Thomas Newcomen Engine
Thomas Newcomen (1664-1729) designed and installed the first practical and successful steam engine, used initially for pumping water out of coal mines. Over 2000 Newcomen engines were installed world-wide during the 18th and 19th centuries, over 600 of them before 1775 when James Watt was able to improve their efficiency.
The Newcomen engine was a giant step forward in the history of engineering, and led in due course to the Industrial Revolution. The Newcomen Engine House, beside the Tourist Information Centre in Dartmouth, houses an original early Newcomen engine dating from about 1725. It can be seen operating during opening hours of the T.I.C., using a hydraulic mechanism added for demonstration purposes. This engine was first installed at the Griff Colliery near Coventry, and later moved to Oakthorpe Colliery, Measham, and to Hawkesbury Junction where it was used by the Coventry Canal Company from 1821-1913. It was finally moved to Dartmouth in 1963 by the Newcomen Society for demonstration in Newcomen's home town. The 22-inch diameter cylinder and wooden arched beam are believed to be original, with valve gear and a separate 'pickle-pot' condenser added about 1820.
Admission & prices
Entry to the museum is free.
Opening hours:
Summer 10.00am - 5.00 pm Monday to Saturday, 10.00am-2.00pm Sunday.
Winter 10.00am - 4.30 pm weekdays except Wednesday 10.00-1.00pm.
Find us
Museum news
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Celebration week of Thomas Newcomen 300th anniversary of the first successful engine
Celebration Week: 9-14 July......
Information
Toilets are available in the Royal Avenue Gardens nearby.
Thomas Newcomen Engine
The Engine House
Mayors Avenue
Dartmouth
TQ6 9YY
T: 01803 834224
E: holidays@discoverdartmouth.com
Thomas Newcomen Engine
The Engine House
Mayors Avenue
Dartmouth, DEVON TQ6 9YY