Details of Merryweather's Self-contained firefighting engine

This superb little power plant on wheels was built by Merryweather in London to fight fires on everything from large British Estates to industrial yards. Merryweather built firefighting pumps and fire engines, and also steam trams and tram locomotives using similar boilers and engines for various city street railway networks.
This boiler is a hybrid fire tube-water tube, and bolts together from two halves for ease of maintenance and overhaul, and can raise steam from cold in 15 minutes without damaging itself. This video details getting it into commission for Alex Ellsworth.

[@pixel2182]

Happy to have found your channel after seeing the Proper People show off your work with the Woburn Waterworks engine! The amount of knowledge you're able to share so quickly is really captivating, I love hearing all the little details. Hope these more frequent videos can continue!

[@yevgeny79]

Same. I feel like he gave a more subdued or shall we say a more proper gentlemen performance for the filming of Waterworks. This channel is a bit more off the cuff, unfiltered variety, which I also appreciate.

[@christianmccollum1028]

That's right - that is this gentleman from the Proper People explore. So glad this popped up in my feed. Could listen to this guy talk steam all day!

[@telescopebuilder]

Same!

[@maisiefreeman8597]

This is exactly the sort of thing I imagine you using to power-wash your driveway, or your car. What a lovely engine.

[@keepitsimpleengineer]

"Yessiree Bob" and "Country mile" ~ I'm eighty years old and I haven't heard these used so elegantly in fifty years.... ... .. ! 😀👍

[@AEKarnes]

sorry, force of habit I inherited from my old mentors

[@keepitsimpleengineer]

Hooray for Old Mentors@@AEKarnes

[@098765432qwertyuiop]

Seems fitting that you would need to light a fire to fight fire. Beautiful engine.

[@stephenbowden3580]

A pleasure to watch. I am from Lancashire England and the steam engines powered our cotton towns and employed thousands - we owe a lot to the engineers of old. In my opinion these steam engines are not only functional, but works of art with great beauty. You are doin all reet lad!

[@AEKarnes]

Lancashire is dear to my heart and I have been there to help my friends David Arnfield and Anthony Pilling, Chris Unsworth etcetera to help restore the big engines of Leigh Spinners and Grane Mill. My respect to you and your homeland.

[@thehilltopworkshop]

"It's got a cop motor, a 440 cubic inch plant, it's got cop tires, cop suspensions, cop shocks. It's a model made before catalytic converters so it'll run good on regular gas. What do you say, is it the new Bluesmobile or what?" 😅👍 Love it!

[@loosehandle1]

Its dark and Alex needs sunglasses

[@robertstrong9381]

If there were more educators like you the world would be a much better place.

[@scrapperstacker8629]

As a modern day Firefighter. I find this very interesting. I have seen these types of engines/ pumps in pictures or static displays. But never one actually working.

[@stevem3413]

He definitely has a passion for what he does. I would love to see more of the restoration process and learn more about the different machines

[@garydulson9018]

Can't agree with you more on the next day delivery, order now for Monday society we live in. I live in what was the workshop of the world little old England and it drives me nuts. Great video as always my friend. The world needs more AEK

[@parkrichard4464]

I recently stumbled across your channel and I am enjoying it immensely. I served on a U.S. nuclear submarine from 1975 until 1979 as a nuclear power electrician. More than once I sat between the main engines and marveled at the wonder of the steam turning the turbine generators to make electricity and turning the propulsion turbines to push the boat through the water hundreds of feet below the surface. Not only that but steam provided the heat needed to make the lithium bromide air conditioning work. In fact it worked better, and quieter, than the massive mechanical air conditioning, though it was less than 1/3 their size. Your videos give a sense of the roots of what we had in place. Thank you so much.

[@telmore6490]

Hello this is the 19t h century calling we want Alex back please

[@AEKarnes]

I want it back more, I will guarantee you. My DeLorean got a flat and Im stuck here

[@telmore6490]

A steam powered Delorean....When this baby gets up to 40mph you are going to see some serious....stuff(always edited out on TV)

[@TheJimbob1603]

Just recently found your channel. The Woburn water pump is fascinating! Your channel is a really sweet find! Are you aware of the North Woburn Machine Shop? Its a machine shop which supported the leather industry 150(?) years ago; and is still a working shop with the addition of a few modern lathes & mills. The power distribution shafts/leather belts and many of the original machines are still in place; including (what must be the world's largest) broach press. I don't know if the original steam engine is there. In any case, its a wondrous trip to yesteryear. Thank you for your time & effort in sharing your love of machinery.

[@bevanwilson5642]

I saw one of these going at vintage show and they had a land rover fire engine returning the water and it was flat out to keep up with the merryweather

[@sky173]

I saw this guy on The Proper People channel. I'm glad I just happened to stumbled on this channel. This is some great content. Thanks for sharing.

[@krockpotbroccoli65]

I never knew I was interested in steam power until i saw the PP video on the Woburn waterworks. Just realized you had a channel. Great content, Alex. Keep it coming!

[@Modelsteam-jw4wk]

That’s a very beautiful engine it’s nice seeing it run

[@jims6323]

That was excellent! Back in the 70's Live Steam Magazine had an article about these, thats where I first learned about a Scotch yolk to drive the pump.

[@joshspurlock3631]

I came after finding out channel from the proper people’s video. I’m a firefighter in California and was hoping to see some steam firefighting equipment and got my wish! Thanks for the share!

[@graveneyshipright]

So the anthracite is not to your taste? Maybe a A. E. Karnes production: coal and rubbish. A favorite talking point when any devotees of steam are gathered together around a fire hole door. Another great video. thanks for posting.

[@sensumcommunem4364]

Thank you for maintaining and operating these beautiful steam engines and honoring their history.

[@782sirbrian]

A local estate in the day had a Merryweather Fire King. This was the self propelled steam fire engine. I've seen old photo's of it. Correct me if I'm wrong but none of this model has survived. I always a treat to see these type engines put through their paces.

[@themossynook]

What a nice engine!

[@jamieknight326]

Oh wow. I think there’s one of these in the Somerset County Museum in Taunton!

[@davelister796]

i'm so happy to see a 20 minute video from you. Hoping to see more. Thank you for sharing!

[@mikewinkelman7015]

Beautiful engine.

[@number6705]

I’m hooked - wonderful channel

[@andrewtiefry5990]

Beautiful keep it up. I love to see the antique fire aperatuses going to see where we we come from

[@CherryBerry48]

wow you are the grand master of steam engines!!

[@oldmandoingstuff8997]

Tks for your Obsessions shared

[@michealedwards2450]

ahh yes i love this guy

[@markfrench8892]

I'm sure glad I found your channel. I have been a steam fanatic for years. What a beautiful piece of equipment.

[@The_Smith]

What a sweet little fire engine! I love the wheels on it! such a great way the spokes attach to the rim, I'm going to file that idea away for future use.

[@buttole]

i love this guy

[@donwright3427]

There is one of those, horse drawn from1840 at Penrhyn Castle.North Wales. That's got all its fittings

[@sheep1ewe]

Awesome½ It is a true shame almost all of those beautiful macines whent to the scrapyard in my country only the empty barns by the old roadsides serve as a reminder today.

[@benrobertson7855]

So your house is on fire,you run and get the merry weather…find a water source,light the boiler fire,wait to build up steam,,then what’s left of your house can be wet down…. Loved my model of one of these as a kid.

[@websitesthatneedanem]

Awesome! ‼‼‼‼‼

[@HeimirTomm]

Brilliant as always. Keep 'em coming please!

[@xitywampas]

Thank you for what you do.

[@wlogue]

I'm sure you are aware of Shannon Hardware in Morgan City. What a place! Cheers.

[@AEKarnes]

I'll have to visit but sadly these places are an ever rarer exception to the rule. I remember when I was in my single digits you could still buy dynamite in some hardware stores in Connecticut. Now you can't even buy tool steel at most of them, nor do the people there know what it is when you ask them for it.

[@mattl7886]

On a large estate would something like this be kept on a low fire at all times? I can't imagine getting it running from dead cold would have helped fight a fire in a timely manner.

[@AEKarnes]

This boiler will steam readily in 10-15 minutes from cold without damaging itself. That is about the same time as the fire brigade's arrival if you were lucky, back then.

[@jrkorman]

@@AEKarnesThank you Alex as I had the same question as I was watching you'll bring up the fire and raise steam.

[@pw1340]

Another good one, thanks

[@slommer5063]

Highly excellent A.E.

[@stevenaegele5228]

Well done!

[@rhavrane]

Bonjour Alexander, Another exciting video, furthermore with a great whistle, thanks a lot. I am impressed by the quality of the whole assembly and notably by the injector. I am just surprized to see a manual lubricator instead of a displacement one, weird isn't it ! 15 minutes is fast t operate, but against a fire, it is a long time, do you know if they were "pre" fired ? What is the difference bertween regular coal and anthracite for heating ? Would the second one mire efficient and making less ashes ? Funny to see sparks from a firefighting engine 😁 Amicalement, Raphaël

[@dougcoxon5472]

Nice

[@nathansmith1085]

I absolutely love these longer videos! Do you have any videos or plan on making any videos on your past at the lighthouse you briefly spoke on in the Proper People video? I'm fascinated in what you would have to say on that as well. Hope you are doing well, looking forward to your next video!

[@AEKarnes]

I'd need to return to the lighthouse with a friend with a good camera to get some footage, I took very little myself when last there.

[@nathansmith1085]

@@AEKarnes I understand. I'm sure you're a very busy man, but if you do find the time, we would love to see it. Thanks for the response

[@The123pcr]

A ... a piece of functional art :-)))

[@DAM1EN666-0]

Hey Alex, found your channel by way of machinery the Proper People Woburn episode, found it very interesting! Any idea when you'll be in Woburn again? Would like to come by & get a nice history lesson on old steam machinery!

[@AEKarnes]

When would you like a tour?

[@DAM1EN666-0]

@@AEKarnes Hello again Alex! First of all, thx for replying to my message. Well, with the holidays coming up we’re all gonna be a bit busy. I can be available for a tour sometime in January. I’m currently off Monday-Wednesday’s, so whenever you’re available next month works for me. Depending on the weather of course! Thx again Alex & best regards! Joe.

[@AEKarnes]

sure thing. send me an email.

[@DAM1EN666-0]

@@AEKarnes Will do! What’s your email brother?

[@stuglenn1112]

I never really though about it before but these steam firefighting engines, back in the day how long did it take them to get up steam? With something burning down time is of the essence.

[@AEKarnes]

this boiler steams in 10 minutes without damaging itself.

[@stuglenn1112]

@@AEKarnes I figured it had to be fast. Interesting and a handsome piece of equipment.

[@seanbatiz6620]

I’m presuming that the rather robust construction design of its boiler, being built as it is, is primarily due to the nature of its application of intended, very intense REPETITIVE firing up these surely would’ve been subjected to back in the day… likely a fairly expensive build design even when new, by comparison to most average steam engine’s’ boilers of equal size/pressure output

[@lightningwingdragon]

I cannot get over how much this guy looks like Nick Fink from Legacies.

[@jsmith6599]

So how long it takes to fire this thing up? Wouldn't a building just burn to the ground by the time this pump could be put to work? The engine is awesome and beautiful though.

[@Andy-PerpetualMotion]

We need you to come to Michigan and help us convince the nuts in charge of the Henry Ford museum and Greenfield village to get back in line with Ford's original vision for the place and actually run the steam engines there.

[@AEKarnes]

I would gladly do that and serve as chief engineer, but it would probably require a hostile takeover. There are many things in there of serious interest to me that I wish to operate and that should be running regularly.

[@Andy-PerpetualMotion]

@@AEKarnes I only live about two and a half hours from there, it is my favorite place in the entire state, but also one of the saddest, Henry Ford made that place to live and breathe, not rust away. I have often thought that a hostile takeover is exactly what that place needs. It needs another Henry Ford to save it from it's safety and money driven current overseers.

[@Andy-PerpetualMotion]

By the way, I admire your work, we don't have many men in my generation who could stand with the men of the past as peers like you do.

[@p.m3735]

Very nice, what a fantastic engine. Seems to really shift water, any ideas on how many litres per second it does? Wouldn't like to pull it up hill to a fire though, 😂 Really enjoying your channel 😀

[@bentheguru4986]

Fully agree, getting any kind of parts is all needing to be ordered-in. I blame all the chain stores killing off the specialists and small guys.

[@Armadous]

I also consider the extinction of the craftsmen. Replaceable parts have gone out of fashion; now, we consume entire replaceable appliances.

[@EmmaRitson]

@A.E.Karnes could you do a video about basic steam lubricators like this has, tallow cups in particular and their use? would be much appreciated

[@AEKarnes]

Absolutely when I get the chance. If you look in part 2 of our scotch marine boiler fireup, I cover single feed hydrostatic lubricator operation

[@BigMans88]

This stuff makes a ice look simple

[@AEKarnes]

Until you have to maintain both, and then you realize the opposite is the case

[@BigMans88]

@@AEKarnes i don't know, ice's follow a more or less common map and if you stick to one brand you even have part exchangebility, but from what i gathered from your channel it seems like every steam engine is almost a custom job with tens of different valves and devices

[@AEKarnes]

@@BigMans88 On a steam engine there is a common map but you make the parts. You won't be re-pouring your own bearings in an IC motor unless that motor is from the same era as the steam engines. I don't see any auto mechanics or IC shop guys who are talented machinists because of the "buy part and drop it in" crap and of course that means you and your engine are SOL the minute the spare parts for it become unavailable or unless you find a good machinist who can do what I am talking about.

[@BigMans88]

@@AEKarnes maybe it just looks crazy to me because i don't know anything about them, I'd imagine the reason why most people don't make their own enginr components due to the fact its very difficult to get production to s point where there are little defects and most of the time simply not worth it

[@Iowa599]

How easy was it to accidentally blow-up the boiler on one of those? As a former firefighter, I gotta say, that water pressure sucks, like 1/4-1/3 of what it needed. I didn't see a guage, but the reach was shorter than a truck. I don't know what nozzle that was, but the flow (volume/gpm) isn't great, either. Maybe that's what it was supposed to be, idk, but I guess that's why it was retired.

[@AEKarnes]

It takes a lot of stupidity and consternated hard work to blow up any boiler, more than likely you'd just come down with leaks. The discharge gauge was essentially nonfunctional on this engine nor was the monitor matched to it, but you will find, especially reading other comments, a lot of internal combustion firefighting apparatus of similar size cannot keep up with this thing. Nothing moves water like a steam engine.

[@Iowa599]

@@AEKarnes lol…I'm sure it would beat our grass fire rigs. They all had 6.5hp/250gpm pumps. I doubt it would get near the full size pumpers that we had for structure fires. When I left our latest addition was near 2000gpm (7570 liters per minute), over 10 years ago, and we covered a small area with 2-floors, max. The stuff for big cities with high rise buildings is nuts. I don't know their numbers, but I know it takes over 4psi to go up one foot. Our trucks couldn't pump efficiently if over to 3 stories! It's not steam that moves water, in this case. It's still got a piston & cylinder, just with some weird scotch yoke thing.

[@AEKarnes]

A typical American "first size" steam fire engine could pump 1000 GPM and the specials got up to 2500. No internal combustion engine with an idle speed and stall, these machines with two high pressure cylinders develop maximum head pressure when stopped and the throttle fully open. Typically the water piston to steam piston area ratio was two to one, so if your boiler ran at 125 PSI you could develop a firefighting discharge pressure of 250 PSI, which is more than enough to run a tower which they often did, or attach to a firefighting standpipe at the bottom of a 40 story building to act as a booster for sprinklers.

[@scratchdog2216]

1:47 This whole thought train same thing vacuum tubes. 30yrs anyway.

[@watchthe1369]

How much horsepower and torque could you pull off that flywheel with a belt? Talk about a neat green portable generator for a farm. Throw some hedge apple in it and you are burning green coal to get stuff done.

[@motionsick]

I like this dude does he have a social media?

[@AEKarnes]

Alexander Karnes on facebook, and that's all there is.

[@kober2118]

So they had to light a fire to put out a fire. You should time yourself from a cold start to when you are pumping water. Maybe that thing was more of a novelty than practical??

[@AEKarnes]

Considering they built tens of thousands and some were kept in service until the 1990s, there was nothing novelty about them.

[@reo1936]

Hello, sent a number of emails with no answer, is there a different email?? Thanks

[@beefchicken]

Why don't you like American anthracite? I grew up in a house heated with anthracite coal mined in the rockies in British Columbia. It burns very clean and hot. Is the American stuff different? We had a batch delivered when I was a teenager that was full of rock, so I spent many days after school sorting coal. But unlike the kids that worked in the tipple that used to be across the road from our house, I got to watch Nickelodeon on satellite TV and surf the net on 56k dialup when I was done my coal duties for the day. Okay I just watched a bit more... our furnace had shaker grates, we'd stick a crank on the shaft at the end of each grate and gently rattle the coals. It didn't ever seem to have and adverse effect on the fire. Oh your anthracite coal looks different yours. Ours looked like obsidian, but with the durability of hard candy.

[@calvingreene90]

The Brits are rational people.

[@AEKarnes]

The Brits are some of the most rational people anywhere.

[@WS-gw5ms]

Yeah maybe you wait for shipping. On the flip side you can find products you'd never have had access to otherwise. And what is one day shipping, if you needed something 100 years ago shipped it'd be weeks. Don't be so hard on the world we are all just trying to get by.

[@AEKarnes]

That is incorrect as even in my childhood you could buy far more than you can now, generally. As I said to someone else, you could buy dynamite in a few of the local hardware stores back then, now they can't even tell you if they have distilled water, or even what it is. These days its a battle to get yourself something as simple as Hexane, or benzene-bearing penetrating oil, or cadmium bearing silver solder, large diameter copper tube, so on and so forth, and getting it locally when you walk into a store is a thing of the past.

[@johnsmith7676]

Your last sentence is completely irrational. It appears you are attempting to avoid reality, so somehow you chose to take his statement as a personal affront as if it was directed at YOU ... even though it had absolutely NOTHING to do with you. Incomprehensible, and very worrisome.

[@PowerTrain611]

You can't find good quality American Anthracite anymore... too much slack, shale and iron in it these days. Good anthracite is wonderful, though... almost entirely smokeless, hot and full-burning.

[@EmmaRitson]

Sentinel owners will dissagree.. lol they can be a cow to dismantle.

[@scooter2kool173]

Never trust a jersey shore member running a steam unit with no gloves on. Tells me they’ve never been steam bit

[@AEKarnes]

If you need gloves when you run a steam engine you haven't been steam bit enough and frankly don't belong doing it

[@johnsmith7676]

Never trust fearmongering milquetoast types that tell you when you should be wearing gloves, allegedly so as to avoid potentially feeling pain. Scary stuff that pain, eh? No thanks; I can't properly feel squat through gloves, and a little [or a lot of] pain is probably THE most effective learning mechanism for reinforcing knowledge and establishing best operating methods and boundaries pertaining to what you are operating. Lessons learned of pain stick with you like nothing else. Pain is transient, but what you learn is not. PERFECT. Pain exists for a reason -- to let you know what you can [and can't] get away with, and as a warning to keep you from exceeding "bodily operating limits", shall we say. Without it we would all destroy ourselves in very, very short order. There is no rational reason to fear it.

[@AEKarnes]

@@johnsmith7676 You are talking to a typical example of someone who exists and thinks in the entitled and complacent way he does because life today is far too easy, entirely due to this machinery existing and serving us all for 200+ years. Good times create terrible people, and societies decline. Has been this way for all history, I only resent having the misfortune of living during the decline.

[@lineshaftrestorations7903]

Seems rather plain snowflakes shouldn't have anything to do with a steam boiler or engine. Crying towels and helmets won't keep you from doing something stupid.

[@phatdaddy1955]

Magnificent! Love to see the machines designed and built by craftsman preserved for whatever generations may be left. Thank you!