Celebrating Steam this doors open day

2012 marks the 300th anniversary of the invention of the first workable steam engine, the Newcomen or atmospheric engine. This engine was to form the basis for James Watt’s greatest achievement, one that would transform the world. During 2012 Doors Open Days, which give you free access to hundreds of fascinating buildings across Scotland, STICK invites you to learn more about steam engine technology.

One of the highlight is the Newcomen engine held by Summerlee. This Newcomen beam engine dates from 1810 and is the only surviving rotative Newcomen engine in Europe and the only manually operated version left in the world. It was originally installed in the Farme Colliery in Rutherglen, where it worked until 1915. Find out more about it here.

Farme Colliery Engine  © Summerlee

In September you will be able to visit the following participating organisations and see evidence of steam engines in Scotland for yourself.  View press release.

Weekend 2: 8th and 9th September

• National Mining Museum Scotland, colliery steam winding engine 1894 
• Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life, Coatbridge: Newcomen engine 1810; full size and model stationary steam engines and locomotives 

Weekend 3: 15th and 16th September

• Riverside, Glasgow: full size and model marine engines and steam locomotives
• Hunterian Museum, Glasgow: model Newcomen engine repaired by James Watt 1763-64
• Scottish Railway Preservation Society, Bo’ness: steam locomotives

Weekend  4: 22nd and 23rd September

• National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh: Boulton and Watt beam engine 1786; Newcomen engine 1811; model steam engines and locomotives
• McManus Galleries, Dundee: steam engine models