3-008-908 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The International Exhibition: blast-engines by the Lilleshall Company, Shiffnal, Shropshire - from a photograph by the London Stereoscopic Company, 1862. This...fine pile of machinery, beautifully designed and built...consists of a pair of blowing-engines adapted to the use of blast-furnaces. There are four cylinders...The engines are of 45-horse power each...The cylinders stand upon an iron base of a highly ornamental character: around the outer edge of it are placed a range of columns standing upon appropriate plinths. The columns are eight in number, Roman Doric in character, and supporting an entablature and cornice of a similar style. Upon this are placed the plummer- blocks which carry the gudgeons of the beams. The flywheel ends of these beams are curved upwards in a peculiar manner - we suppose for the purpose of giving greater length to the connecting-rods. These engines are capable of blowing two cold blast-furnaces, and are arranged to work together or separately with great economy....The Lilleshall Company are manufacturers of all kinds of high-pressure expansive and condensing engines and colliery plant, including locomotives...They are also extensive manufacturers of sugar-mills, pumping machinery, saw-mills, rolling-mills, &c'. From "Illustrated London News", 1862.