Steam Power - Why don't we still use it?

[Graham Serretta]

This steam powered lorry (truck, if you prefer) took my fancy last Sunday at the Hatfield House country show.  Why don't we still make use of steam power?

This is the steam power plant under the chassis.


Nikon D90 with 50mm f1.8 AF D Nikkor

[martolod]

we still do.....in thermal powerstations

but steam has been superseeded by the internal combustion engine-less losses,more efficient,safer  and cheaper to produce and maintain

[Mike Kovacs]

No need for water stops either!

[Dennis Gallus]

Graham,

Nice photos.  And a pretty day too, you were fortunate to be out on a walk-about with your camera.

What is the approximate age of the truck?  It appears to be relatively modern.  Steam was still an alternative power for automobiles in the US until just after WWI.  The cars worked fine but were expensive, however, and had a slow warm-up procedure to get steam up.  Once the Kettering ignition and electric starter became commonplace in cars with internal combustion engines, steam power was doomed.

Thanks for posting,
Dennis

[rentavet]

Picture_19 by rentavet, on Flickr

Jockeying steam engine to try and line up belt to flywheel Ashtabula County Ohio

[jamesmck]

Graham - Beautiful!  There's something about numbers 2 and 3 that attracts me (maybe the copper/brass).

James