Trencherfield Mill Steam Engine Restoration

The relaunch of Wigan Pier's massive Trencherfield Mill Engine, has been a long time in the making. Considered to be one of ‘the world's marvels of engineering’, it has now been given a new lease of life, roaring back into action in September 2004.

Reputedly the world's largest, original working, mill steam engine, the four-cylinder 2,500 hp giant was built and installed in its specially designed engine house at Trencherfield Mill in 1907. It’s 70 tonne flywheel enabled power to be sent throughout the vast Mill on all five floors, powering thousands of cotton spinning machines.

Further to the Mill closure in the late 1960s, the operation of the Engine was taken over by Wigan Council in 1984, as part of the new Wigan Pier development. The Engine played a key role in the visitor attraction, enchanting young and old alike with its colossal size and stature. However, there was a problem, in that it had suffered from almost 100 years of continuous operation, and in 2001 the Engine was deemed unfit to run. It’s pumps and pistons remained silent, awaiting news of its fate. In order to restore the Engine to it’s former glory; an application was submitted for funding and in March 2003, the Heritage Lottery Fund awarded a grant of £369,500 towards the cost of the project. This confirmed the Engine’s status as a unique example of Britain's industrial heritage, as well as its international significance as a piece of 20th Century living history. The restoration exceeded £600,000 in total and was carried out in full view of the public. Richard Gibbon, Technical Project Manager compared working on the engine to undertaking delicate surgery on an elderly patient, and talked about the challenges:

"The engine had worked continuously at full power driving thousands of spindles and generating electricity in the mill, for sixty years. At the end of that period, many of its parts were worn out. The engine was a huge attraction for Wigan, but was eventually deemed unfit to run.

"There was much more wrong with the engine than had been anticipated at the start of the project. We soon discovered that some parts had smashed into pieces and needed an expensive replacement."

In addition to the Engine restoration, the way in which the Engine was presented to the public was completely changed. Families and groups can now enjoy an extended-visit with the added attractions of a theatre company performance and audio-visual show. Wigan Pier Manager, Carole Tyldesley explains:

"To complement the restoration, an exciting display programme was devised including an audio-visual show telling the story of the engine's history along with demonstrations and an exciting new scene by the Wigan Pier Theatre Company. The re-opening will give everyone the opportunity to see the engine in its newly restored glory."

A VIP drinks reception was held at the beginning of September 2004 to thank all of those who contributed to getting the project off the ground, and helped turn the vision into a reality. The Engine was launched to crowds of visitors on the 4th and 5th September 2004, as Wigan Pier held a family-fun weekend with street performers to celebrate the re-opening. People of all ages gathered to marvel at the Engine as it was powered-up into full steam, sounding its legendary whistle-blower that can be heard for miles around.

The Trencherfield Mill Engine can be seen at The Wigan Pier Experience.
Opening Times Monday -Thursday (10.00am - 5.00pm) Sunday (11.00am – 5.00pm). Closed on Friday & Saturday.
Admission price £3.95 for adults and £2.95 concessions.

For further information contact Wigan Pier Bookings on 01942 323666

Scope of the Restoration Project

Dr Jonathan Minns of the British Engineerium in Brighton was appointed in 2002 to undertake a detailed feasibility study of the Engine, resulting in a complete specification as to what work has to be undertaken to enable the Engine to run again.

Companies with the skills and knowledge to undertake the restoration of the Engine detailed in Dr Minn’s specification were few and far between therefore specialist companies from as far away as Brighton and Glasgow were invited to tender for the project work. The contract to undertake the restoration was awarded to Heritage Engineering; a respected engineering company based in Glasgow whose previous commissions included work for the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester.

The approach taken in regards to the restoration of the Engine was a holistic one and included the following strands:

A complete overhaul and restoration of the Engine to its operational state
The development of a comprehensive restoration and operational manual to secure the knowledge gained regarding the Engine during its restoration for its long-term maintenance
A complete change to the way that the Engine is displayed to visitors to Wigan Pier through the use of theatre lighting, audio-visual presentations and improved displays
The development of a team at Wigan Pier made up of a Heritage Engineer and two Heritage Machinery Demonstrators who’s function it is to maintain, operate and promote the Engine to visitors to Wigan Pier
The development of a three-year marketing plan to increase the profile of the Engine. The development of a network of volunteers to assist the Heritage Engineer and Heritage Machinery Demonstrators with the maintenance, operation and promotion of the Engine.

What’s new?

A recent exciting development in the life of the engine is the transfer over from the use of heavy oil to power the wheel, in favour of state of the art, eco-friendly, biofuel.

The decision was made to switch from traditional methods in an effort to reduce the attractions carbon footprint.

Biofuel can refer to any number of green fuels including everything from wood pellets, chipping or straw, to ethanol, diesel or other liquid fuels made from plant material or waste oil, which is what the engine runs on.

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Image: The engine with a green heart
The engine with a green heart

Image: Restoration in progress

Image: Trencherfield Mill Engine restoration