A beam engine built to power 19th century driving machine tools has received its annual overhaul in preparation for the opening of Soho Engine Shed at Locomotion, the National Railway Museum at Shildon, which will once again be open to the public from Thursday 11th to Sunday 14th September, as part of the nationwide Heritage Open Days project.
The beam engine dates to around 1830 and is thought to have originally been used in Timothy Hackworth’s Soho Works in Shildon.
Although the true identity of its builder remains a mystery, it has been suggested that Hackworth himself could have been responsible for its construction, but there is also speculation that it could have actually been built by Robert Stephenson and Co.
The engine works with Fremantle motion similar to that of locomotive engines such as Puffing Billy and Locomotion. It is reported that later in its life the beam engine was used at Darlington Works.
This week Heritage Skills Trainees under supervision of the Workshop Manager at Locomotion completed an overhaul of the beam engine to ensure that it was operational in advance of the Heritage Open Days.
Visitors will have the chance to see inside the Soho Engine Shed and take a closer look at the beam engine and other exhibits on display – which include the Shildon Works Bell (from 1858) and the Hackworth Plug Wheel.
A knowledgeable team of museum staff and volunteers will be available to give an in-depth insight into the items on display and talk about Timothy Hackworth’s role in the development of the railways.
For more information on the Heritage Open Days project, contact Locomotion on 01388 777999 or visit locomotion@nrm.org.uk.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
