The Stationary Engines
The use of stationary engines to provide motive power for the tramways was widespread. The manner of operation of the system is well documented. But in the case of the local Bowling and Low Moor systems very little information is available on the type steam engine used or the structure of the engine house.
There are snippets of evidence from a newspaper account of an accident at the Storrs Low Moor Engine house—The engine was 20HP. We know the Bowling engine at Cliff Hollins was 8 HP from the name of the incline. The Bowling Report gives the dimensions of the Bowling engines as 25- ins diameter and 54-ins stroke. The National Museum of Mining have published a book describing the operation of a tramway system driven by a single cylinder stationary steam engine identified as Number One Engine it has a 36-ins bore and 48-ins stroke. It stood on four vertical columns, above a gear pit housed in a small solid stone building. Its piston drove a heavy horizontal beam connected by side rods to a single crank which in turn was linked to its flywheel and main driving gear.
Any comments would help me into my research into the Bowling and Low Moor Tramways. Can I make any connections
:confused:

Was it the engine or the winding drum on the iron columns? One of the two engines at the site in South Wales whose name escapes me right at this moment had columns, but I seem to remember these supported the drum which was directly above the engine and driven straight from it.

---

Have we any approximate dates for the installation of these engines? This would help when comparing with other sites.

Pete

---

Have we any approximate dates for the installation of these engines? This would help when comparing with other sites.

Possibly 1830-1850, that from a previous post, ironworks may have more dates.