What's the Greatest Machine of the 1930s...the Sentinel Steam Waggon?

STEAM POWERED WORKHORSE: the Sentinel Steam Waggon (1934)

With a boiler pressure of 250 pounds per square inch (the same as a steam locomotive and five times as much as petrol lorries), the Sentinel Steam Waggon was well and truly the 'go to vehicle' for the construction industry. Unlike conventional lorries, driving a Steam Waggon involved a baking hot fire in the cab - important to be kept constantly burning by shovelling in coal (as taken care of by the stoker).

The vehicle would typically travel at around 50 mph a day for up to 100 miles, which would use a vast quantity of water in order to produce the necessary amount of steam. Extra water could be derived from nearby ponds and streams and sucked up with a hose - although in extreme circumstances the driver would need to seek alternate sources of water.

What makes it great… The sheer amount of steam power meant the Sentinel was perfect for carrying large loads at impressive speeds - ideal for construction and engineering.

Time Warp… The Sentinel Steam Waggon was one of the first steam powered road vehicles, first released to the public in 1934.

This film features Chris Barrie taking a ride in a signature Sentinel S4.

[altyndom]

Imagine the billboards of that age “Don’t drive and shovel coal”, “Shoveling at high speed kills”, “You can afford the fines stop shoveling”

[jonnda]

Mar Felton Productions music in the background, haha.

[martiniv]

My Dad was a stoker on a Sentinel in the 30’s as a Teenager for a while, he ran from Birmingham to Holyhead, on one stretch of the A5 from Telford ‘Crackley Bank’ to Weston under lizard he reckons they could hit 60mph, also far faster than most cars of the day 40 odd years later his youngest son slipped streamed coaches on the same stretch on a Honda SS50.... never quite reaching 60 though ! 🤪

[CannaCJ]

As a Red Dwarf fan I must say what a thrill it is to see Mr. Barrie presenting this piece of British heritage for our enjoyment.

[noneck]

" Steering and stoking was a 2 man operation...and this is my stoker Kryten..."
"OH!...Why thank you sir!.."

[alltransman]

I remember seeing one of these steam powered lorries as a kid, I would have been about ten, 1957, was fully loaded, cricklewood Broadway, went off down the A5, might have been on its last journey

[ruongluesteve]

My family had a business in Somerset cutting and sawing timber for pit props in the 20s and 30s . They had a Sentinel to carry the props to Watchet for shipping over to South Wales. My dad recalled how they were a bit lively on start up if you weren't careful. One day someone started off a bit sharpish and the wagon leapt forward and crushed a brand new motorbike. Luckily nobody was injured. Their business was almost totally steam powered with a Burrell traction engine and a Robey stationary engine. My Grandfather being the youngest son had to be up first to get steam up for the day.

[buijs]

That 3 axel configuration is very appealing to the eye.

[tyrantstomper]

That puddle of tar looks like chocolate syrup with peanut crumbles on it. A forbidden snack indeed.

[roboko]

Bet the farmers used to love the local steam racers theivin Barnaby's water whenever they weren't lookin

[LancasterResponding]

“This is definitely a two man operation”
Zooms out to British Bill Murray

[stephenphillip]

The Sentinel was steam's answer to the diesel or petrol truck, by the 1930s making big inroads into the traditional steam traction industry. The Sentinel's design was revolutionary but the steam truck had some *major* disadvantages when compared to the diesel truck: The steam truck was a lot heavier than the equivalent diesel truck which meant that it couldn't carry as much payload before exceeding the gross vehicle weight, it would need a crew of 2, increasing overheads and its range was limited by the water and coal capacity. I accept that a diesel truck also has a finite range before needing refuelling...
As a specialist work vehicle, you quite rightly highlight its advantages but as a general carrier, I think it was something of a blind alley. E R Foden's board spent a long time discussing the merits of diesel and steam trucks, ending with a parting of the ways, Foden and ERF companies resulting. Fodens continued to make steam trucks but eventually bowed to the inevitable and followed ERF down the diesel truck manufacturing road.
Don't get me wrong, I'm a big fan of steam traction and it's always great to see and hear it in action.

[PowerliftingwithGrandpaCharlie]

On YouTube I'm just a burnt out meathead but I was an electrical engineer once. This was Fascinating to me. I worked at a Steam driven Power Plant way back. They recycled the steam back into water thru basically large radiators. I subscribed.

[andrewnorris]

2:44 "darn it, no drinking for me today" 🤣

[alistairwhite]

I've had the pleasure of driving a Foden steam lorry. Amazing So much torque and turns so many heads on the road!

[chanchito]

Haha Jim was definitely miles away when the camera panned to him! Must have been the relaxing sound of the steam lorry.

[simonjames]

A Sentinel steam wagon (6 wheeler) has been converted to serve ice cream from in the quarry park in Shrewsbury. Absolutely gorgeous machine and great to see it earning a living all these years later.

[Loadrunner]

This machine is incredible, I would loved to have one today.

[vazk-thret]

ages have past, since these machines had been coveted, no longer seen as the wonderous piece of human ingenuity that they are.
stained and replaced, rusted and worn, these machines wither in silence and suffering.
yet even in the cold, uncaring world, unable to see the perfection in even the oldest of machines.
there are the faithful, those that know the centuries of curiosity, and hard work, in each of these relics.
these faithful few that rip away the cruel chains of rust, and remind these hardworking machines.
that no matter how old they are, they will always be the glorious creations of mankind, deserving of respect and admiration.

praise the wheel, praise progress

[galinneall]

The Sentinel was successful not only in Britain. Between 1925 and 1935, Škoda Plzeň licence-built 163 Škoda Sentinels in different versions, including a bus. The Old Machines Museum (Muzeum starých strojů) in Žamberk (Czechia) has one, and a couple times a year, they bring out all their steam toys, including the Sentinel, and fire them up. It's really amazing to see (and hear!) this beauty running around.