Oil Field Engine News

By Staff
Published on May 1, 2005
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A “hog-trough” style bedplate Corliss engine, characterized by its distinct round shaped bottom.
A “hog-trough” style bedplate Corliss engine, characterized by its distinct round shaped bottom.
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Shop torches normally designed for illumination during inspection and to thaw frozen steam engine lines.
Shop torches normally designed for illumination during inspection and to thaw frozen steam engine lines.

Recently, while looking through an old catalog from the W.M. Pattison Supply Co., Cleveland, Ohio, dated 1904; I noticed several items I am sure would be of interest to the oil field engine enthusiast. This old catalog has a wonderful section on the steam engines Pattison offered, ranging from 1 HP upright models to giant 2,000 HP Corliss engines. One engine caught my attention in particular, a smaller style offered in sizes from 6 to 20 HP. This was an engine that might have been well suited for oil field use. Then I realized what had drawn my attention to it in the first place, which was its real neat “hog-trough” style bedplate, characterized by its distinct round-shaped bottom.

Sometimes these unique bedplates can be seen on oil field engines today, that have had Bessemer, Oil Well Supply, or some other half-breed conversion cylinders installed on them. So here it is, “Hog-Trough-Half-Breed” owners, if you want a picture of what your engine might have looked like when it was a steam engine, here is an image out of the catalog.

Another page that attracted my interest showed engine and shop torches. Many of these I have commonly seen amongst oil field engine collectors at the shows and flea markets. These torches were rather different than the so-called “yellow dog,” the two-spouted lamp otherwise known as a “derrick lamp.” These were designed for illumination during inspection and to thaw frozen steam engine lines, or wherever a light was needed to start a fire. A check of the price list on this page showed that several styles of these torches sold for $8 per dozen. How times have changed!

Contact the Oil Field Engine Society at: 1231 Banta’s Creek Road, Eaton, OH 45320-9701, online at: www.oilfieldengine.com or e-mail at: oilengine@voyager.net

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