(6) 400 HP Snow pumping engines Heath Pa

This Video was taken in the spring of 1989 at Heath, Pa. This station has (6) 400 HP Buffalo, NY made Snow Tandem Natural gas pumping engines. They were installed between 1911 and 1915. In this video, 4 of them are running under full load pumping natural gas through the Columbia Natural Gas Pipeline to the Buffalo, NY area. This was an unusual event as usually a large Wakusha engine is running in the corner of the pump house making so much racket that the mechanical music from these engines could not be heard.

[@jamesanderson2226]

What great memories. Like music to my ears. I went to sleep by the sound of the exhaust (around 6 minutes into the video) from these engines many a night. Lived at one of the company houses at Heath Station from 1964-1969. My Dad was a station operator from 1964 to his retirement around 1982-1983. Used to be a swinging suspension bridge across the Clarion River just 200 yards from our house.

[@Larsky1010]

"Mechanical music" (from description) is the best expression I've seen for the sounds of such engines as this!

[@jeeperforlife]

Thanks for posting this video. I was fortunate enough to have seen these engines run a number of years back. Wasnt sure that id ever see that again. Of course now Coolspring is almost ready to run theirs...

[@maytagmark2171]

What a pleasure it must have been to see all of them or most of them running at that time. I don't know how or why but the very last time #6 was run I felt a sense of foreboding for the engines and I held my hand on #6 when they shut her ignition down, until she came to a complete stand still. I just had a feeling.

[@nmgt1048]

It is fascinating to see these old Snow engines chug away pumping natural gas-a testament to the heavy duty rugged construction of the early 20th century. Sounds just like a steam engine.

[@scopex2749]

MUSIC to an old engineers ears thank you - I would love to see this for real but never will.

[@wgrenning]

Possibly. 2 larger versions of these were moved from the Roystone, Pa pumping station. One ended up in Rolag, MN and the other is at the Coolspring ,Pa Engine Museum

[@johnchadwicktilton]

Are these engines still in place as backup if ever needed ?

[@GFTP100]

I was going to comment that I didn't know of too many video cameras working in 1898 :-) Thanks for the video tour. I have never seen or heard of this type engine. Listening to them running is like music to my ears. I could just lay down and sleep so peacefully in that room...

[@rearspeaker6364]

He must have been friends with Dr. Emmett Brown.

[@marksides9757]

These are truly are a work of art. Pity so many have been scrapped. Electronics takes so much of the front stage today, that mechanics are lost. I've been in compressor stations using inline 6 engines (3 running-3 pumping, and all 6 running a slant or horizontal compressor/pump. I can understand a lot on the mechanics of these engines, but not all. Please direct me to a site that 1)shows how these engines (tandem piston) worked 2)how they interfaced with the gas compressors Bucket list item: seeing these in operation

[@Rick1885]

I couldn't find a good site on this, but I can give you the basics on how this works. It's a tandem piston engine you are correct there, but these pistons are double acting. They fire on both sides using the four stroke cycle I believe. As for the compressor, it interfaced directly with the crankshaft. Here's a link to an article from the Coolspring Power Museum. www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=www.coolspringpowermuseum.org/Exhibits/Exley/Snow_600_00.htm&ved=0ahUKEwirpJW2mILXAhUr2oMKHX4ZD1IQFgg0MAA&usg=AOvVaw0jD1lneDelcRptLQpdK91w

[@wgrenning]

All six are stil in the building. (4) low pressure units and (2) High pressure boosters ! They have not been in operation for about 15 years or so

[@wgrenning]

No Unfortunately these are not run anymore. I believe they were last run for demostrational purposes around 2000. The pumping station they are located in suffered an explosion several years ago and only the "newer" equipment runs now. The good news is that they all still exist in their original setting - even if they are not in running condition - Wayne

[@ArnoldsDesign]

I have driven by the Heath pump station many times coming in the back way from Brookville to Ridgway. I had no idea it was even operational.

[@davemckolanis4683]

Sorry. The Snows Are No Longer Operating. THAT Was A One Time Shot While The Main Waukesha Diesel Was Down And Being Repaired In The Summer Of 1989...

[@ArnoldsDesign]

@@davemckolanis4683 I'm glad someone took the opportunity to capture it on video while running. You're probably already aware, but they have a huge Snow engine in operation in Cool Spring Power Museum now. I think they said it had been in a pumping station somewhere around Sheffield, PA. I have a video of the Cool Springs spring show on my channel. The Snow in operation is toward the end of video.

[@davemckolanis4683]

@@ArnoldsDesign I've Visited Cool Spring Almost Every Summer Since The Early 1980's, And Watched The Snow They Have Being Slowly Constructed During That Time. I Was Told That A Million Dollars Was Donated For That One Engine And Building Alone. And I've Seen The Addition Of MORE Buildings And Equipment Being Contributed Over The Years As Well. You Can Also Visit It During Their Fall Shut Down Weekend, But With LESS Vendors And Food Availability. I Only Live About 20-Miles Away From The Place...

[@wgrenning]

On one side of the crank shaft is a double acting tandem cylinder engine. Facing the opposite direction ( connected to the same crank throw )is a large compressor cylinder. This compressor compresses the natural gas from the well and pushes it down a pipeline toward the buffalo area

[@lawrencebracken9272]

Actually that isn't the case, watch the vid on the 600 hp version and you'll see that the pump is actuated by the Piston rod

[@REWYRED]

Ya they may be inefficient, and parts may be hard to come by, but what I do see AND hear is smooth effortless RELIABLE power..

[@mtb020184]

The WNY Gas and Steam Engine Association has been given one of these engines from this station, they are currently working on the logistics of getting it to their grounds in Alexander NY

[@renegadeoflife87]

It is now on their grounds in pieces, awaiting a foundation to carry it and a building to house it. Might be a while longer before we see it running again.

[@Pamudder]

Marvelous old machines! Do you know how many men per shift were required to keep them lubricated and otherwise happy?

[@wgrenning]

It is very hard to say. I believe that enough people know about them that they will never be scrapped.

[@stevenwrigley9694]

9 years later, unfortunately that was not the case. I wish I could have seen those run under load.

[@renegadeoflife87]

@@stevenwrigley9694 One of these engines survived and made its way to the WNYGSEA showgrounds in Alexander NY. It is currently in pieces waiting for a foundation to install it on again. Sadly several others in the building met the torch.

[@tcon_7830]

They're tearing it down I can't believe it

[@mikemonahan67]

Conley_Outdoors now it’s rebuilt

[@groenekever]

great videocams back in 1898

[@benheatherman2839]

groenekever I noticed that aswell

[@GpunktHartman]

a rare fine document ... i like it !

[@grumpyoldsoandso]

Are these engines still in use (regularly or occasionally) today? Thank-you for the delightful video.

[@fordson23]

I was lucky to see one of these old girls running in 2002- gosh, to think they were hauled in on carts in pieces by mule teams. Very rugged country up there-!

[@wgrenning]

Yes, That is incorrect. The video was taken in 1988

[@tcon_7830]

6:02 intake 6:10 individual exhaust pipe and group exhaust pipe excluding the wakeusha was in on the other side Also they added a fan for the wekeusha

[@sheps999]

Very musical :)

[@tcon_7830]

Ps Arnold's Design it's not the snows were discontinued in 1995 the wakashaw was discontinued 18 months ago a little pump runs in back but they might tear the place down I got a tour a few days ago and I saw those engines they are not up to code

[@BACKFIREFUR]

Eney idea if there still in service. I would love to see them.

[@WJCTechyman]

The engines in this video, if timed correctly work with the tempo of House of Pain's Jump Around

[@mainigirl]

these snow engines looks like the real snow engines

[@tcon_7830]

They are but they were discontinued in 1998

[@cedarthemidiguy]

@@tcon_7830 hey, i meant the flywheels lol, kinda wrong message i sent there using my sis's account... the flywheels on this video has fewer things inside the circle itself, the one on the coolspring and rollag has more is this the second version of the engine?

[@tcon_7830]

cedar515 I think these where specific to the pump station. I believe they were a modified 600 hp

[@cedarthemidiguy]

@@tcon_7830 oh okay! (I reverse my message from a false question.)

[@davemckolanis4683]

@@tcon_7830 Go On- Line And READ About The SNOW Engines, Before Making Wild Guesses. The Last SNOW Was Made In June Of 1951, And Was Even LARGER At Producing 1,600 HP.

[@tcon_7830]

The pump house is at idle due to codes one engine runs out Side but it's just a little humming pump also those engines are blue

[@dc761]

@wgrenning are these engines still in regular use?

[@ChrisFiggatt]

Wayne, do you know if these engines are still in place?

[@douro20]

Do you think these old double-acting engines will ever be moved?

[@oldskoolcoinop]

Show me a machine today that will work like this in 100 years

[@salemcripple]

Damnit! you beat me to the punch lol.

[@benheatherman2839]

These engines are sill in there pump house but there no longer operational. There fate is uncertain.

[@41Zman]

How do they pump the natural gas through the lines?

[@BACKFIREFUR]

But do they still run them?

[@41Zman]

Thanks. was the video shot in 1898 or 1988? just wondering because i found a typo

[@tcon_7830]

In back I ment the others idea was wakeusha exhaust pipe

[@V8Jagnut]

that is so cool. why did they stop using them?

[@davemckolanis4683]

Even Though You Have A Very Old Question About Using Those Old SNOW Engines; The Answer Is That ALL Of Those Gigantic Snow's Were Operating, Because The One HUGE Waukesha Diesel Engine In One Corner Of The Building Was Down Being Repaired. So It Was That One Diesel Engine That Could Take The Place Of All Those Other Outdated HUMONGOUS SNOW Engines.

[@douro20]

They ought to move these engines out of there and put them somewhere else; don't let these rarities end up in the stockpile!

[@tcon_7830]

Two spark plugs to each cylinder

[@tcon_7830]

1:12 you are looking at a spark plug

[@davemckolanis4683]

I've Also Made The SAME Recording At Heath Station In 1989 As Well. However The One That I Made Has MORE In It, Going From End To End Of The Building And Describing What Was Happening, The HUGE Waukesha Engine That Was Being Repaired, The Spare Parts At The Lower Level, And Even The DEEP: "Tom-Tom-Tom-Tom" POUNDING SOUND Of The Outside Piped Exhaust FROM The Engines Echoing Through The Valley. That Place Was A Loud Clattering Factory Deep In The Woods Alright. SADLY Though, After Talking To Mike At A Later Cool Spring Engine Show, (Who Worked At The Station), He Said ALL Of Those Old SNOW Engines Are Now Rusting Away Inside The Building, That Is Entirely Fenced Off. So To See One Of Them Alive And Operating Again, Folks Will Have To Visit The COOL SPRING POWER MUSEUM Engine Show, That Is Usually Held A Few Days Before FATHER'S DAY Weekend In June Every Summer. It's A Family Event With Food And Vendors From Across The North East, And A Mechanical "GUY THING" With Amazing Hit And Miss Engines Of All Sizes. From Small Table Top Ones That Actually Work, To Miniatures Used On Washing Machines And Farms, To MAMMOTH GIANTS Used To Pump City Water. DOZENS OF THEM ALIVE And RUNNING. EVERYTHING From Many DECADES In The Past, With Guides Around To Help Explain What You Are Looking At AS THEY ARE OPERATING. Cool Spring Is Located Between Brookville And Punsxutawney, (Remember The February 2nd Ground Hog Day), Along State Route 36 In West Central Pennsylvania, And Accessible From I-80 At The Brookville Exit. A MUST SEE EVENT For ANY Motor Head And Mechanical Machine Lover...

[@sbeer6er]

where is the snow?

[@davemckolanis4683]

The Snow Melts Away In Summer Silly Boy...

[@sbeer6er]

@@davemckolanis4683 I had to wait 11yrs for a reply? 🤣

[@2boredfortv]

its simple, THIS!!!

[@MarcoAtlarge]

Out of HG Wells

[@matthewjolliff7606]

In case anyone is curious, you can see the aerial imagery if you put these coordinates in google maps: (41.3488254, -79.0136491)

[@mikemonahan67]

It’s all covered up

[@tcon_7830]

Those are also 400hp not 200

[@tcon_7830]

I got a tour a few days ago i

[@flaplaya]

Pretty neat how this person got video and uploaded it huh?

[@tcon_7830]

Back before 9/11 you just signed a paper and walked around either that or he worked there I was filming and got questioned before He gave me and my granddad a tour

[@flaplaya]

I heard that.. Sad new world we live in everyone on eggshells.. Glad you got a tour there man :).. Brings back a memory of going to a 880 MW x 2 oil fired power station.. Got turned away at first but then the dude on the intercom was like wait a minute.. You are actually interested in this? I was like heck yes I am. Got the grand tour. Even went up to the top level of the boiler at 250 ft. Today's kids aren't going to be as lucky and that's a shame.

[@nobody7817]

I hate to call B.S., but the video says that it was shot in the spring of 1898. 2 VERY MAJOR things wrong with that: 1) COLOR FILM did not exist back in 1898, let along 2) VIDEO. (OK, I stand corrected, apparently there was a video (1 minute long) shot in Oct of 1888...but not of this quality--and no sound...I'm sure! (And THIS has sound...).)

[@gewizz2]

sounds unreliable to me, and timings off