The James Kay “Dancers end” engine

About the sound

The James Kay engine, also known as the Dancers End engine, takes its name from Lord Rothschild's estate at Dancer's End, near Tring, where it was used to pump water from a well. The engine was built in 1867 by James Kay of Bury. It was donated to the museum by the Thames Water Authority's Chiltern Division, where it had been kept on standby since the 1930s. It was found to be in good working order and was re-assembled at Kew Bridge in 1978 - 79.

Date of manufacture 1867
Cylinder Diameter 14 inches (355 mm)
Stroke 30 inches (762 mm)
Flywhell Diameter 11 feet (3.35 metres)
Water output per stroke Unknown
Water output per 24 hours Unknown
Power Rating 36 horse power at 36 r.p.m.
Last worked c. 1930
Returned to steam 1979

Sound recordist: Ben Minto/Soundkids
Video: CopperhouseFilms, YouTube