Ward's Radial Triple Expansion Engine, remembering my friend Richard Gibbens

It has been 11 years since I lost my friend Dickie Gibbens. I still miss him just as much. Thank you for all the knowledge and help in my younger years.
I have been commissioned to service, operate, film and sell off the Ellsworth Collection. This engine is FOR SALE. Please contact me if you wish to buy it. [e-mail]
Video filming and editing by Elijah Jackson and used here with permission.

[@brocksterification]

Not many passions or disciplines get passed on as perfectly as they have been to you. Thank you.

[@hodgesfolse916]

Mr. Dick Gibbens used to work with my father and they became good friends. When I got older was really into old cars we became very close friends also. I am still good friends with his wife Brenda. I never met a better man than Dick Gibbens. The world lost a great mind and a great man. I live about 20 miles from his house.

[@AEKarnes]

I am moved beyond words that all of his friends are finding this video. JB, my old friend down there, showed it to Brenda. Please give her my best

[@0101-s7v]

It is a very rare occurrence where you meet someone who changes the direction of your life… for the better… in a profound way. These are truly special people and, whether you knew them or not, the world is a lesser place without them.

[@AEKarnes]

you are absolutely right.

[@Tekwyzard]

Here from watching you running a restored water pumping engine on a recent, absolutely beautiful Proper People video, Woburn Waterworks I believe. Your friend Richard truly lives on in you. His knowledge and passion for these engines really shows through, in how you so passionately enthuse about not just this engine, but also the other I saw you with, the pumping engine. l adored how excited you seem to be to show them off. It's a genuine privilege to be able to watch someone like you maintain and run such wonderful engines. You related on that video, how a young man came to help, on this video you mention being pretty the same as that young man, but with Richard, you are 'closing the circle'. Damn, getting all emotional now, please never give up doing what you do. In a world that's utterly full of stupid little electronic doodads that rarely last even a year, these machines and the knowledge to understand them is really special.

[@AEKarnes]

I miss my friend terribly. I am glad to be carrying on his work but its very frustrating I cannot do orders of magnitude more as I do not have the personal resources Thank you so much for the interest....

[@cogentdynamics]

Im sorry for the loss of your friend, you do him great honor with your work.

[@robertqueberg4612]

The smell of steam cylinder oil and the hiss comes back to me after many years. I can see that I have quite a few good videos to watch as winter closes in. This is a great introduction to a very interesting hobby. My mentor, safety overseer, and good friend, was Clyde R. Whitmore. He was the man who grew up sawmilling and threshing for his Dad. His knowledge and experience were invaluable when I decided to buy a traction engine. Clyde, like your friends, left the Earth way too soon.

[@mikewinkelman7015]

That is one of the coolest steam engines I've ever seen

[@AEKarnes]

You ain't seen nothing yet...

[@robertarthurs328]

​@@AEKarnesI'm curious , what would you think about incorporating a flamelicker (multiple cylinder) with an internal combustion ?

[@zinckensteel]

I lost a dear friend, mentor, teacher, patron - to Parkinson's as well. It was terrible to see such a brilliant old coot go downhill so fast; he was dead less than three years after diagnosis. It hurts in a really good way when I use the tools or knowledge he gave me.

[@lucashinch]

WOW, this guy has centuries of steam knowledge and I would pay to attend his lectures .

[@josephcastagnos945]

Alexander, this is a great tribute to a great man, you've done an excellent job. I saw the Ward every time I went to Dickie's, it was his pride and joy. Never thought I would see it run, thank you.

[@AEKarnes]

I am so glad you like it, JB. I will be back down in February.

[@calthorp]

Great to have guys like you still looking after these old engines. When I was young I found some old cyclopedia's on steam engines & read & re read them. I have enjoyed seeing the old engines but not often seen any running. there is a commercial boat running on steam in New Zealand (the Earnslaw) & well worth taking a trip on. you can stand above the engines & see whats going on.

[@wazza33racer]

Great to see that a young man received the influence and mentoring of men with character. That is some funky and baroque machinery right there, thanks for the video ))

[@stewartmarshall4112]

Just stumbled onto this neat video. Great to see the Ward triple again. The last work on this engine was on Lopez Island when Keith Sternberg and I cleaned it up, painted and lagged it, and tuned it up for Alex Ellsworth. Incidentally, if you are ever back at Mystic, they have a big four cylinder Atlas-Imperial marine diesel which I restored in Anacortes, WA back in the 1990's. The engine originally went to Independence Seaport Museum in Philadelphia but was resold finally to Mystic Seaport.

[@AEKarnes]

I helped paint that Atlas!

[@teddill4893]

Wonderful way to remember Dickie. Thank you for sharing with us the passion and saving this important engineering history.

[@auraminion]

I love your passion for these steam engines and your lost and found friends. Your knowledge is amazing.

[@AEKarnes]

Thank you, and there is so much work to do. You are welcome to come help some time...

[@martinsigley3957]

I have only just found Richard Gibbons. So sad, his explanations and his passion for steam engines is fascinating. RIP.

[@6806goats1]

Sorry for the loss of your friend but he was a smart guy and enjoyed his time in earth. Glad he saw your interest in Stan and shared his manuals with you. I looked up your channel after watching the water works steam engine and was happy to see a younger person with the love of stream in your veins. Not sure if there is a tire schedule available to see it in operation but it’s something I’d love to see first hand. First it was the Titanic triple expansion engines that drew me to stream then came the Big Boy steam engine. Only time I saw steam engines at work was at thresher bee events in Idaho back in the 60’s. Good times with family. Thanks Alex.

[@richardsims1805]

A classic piece of engineering. Thanks for the remembrance of Mr. Gibbons. As long as we remember him, he'll never die!

[@aleks_jones]

That must have been a very special moment for you and I'd like to thank you for sharing it. He must have been so proud to have someone as passionate and knowledgeable as yourself to pass his expertise onto. May he rest in well deserved peace.

[@K1lostream]

I love steam engines! I think it’s because they seem ‘alive’ when they’re running…. Gas/Diesel engines rev too high so the sounds blur into a note, like a musical note, but steam engines, especially when they’re idling, you can hear them breathe in and out, and the cadence is almost like a heartbeat. I was lucky as a child to live in a place called Bridgnorth, right by the Severn Valley Railway which still had regular steam trains running, I used to love seeing those things go!

[@murph7591]

I'm not an engineer, or have rhe back ground ,but your genius with all steam is mind blowing , the engine reminds me of a radial plane application. Keep mentoring us please!!!!!!!

[@WilsonPendarvis-tn3wm]

I’m loving this. All the steam and narrative

[@crazycoffee]

I understand some of the terminology here. This is an amazing tribute. Your friend is probably looking down with a big grin. The amount of honesty in this video is something else. I wish you the best in your life.

[@AEKarnes]

The lack of honesty in general is getting worse so I fight that conciously even if it upsets people. Thank you and I really hope he is, and I am glad the information is being passed on.

[@shawnhuk]

@@AEKarnesone of the most important things to our generation (I’m 39) is just DEALING with the old “salt’s” because the incredible knowledge just cannot die off with them. That is a tragedy… As a self taught machinist who turned his hobby into a career, I try to absorb as much knowledge as I can, and pass it on to whomever will listen.

[@acugameslps]

Love this thank you for sharing. Gramps had a natural mechanical intellect. I just wish I could catch up but learning every day!

[@AEKarnes]

I am very glad to talk to you, you had a fantastic grandfather. I have no doubt you can catch up. Let's meet up when I am next down in New Orleans....

[@georgewolf7063]

What a big, beautiful, and very weird engine! I love how well balanced it is!And triple expansion? Genius!

[@reypolice5231]

Thank you very much, you are living history.

[@davidmelton4191]

Watched your video of the steam engine that formerly powered a water distribution plant. You went through a great deal of detail not only on how the steam engine operated but the lighting as well. Great video.

[@AEKarnes]

Thank you, worked hard on it!

[@slommer5063]

Excellent! Your presentation, your demeanor, the way you illustrate with words. Excellent! The camera work too is exactly what is needed to capture your audience. The video it seems is a perfect allegory to that wonderful engine. Just excellent. Thank you Alexander & company.

[@stuart207]

Watching this, the way he babies the machine with lubricant is a really good indicator of how engineering works, evolves. Excellent example of how the human mindset is, brilliant 🤗

[@leonmusk1040]

Love the "learned a lot from that angry bunch of people" comment. Ahh Engineers definitely have a language of their own loosely held together with lot's of expletives.

[@henrytupper6959]

That’s a very interesting engine ! Just also watched your 1 1/4 hour long video about the water plant which took me back in time. I was amazed at your dedication and knowledge of steam engines for a young person. I could not find a place to comment on that video so doing it now. I started as a coal fireman on a steamship with a triple expansion engine. I soon was promoted to an oiler which I really appreciated. Through your video I was comparing the ship and the water plant engine. No flywheel on the ship due to the propeller. No fly ball governor. Two eccentrics for ea cyl because it reverses. Slide valves. That ship engine room was not dependent on electricity for anything but lighting. We had a dynamo for that. We had a surface condenser and air pump linked to the h p cross head. Some ships used a jet condenser. That ship was built in 06, my next one was built in early 50 s, what a difference ! Everything was manual controlled on the first one which gave me a full understanding of what was happening. That first experience gave me a fast learning curve on future ships. I did become a n engineer. My first job was a 9000 hp compound turbine. We didn’t call it a turbin. Really enjoyed your water pump video. Henry

[@danellsworth7102]

What a fascinating Engine! Some day it would be great to see it in a worthy boat.

[@stephenmead8183]

Briilant. Love old steam. I to have been collect old engineering books for years. My first introduction to steam was when i was about 4 years old. My dad was a light house keeper. Ever6 now and then a steam tug would arrive with supplies of equipment. One day we travelled back the mainland. I ended up down below in the engine room. Twin screw Triple expansion engines. I just sat there in aww. I could write a book about my steam adventures. But not here

[@SteamCrane]

Came here from the new long video about the Woburn engine. Think I'll stick around a while!

[@AEKarnes]

I am grateful!

[@BruceFJRay]

Very interesting. Thank you so much. As an 'OLD' 'live steamer' I really appreciate your enthusiasm. Sincerely, Erie Atlantic/ Erie 7597.

[@bitrage.]

Hey Alex, coming from the waterworks video from properpeople, Absolutely love your passion for these, it us a lost art/skill, if there is a solar flair and all the worlds transformers blow, you are the guy that will get us going again!!!!

[@AEKarnes]

To do that I would need to build a power plant of at least 500 megawatts capacity to exactly my own design, with entirely steam driven auxiliaries and boilers capable of starting on natural draft the way we used to have in all of them.

[@JR-bj3uf]

I was not expecting this. Bless you for keeping the old skills alive. Bless you for being teachable and a blessing to a master craftsman. I too had my own master craftsman in my life and I miss him every day.

[@carlphillipson9887]

What an absouloutly beautiful piece of engineering. Thank you for your work keeping this alive.❤

[@vernepavreal7296]

Love the sound of this engine as a blind now subscriber I look forward to hearing more engine sounds I myself only have one intermittent firing terrestrial gasoline engine 1905 so cheers from New Zealand

[@paulrayner4514]

that's amazing, you would have thought it would be walking down the yard.

[@shedasaurus]

Genius brother. We share a love for the original invention.

[@AEKarnes]

It is absolutely the original invention.

[@sheep1ewe]

A massive thank You for making those videos! I realy love Your stories as well!

[@jameshodgson1609]

Thank you for showing this, I thought I’d seen every type of steam engine, rotative and non rotative but this is great and so well balanced.

[@Xsiondu]

The engine was cool but that young man's respect and admiration for Mr. Gibbens was worth watching the video

[@jacobpfundt256]

Thank you Proper People for causing this to appear on my feed

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Hey Alex! I found you on the proper people’s channel. I love your passion!!

[@StodaGryph]

What an amazing piece of engineering, and what a powerful, wonderful tribute to someone who made a clear difference in many lives. That legacy seems like it will continue onward, for which we should all be grateful.

[@TimsBitsnPieces]

Yet another lovely and amazing machine...

[@markf350s]

You are an amazing human being with a kind, heart, kind, soul, and so much steam engine knowledge and listen to Steve Engin like radio stations. They are hypnotic and delightful to listen to and I enjoy you sharing that knowledge with us. Stay well my friend I may call you that, you

[@AEKarnes]

I appreciate that and I'm glad someone else gets the picture, this is encouraging.

[@chuckthebull]

I have stumbled into your marvelous channel and as a lover of all things steam..you truly are a treasure. I could imagine that marvelous engine must have turned at a much faster rate to push a tugg boat...

[@AEKarnes]

Yes far faster about 450 RPM at full ahead

[@patrickradcliffe3837]

Just amazing that it's able to run while sitting on four caster wheels.

[@johnwhitlock1427]

This is the first time I've ever seen a radial steam engine. I seem to recall seeing photos or illustrations showing V-type reciprocating engines in the very early types of naval "torpedo-boat destroyers" (the name thereafter shortened to destroyer). I believe this was to reduce overall height of the engine and improve the ships' stability. (Come to think of it, you would think this would have been done more often to reduce the amount of valuable space above the engine room taken up by triple- or quadruple-expansion engines.)

[@bazra19]

Ahh music to my ears, I could go to0 sleep with that sound in my ears.

[@larryweg]

Thank you for the demonstration and explanation. What a complex engine design! All those castings were made based on a hand drawings. Respect for the people who focused on their profession 120 years ago. WOW !

[@RB-yq7qv]

Alexander I just love the passion you have for old equipment maybe one day I may run into you and chat.

[@AEKarnes]

I hope so. Come to Massachusetts that is where I am currently.

[@shenmue987]

Just saw the Proper People video 👍 and now I am here 🎉

[@AEKarnes]

Glad to see you and thanks for the interest...

[@joshwright9202]

That small triple expansion engine was absolutely amazing and beautiful..I would love to see it back on the water chugging along as it did so many years ago.

[@davidmelton4191]

Susprised about your comment about the people at Mystic Sea Port. Usually people that do that kind of work are very friendly and willing to teach what they know to people who are truly interested. Sorry you had a bad experience there. Thanks for this vidio too.

[@AEKarnes]

It was not all of them, it was a clique there. Their work has become evident now that they have essentially destroyed Sabino, my childhood steam ship and a piece of local history that has a lot more than just I up in arms. The seaport was always a dysfunctional mess when I was there but nobody ever thought they would do a thing like that.

[@engineerinhickorystripehat]

@@AEKarnes I hitched a ride on the Sabino back in the late 90s . Once underway I was able to have a candid discussion with the engineer . All the other tourists were run off by the hundred degree temp below deck. It appears that the museum has claimed their "climate initiative" as the reason for converting it to diesel . Lots of great memories of the show but fortunately I missed out on the douchebaggery. Having Mr Darrow as my host and guide was helpful in that regard . Seeing the steam engine thumbnail and the title to this video put a little ice in my belly. Godspeed to Dick . Every year at Portland he would greet me with"Where all Dem pee-ro motih at ?" He left behind a fortune in sinker cypress hidden in de bayous

[@scavengerjoe1012]

Thank you for the story's.

[@jamesmatthew1903]

Saw you on The Proper People's channel. Glad you've got your own channel.

[@SeaNsEAn1972]

I just found your videos and let me tell you fabulous 👌 and i do appreciate the story's of the old timers

[@andrewerickson6089]

I totally dig the enveloping vapor clouds Bro.

[@Rlip]

That’s great I love mystic! Aomci member as a kid!!!

[@AEKarnes]

It used to be a lot of fun.

[@inconel7185]

Existing in a sauna, talking about engines, I like this.

[@Raw774]

What a charming memorial. And what a fascinating engine.

[@terrydavis8451]

Please do more videos of you explaining things. You are a wealth of knowledge.

[@AEKarnes]

Thank you, and I'm trying. I run a steam power plant full time and do way too much volunteer work so I haven't got enough time for this channel.

[@jabbasan12]

Very cool! Thanks for sharing.

[@colinthomasson3948]

love the way it shoogles , that's magnificent

[@stevenaegele5228]

Interesting engine, thanks for the walkaround.

[@weldcerts]

The time is fast approaching when decentralized power production from any fuel will once again be required. Your skills and knowledge are already worth a fortune but you will be an unimaginably valuable person in the coming times. You may well be the backstop that allows some semblance of technology to survive.

[@CWO3-uscg]

God bless Mr Gibbins. He taught you well grasshopper.

[@mathuetax]

Huh, can't say I've ever seen a steam engine like this, sweet!!

[@АнтонОстроконь-б8р]

Я Вам благодарн за то что сохроняете историю! Спасибо!🤝👍🙋‍♂️

[@AEKarnes]

И спасибо за заботу!

[@WalterThorne-h5k]

A Man with a passion!

[@cogentdynamics]

What a wonderful engine and work of engineering. The only thing better is the presentation! Instant subscriber in me.

[@devinmartin7626]

Killing it alex, looking dapper A.E Let me know if you need any help over at the shop.

[@AEKarnes]

I always need it.

[@robertpeters9438]

I think we need a bigger boat!...for this amazing engine!

[@belchnasty]

Such an eloquent and interesting presentation style you have. Subscribed and im going to binge watch your videos!

[@EASTSIDERIDER707]

Thank you Sir

[@longsleevethong1457]

That dude is on the genius spectrum.

[@pbrodie1065]

I think that you.sir have done your friend proud,he would have been happy to know that he has passed on his knowledge,you are well on the way to becoming a legend youself.IB

[@jamestregler1584]

Just found your site, great job thanks from old New Orleans 😎

[@AnthraciteSteamHaven]

Beautiful engine!

[@wwjoesr]

An absolutely sweet sound!😊

[@frosthoe]

Thank you for sharing the knowledge, and your own tips info. Much appreciated. Learned things, brain happy and fed! 😋😍

[@onemantwohands5224]

Mate I've just found your channel and love all types of engine , absolutely awesome recalling of events too mate , memory like an elephant 💪💪 New sub for sure 😎

[@landenschooler6726]

Love your videos! You're the "Sheldon Cooper" of steam!

[@AEKarnes]

I should hope not as he's a badly written character in a terrible show made to fit people a lot smarter than I am into very small boxes...

[@Ergzay]

Sheldon Cooper is an absolutely dreadful character that no real person should be compared against. He's a mockery of smart people.

[@jackflash6377]

"Can't beat the old guys" Truth

[@AEKarnes]

Correct, and now it looks like we never will.

[@thatguy.mp7950]

That eccentric is a neat idea. Maybe oiling it could be made easier somehow with a casing around it? Seems like a radial engine fit with that same valve gear would be useful in a land vehicle..

[@Flapswgm]

VERY nice explanation and presentation. Good luck in your future.

[@ChainsawFPV]

Now that is an amazing engine!

[@williamotto2366]

Loved this thank you.

[@crisper1614]

Beautiful.

[@herzogsbuick]

too cool, thanks for sharing

[@dalegribble1945]

My Nanna has the other one of these beauties set up next to her bed. ❤NANNA❤

[@gnescom]

That is an awesome way to steam clean your suit, sir.

[@eulinpetit-woodyear6816]

Not to worry, I don't think we would be seeing that go into any boat soon.

[@brianjay692]

The guy that can drop names of fellow steamheads left and right at the drop of a hat says he’s bad with names .. Ron Burgundy.gif I DON’T BELIEVE YOU … LOL. Love this content. You are single-handedly grabbing history by the scruff of its neck and drawing it back from the abyss.

[@disolejunk]

Awesome. At least you know it's an engine. Not a motor.

[@SAM-zt2uy]

the PJ1 drums in the background remind me of track compound seen at an old Drag Strip here in Britain :)

[@scratchdog2216]

There was a horizontal triple pumping sewage in Boston for years. I remember a video. Not sure of the details.

[@AEKarnes]

On Deer Island and another in East Boston. Deer Island's engine is a skeleton now, East Bostons' totally scrapped.