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J & E Wood facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
J & E Wood
Industry Engineering
Founder James and Edward Wood
Headquarters Bolton, Greater Manchester
Number of locations
 Trencherfield Mill
Products Stationary steam engines, Triple expansion cross compound with Corliss valvess,

J & E Wood was a company in Bolton, England. They were famous for making huge stationary steam engines. These powerful engines helped run textile factories, especially in Lancashire and other places.

A Look Back: J & E Wood's History

The company first started as Knight and Wood. Their workshop was called the Victoria Foundry in Bolton. Around 1860, the name changed to J & E Wood, named after its founders, James and Edward Wood.

J & E Wood's engines were known for looking very neat and tidy. Their special valve system was placed neatly under the main cylinders. After 1875, they started using only a special type of valve called Corliss valves. These valves helped the engines work even better.

Powerful Engines for Mills

J & E Wood built many large steam engines for textile mills. These mills used the engines to power their machines, like looms and spinning frames, which turned cotton into fabric. The engines were very important for the Industrial Revolution in places like Lancashire.

One famous engine was tested on September 7, 1893, at Mutual Mills in Rochdale. This engine was a "triple expansion" type, meaning it used steam three times to get as much power as possible. It had four cylinders and was very efficient for its time.

Mills Powered by J & E Wood Engines

Many textile mills and other factories used engines made by J & E Wood. Some of these include:

  • Trencherfield Mill, Wigan – This amazing engine still works! You can see it running every Sunday as a visitor attraction.
  • Woodland Mills, Milnbridge, Huddersfield – This 500 horsepower engine is being restored at a museum in Wales.
  • Coppull Mill, Coppull
  • Mavis Mill, Coppull
  • Pilot Mill, Bury
  • Royd Mill, Oldham
  • Mutual Mills, Rochdale
  • Brooklands Mill, Pennington, Leigh
  • Bursledon Brickworks, Hampshire – This engine also still runs once a month from March to November for visitors.

See also

  • Hick, Hargreaves & Co. Ltd.