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What would a Stationary Engine Driver do ?

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Unknown

Unknown Report 17 Nov 2004 18:33

Maybe I'm being a bit thick but what does a Stationary Engine Driver do ?? My Ancestor has this as his occupation on the 1901 census. I know what an Engine Driver is (my son loves Thomas the Tank Engine) but why would a stationary engine need a driver ?? Clare - not very technically minded !!!

Phoenix

Phoenix Report 17 Nov 2004 18:37

Operate a steam engine that does not move! I assume this would be a beam engine or at a pumping station: that sort of thing. Brenda

Stephen

Stephen Report 17 Nov 2004 20:32

I live near blists hill working mueseum. They have a working steam engine there. It lifts a cage up and down what remains of a pit shaft. they were also used in sawmills, weaving mills, and and other mill, factory etc that needed to drive machinery. Watch a bit of Fred Dibnahs series on tv. Steve.

Unknown

Unknown Report 17 Nov 2004 21:12

I see now - so any industry which required power to drive machinery would probably have had a stationary engine. You learn something every day. Thanks all. Clare.xx

Andy

Andy Report 17 Nov 2004 21:18

Could have been on a Farm driving threshing machines and the such. Even in the post 1900 these could be bought for £150 or so, many Farms used them They looked like a Traction Engine but with rudimentary wheels so they could be moved round the yard etc.