Grazebrook Blowing Engine
in Birmingham
Built in 1817, this is believed to be the oldest surviving example of a steam blowing engine in the world. It is preserved as a static outdoor exhibit on a roundabout (Dartmouth Circus) at the end of the A38(M).
For location, see map here
Old photos of the engine during its removal from the former works of M. and W. Grazebrook for preservation in 1964 here. This source[1] states that the engine was built by Grazebrook & Whitehouse to the Watt Design. It supplied air at 5 psi to two blast furnaces. In 1912 it was reduced to a standby engine when a pair of steam driven vertical engines were installed to provide a higher pressure blast. It was kept in working order and used occasionally, so it was in good mechanical order when it was dismantled in 1964. The beam is 28ft long and weighs 10 tons. Steam cylinder 42" diameter, stroke 8ft. Operated at 12-16 strokes per minute. Steam was provided by a bank of six Lancashire boilers.
The blowing cylinder ('tub') is 7 ft dia.