From Jock of the Bushveld by Fitzpatrick, Percy, Sir

We haven’t got a traction engine to move this outfit,” grumbled Fullerton, as his sister-in-law appeared, together with another quite exasperating bundle.

From In the Whirl of the Rising by Mitford, Bertram