History of an Engine Company: McIntosh & Seymour Corporation

By Staff
Published on June 7, 2013
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Photo Courtesy Dave Preuhs
A Large McIntosh & Seymour Engine 

The McIntosh & Seymour Corp. was established in Auburn, N.Y., in 1886. “By 1900,” C. H. Wendel says in American Gasoline Engines Since 1872, “the company was a major American builder … Their steam engine line included: ‘Simple, Compound, Triple Expansion, Horizontal, Vertical, Tandem Compound, Cross Compound, Belted, and Direct Coupled.” The engine company also built special-request engines.

By 1910, the company began making diesel engines “using the Swedish design of Aktiebolaget Atlas Diesel,” Wendel says. The company soon became an industry leader, specializing in large engines. “A 1926 industry reference notes that sizes were then available ranging from 50 to 2,000 horsepower, and using from 2 to 10 cylinders. McIntosh & Seymour marine style engines could be supplied in sizes from 800 to 8,000 horsepower, using from 4 to 8 cylinders … Electric generator service was a popular application of the McIntosh & Seymour engine.”

“All McIntosh & Seymour engines were of the full-diesel 4-cycle type, and would successfully burn any fuel oil which could be made sufficiently fluid for pumping.”

The company merged with American Locomotive Company (ALCO) during the 1930s.

Read more about McIntosh & Seymour and how the McIntosh & Seymour Gas Engine Steals the Show.

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