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Piston Collection (page 2)

The piston, a vital component in various engines and machinery, has played an integral role in the development of transportation and industry

Background imagePiston Collection: Leading carriages, showing the tube, piston, heater, closing wheels &c. 1845

Leading carriages, showing the tube, piston, heater, closing wheels &c. 1845. Diagram showing an atmospheric railway, a system using air pressure for locomotion, invented by Clegg and Samuda

Background imagePiston Collection: John Ainslies tile machine 1846

John Ainslies tile machine 1846
John Ainslies tile machine. Date: 1846

Background imagePiston Collection: Kaman K-125B N60377 - NX60377

Kaman K-125B N60377 - NX60377
Kaman K-125B N60377 / NX60377 (msn 1). The first helicopter designed and built by (Charles H) Kaman Aircraft Corp, Bradley Field, Windsor Locks CT

Background imagePiston Collection: Rolls-Royce V-12 Piston Aero-Engine

Rolls-Royce V-12 Piston Aero-Engine Date: 1940s

Background imagePiston Collection: Water-Meter, 19th century. Creator: Unknown

Water-Meter, 19th century. Creator: Unknown
Water-Meter, 19th century. Diagrams of water meters: elevation, vertical section and horizontal section of Frosts piston water-meter; Siemens large water-meter; Siemens turbine water-meter

Background imagePiston Collection: The Night Journey. A mixed-traffic locomotive of the Southern Railway at a cross-over, 1935

The Night Journey. A mixed-traffic locomotive of the Southern Railway at a cross-over, 1935
The Night Journey. A mixed-traffic locomotive of the Southern Railway negotiating a cross-over on its way to the south, 1935. From " Railway Wonders of the World, Vol. 1"

Background imagePiston Collection: Lord Nelson, one of the most powerful locomotives owned by the Southern Railway

Lord Nelson, one of the most powerful locomotives owned by the Southern Railway
" Lord Nelson", one of the most powerful locomotives owned by the Southern Railway, 1935-36. From " Railway Wonders of the World, Vol. 2"

Background imagePiston Collection: The Mighty Express passenger engine of the Great Western Railway, 1935. Creator: Unknown

The Mighty Express passenger engine of the Great Western Railway, 1935. Creator: Unknown
The Mighty Express passenger engine of the Great Western Railway, the " King George V" is the result of a century of progress and development, 1935

Background imagePiston Collection: A 19th century steam hammer or drop hammer, from Les Merveilles de la Science, pub. 1870

A 19th century steam hammer or drop hammer, from Les Merveilles de la Science, pub. 1870
3588320 A 19th century steam hammer or drop hammer, from Les Merveilles de la Science, pub.1870. by French School, (19th century); (add.info.: A 19th century steam hammer or drop hammer)

Background imagePiston Collection: A Remarkable Locomotive on the Midland, 1922. Creator: Unknown

A Remarkable Locomotive on the Midland, 1922. Creator: Unknown
A Remarkable Locomotive on the Midland, 1922. From The Romance of Modern Railways, by T. W. Corbin. [Seeley Service & Co. Limited, London, 1922]

Background imagePiston Collection: James Watts Steam Engine at Work, c1934

James Watts Steam Engine at Work, c1934. Illustration showing James Watts (1736-1819) revolutionary invention with explanatory diagram of its functioning

Background imagePiston Collection: Changing a piston on Archie Frazer-Nashs GN at the JCC 200 Mile Race, Brooklands, Surrey, 1922

Changing a piston on Archie Frazer-Nashs GN at the JCC 200 Mile Race, Brooklands, Surrey, 1922
GN 1086 cc. Vehicle Reg. No. IT327. Entry No: 3 Driver: Frazer Nash, A. Finished: 5th. In 1100cc class T-drive o.h.c. engine. Frazer Nash & Cushman changing a piston. Brooklands. J.C.C

Background imagePiston Collection: Apprentice with microscope (testing the hardness of pistons), 1941. Artist: Cecil Beaton

Apprentice with microscope (testing the hardness of pistons), 1941. Artist: Cecil Beaton
Apprentice with microscope (testing the hardness of pistons), 1941. From Air of Glory, by Cecil Beaton. [His Majestys Stationery Office, London, 1941]

Background imagePiston Collection: Steam Engine, c1813. Artist: John Moffat

Steam Engine, c1813. Artist: John Moffat
Steam Engine, c1813. From Edinburgh Encyclopaedia, by David Brewster. [William Blackwood, London, c1813]

Background imagePiston Collection: Ramsbottoms Express Passenger Engine, 1866

Ramsbottoms Express Passenger Engine, 1866

Background imagePiston Collection: Steam engine, 19th century

Steam engine, 19th century. Ransomes and Sims 20 horse-power portable engine, and a May and Companys double-cylinder horizontal engine

Background imagePiston Collection: The Rocket, Liverpool and Manchester Railways, 1829, (20th century)

The Rocket, Liverpool and Manchester Railways, 1829, (20th century)

Background imagePiston Collection: Cardean, Caledonian Railways, 1906, (20th century)

Cardean, Caledonian Railways, 1906, (20th century)

Background imagePiston Collection: Sir Vincent Ravens Pacific, North Eastern Railway, 1922, (20th century)

Sir Vincent Ravens Pacific, North Eastern Railway, 1922, (20th century)

Background imagePiston Collection: Merchant Navy class, Southern Railway, 1941, (20th century)

Merchant Navy class, Southern Railway, 1941, (20th century)

Background imagePiston Collection: Passenger train, Pullman of the Pacific Union, America, 20th century

Passenger train, Pullman of the Pacific Union, America, 20th century

Background imagePiston Collection: Oscillating paddle engine of the steamer Beatrice

Oscillating paddle engine of the steamer Beatrice. Dated 19th Century

Background imagePiston Collection: A Multi-Bladed Wind Powered Water Pump on a Farm in Australia

A Multi-Bladed Wind Powered Water Pump on a Farm in Australia
A windpump is a type of windmill which is used for pumping water. Windpumps are used extensively in Southern Africa, Australia

Background imagePiston Collection: A Truly Australian Scene of a Eucalyptus (Gum) Tree, Scrubs and a Multi-Bladed Wind Powered Water

A Truly Australian Scene of a Eucalyptus (Gum) Tree, Scrubs and a Multi-Bladed Wind Powered Water Pump on a Farm Field
Many Eucalyptus species are known as gum trees. They are a diverse genus of flowering trees and shrubs (including a distinct group with a multiple-stem mallee growth habit) in the myrtle family

Background imagePiston Collection: Merryweathers Steam Fire-Engine - Merryweather & Sons of Lambeth, later Greenwich

Merryweathers Steam Fire-Engine - Merryweather & Sons of Lambeth, later Greenwich, London, were builders of steam fire engines and steam tram engines

Background imagePiston Collection: Watt steam engine, first type of steam engine

Watt steam engine, first type of steam engine
" Watt steam engine, first type of steam engine to make use of steam at a pressure just above atmospheric to drive the piston helped by a partial vacuum

Background imagePiston Collection: Engraving depicting a piston blowing machine for supplying a draught to the blast furnace for smelti

Engraving depicting a piston blowing machine for supplying a draught to the blast furnace for smelting iron (top). A tilt hammer (bottom) in plain view

Background imagePiston Collection: Folio 10 piston pumps water wheel Edificij et

Folio 10 piston pumps water wheel Edificij et
Folio 10 piston pumps and water wheel, Edificij et machine MS, Martini, Francesco di Giorgio, 1439-1502, Brown ink and wash on paper, between ca. 1475 and ca. 1480

Background imagePiston Collection: Folio 5 two piston pumps Edificij et machine

Folio 5 two piston pumps Edificij et machine
Folio 5 two piston pumps, Edificij et machine MS, Martini, Francesco di Giorgio, 1439-1502, Brown ink and wash on paper, between ca. 1475 and ca. 1480

Background imagePiston Collection: Rolls Royce Eagle H-type 24-cylinder piston engine

Rolls Royce Eagle H-type 24-cylinder piston engine
Rolls-Royce Eagle H-type 24-cylinder piston engine of 3, 500hp. circa 1947. Port rear quarter. Date: 1947

Background imagePiston Collection: Junkers Jumo 204 CI 6-cyl vertically opposed piston engine

Junkers Jumo 204 CI 6-cyl vertically opposed piston engine
Junkers Jumo 204 CI six-cylinder vertically opposed piston two-stroke engine of 600-750hp

Background imagePiston Collection: Steam engine indicator

Steam engine indicator in its box. This portable instrument was used to measure the cylinder pressure and piston movement in a steam engine

Background imagePiston Collection: High-pressure steam engine, 19th century

High-pressure steam engine, 19th century design. Fuel burnt in the furnace (right) produced steam that drove the piston (centre), which transferred energy to the flywheel (left)

Background imagePiston Collection: Traction engine

Traction engine - Scanned 1870 Engraving

Background imagePiston Collection: Antique illustration of steam locomotive

Antique illustration of steam locomotive

Background imagePiston Collection: Steam locomotive

Steam locomotive - Scanned 1870 Engraving

Background imagePiston Collection: Instrument for tattooing deserters, 1850

Instrument for tattooing deserters, 1850 (c). Brass body and trigger with brass D plate and steel spikes. Engraved on side with manufacturers name, Savigny and Company, London

Background imagePiston Collection: Submerged pump pistons. Supply cities. Engraved by Decreef

Submerged pump pistons. Supply cities. Engraved by Decreef. La Ilustracion Espanola y Americana, 1878

Background imagePiston Collection: Gresley A4 Pacific Steam Locomotive

Gresley A4 Pacific Steam Locomotive, . Showing close up of Piston Date: 1950s

Background imagePiston Collection: Fruit press

Fruit press
illustration of fruit press

Background imagePiston Collection: Trumpet pistons engraving 1881

Trumpet pistons engraving 1881
Le Monde Physique par Amedee Guillemin - Paris / Librairie Hachette et Cie 1881

Background imagePiston Collection: Big Deutzer twin engine

Big Deutzer twin engine located on both sides of the crankshaft cylinders

Background imagePiston Collection: Otto vertical engine

Otto vertical engine

Background imagePiston Collection: Steam and gas vehicles

Steam and gas vehicles
Antique illustration of steam and gas vehicles

Background imagePiston Collection: Valve pump

Valve pump
Illustration of a Valve pump

Background imagePiston Collection: Pressure pump with piston disc

Pressure pump with piston disc

Background imagePiston Collection: Cider Press, vintage engraving

Cider Press, vintage engraving
Old engraved illustration of a Cider Press, juicer

Background imagePiston Collection: Parts on a steam engine

Parts on a steam engine
Illustration of a parts on a steam engine




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The piston, a vital component in various engines and machinery, has played an integral role in the development of transportation and industry. From the powerful Deltic engine to the iconic George Stephensons Rocket locomotive replica, pistons have revolutionized mechanical systems. In the world of aviation, we find the Rolls-Royce Merlin 61 Piston-Engine, known for its exceptional performance during World War II. This marvel of engineering propelled aircraft with unmatched power and reliability. Meanwhile, maintenance workers diligently greased pivots and slides to ensure smooth operation and longevity. Historical aircraft like the Hawker Fury LA610 showcased another remarkable piston-engine: the Napier Sabre VI. This powerhouse enabled incredible speed and agility in flight. Similarly impressive was the Napier Dagger III engine that powered the Hawker Hector. Not limited to aviation alone, pistons also found their place in other industries. The Kaman HH-43F Huskie 62-4450 utilized this mechanism to provide essential support as a rescue helicopter. Additionally, even elevators relied on pistons for efficient vertical transportation - exemplified by Otis elevator engine's 1932 C016 / 8998 model. Recreating history is not uncommon when it comes to showcasing engineering marvels; thus, replicas of George Stephensons Rocket Locomotive continue to captivate enthusiasts worldwide. These replicas pay homage to one of humanity's greatest inventions - steam-powered locomotives driven by pistons. Rolls-Royce further solidified its reputation with engines like Eagle VIII / 8 V-12 Piston Aero-Engine and Falcon III V-12 Piston Aero-Engine Off-A?. These masterpieces pushed boundaries with their unrivaled power output while maintaining precision craftsmanship. Lastly, let us not forget about those who documented these groundbreaking innovations through artistry such as engraving intricate designs onto pistons themselves—a testament to human creativity intertwining with technological advancements. The piston's significance cannot be overstated.