Sold January 2007 Back to Archive

Alongside the large firms such as Fowler and Burrell producing traction engines, there existed numerous smaller concerns whose total output of engines often didn't break double figures. One such was the Durham and North Yorkshire Steam Cultivation Company Ltd of the North Bridge Engine Works, Ripon who produced a grand total of five engines between 1873 and 1883 in-between other jobs!

Their second engine, produced in 1875, owed much to the contemporary Fowler agricultural engines in general layout and proportion with a three-shaft, two-speed transmission with winch drum behind the nearside rear wheel. The company developed their own distinctive separate hornplates, rather than the otherwise universally adopted firebox wrapper extensions pioneered by Thomas Aveling, claiming that this arrangement isolated the boiler from the vibration and shock loadings from the wheels.

The company went bankrupt in 1885 - the last engine built was claimed by their creditors as it underwent steam trials. None of the engines has survived and not until John Haining produced his typically well-researched design for a 2 inch scale model in 1978 was one of the engines seen (albeit in miniature) again.

This engine is new, having been completed earlier this year and steamed once. It has a professionally-built steel boiler with expanded tubes, working pressure 80 psi. Twin dummy Salter safety valves are fitted with conventional valves beneath. Boiler feed is by injector and crankshaft-driven pump, mounted low on the nearside hornplate. Single cylinder with slide valve actuated by Stephenson's reversing gear. Drain cocks operated from footplate, mechanical lubricator for the cylinder. Three shaft transmission, all professionally-cut gears, high and low gear selection lever. Winch drum mounted behind nearside rear wheel.

Paintwork is in unlined dark green, a functional rather than show-winning livery.

Length 30 inches
Flywheel 8 inch diameter
Rear wheels 11 inch diameter
Front wheels 7 inch diameter
Weight approx 120 pounds