By the time the first Showman's were being produced, traction engines had already become a common site on Britain's roads. They evolved out of the road locomotive and agricultural tractors to meet the demands of fairground operators who required a source of power for their rides.

Fairgrounds already used the agricultural engines and steam tractors to haul fairground equipment up and down the country and it did not take them long to realise that, with a few modifications, these beasts could be equipped with the generators needed to power their rides and considerable electric light displays. Most of the main steam vehicle manufacturers had examples of Showman traction engines in their catalogues and it soon became a lucrative part of their business.

The development of more efficient water and steam systems also contributed to the popularity of these steam giants and soon any fairground of note was using them. The addition of a dynamo to the front of the smoke box and the extension of the canopy to protect electrics made this the fairground vehicle of choice for its day. The eccentric fairground coach painting makes the Showman's Traction Engine one of the most familiar and recognisable images we know from the age of steam.