[SEL] Info wanted: Ideal Steam Engine

[James Mackessy]

Yes, Brice, but there were two designs, side and center crank, and two
builders, Ide & Sons in Springfield, Illinois, and Harrisburg Foundry &
Machine Co., in Harrisburg, Pa.. Ken Cope's book has the following info:
Alfred L. Ide started machine shop and foundry 1876, came out with the
sidecrank engine by 1884, center crank by 1888, and tandem and cross
compound versions in 1891. All were designed for electrical generation
service.
     Hawkin's "Steam Engine Catechism" has some info on Ide engines, if I
recall correctly. They appear to be nicely made and finished. - JM
----- Original Message -----
From: <badams at tractors.bloomington.in.us>
To: "The SEL email discussion list" <sel at lists.stationary-engine.com>
Sent: Monday, December 18, 2006 6:01 PM
Subject: [SEL] Info wanted: Ideal Steam Engine


> A friend is doing a history of a building.  He has the following
> statement:
>   A 40 horsepower Ideal Steam engine was installed in 1895 driving a
> dynamo.
>
>   Does anyone know where a "Ideal" steam engine might have been
> made?  Does anyone have any info, literature, or technical data?
>
> Thanks,
> Brice
>
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