Hard Graft Gets College Centre of Excellence a Training Engine

The English Electric medium speed engine was in use as an emergency generator at Hartlepool Water Board before being offered to the College.

The College was alerted to the possibility of acquiring the engine and thus expanding its training capabilities by an ex-student who decided to return to sea after working at the Water Board for six years.

The existing engine facilities for students to train on included a high speed Rolls Royce emergency generator running at 1,800rpm and a slow speed Doxford engine running at 120rpm. The new English Electric engine is a welcome addition to the training facilities as it is a medium speed generator operating at 750 rpm which will let engineer cadets gain experience of a range of different equipment and features they are likely to encounter in their careers.

The process of reassembly and installation has taken nearly three months and has involved the College using their engineering skills to make the bedplate, stool and pipework to install it in its new location.

Gary Hindmarch, from the Faculty of Marine and Mechanical Engineering, said, ‘It is very skilled work to keep the engines running and the new addition will give the cadets excellent experience of maintaining a range of equipment. Even the chance to dismantle the engine was an excellent opportunity to develop hands-on knowledge and skills.’

MJ Information No: 18377