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The double-acting, horizontal-duplex non-condensing steam engine powering the North winder was installed by the Lilleshall Company Ltd., in 1904/5. It is of late 19th century design, with the cylinders and cross-head guides bolted to a composite bed-frame. It is believed to be the only surviving example of a Lilleshall winding engine although examples of their pumping engines can still be seen.
It operated at a pressure of 90psi. using superheated steam at ?? degC.
The cylinders are 40.5in. in diameter with a 6ft. stroke. They did not have a steam jacket but were lagged (with asbestos ?) and clad in light steel sheet.
It is fitted with Cornish double-beat valves mounted between the cylinders. The expansion gear was of Mellings “vertical wedge” design, with the inlet cut-offs operated by a centrifugal governor, belt driven from the drum shaft and with rocker shafts connected to eccentrics located between the drum and the main bearings.
The forward & reverse eccentrics are mounted on a stub shaft driven by drag-links from the big-ends. The Allan straight-link reversing gear was operated by a Mellings patent steam reversing-engine activated by the drivers lever.
Cylinder lubrication was by a mechanical oiler operated from the valve rocker-shafts. The crosshead-guides have sight-feed oilers, whilst other moving parts use Stauffer type grease cups.
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