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.
Museum of East Anglian Life, Stowmarket, Suffolk  ( www.eastanglianlife.org.uk )
The museum has an industrial heritage section which includes among the exhibits a Paxman SE (or VEGA) engine. 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.
Palmerston North Power Station, New Zealand  ( http://webspace.webring.com/people/qp/pnpowerstn )
Machinery at this industrial heritage site includes a 12 cylinder Paxman RPH. The website mentions a six cylinder Paxman VN installed in Marlborough Power Station in 1930.
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.
Forncett Industrial Steam Museum  ( www.forncettsteammuseum.co.uk )
Another private museum with a superb collection of beautifully restored stationary steam engines. This museum, created and owned by Dr Rowan Francis, is usually open on the first Sunday of the month between May and November, from 11am to 5.00pm, when the engines may be seen in steam. Located at Forncett St Mary, about 10 miles south of Norwich; turn off the A140 at Long Stratton.
Steam Links
The Old Engine House  ( http://oldenginehouse.users.btopenworld.com )
This site is 'unashamedly' devoted to stationery steam engines. A wealth of excellent pictures of old steam engines and links to steam engine museums and sites. Well worth a visit.
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  ( http://eates.org )

Road Locomotive Society  ( www.roadlocosociety.org.uk )
Oil Engine / Diesel Links
Ray Hooley's Ruston & Hornsby Pages  ( www.oldengine.org/members/ruston )
A site about Ruston & Hornsby engines and the history of the Company.
Official Blackstone Engine Website  ( www.oldengine.org/members/blkstone )
History of Blackstone & Co of Stamford, and information about their engines, compiled by Michael Key.
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.royal-navy.mod.uk )
Carries information on ships currently in service and a great deal more besides.
Royal Navy Submarine Museum  ( www.submarine-museum.co.uk )
The Museum is located in Haslar Jetty Road, Gosport, Hampshire PO12 2AS. Tel: 02392-510354.
Clydebuilt Ships Database  ( www.clydesite.co.uk/clydebuilt/ )
Searchable database of over 2,000 ships built on the Clyde.
Rail Traction and Railway Links
National Railway Museum, York  ( www.nrm.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.
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 )
Colchester Model Engineering Society
Colchester Society of Model & Experimental Engineers  ( www.csmee.co.uk )
Periodicals
Old Glory  ( www.oldglory.co.uk )
Probably Britain's best-known monthly magazine for steam and vintage engine enthusiasts.
The Old Machinery Magazine (TOMM)  ( www.tomm.com.au )
A leading Australian magazine for engine enthusiasts - both steam and internal combustion.

Page updated: 08 Aug 2022 at 15:50