The Bellis & Morcom Steam Engine Generator
The Bellis & Morcom Steam Engine Generator is an electric generator driven by a piston steam engine. Originally constructed in Birmingham, England, in 1927, the steam engine has been rebuilt to be historically accurate; it has even been repainted to its original color. The reconstruction was completed entirely by Edmonton Power Historical Foundation volunteers over a three year period.
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The steam engine is similar to those used at the Rossdale Generating Station in Edmonton in the early 1900's. At one time, most government institutions and small towns had a generator like the Bellis & Morcom supplying power.
This steam engine was obtained from the Camrose and District Museum Society in April of 1993. The generator was originally used by the Alexco Coal Company
of Rocky Mountain House from 1927 to 1954. Form 1955 to 1977 the steam
engine generator was used in the Lethbridge Jail. In 1978, the engine was
moved to Rosehaven Hospital in Camrose, to be used as a backup generator,
until it was donated to the Camrose museum in 1982.
Photos by Bob Swift
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The engine is a two cylinder compound steam engine, with an 11" high pressure cylinder and 15-1/2" low pressure cylinder. The stroke is 8". The engine ran on 150 psi steam pressure, and produced 180 brake horsepower at 514 R.P.M. It generated 150 kVA of electrical power at 2300 Volts. The combined weight of the steam engine generator is approximately 11 tons. |
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