Pollit & Wigzell Mill Engine Model "Agnes"

I know this is a real long shot, but does anyone know the whereabouts of Peter Southworth's second model of Agnes, he built two the same and sold one at Christies in 1995, but no one seems to have heard anything about it since then.

I know when he died he left the other one to Bolton Steam museum, and I have seen that one already. (See photo's below). But I am curious as to where the other one ended up.

My reason for asking is that I am currently building the third model of Agnes myself.

Thanks

Phil

Edited By Phil P on 04/04/2016 22:20:57

Have you tried Bob Potter? If anyone knows it's likely to be Bob. I will drop him a line and see if he would like to view this thread.

We shall be starting publication of Peter's article about the original engine in Model Engineer shortly.

Are you building to the same scale, Phil?

Diane

Hi Diane

I am in regular contact with Bob already thanks.

My engine is going to be exactly the same as Peters original two, and in some respects more true to the prototype. it is the only other one that has made use of the same patterns and castings. I am in possession of Peter's original patterns which had disappeared for 30 odd years until Bob did some research and rediscovered them and they are now in my custody. Before anyone asks, it was Peters wish that the patterns were to be burnt, but the chap he gave them to could not bring himself do that and hid them in his loft. The patterns are a work of art in themselves.

My dad got the castings for my engine back in the 1980's directly from Peter, but to respect Peter's wishes there will be no more engines being built to these patterns. None of Peter's drawings have turned up as yet, so I am doing my own in Solidworks using a combination of original Pollit & Wigzell drawings and measurements from the full size engine in Doncaster.

I know the engine was featured on the cover of M.E. when it won a Silver medal at Sandown exhibition in 2001. But I was not aware of a build series being published. Are you sure it is Agnes and not his "regular" Corliss range he wrote about ? 

Peter did write a book about the full size engine, which is still available from Bob Potter.

Regards

Phil

Edited By Phil P on 05/04/2016 08:24:49

Hi Phil

No, this isn't to be a series about the model, it's about the original engine.

I have put out a few 'feelers' regarding the 'other' engine.

Diane

I have at long last finished the flywheel for my engine, apart from filling over and hiding the countersunk screws and a lick of paint it is done.

To give an idea of size it is 1/16 scale so therefore 12" diameter. I do not intend to cover the spokes with wood panelling as Peter did on his engine. I am leaving it open as is the full size engine in the museum. That way you can see the construction of it. Peters flywheel did not have all the internal details that mine has.

If you take this flywheel apart and count all the separate bits of metal that it is made from, there are 250 pieces including fasteners. It took some ingenuity to carry out all the machining operations as it was right on the limits of my machinery capacity. Most of the other bits for this engine are going to be in the realms of watchmaking especially the corliss trip gear.

Phil

Edited By Phil P on 07/04/2016 23:45:10

For those that don't know this flywheel, Phil has not used dummy jointing flanges. The rim of the flywheel is 8 separate segments just like the real thing. Spokes retained in the hub by the correct wedges etc

Jason

When I get some time I will update my build log over on MEM with more machining photo's.

Phil

Great Flywheel Phil. Looking forward to see the details on MEM.

Vince

For those interested Phil has updated his build thread with the final parts of the flywheel construction on page 6.

J

That's a work of art on its own, well done Phil.

Neil

This is a marvelous model of one of my family's great grandfathers (and beond) steam engines, im the great gransdon of John Pollit, so its nice to see people building models of the engines

Chris

I still keep doing bits when I am in the mood. Here is current state of play having almost finished the governor.

Phil

Nice to have an update Phil, excellent work.

Neil

I have just got back from the Bradford MES annual exhibition and the engine won "Best Stationary Engine" award.

Phil

You can see a full size working engine at Markham Grange Steam Museum in Doncaster. No entry cost, they only ask for a donation.

Web address - markhamgrangesteammuseum.co.uk

I am a vollintar at Markam Grange unfchantley we lost stem 1 year ago and are unabelto run agnes i wuld be intrested in vewing the engin if posibel if you culd emil me that wuld be most usfull R G Walker

(Mod Edit) Best to contact via privat emessage.

Edited By JasonB on 04/08/2022 06:49:12