International Stationary Steam Engine Society

International Stationary Steam Engine Society Welcome!! 😊 We aim to promote and protect the preserved stationary steam engines of the UK and the wider world.

We also provide a quarterly bulletin newsletter to our paid members, covering all things going on in the wonderful world of stationary steam!

ENGINE SPOTLIGHT #4 – CAPRINGTON COLLIERY NEWCOMEN ENGINE ⚙️🔧This Engine Spotlight looks at one of the oldest surviving...
10/05/2026

ENGINE SPOTLIGHT #4 – CAPRINGTON COLLIERY NEWCOMEN ENGINE ⚙️🔧

This Engine Spotlight looks at one of the oldest surviving stationary steam engines in preservation — the Caprington Colliery Newcomen Engine.

🏭 BACKGROUND

This is a Newcomen-type atmospheric engine, dating from around 1770–1780.

The engine was installed second-hand at Caprington Colliery, near Kilmarnock, in 1806. It is believed to have originally been built by the Carron Ironworks, although the exact construction date and original owner are unknown.

As one of the earlier forms of steam engine, it is historically significant and represents steam power from a very early stage in industrial development.

⚙️ TECHNICAL DETAILS

• Type: Atmospheric beam engine
• Cylinder bore: 30 inches
• Stroke: Approx. 4 ft 6 in to 5 ft
• Cylinder length: 8 ft

The engine originally used a wooden beam, which was replaced in 1837 with the current cast-iron beam still fitted today.

🛠️ PRESERVATION

The engine was later preserved and re-erected in a replica engine house within the modern extension of the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh.

Today, it can be demonstrated using a hydraulic ram, allowing visitors to see the movement of the engine.

📍 TODAY

It can be seen at the National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh.

More Engine Spotlights to follow!

05/05/2026

ENGINE SPOTLIGHT #3 – RYHOPE PUMPING STATION ⚙️ 🚰 💨 (Ryhope Engines Museum)

This Engine Spotlight focuses on Ryhope Pumping Station, a well-preserved example of a Victorian waterworks.

🏭 BACKGROUND

Ryhope Pumping Station was built in 1868 by Thomas Hawksley for the Sunderland & South Shields Water Company.

It houses two Woolf compound, rotative, condensing beam engines, designed by R & W Hawthorn of Newcastle.

⚙️ THE ENGINES

• Beam engines with beams weighing approx. 22 tonnes
• Flywheels weighing approx. 18 tonnes

These engines were used to pump drinking water from a 250 ft deep well, which can still be seen at the site today.

🔥 BOILERS

The station retains three Galloway boilers (1908), which replaced the original set of six Cornish boilers.

On steaming days, these boilers are still used to supply steam to the engines.

🛠️ THE SITE TODAY

• The engines are operated on steam during steaming days
• The north engine is also fitted with a motor friction drive, allowing it to be turned when steam is not available and also for demonstrations for school & private parties.

📍 TODAY’S VISIT

Today, ISSES Social Media Officer James visited the site and met with Chairman Keith. During the visit, the north engine was turned on the motor drive, as shown in the attached video. James was shown how to setup the drive and operate it, we think he rather enjoyed himself!

We will return to Ryhope in a future post when the engines are in steam.

📢 VISITING

Ryhope Pumping Station is free to visit and remains in very good condition. It is well worth a visit for anyone interested in stationary steam and waterworks.

More Engine Spotlights to follow!!

📢⚙️ ROLL UP, ROLL UP! ⚙️📢 The next International Stationary Steam Engine Society Bulletin – Volume 45 Number 2, will be...
28/04/2026

📢⚙️ ROLL UP, ROLL UP! ⚙️📢

The next International Stationary Steam Engine Society Bulletin – Volume 45 Number 2, will be out very soon!!

Here’s a sneak peek at what’s inside 👇

📰 What to expect:
• The Editor Writes – opening thoughts from Chris Allen
• UK Notes & News – the latest updates from around the country
• Lahore Waterworks Pumping Station – plans for preservation
• ‘Mini-Manhattan’ Engines in the USA – a look at surviving examples
• Ellenroad Steam Engines – the challenges currently being faced
• Typical Horizontal British Steam Engines – a detailed technical feature
• Preston Services Open Day 2025 – event coverage
• Life as a “old” Steam Volunteer in 2025 – experiences and challenges
• Amideria Chiozza, Italy – a steam-powered starch factory

📸 Plus:
• Rare and interesting photographs, including surviving compound engines in the USA
• Features from the Science and Industry Museum, Manchester
• Coverage of Shore Road Pumping Station
• And more from across the steam world

Fancy reading this all for yourself?

👉 Then sign up to become a member of the International Stationary Steam Engine Society today!

We’d love to have you onboard. ⚙️

Following from our last post, here’s some photos of Elsie!
27/04/2026

Following from our last post, here’s some photos of Elsie!

27/04/2026

🔧⚙️ ENGINE SPOTLIGHT #2 – ELSIE

As part of our Engine Spotlight series, this post focuses on Elsie.

Elsie is a 180 IHP tandem-compound stationary steam engine, built in 1902 by J & W McNaught Ltd of Rochdale for the Barchant Spinning Company.

Like many textile mill engines, she is named — often these names were taken from members of the mill owner’s family.

⚙️ DESIGN & USE

Elsie is a typical example of a tandem-compound mill engine, with both the high-pressure and low-pressure cylinders mounted on a common piston rod, driving a single crank.

This was one of the most common mill engine layouts. Large numbers were built by many different manufacturers and were widely used in textile mills. Engines of this type could drive large numbers of looms, often up to around 1000.

📊 TECHNICAL DETAILS

• High-pressure cylinder: 13 inches diameter
• Low-pressure cylinder: 24 inches diameter
• Stroke: 36 inches
• Speed: 75 rpm

• Flywheel:
– 12 ft diameter
– Approx. 8 tons
– Grooved for 8 cotton ropes (approx. 1.5 inches diameter)

Rope drive systems were widely used in textile mills from the late 19th century onwards due to their reliability and relatively smooth operation.

🛠️ VALVE GEAR

The high-pressure cylinder is fitted with Corliss valve gear, a standard feature on many textile mill engines.

This system uses semi-rotary valves with a trip mechanism, controlled by a governor. Steam admission is varied depending on load, with the inlet valve closing rapidly once the required amount of steam has entered the cylinder. This allows the steam to expand for the remainder of the stroke and improves efficiency under varying loads.

📜 HISTORY

• 1902–1917 – In service at Barchant Spinning Company
• 1917 – Moved to Wasp Mill, Wardle (near Rochdale)
• 1967 – Acquired by the Northern Mill Engine Society after coming out of service
• Rebuilt at the Northern Mill Engine Society’s first museum
• 1992 – Relocated to its current site at Bolton Steam Museum.z

Elsie is now in her fourth location.

💧 CONDENSING EQUIPMENT

The condenser and air pump are installed beneath the engine in their correct positions. However, due to the lack of a sufficient cooling water supply, the engine is not operated in condensing mode.

📍 TODAY

Elsie can be seen running at Bolton Steam Museum, where she is demonstrated on both:
• Steam
• Electric motor drive

More Engine Spotlights to follow soon!!! 😃😃

NEW SERIES: ENGINE SPOTLIGHTSWe’re excited to introduce a brand new feature here at the International Stationary Steam E...
24/04/2026

NEW SERIES: ENGINE SPOTLIGHTS

We’re excited to introduce a brand new feature here at the International Stationary Steam Engine Society (I.S.S.E.S.)… Engine Spotlight Posts!

In these, we’ll shine a light on a specific preserved stationary steam engine — sharing its history, technical details, and where you can go and see it for yourself 👀

So… let’s begin with Engine Spotlight #1

ENGINE SPOTLIGHT #1 – AGNES

Meet Agnes! Built in 1909 by Pollit & Wigzell of Sowerby Bridge, she was commissioned by J.A.S. Watkinson & Sons Ltd. to power Washpit Mill, Holmfirth.

She was:
• Originally rated at 500 HP, running at 70 rpm
• Operating on 120 psi steam pressure
• Built at a cost of £1637

During her working life, Agnes was upgraded to 700 HP, with steam pressure increased to 160 psi and speed to 80 rpm.

After around 70 years of hard work, Agnes was finally stopped on 16 January 1980, while owned by Westwood Yarns.

🛠️RESCUE & RESTORATION 🔧

In 1998, Agnes was generously donated to preservation by Brian and Ann Priest of Westwood Yarns.

What followed was no easy task…

A dedicated team dismantled and transported the engine to Markham Grange Steam Museum, Brodsworth — often working in cramped conditions with very limited lifting equipment — completing the job in just 8 weeks.

Before she could be rebuilt, the team had to:
• Excavate a special engine pit
• Construct concrete foundations and support pillars
• Prepare to hold over 60 tons of engineering

Just 12 months later, on 20 October 1999, Agnes steamed again — an incredible achievement by both full-time staff and volunteers 👏

⚙️ TECHNICAL HIGHLIGHTS ⚙️

Agnes is a:
Horizontal, tandem, compound, condensing engine

Key features include:
• HP Cylinder: 18 inches diameter
• LP Cylinder: 35 inches diameter
• Stroke: 48 inches

• Corliss valves on both HP & LP cylinders
• Unusual three-eccentric setup:
– One for all inlet valves
– Two for HP & LP exhaust valves

• Massive 16 ft flywheel/drum
– 40 inches wide
– Weighs approx. 25 tons
– 18 rope grooves driving 1.75 inch cotton ropes

• Lumb governor controlling HP inlet cut-off
(originally fitted with a Whitehead governor)

• Inline Pollit & Wigzell condensing air pump (18 inch bore)

⚠️ TODAY ⚠️

Agnes was restored to run on steam at Markham Grange. Sadly, since 2021, the museum has lost the ability to operate engines on steam. The museum now runs its collection on low pressure blowers at 7psi, with other engines being on motors and the beam engine being on vacuum.

Currently, Agnes can turn at around 4 rpm on air, with the team at Markham continuing work to improve her performance. We will upload a video of her running on air in the comments and also a video of her on steam.

Markham Grange Steam Engine Museum is open every Wednesday and bank holiday Monday.

Welcome to the International Stationary Steam Engine Society (I.S.S.E.S.) official page! 🌍⚙️🔥This page is dedic...
22/04/2026

Welcome to the International Stationary Steam Engine Society (I.S.S.E.S.) official page! 🌍⚙️🔥

This page is dedicated to everything happening within I.S.S.E.S — including updates, announcements, and our official bulletins.

But that’s not all…

We’ll also be sharing fascinating preserved stationary steam engines from all over the world, helping you discover incredible pieces of engineering history and, more importantly, places you can actually go and visit.

When it comes to steam engines, there’s a whole world out there waiting to be explored!

And trust us — a day out with a stationary steam engine can be far more exciting than you might expect 😉

Whether you’re a long-time enthusiast or just curious about how the modern world was powered, you’re in the right place.

Follow along, get involved, and keep steam alive.

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