thumb|right|300px|A stationary steam engine, preserved at [[Tower Bridge in London. This is one of two tandem cross-compound hydraulic pumping engines formerly used to raise and lower the bridge.]]

Stationary steam engines are fixed steam engines used for pumping or driving mills and factories, and for power generation. They are distinct from locomotive engines used on railways, traction engines for heavy steam haulage on roads, steam cars (and other motor vehicles), agricultural engines used for ploughing or threshing, marine engines, and the steam turbines used as the mechanism of power generation for most nuclear power plants.

The development of the steam engine was gradual. They were introduced during the 18th century and widely made for the whole of the 19th century and most of the first half of the 20th century, only declining as electricity supply and the internal combustion engine became more widespread. Over time, they would improve in pressure, expansion and speed.

Development of the stationary steam engine

In the first century AD, "Hero" described a turbine type engine utilizing steam for power known as the aeolipile. Since then very little with steam power has been done until the 17th and 18th centuries. It was an invention by James Watt that would first imbody all aspects common to modern engines.

See also

  • Boilers
  • Centrifugal governor
  • Lineshaft
  • Belt
  • List of steam energy topics
  • Live steam
  • Steam fair
  • Stationary engine
  • Steam donkey
  • Preserved stationary steam engines

References

Bibliography

  • Buchanan, R. A., and Watkins, George, The Industrial Archaeology of the Stationary Steam Engine, London, 1976,
  • Fowler, W. H. (1919). Stationary steam engines, illustrated with numerous examples from actual practice / Ed. by William H. Fowler. The Scientific publishing company, [1907].
  • Bowditch, J. (1992). Power from Steam: A History of the Stationary Steam Engine by Richard L. Hills (review). Technology and Culture, 33(4), 821–823. <nowiki>https://doi.org/10.1353/tech.1992.0025</nowiki>
  • Watkins, George, Stationary Steam Engines of Great Britain, Landmark Publishing, various ISBNs

:Vol 1, Yorkshire (2000)

:Vol 2, Scotland and Northern England (2000)

:Vols 3:1, 3:2, Lancashire (2001)

:Vol 4, Wales, Cheshire,& Shropshire (2002)

:Vol 5, The North Midlands (2002)

:Vol 6, The South Midlands (2003)

:Vol 7, The South and South West (2003)

:Vol 8, Greater London and the South East (2003)

:Vol 9, East Anglia & adjacent counties (2004)

:Vol 10, Marine Engines (and readers' notes, indexes to the series etc) (2005)

This series reproduces some 1,500 images from the Steam Engine Record made by George Watkins between 1930 and 1980, which is now in the Watkins Collection at English Heritage's National Monuments Record at Swindon, Wilts.

  • Old Engine House, List of Museums &ndash; examples of stationary steam engines preserved in the UK (with pictures and links)
  • International Steam.co.uk &ndash; comprehensive coverage of stationary steam engines in their original locations, working and non-working, in many countries
  • preserved stationary steam engines &ndash; includes lesser-known museums containing such engines (UK)
  • Steamers steam engine forum &ndash; Questions and answers about old steam engines, traction engines