Emory Campbell Running His 55 HP Blackstone Electric Lighting Engine

Copyright by reddrryder and the Office of Steam July 2014
Check out our new forum for model steam, gas, hot air engines, and more at www.officeofsteamforum.com
The opportunity to film this engine came again in October 2019 due to mud causing the June event to be postponed. I have just finished editing and posting the fresh video of this engine as filmed at Dudly Diebold's Topland Farm in Roxbury, CT. • Emory Campbell's 55 HP...

[@jasnterry1313]

55 hp but enough torques to twist the world in two.

[@tpetry1303]

Still in the shed outside his garage today. I had the privilege to see it run in person a few years ago.

[@chipdoctorkent]

Timothy Petry if this was mine I’d put her to work

[@thenatnatboy]

love the musical when you slow it down

[@mrfingers4737]

Yep all she needs are a few hillbillies with washboards and banjos surrounding her.

[@john34261]

then i'm sure the musical would be complete and if i knew how to play banjo i'd play in the tempo she's going

[@igotajopamerica3040]

I'm waiting for a guy in suspenders to jump out playing spoons on his knee.👍

[@tnscavenger]

You can sing Queen's We will Rock you to that.

[@john34261]

i'm not a singer so someone else would have to sing

[@sharifabdul4237]

Oh watta beauty, this engine will last another two century,

[@ThUnDaHuNtA_Australia]

very impressive... love the setting... rustic, to say the least. what a beautiful resting place for a gorgeous old girl.

[@reddrryder]

Thank you very much!

[@flatheadronsgarage7345]

Her heartbeat is beautiful. Best ol girl I’ve heard in a long time 👍👍👍

[@MichelLinschoten]

Funny isn't....these days every engine build needs an overhaul after a good 200k miles. These oldies....were indestructible

[@artdrader1526]

This is my favourite of all the old classic motors. Just love to listen to fine engineering and how it’s stayed in such fine condition. From an old wrench jockey. 🇨🇦

[@DNA42200]

This came from England in pieces and my uncle Emory Campbell put it back together himself.He's very talented.

[@DNA42200]

+Steve Green Uncle Emory says that he is very satisfied and would like to come to England to see the 80 horse power Campbell engine. Regards to you.

[@justinberwick2827]

A person could make a song with the sound of that engine.

[@Another_Random_Dave]

Hp=55 Torque =1,000

[@sharifabdul4237]

How clever of u

[@Another_Random_Dave]

Sharif Abdul thank you

[@sharifabdul4237]

@@Another_Random_Dave you r welcome brother

[@johnsmith7676]

Over 9000.

[@davida1hiwaaynet]

Wonderful! What a beautiful old machine. Thanks for keeping her in running condition. This is the grand-daddy of the modern diesels I work on. Love to see it live! I would really like to see the electrical generator that was used with it. It is amazing that they had sophisticated concepts like ring oilers, and timed oiling of the cylinder. That was really advanced and intricate.

[@Tadesan]

"I'm a professional diesel mechanic. Ring oilers blow my mind." Nice work.

[@jacknedry3925]

Tadesan, He means that he didn’t know the concept was that old.

[@shortribslongbow5312]

It's mesmerizing isn't it. Beautiful piece of ingenuity. Thanks for sharing.

[@lonewolf2156]

when it slowed down I started bobbing my head to the beat......lol

[@DWLip]

You and me both. Sounded like a giant record with a lot of inertia slowing down.

[@mogeroithe]

You could almost dance to that. ☺️

[@mattdhurley]

5:52 that beat's MA JAM. Love watching these old engine startup videos.

[@fjs1111]

That engine is incredible and preserved so well.

[@artdrader1526]

The most impressive running engine of its kind on You Tube. Thanks very much for making this Canuck happy for some time!

[@dougalexander7204]

Emory, please stay awesome. Your effort to restore and keep this engine running is much appreciated. Men like you need to have your knowledge past down. Thank you.

[@TheNefastor]

Huh, you know all this stuff is documented, right ? We can make one of those anytime we want, there's just no point at all except maybe for collectors and museums. This is good job but it's not like mankind depends on this technology staying alive 😅

[@TheNefastor]

​@Tabourba get your stupid head out of your stupid ass. 1/ For every car model that gets recalled there's dozens that don't. 2/ This is not a car engine. 3/ Why would you assume I want to destroy anything ? It's insulting. 4/ If you want to compare apples to apples, today we make engines the size of buildings, that develop over 100,000 HP, and move container ships larger than a nuclear aircraft carrier. And those engines never get replaced, mostly because they are designed to outlast the ship build around them. Stop worshiping obsolete tech and start educating yourself, moron : kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYPZc2Sufpqrqtk

[@jonka1]

Lovely gentle footage of a machine running well.

[@gloknor]

Is this the machine that makes ever lasting gobstoppers for Willy Wonka?

[@PapaJ5667]

It makes the snozberry treats

[@user2C47]

No. It powers the factory.

[@frankwolfe1524]

Simply amazing... Thank you for the experience... Frank

[@-1749]

Спасибо за демонстрацию, этого инженерного шедевра. Испытываю эстетическое удовольствие. Мне бы такой.

[@josephdickerson5802]

That engine dropped a badass beat twords the end of the video

[@lozl]

I have watched this so many times. That engine is a thing of absolutely beauty. Tha ks for making this video

[@samschannel531]

Beautiful engine! Incredible to think that thing is about a hundred years old.

[@gt1man931]

I have to repeat it. Beautiful.

[@bricelarie6527]

After the bricks, the chalks ... Walls are amazing ! Well, that blackboard evolved so quickly it makes "the run" so impressive !!! Have great ones too .

[@John_Schulz]

Superb and Beautiful !!! Thank You Immensely For Sharing. Take Care and Best Regards.

[@mrmyford]

British Engineering at its "very best", really nice to see in good working order thanks for sharing regards....Keith in Swindon u.k

[@DWLip]

Made in Britain, it isn't German-owned ir -funded and it doesn't break all the time. RIP English engineering.

[@TheNefastor]

Wow. You mean you brits haven't invented anything better since this rusty old piece of barely functional junk ? Yeah Brexit makes total sense now. Also, is this an admission that Concorde had more French engineering than British engineering in it ?

[@MarkGeraghty]

This is exceptional quality engineering. It is 100 years old and still runs perfectly. That is what a lot of British engineering was like, and some still is today, We are not finished yet.

[@TheNefastor]

@@MarkGeraghty yeah except no. I'm sure there was a lot of crappy tech coming out of the UK at any point in history. But that stuff broke down and got trashed, so all that's left is the stuff that was properly designed... and there's not a lot of it. That means, in all likelihood, most UK engineered stuff was crap with a few exceptions like this engine. Think about it : if all British engineering used to be so good, there'd be a *lot* more examples of it lying around and still in working order. But that's not the case, and far from it.

[@TheNefastor]

@Tabourba Quick fact-check : JCB is *nowhere near* the 2nd place you claim it holds. It's not even in the top ten as of 2015 : the UK is behind the US, Japan, Sweden, Korea, Germany and even China. Maybe you shouldn't assume people are as dumb as you and won't just Google for confirmation of your baseless claims. www.usubc.org/files/Zeppelin_top_50_manufacturer_%20construction%20machinery.pdf but yeah, keep dreaming. I'm sure all the unicorns JRM promised you will turn up soon, and you'll even get 72 virgins when you get to heaven, while we're at it. You delusional shit.

[@bansheemania1692]

Wouldn't doubt that We will be Using these in the Near future

[@Worstpodcastever]

I assume you are referring to an apocalypse of some type. If that is the case, this engine would be a dinner bell to any other survivors that need your supplies or electric.

[@techdavey3486]

Very impressive! In England the low-life would have stolen all the brasses and weighed them in for scrap. Over here metal theft has been a problem for over fifty years. One bad case up north was the theft of railway wagon bearings over a weekend. (The old railway wagons had plain bearings with the axles resting on heavy bronze pillow-blocks) The engine-driver had parked about fifty wagons in a siding ready for work on Monday of the following week. After hauling away the wagons on Monday it soon became apparent that something was wrong and of course the axles were spoiled. Roller-bearings with minimal scrap value are now used but when metal prices were high thieves stole the rails from a mile of rarely-used track that was a siding.

[@Tadesan]

Who did they sell the pieces to? The buyers are culpable.

[@beefchicken]

It’s Canada and the USA, most scrap yards won’t accept railway materials from anyone but the railroad.

[@brianbird3756]

Wow, you don't even have the freedom to defend your own property... #tvtaxestoo

[@spencerwilton5831]

Brian Bird But at least the chances of dying by gunshot are one fiftieth that of a US resident.

[@richardparkersmith4810]

Great video and lovely engine. I used to live very near to Stamford in England where it was made.

[@austinwagoncompany]

that's a neat old engine, sounds like (I imagine) a dryer with a hammer in it.

[@johntripp2028]

Bowling ball

[@MrTheHillfolk]

Anvil in a dryer , see Aussie50. Hes got a bunch of dryer destruction videos.

[@831Arne]

Like that nice sound and low speed. ! upload more of that please !

[@CraigDohner]

Wow! What an amazing spectacle! That is really neat

[@TheFarmacySeedsNetwork]

just awesome! I could groove to that thing all day long!

[@analog_music_lover]

Mavalous machine! Especially I love the huge flywheel!

[@e-57sven26]

Boah, Very very Amazing this Engine!!! Love this very old Engine and his Sound!!!

[@hillbilly4christ638]

One of the best! Amazing slow walk!

[@CrazyHHO19]

mesmerising to watch.what a beautiful engine

[@ruston48]

That's a real Gem. hope it gets it's shelter enclosed, a freshen up clean and service soon though

[@shavguru]

It's so awe inspiring to witness what, to us, is old, outdated, primitive technology, that at the time, was state of the art. I love it! Until they shut it down, I worked 20+ years in a steel mill that was state of the art for 1968, this was from 1991 until 2013. I'm only 52, but, God I love this old stuff!

[@dylanenck1548]

If the map sensor and the CO2 sensor were in sync this thing would run a lot better

[@seanspell9633]

I had to laugh at that. Good one.

[@MrTheHillfolk]

And bust out the welder and build those cam lobes up a little, you know the factory always sandbags it 😝

[@svtirefire]

Need to plug a scanner into the OBDII port and see where the problem is.

[@user2C47]

This engine is above such things.

[@dylanenck1548]

@@user2C47 no it is not easy not pass emissions and we cannot have this because cow farts Aoc

[@theluth9046]

Beautiful engine! Dang Son, that engine music is putting me to sleep! Love it! Thanks!

[@victoryfirst2878]

This is just so cool. Would love to see this live in person.

[@markfaunce7744]

thank you for that it was very interesting informative and just appreciate getting Knowledge from Times Gone by well done guys thank you

[@hemibreath]

I’m a HD Mechanic and I think these engines are marvellous Wish I had one to start up and watch Love it ! Now that’s a “big boy toy” Absolutely Fascinating

[@BenjaminEsposti]

Beautiful, would love to collect these when I'm older XD

[@BenjaminEsposti]

Eron Frost What about you? XD

[@BenjaminEsposti]

Eron Frost Lol.... did you even watch the video?

[@nlo114]

+Benjamin “Ozias” Esposti - I'd love to 'collect' these engines too, but UK price is $20k or so if you can find one. For now I'll have to stay with my little Listers and Petters. (3-12HP)

[@sahilsardar1237]

Wonderful engine ever seen ! Really wonderful !

[@nlo114]

Nice engine, in good shape. It does need a liberal coating of oil over everything to preserve it and keep the dreaded rust at bay.

[@DRNEGOLICIS]

Liberal? So we have to spray it with oil whilst yelling about Russian collusion and calling every one racist? lmao I literally pictured some one doing this when I read your comment ..

[@marksommers6764]

DRNEGOLICIS Oh MAN ! You need a vacation !

[@overloaded1498]

What a beauty! Diesel, I assume. That low speed is awesome, you can actually see each of the 4 cycles. Thanks so much for posting this!

[@richardvaughn2705]

Overloaded! Not diesel. This is a hot bulb engine. It injects oily fuels like a diesel and uses a form of compression ignition but the compression ratio is low. It uses a hot bulb which is a preheated prechamber connected to the cylinder with a small hole. When the fuel rail vaporizes from the heat the pressure increases because of the restriction which causes the fuel to combust and the explosion shoots into the cylinder though the hole. Because of the time it takes for that to happen the fuel is usually injected at BDC and the engines speed is limited to a narrow range. Too slow and the hot bulb gets cold. Too fast and the combustion event takes too long and gets out of sync. A diesel engine relies on the pressure of the cylinder at compression to ignite fuel injected in at TDC and has a high CR. Metallurgy made diesels infeasible so hot bulb engines were used in roles that we use diesels for today. On a side note, this engine just also happens to be hit-n-miss because the governor prevents fuel injection when the engine is over speed.

[@jackt6112]

@@richardvaughn2705 Thank you for the explanation!

[@b43xoit]

The writing on the vid says kerosene.

[@philhealey4443]

​@richardvaughn2705 Seems to be Diesel, not a hotbulb 'semi-Diesel'.

[@MazeFrame]

Amazing sound! Love it!

[@TheNefastor]

Damn I'm glad for progress.

[@smallenginedude71]

what a beautiful engine

[@jamesfugate5109]

it's about to drop the hottest mix of 2016. but sounds amazing and looks awesome

[@MrTheHillfolk]

Still listening in 2019 yoe

[@sweetmeatbeatz3615]

Sounds like it’s playing music at a low rpm. 💪👍👍

[@Mechknight73]

Still amazes me just how musical these old engines are. They put out a better rhythm than some of the stuff that passes for pop music these days

[@trevortrevortsr2]

that was pretty amazing - thanks guys

[@peterbuettner6435]

Trev S

[@shujatmughal1337]

What a musical sound great performance

[@billykittner7128]

Emory Campbell...havnt seen him in a few years!!

[@jt-bg6ey]

Awesome engine love the sound of it

[@gaildimick1831]

Very nice, love to have that in my backyard.

[@anythingoldmechanical]

A beautiful engine, that looks like its crying out for a sympathetic restoration, and a cooling tank!

[@anythingoldmechanical]

@Tabourba Well if you dont know.. Im not going to tell you.

[@UnderPressurePowerWashingLLc]

Great Video and Good Views On The Machine Especially The Oilers. What type of bearings are on the main flywheel ?

[@92xl]

Babbitt inserts.

[@scruffyzejanitor]

Sounds so good its in my music folder

[@derpinbird1180]

At low rpm it almost sounds like a song beat. Beautiful sound

[@atranas6018]

Sing the Queen's We Will We Will Rock You along with the slow engine beat

[@tomsbunk3790]

Remind me Queen in calm tempo.... Buddy, you're a boy, make a big noise Playing in the street, gonna be a big man someday You got mud on your face, you big disgrace Kicking your can all over the place, singin' We will, we will rock you We will, we will rock you

[@sharpeyes2366]

I love it old engine run still alive that awesome beautiful sound is very awesome old engine LOVE IT

[@victoryfirst2878]

I really love to see and hear this engine run. Would really like to buy one if one comes up for sale. What are your plans for this engine ??? Keep her oiled up fella.

[@984francis]

I'd really appreciate a longish soundbite of it idling, with no other sounds at all, just the engine. Then I could play it on loop and get some sleep!

[@BertPaulson]

Nice beat

[@scottbc31h22]

She generated some kool rhythms as she slowed down.

[@hobiekanobie4982]

my god, somebody with a musical background could turn that into something awesome.

[@mr.technicalverma7506]

The sound of engine at the last moment like music drum sound 😀😀😆

[@leomenchey3726]

Very nice backup generator

[@mechanicojoe]

Reminds me of my Dad running his multilith printing press at night, rhythm puts you to sleep haha.

[@sambingham2889]

Somone needs to sample this

[@tonyloechte9994]

Simply beautiful.

[@thatguy.mp7950]

i love the sound that it makes after it starts when it's going full throttle. that's stuff that helps me fall asleep.

[@markhall7646]

What is the power output of the electric lighting plant? Is it still operational?

[@baskooij8500]

How much torque does it have? Yes.

[@TheNefastor]

All of the torques.

[@johnlucas2037]

is this compression ignition Diesel engine? i dont see a spark plug or ignitor...

[@92HondaEX]

two questions... 1) how fuel efficient are these engines? 2) where do you get one?

[@richardvaughn2705]

92HondaEX Less efficient than gasoline but it can run on anything that burns. On eBay or engineads.

[@borisaztoff1870]

that is a superb engine

[@echothehusky]

Stunning!

[@matthewb7049]

Thats cool i never heard of a combo hit/ miss engine that can run like a normal engine.

[@appealingpit]

That motor sound like a Swiss watch. Very smooth.

[@npsit1]

I wish I had one of these!

[@aarifkhatri8501]

Nice model

[@victoryfirst2878]

Nice engine, where did you find it ??? Thanks

[@dunxy]

Marvelous, whats redline on this beast? 100rpm or something?

[@TheNefastor]

Yes, but in this case it's M for Month 😀

[@HaddaClu]

Love a good barker. The Oil City Drake Oil Well museum has a few that they run almost every day.

[@ShowCat1]

Thanks

[@sonyhk3824]

Beautiful

[@davidviktora]

What are those oily tapes in the flywheel and controller bearings? (Time: 4:47 and onward)

[@BenjaminEsposti]

David Viktora "Ring oilers" en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ring_oiler Just looked it up :D

[@paublusamericanus292]

I think I hear the main bearing on the rod. just a few thousandths shim taken out, like 5, and it will smooth right out, without hammering on the crank, but a tiny bit of maintenance and this engine will make electricity 150 years from now. sweet. a beauty, and if making 25kw, would run 50 years without further maintenance.

[@gwynburghduf9212]

Awesome. It is liquid cooled, correct, what is used as the heat exchanger?

[@JasperJanssen]

Gwyn Burghduf "cooled"? Afaik these kinds of engines usually only need to be heated, to get them started.

[@aplinewalker]

Lovely to see the old Blackstone engine running ,,,,, I understand the Blackstone company merged at some point and became Mirrless Blackstone ,,,,, one of the factories was in Stamford (as it says on the engine ) well I do a lot of industrial cleaning and some ten years a go I visited the factory quite often,,,,, ( its only a dozen mile north of where I live ) if the owner is interested I can have a run up there and see if anything remains of the factory ,,,,, it was due to close the last I heard,,,, I could shoot some video of where the engine was born so to speech ,,,,,, cheers Alan

[@dbeaumontresident847]

Where can we see this Engine? Where in the states is it located?

[@TheAmtrack69]

What a blast!

[@jeffwoehrle]

Very nice!!