Cylinder, pistons and valve gear etc., from the compound beam engine "Beta", made by Middleton in 1866
This engine was one of a pair made by Thomas Middleton & Co. of Southwark, London, for that city's South Metropolitan Gas Works, on Old Kent Road. It is one of only three beam engines surviving built with the high pressure steam cylinder placed within the low pressure cylinder [which forms an 'O' around it], an 'annular' design economising on space and offering better thermal efficiency.
Details
- Category:
- Motive Power
- Object Number:
- 1956-2
- Materials:
- cast iron, wrought iron, gunmetal and brass (copper, zinc alloy)
- type:
- valve
- credit:
- South Eastern Gas Board