Melbourne Steam Traction Engine Club 2023

[@wilsonlaidlaw]

Nice to see all three makers of the stationary engines used in the family textile mill in the north of Scotland, after they moved into purpose built new premises in 1901. The first engine was an Otto and Crossley 15 HP engine running on town gas. The town gas pressure was somewhat irregular and this was therefore, replaced just before WW1 with a 30HP Tangye Producer Gas engine with water gas boost available for high load periods. Finally in the mid 1920's with expansion of the mill's machinery and more looms, more power was required. A Shanks-Deutz 80HP 24 litre single cylinder diesel was installed in 1924 and this ran up to 1936/37 when 3 phase mains electricity arrived. The Shanks diesel remained as a stand-by engine for power cuts up until 1940, when my father donated it to the government to use as a generator engine at a Coastal Command air station in the Scottish islands.

[@Wh4tTh3H3y]

Nice engines, and interesting history!