This section of the site is a summary and review of my personal opinion on various sources of info and literature I’ve been reading/found along the way.
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I’ve managed to source an original Ruston & Hornsby Ltd instruction manual. I run a model Class 3XHR and was shown how to run it and look after it by 2 very knowledgeable retired engineers which volunteer at work.
However, I wanted to know as much as possible and found this booklet. As far as instructional manuals go this one is well laid out and has straight forward explanations on how to start a range of these Class HR engines. Well-illustrated throughout and of particular interest for me was the maintenance section as I learnt of procedures, I wasn’t aware of and a useful advised running time for the completion of specific maintenance.
There are copies every now and again available on ebay for around £10 and I’ve also found originals on auction sites. I recently saw one at Cheffins machinery and vintage auctions.
If you own/run a Ruston HR it’s worth it in my opinion.
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ISBN 7153 4239 8
Pages 60
Comprising of 52 illustrated engines in the UK with a good description of what and where they are with a bit of history behind them. I found it easy to read and well laid out with each engine having a page each as well as a photograph if your interested in specific engines.
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ISBN 0 86190 026 X
Pages 150
This book has 4 chapters comprising of:
1. Onsite Preservation - Public access on a regular basis featuring various industrial museums and opening times throughout the UK
2. Engines in Museums on public and private on display.
3. Onsite preservation – Access on open days
4. On site preservation – Access by arrangement only Museums/private collections. Being out of date by 40 years I would imaging these would be accessible by now.
I did find the glossary of terms handy after the introduction. A brief section at the beginning details different types of steam engines with short understandable descriptions of several types. Again, though it’s a book listing museum’s with a few illustrations within the UK to visit with a short description of what’s there.
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Pages 32
A Small bulletin type booklet specifying various engines with a short description. There are a fair few album’s in the series on varied subjects from engineering, textiles too Inn Signs. Quite a diverse set of subject matter in these albums it seems judging from the back cover. Can’t say personally I found it of interest, just a bit of eye candy with black and white illustrations throughout.