I am currently editing an edition of the International Stationary Steam
Engine Society's annual Journal 'Stationary Power'
In this edition the main focus will be on the Sims combined engine installed
at Crofton Pumping Station. In the same edition will be a series of papers
printed between c1838 and 1885 about the reliability of Lean's Engine
Reporter and the suitability, or otherwise, of Cornish engines to waterworks
service.
To complete the work I should very much like to acquire any of the
following:-
1) An engraving, or any biographical data, of the engineer James Sims
2) Any photos that might exist of actual Sims Combined Engines
3) Any descriptions of Sims engines in operation
In general it seems that most Sims engines were fairly unsuccessful.
However, perhaps 100+ were built and a few did seem to give reliable service
in the end. These included engines at both Coventry and Lincoln Waterworks
and I would be especially interested to receive any pointers as to where I
might, just, find any additional documentation on those machines.
Lastly, as an interesting technical note, a variation of the design in the
form of the Schmidt horizontal compound engine does seem to have met with a
degree of commercial success. Built as horizontal tandem compound engine
these were built in, I think, small numbers after 1900. At least two sets
have survived into preservation Berlin and Prague. The latter may seven be
seen in operation occasionally as they are run by a preservation group!
Paul Stephens
IT Manager
DS Smith Corrugated Bristol
Tel. 01275-551023 (Direct)
Tel. 01275-375311 (Switchboard)
Fax. 01275-374939
Mob. 0787-644-6777
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