(F) Beyer Peacock Archive

[MilesB]

If you aren’t already aware, the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) now has Beyer Peacock drawings and photos online.

There is a search page:

http://emu.msim.org.uk/htmlmn/collectio ... ype=images.

Choose "Beyer Peacock" in the drop down list of collection names.

Use the "object summary" field for Key words

You can put the year built in the field labelled "date of accession".

I found this – which looks to be sub-2’0” gauge …

http://emu.msim.org.uk/web/objects/comm ... ?irn=15974

Anyone know anything?

Miles

[hecla777]

The drawing for the 1'6" gauge Dot is here:

http://emu.msim.org.uk/web/objects/comm ... ?irn=15984

[jameswaterfield]

Fascinating. I have found these before but not the drawings, just the works photos. Did you happen to find a drawing for the 18" gauge works shunter, Dot, now in the NG museum in Tywyn? There are some photos, but taken in the 1960's I think when it was done up for display. I found the drawing you have shown us quite intriguing and like you would like to know more.

[jefran]

http://emu.msim.org.uk/web/objects/common/webmedia.php?irn=15974

Anyone know anything?

I found the image in the 1886 list, with the order no 6692, and then looked up the Beyer Peacock works list (www.beyerpeacock.co.uk) where it gives the customer as Mr Parnell (as does the MOSI ref), and the gauge as 18in. The similarity with the 1877 Webb engines for the Crewe 18in line is far too close to be accidental.

[hecla777]

Order no. 6692 is works number 2783, the running gear is certainly very similar to the rebuilt version of the Webb engines although the boiler is very different.

[jefran]

You are quite right! I have just checked the Horwich drawing, and the boiler looks very similar to that used on those engines, though, Mr Parnell's engine would seem to have been built first. It was only a few years earlier that the Fox Walker version of the Webb design was built for the War Office, did someone want another?

[hecla777]

I spoke with my friend Russell Wear of the Industrial Locomotive Society and he said that they only suggestion he had seen regarding 2783 was that Parnell was a showman and that it may have been part of an amusement ride.

[hecla777]

I took at trip to Manchester yesterday to visit the MOSI archive to see if I could discover anything else about the history of BP loco order number 6692; the 18" gauge loco built for Mr Parnell as progressive number 2783 in 1886.

From the documents available it certainly was built being steam tested on 9th July 1886 and delivered on 23rd November 1886. It is described as 'built for Beyer Peacock & Co' and 'sent to Mr Parnell'.

The Beyer Peacock order book gives details of all the drawings applicable to each engine for various parts. In the case of 2783 the cylinders (size 5 1/2" x 6") are described as "Parnell's Patent", however for most orders including this one only the general working drawing survives. I have had a quick search in the London Gazette for Parnell's Patent but so far without success.

Whilst the general working drawing shows a loco very similar to Webb's locos for Crewe. For instance the wheelbase is 3', the boiler is of course very different. One aspect of the loco that is not clear from the drawing is the valve gear, Webb's loco had a gear driven arrangement but that is not shown.

I would be interested in learning more of Parnell's Patent!

Regards

[michael]

Great link! I have been absorbed for hours. I particularly like this image

http://emu.msim.org.uk/web/objects/common/webmedia.php?irn=14043

The drawings are stunning!

[michael]

I might have to revisit "Mercury":

http://emu.msim.org.uk/web/pages/common/imagedisplay.php

My mouth is dry just looking at this fabulous collection.

[Dave Westall]

Very interesting drawing. Some differences from the Horwich 18" locos, the first two of which were delivered on 7th April 1887 - (Dot and Robin - BP 2823/4) at £250 each.

A third was delivered on 8th November 1887 for £300 (Wren - BP 2825) and the remaining five were built at Horwich (with a price hike like that I'm not surprised!) - Wasp and Fly in 1891, Mouse and Midget in 1899, finally Bee in 1901.

The last three were built with well and saddle tanks, the others having saddles added later.

Dimensions that might be of interest:

Boiler 2ft 3in x 5ft 2in with cylindrical firebox 17in diam; 55tubes 1.375in od; grate 1ft long, area 1.78 sq ft; hs tubes 40.64 sq ft, firebox 7.22 sq ft; wp 170psi;
Cylinders 5 x 6in; wheels 1ft 4.25in diam; wb 2ft 9in.
Frame length 7ft 4.25in, total width 3ft; ht to top of chimney 7ft 4.5in, to boiler centre 2ft 9.5i.
Well tank 26.5 galls, saddle 50 galls weight empty 2t 19cwt 2qr and working order 3t 11cwt 2qr
(From Transport and Railroad Gazette Sep. 1904).

Allen link motion was used. Gear change was by lever on the LHS of the boiler unlike the Parnell loco which was on the RHS and appears to be screw.

Dot, along with Fly and Bee were withdrawn in 1930. Wren, now in the NRM, was the last to be withdrawn in 1961.

Dave

[DuffieldBank]

The drawing for the 1'6" gauge Dot is here:

http://emu.msim.org.uk/web/objects/comm ... ?irn=15984

Link is no longer accurate. Any suggestions? I have no idea where to start my search.

Cheers,

DB