I went to the official (re)opening of the big beam pumping engine at Motat (http://www.motat.org.nz/) in AUckland NZ today. They had a "steam day" so all the steam cars, traction engines, trains, models and the steam tram were out to play.
The beam engine is (IRC) the 2nd largest in the southern hemisphere, built in 1877 and last used in 1936 and hasn't been running since. A major restoration effort by volenteers and the building and engine came close to being scrapped in the past. the original boilers were scrapped when it was closed down. It was the original water supply for Auckland It was hard to take photos of it since it is spread over 3 stories, with the flywheel over all 3 stories and the pumps in the basement. My lousy Sony camera (avoid) doesn't help either.
A few photos attached, and I will see what is in the news.
Geoff

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Thanks Geoffm,

I did hear that they where close to starting it up.
I will have a look when back from work in a few months.
Where you involved in the restoration?
Bernhard

Hey!

I was there too - what an amazing sight! What used to be a nice old static engine occasionally turned by electric drive came to life today, definitely one of the most impressive engines I have seen running. The sight of those polished crank arms and huge connecting rods at work was not something to forget. This engine is rated at about 300 hp, so quite a big one. It is two Woolf compound beam engines driving a common crankshaft and flywheel, so a single engine with two beams, four cylinders and two water pumps. (Actually, one pump was scrapped years ago, so now a large weight hangs from one pump rod).
A huge amount of work by a dedicated team of volunteers for the last few years.

BTW, in light of the recent thread about Tangye - there are two large Tangye engines to be seen in the last two of GeoffM's photos and another two smaller ones out of sight.

Peter S modestly doesn't mention that he was one of those volunteers.

Peter!


Thank you and the the team for the effort!

Doing a restoration as a volunteer is demanding but rewarding!


Dave

Not true! I used to help there many years ago (1980's), mainly helping (and learning) to run the engines and boilers on weekends and 'live' days and doing a bit of machining etc in the evenings, but not this recent project apart from a couple of evenings. I learnt what little I know from the guys there and it started my interest in steam.

Very nicely done !! 3 cheers to all involved.

Jim C.

No, I didn't work on it, but I can appreciate the work. They can be really proud of it - it must have been a huge effort.
The Shed magazine http://www.theshedmag.co.nz/ had an article on the engine and restoration a few months ago. I can't find my copy, but it was a good read.
I used to work at the blacksmiths shop at Motat years ago, and also the Howick Historic Village.