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Recent News                             

 

Giant Crankshaft arrives

Several large engine parts have arrived at the museum over the past few days and have joined the gate guardians as furniture up the driveway to intrique visitors as they arrive.  On 1st July this giant crankshaft joined these unusual pieces.

 

      unloading the crankshaft it's how long?


Extra opening times in July and August

To make the most of the long summer evenings the museum is opening on Wednesdays from 13:00 - 19:00 in July and August.  Normal admission applies and engines will be running.

The Shops & Factories of Poynton exhibition will also be running until the end of July.


Midsummer Mingle - 24th June

To read how what we have planned for our Midsummer Mingle click here


That's my dad!    David Day spots photo of his dad among the Mirrlees, Bickerton & Day memorabilia

When visiting the Anson Engine Museum in Poynton over the Bank Holiday Weekend David Day of Bramhall had a bit of a shock. As he was looking at the photographs and memorabilia of the Mirrlees Company (was Mirrlees, Bickerton & Day at one point) he spotted a photograph of his dad - Harold Day!


Busy Weekend in May

To read how about our weekend (including La Nuit des musées and visit from the Heywood Society) click here.  More photos in the Gallery section.

 

Use the link above to get a free Adobe Reader if you have difficulties reading the pdf documents attached.


Arrival of the JCB Dieselmax444  JCB stand at the Diesel Exhibition

     

Wednesday morning we took delivery of the engine from the record breaking car and a fantastic stand (complete with model car and JCB engine) in time for the opening of the Diesel Exhibition on Saturday.  To read about its delivery and set up click here.

 


Campbell gate guardian gets new look   

      Campbell engine gate guardian

The large Campbell engine that greets visitors on their way to the museum received a new look this week when it was restored to its original green colour. For more details about the Campbell read here.

 


A-frame steam engine now on display        

A-frame steam engine

 

This beautiful example (make unknown, built c1830) is now part of the Steam Section at the museum.  Originally used at nearby Adlington Hall to drive a straw & hay cutter for the stables, it has spent the past few years being rallied around the country by one of the museum Trustees, Geoff Baker.  The plan is to have the engine in steam but at present it is not running. More pictures in our Gallery area.

 

Also in the steam section is the Fowler Beam Engine (on loan from the Birmingham Museums & Art Gallery), model steam engines and the giant Stott Steam Engine that is being lovingly restored by the volunteers.


"Drive It Day"  Sunday 20th April  

 

Sunday April 20th is "Drive It Day" organised by the Federation of British Historical Vehicle Clubs when owners of old vehicles are encouraged to get out and use them.  The North West Centre of the MG Car Club will be congregating at the Anson Engine Museum on Sunday afternoon as the culmination of their drive out as part of this national celebration.  There is likely to be 10-12 of these lovely old cars in the car park that afternoon - let's hope the sun shines so the cars and owners can be shown off to their best.

 

The museum has already hosted several club visits this year already (see the Gallery/Club Visit section) and continues to be a popular venue for clubs from around the country.

 


Restoration work on the MAN Diesel 

 

In preparation for the Diesel Exhbition some of our volunteers have been working on the MAN vertical diesel engine.  More details will be published soon (and photographs can be found in the Gallery) but we wanted to share this one which seems to have the ghost of Rudolf Diesel keeping an eye on progress.

the face of Rudolf Diesel looks on to check on progress

 


Happy couple do not forget the museum on their big day  

 

Emma and James Rackham were married on Saturday 22nd March.  The guests had a sweep on how long the speeches would take and £40 was raised for the person who guessed closest.  The winner generously offered to donate the prize money to the bride's favourite charity and Emma wasted no time in naming the museum.  Many thanks for the donation and very best wishes for the future to the happy couple.


 

Snow and a generous donation kick off the season   Bill Coxhead handing over the scooter to Geoff Challinor

 

Read about the snow covered start to our season and the gift of a motorised scooter from the North West Stationary Engine Association.  Click here.

 


 

'Twas the night before Easter and all through the museum ...  

 

Engines were lubricated, floors were swept and brass plates polished.  Read about our efforts to get things up and running in this tale of restoring an O type Gardner and also below in the working weekend item.

 

We are looking forward to welcoming you for the new season. We have engines rebuilt and ready to run for you - some that haven't been run for 50 years.

 

Gardner O type ready for the season, click here for details. UPDATED


Walker Crisps offer 2 for 1 entry to museum   Walkers crisps logo 

 

We are being featured in the new "Brit Trips" promotion being run by Walkers Crisps to offer days out vouchers.  Their plan is to "team up with some of the best British names to bring you fantastic offers on thousands of different ‘home grown’ days out, trips, attractions, holidays and more!" 

 

For more details on the offer click here or see offer on crisps packets.

 


Mirrlees No1 now upright     Oldest diesel engine in the UK

In preparation for it being installed in our Diesel Exhibition Mirrlees No 1 (the first diesel engine ever to be made in Great Britain and the third ever made in the world) was lifted into an upright position. Click here for more details/photos.

 

Use the link above to get a free Adobe Reader if you have difficulties reading the pdf documents attached.


Progress made during working weekend

Many of our Friends and Volunteers turned up on the last weekend in February to help us get the museum in tip-top shape for the start of our season.  As well as many of the cleaning/painting jobs that need attention a lot of progress was made getting various engines ready for running over the summer.  Attached are some details of these and recent additions.  Use the free Adobe Reader link above if you have difficulties reading the pdf documents.

 

Annual maintenance of the Crossley Atmospheric

First running of the Oldest Known National Gas Engine

O Type Gardner from Dion Houghton

Brotherhood Air Compressor

Piano Base, Slide Valve Crossley

 

We are having another working weekend early March.  If you would like to join us please contact our Volunteer Co-ordinator on p.wood83@ntlworld.com for full details.


Free video to whet your appetite

While preparing for our Diesel Exhibition one of the things we have come across is a terrific archive site that contains lots of documents that will prove of interest to engine enthusiasts and, in particular, some archive footage that is free to view and dowload.  Press HERE to connect to the Prelinger Archives and view The Diesel Story (approx 20 mins).  It traces the development of the diesel from the Otto 'SILENT' gas engine of 1877, through Rudolph Diesel's engine, to the machines that now drive ships, trains, tractors, trucks and cars.

 

Remember we have some of the early atmospheric engines running here at the museum and the Crossley horizontal it shows (about 3.5 minutes into the film) is on display here too.

 

More news of our Diesel Exhibition will appear soon, see EVENTS for the details so far.  Dr Diesel


Free Jigsaw - build an engine at the Museum

We have been asked to highlight the link to our Gardner 4T5 jigsaw that we originally sent out last April.  We hope you enjoy completing it.  The record for assembly to date is 4 minutes 29 seconds for this 50 piece puzzle. Let us know if you manage to beat that time.


Click here to have a go >>>>>>>> (when prompted click Run)

 

Check out the museum shop where we will soon have other jigsaws available, some with 260 pieces!   Shop>>


For some tips on using your jigsaw, click here.  Handy to print out and keep.

 

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