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Steam narrow boat President

New Engine

written in 2000

President has until recently had a simple two cylinder engine that was installed during the restoration in the 1970's by Malcolm Braine and Nicholas Bostock. Although it has given sterling service since then, the engine had reached the point where yet another major overhaul was needed. Although this would have give President a year or so of extra operation life any long term future would have required a new engine.

As the FMC steamers originally had a vertical compound engine, it is logical that the replacement should be of this design. Unfortunately there are no known survivors, so for some time now the engineering skills of Friends of President, the Black Country Living Museum and some advisors have been busy researching and designing a new engine based upon the original design.

Financing the cost of a new engine will be very challenging. An Engine Appeal was launched in 1992, but there is still a very long way to go.

However, in a recent development, we now have an interim solution. FoP has bought a new engine. The engine, which was previously used in a training school, is virtually unused.

This new engine does not represent the end of our quest to obtain an FMC engine. However, the committee recognised that the cost for an new FMC engine would be outside our reach for some time. This engine will meet all our power requirements and could be re-sold should an FMC engine or replica be available.

We have purchased a Sissons from Preston Steam. It was built in the 1950's as a training engine for the Merchant Navy training College and is in virtually new condition.

The engine a single cylinder, with a 7" bore x 9" stroke developing 12/14 hp at 150rpm at 150psi. It has a cast back standard with single turned and angled front column. We have purchased the engine together with a suitable condenser for£7750.  President brought the engine up from Waltham Abbey to the Black Country Living Museum where it has been fitted with hardwood lagging to the cylinder and painted the relevant parts in dark green. It will be fitted in the boat after the repairs to the hull this winter.

The original engine was a vertical single crank tandem compound built by the Company under licence to a design by W H & H Haines Ltd of Fazeley Street, Birmingham. A sketch of it is shown on the plague shown on the left. If you have any information on these engines we would be very interested. Contacts

Engine Plagues like this are available for £10 inclusive of Post and packing from David Powell.

For details of the appeal and the plaques, please email David Powell