Easton and Amos
Easton and Amos Engine
This was the first of eight engines of similar type operating on the Somerset Levels, but
is now the only one surviving in its original engine house. It was restored to running order
by members of the Trust in 1971, and has been fired up and in-steam regularly since then.
See a mini video-clip of the Easton and Amos by clicking here. File size 841kb, format .wmv
It was built by Easton and Amos of London, and installed at Westonzoyland in 1861. The engine
design was patented in 1858 by Charles Amos. It is a vertical condensing engine, twin cylinder,
driving a centrifugal pump. A similar engine was on display at the Great Exhibition of 1851 and
was shown to be able to lift 100 tons of water per minute, to a height of 6 feet. Such power was
provided by the output from a Lancashire boiler, taking some 4 tons of coal every day.
The engine is fitted with expansion valve gear, following a design by Charles Amos. The
smaller picture shows the grasshopper parallel motion fitted to the engine which also drives
the condenser and boiler feed pump. We now have a small booklet about this engine, written and illustrated by one of the members. You can find it on our Books and DVDs page, or better still, visit the museum and buy one from the shop.
