Lister Conundrum?

Back in 2016 a discussion took place on Fozzer’s Forum about early Lister J type engines; as I have a very early Lister 2 ½ hp, I was interested and took part in the discussion. I have always had an interest in Lister engines, having nine in my shed, all of which are restored, except a spec 52 Lister A. I had never delved into the history of these engines as I considered that just about everything was known about them, through the work done by the late David Edgington, and information is readily available.

Rogues' Gallery Pt2

Some engines have remained unidentified for a number of years – unless YOU, the reader, know differently….!

Coventry Victor Stationary/Marine Engines

Following a comment in the January edition of Stationary Engine, that Coventry Victor engines were rarely seen on our rally fields and as I have a liking for these engines (and flat twins), I have put together a short article based on my three examples.

Turner Manufacturing Co- Simplicity Engines

Having seen the little vertical Simplicity engine on the front cover of the October 2017 issue of Stationary Engine, where the name Western Malleable & Gray Iron Company, Milwaukee cast into the flywheel rim, is clearly legible, I decided the manufacturer required further investigation

Christmas Crank-Ups Riccall

Winter crank-ups and open days have become increasingly popular in recent years and one of the biggest I have ever attended was held in the village of Riccall, near York on Saturday 30th December.

Petter Standard Oil Engine

I am sure that the Petter Handyman engine will be a familiar sight to many engine enthusiasts, but the same cannot be said for the ‘Petter Standard Oil Engine’; the engine on which the Handyman engine was designed.

Clarendon Rally- Australia

Whilst on a recent trip to visit my family in Australia I took the opportunity to visit, with my son, the well known Clarendon Classic, Machinery, Truck and Hobby Show, which has been held for many years at the Hawkesbury Showgrounds, on Racecourse road, Clarendon, NSW on the weekend of the 16/17th September 2017.

Blackstone Compressors

Blackstone Compressors

The Warwick DC Generating Set

I was recently invited to inspect a small generating set belonging to Colin Williams from Horsham in Sussex.

Unusual Lister Engines

With the West Oxon Steam Rally 2017 drawing out a large collection of Lister Engines, here are a few of the more unusual models seen.

The Great Dorset Steam Fair 2017

August 2017 saw the holding of the 49th Great Dorset Steam Fair, at Tarrant Hinton.

Homelite Power Plant

I am sure that we all have certain shows, whether they are big events or little crank-ups, that we don’t want to miss; for me these include the two Marshalls Yard Engine and Tractor Crank-ups organised by Tony and Sylvia Haydon in aid of the Macmillan Cancer Support, a most worthy charity I think you will all agree.

Ken Bratley Auction Sale

I had the good fortune of attending the auction sale of the Ken Bratley Collection of engines and associated items.

45 Years And Out For Well And Stationary Engine Steward

The Welland Steam & Country Rally, held in the shadow of the Malvern Hills in Worcestershire, is renowned for its display of stationary engines, with the engine section considered by many to be amongst the best and most varied in the UK.

West Cape Tractor & Engine Club Show- South Africa

The West Cape Tractor and Engine Club Annual Show was held on 11th and 12th August at our ‘home’ showground in Villiersdorp, South Africa.

Touring Kent

Over a period of two weeks during August, my wife Lynne and I, as representatives of the Sussex & Kent Weald Stationary Engine Group, attended two events in Kent.

The Saltfleet Classic Vintage Vehicle Display

The Saltfleet Classic Vintage Vehicle Display

Rustons Ride The Rails

Rustons Ride The Rails

Monmouth Steam & Country Show

Monmouth Steam & Country Show

Wilton Lighting Plant

Wilton Lighting Plant

Sussex & Kent Weald Stationary Engine Group Early Season

The Sussex and Kent Weald Stationary Engine Group committee had planned a busy year for its members; we like to keep them active.

Cobbs Mill Tangy Gas Engine

This large Tangye gas engine located at Cobbs Mill, Sayers Common, West Sussex was first featured in May 2005 (No 374) issue of Stationary Engine.  

The N.I.C.E. Rally 2017

The Norfolk Internal Combustion Engine (N.I.C.E.) Society’s annual Vintage Fayre, which took place on Sunday 21 May, was yet again another fantastic event blessed with warm sunny weather.

Petter Junior Oil Engine

The Petter Junior Patent Safety Oil Engine in its various forms is a familiar sight on our rally fields; this example, an early model with the serial number 50055 forms part of the Jamie Coates engine collection.

Never Say 'No' To What's On Offer

"Would you like another engine just like yours”? How often do we hear that question whilst exhibiting at an event? Well that is what happened to Alan Fuller, a member of the Sussex & Kent Weald Stationary Engine Group, he overheard a conversation taking place just behind him; once the offer had been declined he spoke to the gentleman offering the engine.

The 40th Aldham Old Time Rally

The North East Essex Tractor & Engine Club staged its 40th Aldham Olde Time Rally near Colchester on the weekend of 10th and 11th June 2017. As the show title suggests, this event was a superb old style rally.

One Of Seven

I have been collecting stationary engines for more than 40 years, and over the years I have had the good fortune to gather together a number of early engines, including seven horizontal Gardner engines, which were exhibited at the 29th Nuenen Internationale Stationaire Motoren Show 2017.

Bamford AC2 Rescued From A Field

A few weeks ago the door bell rang at about 8 am, I looked to see who it was and found an old friend who I had not seen for a long time standing there. He told me that he had seen in a field near his home what looked to be an old engine and that if I was interested he could talk to the new land owner as he knew him very well.

Lister Diesel Gen-Set

A few weeks ago I had to attend to a matter at The Mablethorpe Conservative Club on Victoria Road, Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire. As is usual the Steward, Colin Mitchell who has served the club for the last 21 years, invited me to have a cuppa.

Marshall Model S Portable Oil Engine

We are all familiar with Marshall steam engines and agricultural tractors, indeed examples of these are frequently seen on our rally fields throughout the country, however the same cannot be said for the Marshall Oil Engine.