Project Manager Roger Waldron explains how thehistorically-important replica Newcomen engine at theBlack Country Museum was re-commissioned over Easter.


The Black Country Living Museum near Dudley is home to the only full size working replica of the world's first steam engine. To my knowledge there are no original Newcomen engines working and thus the

museum's engine is quite unique. Newcomen's first successful engine was constructed in 1712 within half a mile of the museum and probably pumped water into the very same brook that passes the current engine house. The site and the engine therefore are of immense significance both geographically and historically in the development of mechanical power.

The engine house supporting the replica Newcomen engine at the Black Country Museum, Dudley. Photo: Roger Waldron.

The replica was commissioned in 1986 and ran successfully for many years until running costs and operational difficulties took their toll. The engine went out of regular service and was fired only on special occasions when it would struggle to run more than a few strokes with manual control of the valves.

A chance conversation with the curator of the museum last year found me in less than a few days thoroughly absorbed in recommissioning the engine. I was soon to learn that any familiarity with modern steam engine terminology and practices had to be abandoned. This in itself was to begin a fascinating adventure into the terminology and thinking of the 18th century. It was time to forget expansion links, injectors and even horsepower for these were things of the future. It was time to start thinking in terms of plug rods, scoggans and tumbling bobs!

Unlike a modern engine, the Newcomen was designed for one purpose only - to pump water. Each component therefore, including the force pump at the bottom of the mine shaft, is an integral part of the engine and has to perform satisfactorily for the engine to run at all.