Try Stuart Smith at the Trevithick Trust - [log in to unmask] - he's done some work in Spain.
Rgards
john
> Dear all,
>
> Recently I came across a reference to an engine on a lead mine site in the
> Sierra Almagrera, south-east Spain. I contacted various people in Spain and
> last week went to have a look at the engine.
>
> The engine occupies a remote site and is in an excellent state of
> preservation. It is a horizontal winding engine mounted on a cast iron base.
> Cylinder about 10 inches diameter. All gearing and lever work intact. Two
> boilers about 5ft diameter complete with pressure relief valves. Two iron
> and wood flat rope reels - wood rotten, and a small wooden headgear, leaning
> but complete with winding wheels. Small square stone chimney stack plus
> collapsed walls of engine house. The engine bears the makers name plate:
>
> P. Colson, engineer
> Reading Ironworks Ltd
> Constructors
> England.
>
> (The words 'engineer', 'constructors' and England' are in Spanish suggesting
> that it was specifically manufactured for the Spanish market)
>
> My gut reaction is that the engine is unique. The Reading Ironworks company
> was first registered as a limited company in 1864. The Sierra Almagrera
> Mining Company was working in the area in 1872 but there are also other
> English companies ( and Spanish and French come to that) that also worked
> mines in the area. My contacts in Spain realise they have something very
> special here and would like to know more about the engine and its history.
>
> Does anyone know anything about the Reading Ironworks? I suspect the company
> may be more famous for locomotives or agricultural machinery rather than
> mining. Any known archives for the ironworks?
>
> Has anyone come across P. Colson, engineer?
>
> Any help would be appreciated and duly acknowledged
>
> Thanks
>
> Rob Vernon
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