The Gas Engine and Gas Plant

In the early years of the 20th Century, demand for water from Darlington and Teesside grew significantly and it became necessary to install increased pumping capacity.

To meet this demand, in 1914, a Gas Engine, Gas Producer plant and new Pumps were installed in the East Pump House.

The Gas Producer and Gas Engine were provided by Ruston Hornsby & Sons and the pumps by Hathorn, Davy & Co. Ltd.

The Gas Producer plant manufactured gas to fuel the Gas Engine by feeding a mixture of air and steam across a bed of very hot carbon (coke or anthracite). The ensuing reaction produced a blend of carbon monoxide and hydrogen which was drawn into the Gas Engine on each suction stroke.

The plant was decommissioned in 1955 following an explosion.

The Gas Engine is a Richard Hornsby & Sons, two-cylinder, horizontal machine which could deliver 220 horsepower when running at maximum output. It was converted to run on natural gas in 1980. It is considered to be the largest, best preserved, fully operational historic Gas Engine in Europe.

Today, the engine is operated on site Open Days and is used to drive the, Hathorn Davey & Co Ltd, River and Town pumps by means of the wide drive belt.

A pair of three throw pumps are installed and can be seen pumping water on Open Days. These are identical units, although located in mirror image orientation.

This single cylinder, 1914 Richard Hornsby & Sons, petrol engine has a direct-drive air compressor which was originally used to charge the Gas Engine air receiver. This small engine also drives a Westinghouse generator which provided electrical power for the site. The engine is still in good working order.