Sold March 2004 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 was finely made and is in good condition. It has a professionally-built copper boiler by Morewood, 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, displacement lubricator for the cylinder.

Three shaft transmission with high and low gear selection lever. Winch drum mounted behind nearside rear wheel.

The well thought-out driving trolley is based on a living van, with built-in water container with brass gauze filter in the neck and connections feeding the engine pump and injector. There are two coal scuttles converted from oil cans, a tool tray and a set of firing irons. It is fitted with rubber-tyred cast wheels, the rear set sprung. The removable roof forms a padded driving seat.

The engine has a complete set of boiler paperwork going back to the original test certificate.

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

Driving trolley:
Length 25 inches
Seat height 20 inches

I've just noticed that, having taken the ashpan and grate off when testing the boiler, I forgot to refit them before taking the pictures. There is an ashpan with adjustable damper, controlled by a rod from the footplate - grate is cast iron.