great pictures as a steam engineer in a 2 mega watt powerplant i love the old equipment , thanks for posting them
The guy who was last in charge of the Winchester arms powerplant was a neat old timer who knew what he had, and also had a sense of history. Just remembered,when they tore down everything, he personally saved the old steam fire pump, which looked like a twin to the green unit Pratt has, wood jackets and all. Sat outside for years while they looked for a museum for it. Still there, last I looked. One more reason to keep the pratt stuff intact. This is the kind of heritage , to me ,that allowed for the creative thinking of hotrodding to flourish. Hey, do any of you guys remember sending the new guy out for a bucket of steam?
Man would be contacting anybody and everybody that could have some clout in saving this place as a museum! Historical societies, TV, any news media other Museums in the area and start a petition besides one paper one for locals and an online version should be a bunch here alone to sign it get the word out to small engine clubs as well.Point out to the school that they could charge a few bucks a head for tours and generate some funding as well.Here if asbestos is encapsulated it is not considered a threat point out what it would cost to destroy this great piece of history verses saving it ! get it museum status and the college has a bunch of write offs they can use besides.
You're right. The Pratt engine house has apparently gotten a lot of good press over the years, but for whatever reason it still has no historical standing. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers did name it a sacred place, but they have no authority; their word and a dollar gets you a cup of coffee (not even). Space is always at a premium in colleges, so I imagine it is only a matter of time before some wonk administrator decides that they would rather install an air conditioning chiller - or more offices for administrators - in that space. The asbestos thing is a big problem. They should be able to encapsulate it because it is all intact, but what I heard is that the new honcho won't hear about it; it has to be 'gone'.
Contact Jay Leno!!! He'll buy the whole damn place! If your ever in Kingston Ontario this is a great place to see. http://www.cityofkingston.ca/residents/recreation/museums/pumphouse/history.asp
In addition to the nice preservation of these machines, I like the way all of the machines and piping are either polished or painted. The paint colors are regular industrial supply - I believe the red is 'tile red'. Conrad was apologetic about the dust and tarnished brass - his oiler was on vacation, and the oiler position is no longer full-time assigned to the engine room.
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