LMS Route: Trent Valley Line

LMS Route: Nuneaton to Leamington

Nuneaton Station: lnwrns1680a

Close up of image 'lnwrns1680' showing a steam powered portable engine used to provide on-site mechanical power together with its crew and other facilities. The piston on top of the boiler turned the wheels seen either side and through pulleys would power a variety of equipment ranging from saws to pumps. Careful observation shows that a belt is running between the inner wheel and another wheels low down on a piece of equipment on the very far right behind the framing. The purpose of the equipment is unknown being out of view but it might be a stone saw as shaped coping stones are evident to the right of the portable engine.

The small wheel nearest the camera is also operating a belt to a piece of equipment that can be seen in image 'lnwrns1680b'. Items to note include the narrow gauge railway used to move the stone and other materials with one wagon in view carrying a coping stone. In addition, the ladder leaning against the traction engine indicates regular access was required to the top of the boiler; the shelter to the right would be used as a mess facility; and the barrels clearly contain a liquid of some kind as some are laid on trestles.

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