Some of the following websites and museums have a definite Paxman connection. Others are of general interest to steam, diesel, rail traction enthusiasts
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Museum Links
Museum of Power, Langford, Maldon, Essex ( www.museumofpower.org.uk )
Housed in an old steam pumping station, the main exhibit is an impressive triple expansion steam engine made by the Lilleshall Company and commissioned in 1931. Paxman machinery at the museum includes an 1892 horizontal steam engine, a 1929 single cylinder VK vertical oil engine, a 1938 six cylinder RQ engine, a 4RW built c.1949 and previously installed in Selly Oak Telephone Exchange, a sectioned 12RPH (c.1960) and a sectioned Valenta engine. See website for location, directions, and hours of opening.
The museum has an industrial heritage section which includes among the exhibits a Paxman SE (or VEGA) engine. See website for location, directions, and hours of opening.
The Anson Engine Museum (Tel: 01625-874426) has a fine collection of gas and oil engines which have been carefully restored to working order and are well displayed. A highly commendable feature is that many of the engines are regularly run for the benefit of visitors. In 2009 the Anson acquired a air-cooled Paxman YGA (Vega) engine, built in the early 1960s. The museum's website carries a good history of Mirrlees, the famous diesel company which, like Paxman, became part of MAN Diesel Ltd.
Paul Evans has drawn together a substantial collection of diesel and other engines at Castell Pridd, a farm near Aberporth in West Wales. The museum is open 7 days a week, from Easter to end of October, except Mondays in April (Tel: 01239-811212). The collection includes a rare Paxman Vega 12 cylinder air cooled engine in excellent condition.
Paul's other website, www.semidiesel.com is also of interest to engine enthusiasts. It has searchable oil engine and steam engine databases as well as much other information about old oil engines.
The Kauri Museum, Matakohe, North Island, New Zealand ( www.kaurie-museum.com )
Displays include a well preserved large 20 NHP compound Paxman portable steam engine, No 20428, built in 1921.
Machinery at this industrial heritage site includes a 12 cylinder Paxman RPH. The website mentions a six cylinder Paxman VN installed in Marlborough Power Station in 1930.
This private museum has a superb collection of stationary steam engines which have been beautifully restored by a dedicated team of volunteers. The museum is open Monday to Friday and the engines are usually steamed on Wednesdays, the first Sunday of the month and on bank holidays. Located in a garden centre, close to the A1(M) north of Doncaster, it is well worth stopping for if you are travelling north on the A1. Entry is free but donations towards the upkeep are invited.
Another private museum with a superb collection of beautifully restored stationary steam engines. This museum, created and owned by Dr Rowan Francis, is usually open on the first Sunday of the month between May and November, from 11am to 5.00pm, when the engines may be seen in steam. Located at Forncett St Mary, about 10 miles south of Norwich; turn off the A140 at Long Stratton.
This site is 'unashamedly' devoted to stationery steam engines. A wealth of excellent pictures of old steam engines and links to steam engine museums and sites. Well worth a visit.
Content is 'what it says on the tin'. Information on steam and internal combustion engines in Australia, together with details about clubs and museums 'down under'.
Among the items of interest on this site is one about a Davey Paxman ammonia compressor built for the Linde British Refrigeration Company (see UK Article #2).
Traction Engine Links
Charles Burrell Museum, Thetford, Norfolk ( no website )
Thetford was home of the world famous traction engine builders Charles Burrell and Sons Ltd. Burrell was one of the largest makers of traction engines, noted for their high quality. Museum address: Minstergate, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 1BN; Tel: 01842-765840. Restricted opening so it is advisable to check before visiting.
About the ships of Caledonian MacBrayne on the West Coast of Scotland. Includes information and history of "Lochfyne" (1931), the very first ship to have Davey Paxman marine propulsion engines, and two other David MacBrayne ships, the "Lochnevis" (1934) and "Lochiel" (1939) fitted with Paxman engines.
A useful reference site about British submarines. (Paxman engines were installed in WW2 'S', 'U' and 'V' Class submarines, in Polaris submarines, and the Upholder (now Victoria) Class boats).
The 15" gauge railway on the Kent coast for which Paxman made a number of steam locomotives in the 1920s. The locomotives are still in regular service.
Full of interesting historical and technical rail traction information, relating primarily to the Great Western Railway and the Western Region of the British rail network.
The page on diesel-hydraulic locomotives is at: www.greatwestern.org.uk/dieseltxt.htm
