This year Chris and Dennis Barnes plan to have a special display of Austin Lighting Sets most appropriately at Beaulieu, home of the National Motor Museum and host to the National Austin 7 Rally.
Two Austin sets have recently come to light again, after many years sleeping following the owners retirement from engine rallying. The first is a single cylinder set of 1920, powered by a small side valve engine and reputedly from a large house in the Dorking area of Surrey. The second is a larger two cylinder set, sadly minus its dynamo, last used on the Arundel Estate.
Looking up Austins led me to a very interesting website titled From this site, and with the help of several enthusiasts and organisations, I have been able to piece together a rough history of Austin and Austinlite products
Walker Horrocks Walker Horrocks & Co Ltd. of 45 Newhall Street, Birmingham were already making and selling fully automatic generating sets in sizes 2 to 28hp, some using purpose-built Austin engines from circa 1910. In 1909 two important patents were filed concerning the generation and storage of electrical power for house lighting. These were by Charles Bell Walker concerning the automatic switching on and off of the engine and a quick action switching method for contactors. The third by the company, made in 1911, was for an improved electrical connector. It is believed Siemens electrical equipment was used. No other history is known of this company at the present time.
Austin Motor Co. Ltd
In 1915 Herbert Austin’s company purchased Walker Horrocks, probably after receiving a government contract for 8KW generating sets for the Armed Forces. Some may have been for the Royal Flying Corps where it is assumed sets were used at rural airfields for the illumination of workshops and barracks. Austins at this time were already heavily committed to the war effort. A large number of these 8KW sets were sold off as surplus, some brand new after hostilities ceased, presenting purchasers with a bargain, no doubt.
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Esta historia es de la edición April 2017 de Stationary Engine.
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Lister Conundrum?
Back in 2016 a discussion took place on Fozzer’s Forum about early Lister J type engines; as I have a very early Lister 2 ½ hp, I was interested and took part in the discussion. I have always had an interest in Lister engines, having nine in my shed, all of which are restored, except a spec 52 Lister A. I had never delved into the history of these engines as I considered that just about everything was known about them, through the work done by the late David Edgington, and information is readily available.
Rogues' Gallery Pt2
Some engines have remained unidentified for a number of years – unless YOU, the reader, know differently….!
Coventry Victor Stationary/Marine Engines
Following a comment in the January edition of Stationary Engine, that Coventry Victor engines were rarely seen on our rally fields and as I have a liking for these engines (and flat twins), I have put together a short article based on my three examples.
Turner Manufacturing Co- Simplicity Engines
Having seen the little vertical Simplicity engine on the front cover of the October 2017 issue of Stationary Engine, where the name Western Malleable & Gray Iron Company, Milwaukee cast into the flywheel rim, is clearly legible, I decided the manufacturer required further investigation
Christmas Crank-Ups Riccall
Winter crank-ups and open days have become increasingly popular in recent years and one of the biggest I have ever attended was held in the village of Riccall, near York on Saturday 30th December.
Petter Standard Oil Engine
I am sure that the Petter Handyman engine will be a familiar sight to many engine enthusiasts, but the same cannot be said for the ‘Petter Standard Oil Engine’; the engine on which the Handyman engine was designed.
Clarendon Rally- Australia
Whilst on a recent trip to visit my family in Australia I took the opportunity to visit, with my son, the well known Clarendon Classic, Machinery, Truck and Hobby Show, which has been held for many years at the Hawkesbury Showgrounds, on Racecourse road, Clarendon, NSW on the weekend of the 16/17th September 2017.
Blackstone Compressors
Blackstone Compressors
The Warwick DC Generating Set
I was recently invited to inspect a small generating set belonging to Colin Williams from Horsham in Sussex.
Unusual Lister Engines
With the West Oxon Steam Rally 2017 drawing out a large collection of Lister Engines, here are a few of the more unusual models seen.
