Black line print of "McNaughted" Beam Engine

Black line print of "McNaughted" Beam Engine, Scale 1:16

In many factories, where the then standard beam engine had been installed during the early part of the 19th century, the need for greater power was experienced as time went on. In 1845 John McNaught patented a means of meeting this need with a minimum of expense. He compounded the existing engine by the addition of a high-pressure cylinder at the other end of the beam between the gudgeons and the crankshaft. This was usually possible because existing scantling was generally capable of sustaining the additional stress involved. The practice, admittedly a stop-gap, was known as "McNaughting” and was extensively followed. In the drawing the added parts are indicated by thickened lines.