River Don Engine

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A 1905 Steam Engine used for plate rolling, the River Don Engine has 3 cylinders of 40 inch diameter, 48 Inch stroke. At its operating steam pressure of 160 PSI, it developed 12000 horsepower, and was able to reverse from full speed in 2 seconds. The rapid reverse was an essential feature of an engine used for rolling, as delays would cause a loss of heat.

The engine is regularly demonstrated at Kelham Island Museum, without load under 5 PSI of steam pressure. It is claimed to be the most powerful working steam engine remaining in Europe.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] External links

• Kelham Island Museum page

At to-day's date (3/12/2007) the museum is said to be closed until further notice due to flood damage. Hopefully the engine will again be seen in steam again next year.

The website www.simt.co.uk/collections provides more info. about the engine(s) of which four were built (the River Don one in 1905), one going overseas to the Japanese Government. The River Don engine worked for >50 years at Cammell's mill before being moved first to British Steel's River Don plant (hence its name) and then to its present home at the Kelham Island Museum, Sheffield.