Large freelance beam engine

The largest beam engine we've had by some considerable margin, this one stood under a lean-to shelter in the previous owner's back garden for many years, piped up to an elderly vertical boiler.

Standing nearly five feet high and weighing in at around a third of a ton, it's been cleverly put together from a variety of plausible looking parts, including nicely proportioned cast A-frames and spoked flywheel. We suspect the second flywheel started life fitted to a Lister D!.

The engine turns over by hand. On air it makes half a turn before locking up on compression - we suspect the piston valve needs setting. One A-frame has a neatly done plated repair.