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Buy this image as a print
BuyLicense this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library
LicenseThis image is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 Licence
Buy this image as a print
BuyLicense this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library
LicenseThis image is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 Licence
Buy this image as a print
BuyLicense this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library
LicenseThis image is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 Licence
Buy this image as a print
BuyLicense this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library
LicenseThis image is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 Licence
Buy this image as a print
BuyLicense this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library
LicenseSingle-cylinder slide-valve horizontal condensing engine from Durn Mill, Littleborough made by Earnshaw & Holt,
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Single-cylinder slide-valve horizontal condensing engine from Durn Mill, Littleborough made by Earnshaw & Holt,
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Single-cylinder slide-valve horizontal condensing engine from Durn Mill, Littleborough made by Earnshaw & Holt,
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Single-cylinder slide-valve horizontal condensing engine from Durn Mill, Littleborough made by Earnshaw & Holt,
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Single-cylinder slide-valve horizontal condensing engine from Durn Mill, Littleborough made by Earnshaw & Holt,
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Single-cylinder slide-valve horizontal condensing engine from Durn Mill, Littleborough made by Earnshaw & Holt,
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
This horizontal condensing engine was made in 1864 by Earnshaw and Holt in Rochdale, and used at Durn Mill in nearby Littleborough. It provided 250 horse power to the mill. The engine worked until 1946, and only ever had one part replaced during its 80-year working life (the governor, which was replaced with the Lumbs governor seen here in 1921).
Horizontal condensing engines like this were much more efficient than earlier beam engines, and could withstand higher pressure, making them more powerful. The wooden cladding on the cylinder provides insulation, stopping the heat from escaping.
This engine was used to make tartan at Durn Mill. Tartan was a popular fabric for clothes and home goods in the Victorian era, and factories like Durn produced both traditional and modern patterns. Durn was an integrated mill which both spun and wove wool.
Details
- Category:
- Motive Power
- Object Number:
- Y1975.2
- Materials:
- brass (copper, zinc alloy) and cast iron
- type:
- steam engine
- taxonomy:
-
- furnishing and equipment
- tools & equipment
- engine - power producing equipment
- credit:
- Gift of H. & A. Winterburn
