Steam engine, Abbey Mill, Billington

Image: © Chris Allen Taken: 19 May 1984

A disused gear drive cross-compound mill engine used in a weaving shed and built c1885 by W & J Yates of Blackburn. This was removed in to store in Haslingden but has subsequently been scrapped (2006) - another sad loss. This view is with the photographer's back to the flywheel. The high-pressure cylinder with Varley's cross cut-off valve gear is to the left while the low-pressure cylinder slide valve chest is on the right. The two belt driven governors dominate this view. The top governor operates a pair of friction cones below that adjust the cut-off to compensate for changes in load. The bottom governor is a pure overspeed governor that trips a butterfly valve in the steam main to stop the engine. For those interested in a little more detail: - The cylinders were 16" & 29" bore by 4' stroke. The high-pressure cylinder had a slide valve with Varley's cross cut-off motion while the low-pressure cylinder had a simple slide valve. The engine had a jet condenser and the vertical air pump was driven off the low-pressure crosshead. The flywheel was 14' 6" diameter with a gear drive wheel bolted to the arms. The engine was designed for 250-350 indicated horsepower at 54 rpm.

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