The whole of the Steam Fairground is original and restored dating back to the Edwardian times. One of the oldest attractions of 1908 is the Razzle Dazzle, regarded as the world’s first ‘White Knuckle’ ride. The Big Wheel built around 1914 is one of the most popular attractions.

The only reconstruction dating from 1895 – early 1900s is the BIOSCOPE, claimed to be the only working bioscope in the world. There is however on the magnificent frontage an organ that was on an original bioscope. On the right side of the entrance is the traction engine to drive the electricity.

Unfortunately I was unable to see any films, as the Bioscope only operates on Sundays due to staffing. I will visit again and see if it is possible to take some pictures suitable for posting.

The huge Entrance Pillars, a further pair stands in the car park, are from Victoria railway station, and the heavy metal gates from Waterloo railway station.

Terrific atmosphere and highly recommended!
www.hollycombe.co.uk

I had a manual once for a RUMELEY OIL PULL, a machine with a distinctive square smokestack. In the manual, they said that this machine could even run on some forms of dirt! It it burns, it will pretty much run in a steam engine.

Unfortunately, we had a fatal incident in northern Ohio last year, where one of the machines exploded. I believe an inexperienced operator had let the water run out, and the thing just overheated.

They are fascinating to watch, though. Worth checking out if one comes to your area.

Thanks...that's the OilPull all right.

There are fewer and fewer of these around, and few with the expertise to run them. Great mechanical devices, though.

Those old hit-and-miss engines run forever, if you can manage to get them started.

Once a year, there is a huge antique engine show, from hit-and-miss engines to hot air engines, and everything else you can imagine.

The next one that is held, I will snag some pictures and send them in to Brad for posting.

Shows a picture of an engine once installed, but not used, for this purpose.

The Black Country Museum, at Dudley, near Birmingham, in the English midlands have re-built on their site a small, early cinema from nearby. This still contains a gas engine, which can be run, but does not power the equipment.

They are at: http://www.bclm.co.uk/

The cinema is mentioned, but there is no photograph of it yet.

This place still has its gas lit house lights, operated by a rod from the projection room!

They do show film there, but only from a 16mm portable machine.

Did you ever see a little 10-inch fan powered by a little bitty two cylinder engine? The pistons were about 3/4 of an inch in diameter. That thing was running, and it was kinda cute!

All those hit-and miss KaPOOPA engines were open crankcase type of engines, and were fun to watch them bounce around on springs when the cylinder fired. Those things have some torque! Big piston-long stroke engines.

There was also a steam engine show with a bunch of small steam engines. They had one running and it was connected to a rock crusher by a drive belt like the farm tractors used to power their stationary equipment. It sounded cool...

PoopPoopPoopPoop while the rock crusher went MunchMunchMunchMunch....

Since it only had a boiler pressure of about 70 lbs, it schlobbered alot... Wet steam....IKK!

There was a 'wheels of yesteryear' show up here a few weeks back. No traction engines, but loads of stationary engines, powering pumps, generators etc.

I've come across a few old cinemas that still had generator sets installed. One in Peterhead springs to mind. I think the ABC in Edinburgh had one too, sadly now demolished.

A pal of my dads runs a canal boat repair business, which is booming as I understand he's the only boat yard that will touch steam engines. Barges have been brought from Holland for his attention in recent years.
 

The Rex, Haslemere had two generators driven by two 50 h.p Diesel Engines. Only a few years before closure were the DC generators driven by electric traction.

This engine is a product of Lima Locomotive Works in Lima, Ohio. She was erected in the year of 1941. It is the only surviver of the GS-4 Class Locomotives. It is of the 4-8-4 wheel configuration, and has 80-inch drivers.

I understand a gentleman by the name of Doyle McCormick spearheaded the restoration of this magnificant machine, and Doyle is her main engineer. I am a steam locomotive chaser, and this locomotive came through Mount Vernon, Washington about 1996. When she cleared town and headed for the tracks that have a 79 mile per hour speed limit, she out-ran me because the I-5 freeway traffic was locked in at about 75 MPH that day.

She made another trip through Washington State in March of this year.

Here is a picture of her in the orginal "Daylight Express" colors in 1998.

Credit for the pictures goes to "Friends of SP-4449" website. http://www.4449.com/

Engine Specifications

Length: 101' 5" Height 16' 2" Width 10' 10"

Drivers: 80" Dia. Weight on Drivers: 275,700 lb.

Locomotive Weight: 475,000 lb. Locomotive & Tender Weight: 865,758 lb.

Cylinders: (2) 25.5" x 32" Tractive Effort: 64,800 lb. Tractive Effort with Booster: 77,760 lb.

Tender Capacity, Water: 23,300 gals. Tender Capacity, Fuel Oil : 5,880 gals.

Impressive, huh? If the specifications were dry weight, and you add the weight of the fuel oil a and water, this machine weighs a total of about 549.5 tons.

Josh, this engine was pulling the "American Freedom" train that came through Fargo, North Dakota in 1975. Ask your dad, he might remember it. As with everywhere else, the whole town probably turned out to see it rumble through.