Article June 13, 1901 Issue

The Largest Stationary Engine

What is asserted to be the largest stationary engine ever built in this country has just been completed in East Pittsburg, Pa., by the Westinghouse Machine Company for the New York Gas, Electric Light, Heat, and Power Company. Seven others of equal size are to be built for the same company. These engines are rated at 6,000 horse-power each, but on occasion they will be capable of delivering 10,500 horse-power. We quote below part of a description con tributed to The Iron-Age (May 2) by its Pittsburg correspondent:—

"Some idea of the proportions of this monster engine can be obtained when it is said that more than 10,500 separate pieces of different kinds of metal were used in its construction, and that the whole engine completed weighs more than 1,500,000 pounds. The following are the dimensions; Height from floor line to the top of the cylinder, 37.25 feet; width across front, 41 feet; width from front to rear, 23 feet; diameter of fly-wheel, 23 feet; weight of main shaft, 136,000 pounds; diameter of shaft, 26 to 29½ inches. For shipping, the engine will require thirty cars. The base of this engine, cast in three pieces, weighs one hundred tons. Upon this base are set the three A-frames, with irregular flange-tops, upon which are set and bolted the cross-head guide-frames."

Circumscribing the engine frame are three iron platforms, connected with each other by spiral iron stairways, and to the ground by means of a stairway descending from the lowest platform. There are one high-pressure cylinder, 43½ inches in diameter, and two low-pressure cylinders, each 75½ inches in diameter. The stroke is 60 inches and the speed 75 revolutions per minute. The engine is condensing and a vacuum of 26 inches is maintained at all times. We quote again:—

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