Crossley Premier Vis a Vis at St Germans Pumping Station Kings Lynn

This video is the last run under load of a Crossley Premier 8 cylinder Vis A Vis engine on The 15 April 2010 In 1934 3 Crossley Premier 8 cylinder Vis a Vis engines driving Gwynnes Invincible water pumps where installed for land drainage, at this time it was the worlds largest pump drainage station. In 1951 a 4th engine was installed, the other 3 engines have been replaced with electric motors and a modern Allen diesel engine.The Crossley engine is rated at 1500hp at 215 RPM coupled to a David Brown gearbox reduced down to 93 RPM, the water pumps can displace 1057 Tons of water per minute with a static head of 9 feet. The intention is to remove the engine and gearbox for instalation at the 'Anson Engine Museum' in a running condition.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Anson
• Engine
• Museum

[TANISLA2]

the 'buzzing' noise is coming from the compressor for starting the engine!!

[TANISLA2]

Bryan Take a look @ The Anson Engine Museum web site, we have a good selection of Crossley engines and memorabilia and a number of volunteers and ex Crossley employees who visit the museum.

[douro20]

Two-stroke isn't it?

[TANISLA2]

No it's a four stroke

[regregex]

0:34 Rats!

[douro20]

What was the loud buzzing noise before they started the engines?

[stingraystud]

@seisix6 thanks i love these old engines the sound is harmonic

[seisix6]

@stingraystud If you look carefully you will see the other pair of valves underneath the cylinder head,opposite side.@6.10 can just see the other cam lobe working.Exhaust went out underneath to chimney stacks on the outside of the building.

My mate used to look after Tydd pumper,and i think they had 4 or 6 cylinder versions of these monsters,sadly all gone replaced by electric and i think new Scania lumps.When he had more than 1 engine running,the sound even with ear defenders was mesmerising!

[NJPurling]

You would definately have slept easier knowing this fine piece of technology was doing its job of keeping your home from flooding.

I don't know how big the associated fuel tank was, but they should have left it running until the tank was empty, no matter how many days it took.

[stingraystud]

i could watch that run all day long, love seeing the open valve train, where is the intake or exhaust valve though, all i see is the cam lobes opening one set of valves per cylinder, dont know if it is ex or in, is it an atmospheric intake valve that opens under vacum or what? nice video

[bandjsellars]

The first time I have seen a Crossley Premiere running only photos before, I served my apprenticeship at Crossley Bros. Pottery Lane works in Manchester in the 1950's so this video was very nostalgic for me, thank you for sharing, Bryan