Website Links and Museums

Some of the following websites and museums have a definite Paxman connection. Others are of general interest to steam, diesel, rail traction enthusiasts

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Museum Links
Museum of Power, Langford, Maldon, Essex  ( www.museumofpower.org.uk )
Housed in an old steam pumping station, the main exhibit is an impressive triple expansion steam engine made by the Lilleshall Company and commissioned in 1931. Paxman machinery at the museum includes an 1892 horizontal compound steam engine, a 1929 single cylinder VK vertical oil engine, a 1938 single cylinder RQ engine and a 1938 six-cylinder RQ diesel generator set, a 4RW diesel generator set built c.1949 and previously installed in Selly Oak Telephone Exchange, a sectioned 12RPH Series II (c.1960) and a sectioned Valenta engine. It therefore has the most numerous and representative collection of heritage Paxman engines to be found anywhere. See website for location, directions, and hours of opening.
Anson Engine Museum, Anson Road, Poynton, Cheshire SK12 1TD ( www.enginemuseum.org )
The Anson Engine Museum (Tel: 01625-874426) has a fine collection of gas and oil engines which have been carefully restored to working order and are well displayed. A highly commendable feature is that many of the engines are regularly run for the benefit of visitors. In 2009 the Anson acquired a air-cooled Paxman YGA (Vega) engine, built in the early 1960s. The 6RP200 Valenta originally installed in a prototype British Rail Class 210 DEMU is also in the Anson's collection. The museum's website carries a good history of Mirrlees, the famous diesel company which, like Paxman, became part of MAN Diesel Ltd.
Internal Fire Museum of Power, Castell Pridd, Tan-y-groes, Ceredigion SA43 2JS ( www.internalfire.com )
Paul Evans has drawn together a substantial collection of diesel and other engines at Castell Pridd, a farm near Aberporth in West Wales. There are some very large engines as well as ones of more modest size. A big attraction is that many of the engines have been restored to working order and are regularly run for the benefit of visitors. Of Paxman interest is a rare Vega 12 cylinder air-cooled engine in excellent condition and a 12 cylinder Paxman YHAZ generator set (187.5 kVA) which was ordered by the Admiralty in 1954 and despatched from the Works in March 1957.
The museum is open from 10-00am to 5-00pm, Wednesdays to Sundays, from April to October inclusive, except during August when it is open 7 days a week. From November to March, visits are by arrangement. Telephone: 01239-811212.
Visit the website to get a better picture of what the museum has to offer. The website also has histories of oil engine manufacturers, a stationary steam engine database, and a wide selection of downloadable oil engine manuals.
The Kauri Museum, Matakohe, North Island, New Zealand  ( www.kaurimuseum.com )
Displays include a well preserved large 20 NHP compound Paxman portable steam engine, No 20428, built in 1921.
Forncett Industrial Steam Museum  ( www.forncettsteammuseum.co.uk )
A museum with a superb collection of beautifully restored stationary steam engines. The museum was created by Dr Rowan Francis, who continues to run it. There are 'Steam Ups' on the first Sunday of the month between May and October, from 11:00am to 4:00pm, when the engines may be seen in steam. The museum also has 'Static Openings' on Wednesdays and Sundays throughout the year from 11:00am to 4:00pm. It is located at Forncett St Mary, about 10 miles south of Norwich; turn off the A140 at Long Stratton.
Markham Grange Steam Museum  ( www.markhamgrangesteammuseum.co.uk )
This private museum has a superb collection of stationary steam engines which have been beautifully restored by a dedicated team of volunteers. The museum is open Monday to Friday and the engines are usually steamed on Wednesdays, the first Sunday of the month and on bank holidays. Located in a garden centre, close to the A1(M) north of Doncaster, it is well worth stopping for if you are travelling north on the A1. Entry is free but donations towards the upkeep are invited.
Palmerston North Power Station, New Zealand  (former website discontinued)
Some years ago machinery at this industrial heritage site included a 12 cylinder Paxman RPH. Can anyone tell me more about the current state of this museum and its exhibits?
Steam Links
Steam & Engine of Australia  ( www.steamengine.com.au )
Content is 'what it says on the tin'. Information on steam and internal combustion engines in Australia, together with details about clubs and museums 'down under'.
International Stationary Steam Engine Society  ( www.isses.org )
Among the items of interest on this site is one about a Davey Paxman ammonia compressor built for the Linde British Refrigeration Company (see UK Article #2).
Traction Engine Links
Charles Burrell Museum, Thetford, Norfolk  ( www.charlesburrellmuseum.org.uk )
Thetford was home of the world famous traction engine builders Charles Burrell and Sons Ltd. Burrell was one of the largest makers of traction engines, noted for their high quality. Museum address: Minstergate, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 1BN; Tel: 01842-765840. Restricted opening so it is advisable to check before visiting.
The Long Shop Museum, Leiston, Suffolk  ( www.longshopmuseum.co.uk )
The Richard Garrett collection, housed in one of Garrett's old Works buildings. Garrett, like Paxman, was part of AGE from 1919 to 1932.
East Anglian Traction Engine Society  ( www.eates.org )

Road Locomotive Society  ( www.roadlocosociety.org.uk )
Marine Links
Ships of Calmac  ( www.shipsofcalmac.co.uk )
About the ships of Caledonian MacBrayne on the West Coast of Scotland. Includes information and history of "Lochfyne" (1931), the very first ship to have Davey Paxman marine propulsion engines, and two other David MacBrayne ships, the "Lochnevis" (1934) and "Lochiel" (1939) fitted with Paxman engines.
Royal Navy  ( www.royalnavy.mod.uk )
Carries information on ships currently in service and a great deal more besides.
Royal Navy Submarine Museum  ( www.nmrn.org.uk/visit-us/submarine-museum )
The Museum is located in Haslar Jetty Road, Gosport, Hampshire PO12 2AS. Tel: 02392-510354.
Rail Traction and Railway Links
National Railway Museum, York  ( www.railwaymuseum.org.uk )

Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Railway  ( www.rhdr.org.uk )
The 15" gauge railway on the Kent coast for which Paxman made a number of steam locomotives in the 1920s. The locomotives are still in regular service.
InterCity 125 Group  ( www.125group.org.uk )

RailPage, Australia  ( www.railpage.org.au/xpt )
Detailed information about the XPT, the Australian version of the InterCity 125.
The Diesel and Electric Preservation Group (DEPG)  ( depg.org )
Based at Williton, near Minehead in Somerset, the DEPG's collection includes (as at April 2024) two Class 14 hydraulic 0-6-0 locomotives with Paxman 6YJXL engines. One of these spent its last years with the National Coal Board and is undergoing a complete re-build. The Group also has, in working order, two Sulzer 8LDA28-engined Class 33 locos, two Class 35 "Hymek" Maybach MD870-engined locos, a Class 47 Sulzer 12LDA28C-engined loco 47077 ‘North Star’ and a Class 09 shunter (English Electric 6KT engine). In addition it has a Class 52, D1010 ‘Western Campaigner’ (two Maybach MD655 engines) undergoing major overhaul and leases a 1972-built Barclay 0-4-0 shunter with a Paxman 6RPHL engine, one of a pair that belong to the West Somerset Railway (ex-ROF Puriton).
Class 15 Preservation Society  ( www.d8233.org.uk )
The Society restoring to working order the only surviving Class 15 diesel locomotive, No D8233. This locomotive was one of 44 Class 15 locomotives built by British Thomson-Houston between 1957 and 1961, each powered by a 16 cylinder Paxman YHXL engine.
Great Western Archive  ( www.greatwestern.org.uk )
Full of interesting historical and technical rail traction information, relating primarily to the Great Western Railway and the Western Region of the British rail network.
The page on diesel-hydraulic locomotives is at: www.greatwestern.org.uk/dieseltxt.htm
Deltic Preservation Society  ( www.thedps.co.uk )
Engineering Societies
Colchester Society of Model & Experimental Engineers  ( www.csmee.co.uk )
Periodicals
The Old Machinery Magazine (TOMM)  ( www.tomm.com.au )
A leading Australian magazine for engine enthusiasts - both steam and internal combustion.

Page updated: 21 Apr 2024 at 15:50