Greetings from Sunny Portsmouth

Thanks for the welcome! I came to this forum from Paul's mention of it on another UK stationary engine site - the one that seems to enjoy playing peek-a-boo recently -as I think it is important to maintain at least one forum with a distinctly British focus. I contribute to a number of forums under the same stage name of Georgineer, so some of you will have come across me before.

Me? I started as a power station apprentice in 1969, worked my way through satellites, military electronics, technical publications, school teaching, freelance engineering analysis, retirement, then ended up here. I got interested in gas engines through a series of constructional articles I found in the Boy's Own Paper of 1895, and started a project to build one for myself. As part of my research  I visited the Gas Engine House at Portsmouth's Eastney Beam Engine Museum, fell in love, and started there in January of this year. I am one of a small but dedicated band of volunteers working to correct the ravages of dirt and neglect and get things running again, and it's my privilege to have responsibility for a Tangye 1 HP Baby of 1898 (with possibly a Crossley JJ to follow).

I'm still researching the BOP engine and live in hopes of finding one, or parts of one, or the fabled Full Size Working Drawing, but it is proving to be remarkably elusive. All sightings are welcome!

George

Hi George,

Glad to have you onboard. Post a few pictures please when you have a minute

georgineer wrote:..........I started as a power station apprentice in 1969...../ /..... I visited the Gas Engine House at Portsmouth's Eastney Beam Engine Museum, fell in love, and started there in January of this year.....

Hello George - you've done the Gas engine house a favour already - I'm not too far away near Guildford and had not heard of the museum - so, I'll have to make the effort and say hello in person when I visit - which will be soon I hope! - nice career path Sir - lots of interesting choices there!

Welcome to the forum.

Best

Hamish (also known as Cameltank on the other forum - thanks to allowing my 7 year old daughter choose a name...)

Hamish,

The museum is usually open on the last weekend of each month except August and December, and September when we open for the Heritage days at the beginning of the month. Our next ones are Saturday and Sunday 27-8th October and 24-5th November, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Everybody welcome and yes, please introduce yourself.

Regrettably the beam engines are not in steam at present - boiler work needed, I believe - but we have two big engines in the Gas Engine House turned over by electric barring motors (a Crossley Y2 180 h.p. and a National 20-ish h.p.), and I'm working hard to get the Tangye running by October.

George

Hello George - many thanks for taking the time to advise the opening times - I'll be pushing hard to get down ASAP. All sounds like progress to me - electric or not its the fact volunteers are engaged that's great to hear.

Best

Hamish

Hi George,

Thanks also I my behalf. Have friends in Winchester which is only about half and hour away so will try to call in next time we are down.

Welcome to the forum you will find tons of useful stuff here and although the site as been out of action for some time Woodsman has got it up and running again(thank you Woodsman)it would have been almost verging on criminal if it had not been resurected,hope you enjoy.
Best Wishes,
Chiefy.