Geograph - photograph every grid square

This furniture company was notable for having one of the last working stationary steam engines in the country and equally notable for denying enthusiasts access to it. The company ceased trading in 1990 and Mr Glenister then allowed a sizable group of enthusiasts in, when nothing was working, in exchange for a donation to his church. This was my only visit inside the works but I had seen this engine running through a window while stood on a colleague's shoulders.

This is a horizontal tandem compound with Lentz valve gear, built by Davey, Paxman of Colchester, No. 18581 of 1914, installed second hand in 1927. The cylinders are 10.5" & 17" x 18". It ran at 212 revolutions per minute and developed 220 horsepower. The flywheel is 7' diameter and sits next to a shaft mounted alternator. The hand wheel on the left of the high pressure cylinder is the stop valve (never a start valve). On the right the little handwheel adjust the governor speeder gear. The governor is in the round case behind it.