Locomotive 2714

Lakeside Park, Fond du Lac, WI  2019

This locomotive was built in 1911 by the American Locomotive Company in Schenectady, NY and was one of 4 purchased by the Wisconsin Central Railroad.  By the time she was retired in 1955, the 2714 logged over 2 million miles.  My wife's great grandfather worked on this steam locomotive, so there is some family history here.

Antique Outboards

Some of the antique marine engines on display this year's exposition looked like they've hardly been used.

Others obviously have been well used.

It appeared that Evinrude engines made up the majority of engines on display.

 Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT  2017

Testing

Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT  2017

While it is fun to look at and admire these antique marine engines, the real fun comes in starting them up and watching them run as shown here.  

Single Vertical Marine

Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT  2017

These antique steam engines require constant maintenance.  This particular engine was built by a John Titus in Oyster Bay, NY back in 1891.  It consists of a single cylinder and generates 16 horsepower. 

Wolverine Semi Diesel

Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT  2017

I'm not sure what makes this a "semi" diesel.  The specs are as follows, for those much more mechanically inclined than I.

1926 Wolverine

Semi-Diesel

8-1/2" Bore, 12-1/2 Stroke

2128 Cu. Inches (35L)

Air Start, Burning Wick Ignition

Steam Power

Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT  2017

Christian Brothers Doctor Pump Engine

Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT  2017

This engine is featured every year at the Antique Marine Engine Show.  It was built around 1903 and was originally on the steamer "Guntersville".

Engine

Westbrook, CT  2016

Model Engine

Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT  2016

Not all the engines on display were antiques in the true sense of the word.  The were many miniature models of steam engines on display.  It was obvious a lot of workmanship went into these models.  Although modeled after steam engines, they were being run using compressed air instead.

More engines

Some engines looked in pretty good shape, and were ready to run......

Some are definitely works in progress.....

Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT  2016

Packard Engine

Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT  2016

This engine was built by the Packard Motor Car Co. of Detroit, Michigan around 1940.  The engine has 12 cylinders and generates 1300 HP.  Three of these engines would provide  power for the US Navy's  Patrol Torpedo (PT) boats during World War II.   This engine was operating and created quite a roar when throttled up.  

No Steam

Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT  2016

One one the highlights of the Antique Marine Engine Expo is seeing these old steam engines in operation.  Unfortunately, when I attended the expo, these engines weren't operating.  The steam truck was right next to this building ready to generate steam for these guys.  I guess timing is everything. 

Atlas Imperial Diesel Engine

Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT  2016

You might have to search back a year or two ago, but I'm pretty sure this particular engine was featured in this blog.  This 4-cylinder diesel engine weighs in at approximately 10 tons, and generates 135 horsepower at 325 RPM.  An engine like this would be used to power a fishing boat.  This particular engine was built at Oakland, CA in 1941, and was salvaged from a fishing boat that sank at a dock in Seattle.  It is one of a few dozen Atlas Imperials still in working condition.

3025

Essex, CT  2016

This steam engine was undergoing some repairs and at first glance looks pretty old to me.  I was surprised to learn the engine was built in 1989 by the Tangshan Locomotive Works in Tangshan, China. That's hardly an antique in my book.  The company was making steam locomotives as late as 1991, making it the last company in the world that produced steam locomotives.  This particular engine is one of two engines that are still operating in the US that were built by the Tangshan Locomotive Works

More Antique Outboards

Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT  2015

This engines look pretty clean and shiny, despite being antiques.  

More Steam Engines

Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT  2015

Antique engines just look better when rendered in black and white.  Just sayin'.....

Antique Steam Engines

Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT  2015

Evinrudes

Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT  2015

Just a couple of the antique marine engines on display at this year's Antique Marine Engine Expo held at Mystic Seaport.  Evinrude has been producing outboard engines since 1907.  Although now a part of a Canadian company, Evinrude continues to build outboard engines today in Sturtevant, WI.

The Houston, Stanwood and Gamble Co Stationary Steam Engine

Montville, CT

I could find very little information by searching on the web for the Houston, Stanwood and Gamble Co.  It has been rare when I can't even find a mention in Wikepedia when I search for a company, place, building or artifact.  The best I can figure out is that the company existed back in the late 1880's  and made stationary steam engines like the one shown here.  They made a lot of them in their short history for use in such places as saw mills, primarily throughout the south.  The Gamble in their name has some relation to the huge Proctor and Gamble Co.  Searching for company turns up many images, and references to people who collect old steam engines.  I'm not sure what became of the company.

While photographing this engine I was approached by a gentleman who offered a little history of the engine and asked if I was a collector or "steam engine buff".  I said no, I was just intrigued by the engine and enjoyed photographing it.  He then offered to pose with the engine for a fee of $25.00, or 3 pictures for $60.00.  I politely declined.  I think he might have been the owner of the antique mall in the background.   

Frick Eclipse "Portable" Steam Engine

Montville, CT

Over the last year and a half or so, I've been watching the construction of a new antiques mall located in Montville, CT, right next to the Nature's Art attraction, home of the T-Rex which has been featured prominently in this blog.  Now the mall is complete and is decorated outside with a couple of antique engines, including this Frick Eclipse Steam Engine.  The Frick Co was founded in 1873 by George Frick who developed a small steam engine suitable for use on a farm.  For their time, the engine pictured here was considered to be "portable" in that it could be pulled by horses to any location which needed power.  The Frick Co also produced steam tractors.  Soon the company found out that their steam engines were ideally suited to drive ammonia compressors,  which were needed by the refrigeration industry.  They eventually became a company known for their refrigeration units.  Today the company survives as a part of the larger Johnson Controls Co, still making large refrigeration units.  I'm pretty sure their modern compressors don't rely on steam power.