More Efficient steam History -Video link

Solarstar

<a href="http://videos.howstuffworks.com/discovery/31803-industrial-revelations-more-efficient-steam-engines-video.htm">http://videos.howstuffworks.com/discovery/31803-industrial-revelations-more-efficient-steam-engines-video.htm</a>

D107

Truly from 1812?

Is the narrator saying that that very engine/piston etc is from 1812? and still in working order?

jpf321

this link...

this link gives a good history of the Newcomen steam engine ... it does show a "Watts canal pumping engine" from 1796, but it is unclear as to whether it is in operation today .. additionally, it is not painted Red like the one in the video ..

http://www.technology.niagarac.on.ca/people/mcsele/newcomen.htm



if I find the original "oldest" engine from the video, I'll post it here.

jpf321

world's oldest working steam engine ...

from this link: http://www.thinktank.ac/page.asp?section=242&sectionTitle=Power+Up

The world’s oldest working steam engine: See the Smethwick Engine, the oldest working steam engine in the world, dating from 1779. Watch the spectacular cascade of water pumped by the engine that in the past supplied water to the canal between Birmingham and Wolverhampton. Play the locks game to discover what a lock-keeper did on the canals. .. .



got there from this link: http://www.statemaster.com/encyclopedia/Smethwick-Engine

got there from this link: http://www.statemaster.com/encyclopedia/Watt-steam-engine#Preserved_Watt_engines



enjoy!

Mike Kusiak_2

1812 engine

Seems that the engine is actually the original one built in 1812. Here is a link to the official site:



http://www.croftonbeamengines.org/about.html



Here is another interesting steam powered water pumping station from the 1840's. I first visited this plant when I was working in Holland 30 years ago. Since then they have partially restored it to move, but unfortunately not under its own steam power. Still an amazing piece of machinery!



http://www.cruquiusmuseum.nl/englishsite/english.html

jpf321

thanks

thanks for the proper link .. i wasn't sure I had found it .. 

Mike Kusiak_2

Beam engine videos

Here are a few videos of working beam engines:





This is the companion 1846 Crofton engine to the 1812 model



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUx7kwZqa00



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Qll9VS6ujk









These engines are housed in an incredible building that is decorated as if it was a Church.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyvnOAppQnU&feature=related







Another fully operational pumping site.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGesKoENjUg&feature=related



The last two were retired from full operational sevice in the late 1960's. At least they didn't demolish them and cut them up for scrap. Quite a few of them are preserved as museums in England.



What really amazes me about all of these engines is how quiet they are. The loudest sounds in the videos are the visitors conversations!