Rumely Engine rescued from James River

This is one of a pair of Rumely engines that was recovered from the James River near Richmond, VA. The engines were used to pump water from some reclaimed land, and had been unused for many years. After the river overtopped the levee, the engines were rescued and restored to running condition. This one was running at the Somerset Pasture Party in Somerset, VA on 29 August 2008. The other engine was also there, but was not set up to run.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Rumely
• engine
• pumping

[XELA2T]

Very beautiful, still going strong, you did so well to save her

[steamcheng]

@XELA2T Oh, I had nothing to do with saving it. A fellow named Leo Korb was the one who salvaged the engine. I just took the video.

[angelica14709]

How long was it in the river?

[steamcheng]

I'm not sure. I am still tracking down the history, but it appears that it was in a low area for pumping back in the 1930s and fell into disuse many years later. In the early 1990s the levee was breached and the engines were waterlogged until sometime in the last 5 years or so. I'll post more about it when I get the whole story.

[eddieboyglos]

did anyone eles notice the old lady being towed?

[badmoonryzn]

Very cool!

[JerryGiesler09]

I think that's a 4-stroke engine. :)

[whatihave2do]

Cool. Like hearing this run.

[Dav123xyz]

great!

[iggy151]

Wow...I wonder what other awesome machines lurk the James...I know that river has a rich history. Good job restoring those two.

[XELA2T]

@steamcheng

Uh, never mind, so the honor belongs to Leo Korb and his team, but you were doing well anyway to take this clip.

[Bidone1967]

Nice slow running engine!