Rustons Ride The Rails
Back in 2013, to celebrate the 70th Anniversary and re-commissioning of Twyford Waterworks Ruston & Hornsby 2PS compressor engine, a display of some surviving engines was organised. Part of this involved collecting several engines that had been sleepers in collections and museums around the South.
One such engine was s/n 173615, its owner was experiencing health issues and after an initial enquiry, it was offered for the display, but on collection was in fact offered for sale.
Having already restored an engine for the Twyford Waterworks, I had gained a liking for this ‘Cinderella’ of stationary engines, so a deal was agreed and the engine shown under the previous owner’s name before transfer. Another engine loaned for the display was then also offered. This engine, s/n 191449 was in slightly better condition and had a better provenance, the working history of the other being unknown; so in the shed were now two 2PS engines! At this point I was not really sure what to do with this situation but it was not long before a solution arose.
This story is from the September 2017 edition of Stationary Engine.
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This story is from the September 2017 edition of Stationary Engine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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Something Rather Unusual
After submitting a report on the 2015 Giverny engine show in France (see issue 503 Feb 2016) I was asked by our Editor if I could provide information and a few pictures of what is a most unusual engine, built by the firm Arsene Mahiet of Bourges, (Cher) in central France sometime in the late 1920s.
Encouraging The Next Generation
This nicely restored and presented 1½ hp Petter Universal (M type) serial number 6846 was supplied new on 26th November 1999 to dealers Crimm of Cornwall and subsequently married up to a bilge pump, and together with a second identical set-up installed in HMS Foudroyant. Details of HMS Foudroyant, the only surviving wooden Frigate afloat can be found on the Internet. In 1987 the vessel was renamed HMS Trincomalee.
Lister Conundrum?
Back in 2016 a discussion took place on Fozzer’s Forum about early Lister J type engines; as I have a very early Lister 2 ½ hp, I was interested and took part in the discussion. I have always had an interest in Lister engines, having nine in my shed, all of which are restored, except a spec 52 Lister A. I had never delved into the history of these engines as I considered that just about everything was known about them, through the work done by the late David Edgington, and information is readily available.
Rogues' Gallery Pt2
Some engines have remained unidentified for a number of years – unless YOU, the reader, know differently….!
Coventry Victor Stationary/Marine Engines
Following a comment in the January edition of Stationary Engine, that Coventry Victor engines were rarely seen on our rally fields and as I have a liking for these engines (and flat twins), I have put together a short article based on my three examples.
Turner Manufacturing Co- Simplicity Engines
Having seen the little vertical Simplicity engine on the front cover of the October 2017 issue of Stationary Engine, where the name Western Malleable & Gray Iron Company, Milwaukee cast into the flywheel rim, is clearly legible, I decided the manufacturer required further investigation
Christmas Crank-Ups Riccall
Winter crank-ups and open days have become increasingly popular in recent years and one of the biggest I have ever attended was held in the village of Riccall, near York on Saturday 30th December.
Petter Standard Oil Engine
I am sure that the Petter Handyman engine will be a familiar sight to many engine enthusiasts, but the same cannot be said for the ‘Petter Standard Oil Engine’; the engine on which the Handyman engine was designed.
Clarendon Rally- Australia
Whilst on a recent trip to visit my family in Australia I took the opportunity to visit, with my son, the well known Clarendon Classic, Machinery, Truck and Hobby Show, which has been held for many years at the Hawkesbury Showgrounds, on Racecourse road, Clarendon, NSW on the weekend of the 16/17th September 2017.
Blackstone Compressors
Blackstone Compressors
