1893 Steam Electric Plant - Biggest Flywheel Ever??

• 1893 Steam Electric Plant - Biggest Flywheel Ever??
  Posted by Gregowen on 13 Nov, 2023 21:49
•   I don't recall ever seeing any larger flywheel than this. From a gallery of 19th century photos on MSN, if this link copies here...
  
  
  
  https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/50-vintage-photos-that-show-just-how-different-life-was-in-america-in-the-19th-century/ss-AA1jRO0k?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=cd83c981b2fa40fa8905f4ed236e0035&ei=38#image=35
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• #1 Reply
  Posted by Stoker on 13 Nov, 2023 23:03
• Think I have seen bigger, but that is certainly one serious flywheel, and I suspect that it is attached to one serious steam engine too!
  
  Not sure I can come up with a photo right quick, but I do believe the British had some truly monstrous flywheels on some of their beautiful pumping engines!?!?
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• #2 Reply
  Posted by Nick on 14 Nov, 2023 03:01
• Here’s one in Dalton, MN I believe it’s 25’ diameter
  
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• #3 Reply
  Posted by Nick on 14 Nov, 2023 03:02
• Some friends in IA are moving a Corliss with 15’ flywheel, each half 27,000 pounds
  
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• #4 Reply
  Posted by Gregowen on 14 Nov, 2023 23:56
•    I got curious and found a record from the 1994 edition of the Guiness book of records of what was stated as the largest stationary steam engine, a pumping engine made in 1849 to pump water out of flooded land in Holland. No information on the flywheel was given, but the diameter of the piston was 12 feet! That one must have had one whopping big flywheel also.
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• #5 Reply
  Posted by Nick on 15 Nov, 2023 06:03
• The 25’-er kept my youngest entertained for several minutes 😂
  
  https://youtube.com/shorts/8azVh0P-M8A?si=247MRmR0MrBLVdnf
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• #6 Reply
  Posted by Stoker on 15 Nov, 2023 11:15
• Here's a Victorian graphic of a pretty good sized one!
  
  
  https://media.gettyimages.com/photos/illustration-depicting-a-steam-powered-pumping-engine-this-compound-picture-id921871258
  
  
  Then there is the Abbey Pumping Station in Leichester England, which has a "nice pair", though I'm unsure of actual diameter, but they are certainly big.
  
  But what's more they are astonishingly beautiful!!!
  
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• #7 Reply
  Posted by Gregowen on 15 Nov, 2023 21:36
•    That Victorian engine is surely impressive, and looks like Nick's son was having a fine time. My only concern is that maybe they need to install a stronger guardrail, as he seemed to already be pushing its limits a bit!
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