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Photos of Wigan
Photos of Wigan



Photo-a-Day Archive
Photo-a-Day Archive

Photo-a-Day  (Wednesday, 17th April, 2013)

Th'Owd Engine


Th'Owd Engine
The Trencherfield Mill Steam Engine is one of the largest and finest working examples of its type.

A triple-expansion four-cylinder steam engine by J & E Wood of Bolton built in 1907.

Churning out its massive 2,500 horse power to feed the ever hungry machinery of Trencherfield Mill, it played an instrumental role in Wigan’s industrial development.

Photo: Dave (Oy)  (Nikon D700 with Nikon 16-35mm F/4 AF-S VR)
Views: 4,254

Comment by: Mick on 17th April 2013 at 00:02

Theres a video here of the mill engine moving,,

http://youtu.be/iJwX1-w8hiM

Comment by: Ken R on 17th April 2013 at 00:08

Beautiful steam engine,I think that steam as the heart of the
"Industrial 'Evolution'" It made England.

Comment by: Lizzie down under on 17th April 2013 at 01:05

Spectacular pic Dave....one definitely for the steam buffs....cheers!!

Comment by: irene roberts on 17th April 2013 at 08:33

It reminds me of the opening scene in the film Spring and Port Wine.

Comment by: john on 17th April 2013 at 08:44

yet another fine example of daves talent

Comment by: Colin Harlow on 17th April 2013 at 09:05

These twin tandem horizontal engines, worked hard driving thousands of spindles and electricity for the mill until the late 1960s. Both engines (cylinders) are now owned by Wigan Council and have been fully restored. The cylinder on the left is Rina and Helen to the right, they both produce 2,500hp and drive a 26ft fly wheel weighing 70 tonnes...more power than eight HGV trucks put together. Good photo Dave.

Comment by: Mick on 17th April 2013 at 09:25

When I was videoing them I was told that those lights where the first electric lights in Wigan

Comment by: Gary on 17th April 2013 at 10:13

Steam made England, but Maggie Thatcher unmade it...

Comment by: Brenda Fisher on 17th April 2013 at 10:15

The Colours are a little too saturated. Makes it look like a cartoon.

Comment by: Thomas(Tom)Walsh. on 17th April 2013 at 10:20

Dave, very interesting photograph,I must confess I be never visited, this had whetted my appetite and I shall put this right in the next few weeks. Mick, that's also intriguing about the lights.

Comment by: Jathbee on 17th April 2013 at 11:37

Nothing captures the detail like a still photograph. And this is an excellent example. Fantastic, Oy.

Comment by: Janice on 17th April 2013 at 11:48

Great photo Dave, very interesting engine. I think that the green is a little too strong - however, photography is subjective and a matter of personal taste.

Comment by: Ernest Pyke on 17th April 2013 at 13:28

Tom,
Trencherfield Mill Steam Engine
Steaming Days 2013/14
Steaming Date & Time
Sunday 28th April 13:00-14:00
Monday 6th May 11:00-17:00 Heritage Day
Sunday 26th May 13:00-14:00
Sunday 16th June 13:00-14:00
Have you seen my comment at 21:05 on yesterday`s P-a-D?

Comment by: Nev on 17th April 2013 at 14:01

Those curtains look totally out of place.

Comment by: Loz on 17th April 2013 at 17:04

Colin, she's actually a triple expansion engine. The two cylinders to the right are the same size - these are the low prssure cylinders. The two on the left are the high pressure cylinder and the intermediate pressure cylinder.

Comment by: Dave Marsh on 17th April 2013 at 17:17

I always feel I'm in a Church in this lovely old building.You do it great credit,Oy.

Comment by: Thomas(Tom)Walsh. on 17th April 2013 at 17:36

Ernest, thank you very much for the information , it's good of you to take the trouble to find out. I shall certainly visit on one of the days.
Sorry only just looked at your question of yesterday ,no it wasn't me you saw on Monday,I'm very often in that part of town visiting The History Shop,but not yesterday, I must have a double. Kind regards ,Tom.

Comment by: MarieM on 17th April 2013 at 17:49

Ernest Can you just go along on those dates or do you have to book.

Comment by: Colin Harlow on 17th April 2013 at 19:21

Loz..A horizontal twin tandem 2,500hp with a "triple expansion" compound condensing steam.

Comment by: Ernest Pyke on 17th April 2013 at 21:41

MarieM, no need to book, just go there.
Tom, I think we all have a double!

Comment by: Dave (Oy) on 17th April 2013 at 21:48

Thanks folks :)

Those that don't like plenty of colour would be advised to put their sunglasses on before logging on for tomorrow's photo - hehehe :)

Comment by: Art on 18th April 2013 at 01:14

Eckersleys Steam Engine was the biggest I ever saw, Standing alongside it, felt like the room was moving. A 30ft flywheel weighing in at 100 tons. They should have kept that one

Comment by: Jihn Forshaw on 20th April 2013 at 10:30

False colour definitely spoils what would have been a great photo.

Comment by: Brick in the Wall on 1st May 2013 at 14:49

Almost right, the two at the back are low pressure, the front left hand is high and the front right hand intermediate. The two low are slightly bigger then the intermediate.

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