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Three apprentices from Salford-based renewable energy firm Ener-G have worked alongside retired engineers and technicians at the Anson Engine Museum, in Poynton, Cheshire, to restore a 1943 Brotherhood Engine, which was last in use more than 20 years ago to power beer-making at Kirkstall Brewery in Yorkshire.
Each Tuesday for the past two years, the apprentices have taken it in turns to work at the museum, working with other volunteers to strip down the type R63/8 371 kW (500 bhp) engine and completely restore it to working order.
Ian Summerfield, one of the retired volunteers on the project, said: “The engine itself was a selection of rusty parts when we started and none of us had worked on a ‘sleeve valve’ engine before so it was a learning curve for us as well.
“One of the first jobs was to remove the crankshaft for cleaning and inspection of the bearings. Two of the main bearings had to be replaced so this required measurements of the crankshaft and the new bearings to be taken to determine the clearances. Once we were happy with the crankshaft we refitted it followed by the column, then the pistons required cleaning and their rings fitted. To lift the sleeves and cylinder casings we had to design lifting equipment and make it.
“The apprentices helped with all these jobs and whilst some of the work was routine cleaning and fitting it often required learning new skills, particularly when using micrometers and other measuring equipment to very fine limits.”
The engine has now been run for the first time since its restoration. One of the apprentices, Dean Mellor, aged 20, said: “We’ve gained a fantastic education from the other volunteers who have years of experience in traditional engineering and have passed on to us the techniques and skills that they’ve been using all their working lives. It’s given us a deep understanding of engines.”
In their day-to-day role at Ener-G, the apprentices manufacture renewable and energy efficient technologies, including combined heat and power systems.
Peter Wood, volunteer coordinator for Anson Museum, said: “This is the first time we have involved apprentices and it’s been very successful. We’re all getting on in years so it’s been really nice to have young people around. It’s been a two way relationship in that we’ve benefited from their help, and they’ve learnt valuable skills from qualified engineers with years of experience.”