Big Engines Running: Coolspring Power Museum 2012 Summer Expo

Описание: In a break from the norm, Tionesta Valley Productions visited the Coolspring Power Museum in Coolspring, Pennsylvania, for its annual Summer Expo and Flea Market. The largest collection of early internal-combustion engines in the United States, Coolspring Power Museum is home to a number of rare (and very large) engines, three of which are featured in this presentation.

"Nate Lillibridge Station", seen in the first clip, is home to the only known example of a 4-cylinder "H-pattern" 300 horsepower gas engine ever built by the Miller Improved Gas Engine Co. of Springfield, Ohio. This engine, built in 1913, provided power for a large Ingersoll-Rand Imperial air compressor. The air generated by this setup was used to pump oil wells using steam engines in the Kane, Pennsylvania area. Removed by CPM volunteers in 19##, the engine and compressor were relocated here to the museum grounds, and in 19##, the big Miller was banging away once again. The I-R Imperial compressor is still undergoing rebuild, and will hopefully soon be belted to its engine once again.

The "Windy City" lease, removed from the town of the same name, south-west of Kane, houses two unique engines. The engine shown in the presentation is a 65 horsepower engine-compressor combination built in 1916 by the Blaisdell Machinery Company of Bradford, Pennsylvania; one of two originally installed in the building. The other engine-compressor, replacing the other Blaisdell, was manufactured by the Flickinger Iron Works, also of Bradford. The air generated by these engines was also used to pump oil wells, but by the use of an "Air Head" pumping unit (see Video Responses below for an example of this system in use in 2009 near the same area.) The museum relocated the entire Windy City compressor station (building and all) to the grounds in 19##. Upon completion of the 600 horsepower Snow twin-tandem engine, the Windy City lease and another compressor station (a Bessemer-powered lease rescued from close to the same area as Windy City) will be used to compress starting air to run the big Snow.

In the "Power Technology Building", visitors will find what is most likely the largest single-cylinder, twin-flywheel internal combustion engine in the collecting world; a 1925-built, 175 horsepower behemoth built by the Otto Gas Engine Works of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This engine, and the Worthington triple-piston pump that it's coupled to, were installed in the Brookville, Pennsylvania water works in 1925, pumping water from the creek into the treatment plant. The engine was taken out of service and saved by John Wilcox in 1968. CPM acquired the engine, and through the dedication of Dr. Paul Harvey, the 175 horsepower Otto is proudly on permanent display on the grounds.

More video from the Summer Expo will be following this one, stay tuned...