Latest news with #EdinburghPoliceChambers
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
'Engineering marvel' found in Scottish attic 'is one of only three in world'
A RARE Victorian engine, one of only three on earth, has been found by accident in an Edinburgh attic. The magnitude of the discovery of the Crossley four-stroke engine was only noticed after staff at the pod-hotel firm CoDE Concepts 'posted a photo online not knowing what we had,' director and founder Andrew Landsburgh said. 'Suddenly experts from around the world were contacting us telling us we'd uncovered something incredible,' he added. During renovations at the CoDE The Court hostel, next to St Giles' Cathedral in the Scottish capital, the engine was uncovered in an attic. The Crossley four-stroke engine is an early internal combustion engine that uses four piston movements – intake, compression, power, and exhaust – to convert fuel into motion efficiently. READ MORE: CoDE explained: 'Built in 1878, this marvel of Victorian engineering, it was far ahead of its time, used to regulate the temperature of the Edinburgh Police Chambers, and its survival offers a rare glimpse into 19th century innovation. 'Remarkably, this engine is the second-oldest surviving Crossley four-stroke engine in the world and the oldest in Europe. 'Only two other examples exist, the oldest is housed at the Henry Ford Museum in Michigan, USA, and another in Denmark. 'Its discovery, in near original condition, by founder Andrew Landsburgh, adds a significant chapter to Britain's industrial heritage.' The rediscovered engine had originally been installed in the short lived 'Royal Aquarium' at Waverley, before being moved to the police chambers in 1881 where it was installed for the purpose of ventilation. Archive image of Waverley train station in EdinburghThe story of the discovery is due to feature in a new documentary titled Potential Energy. It will look at how the engine was found, its relocation from the attic to The Lost Close – where it is currently on display – and the possibilities of restoring it for modern use. James Armandary, tourism development lead for The Lost Close, said: 'This is an incredibly exciting addition to The Lost Close. It's not every day you uncover a piece of engineering history that bridges the gap between Scotland's past innovations and technology we take for granted today. 'This building continues to surprise us with its storied history and with the launch of the Scottish Innovations Tour, visitors will not only be able to see the engine up close but also explore Edinburgh's long-overlooked role in shaping global industry.' READ MORE: Landsburgh said: 'This is one of the most exciting finds in Scotland. We found it during The Court's renovation, posted a photo online not knowing what we had, and suddenly experts from around the world were contacting us telling us we'd uncovered something incredible. 'What began as a refurbishment turned into the discovery of a vital piece of Edinburgh, and the world's industrial heritage. 'This engine connects us directly to Scotland's innovative past and the very beginnings of technology which still powers the modern world. We've brought it down from the attic to The Lost Close, the underground vaults of the building, where visitors can experience this historic find firsthand.'
The National
22-04-2025
- Automotive
- The National
'Engineering marvel' found in Scottish attic 'one of three in world'
The magnitude of the discovery of the Crossley four-stroke engine was only noticed after staff at the pod-hotel firm CoDE Concepts 'posted a photo online not knowing what we had,' director and founder Andrew Landsburgh said. 'Suddenly experts from around the world were contacting us telling us we'd uncovered something incredible,' he added. During renovations at the CoDE The Court hostel, next to St Giles' Cathedral in the Scottish capital, the engine was uncovered in an attic. The Crossley four-stroke engine is an early internal combustion engine that uses four piston movements – intake, compression, power, and exhaust – to convert fuel into motion efficiently. READ MORE: 'Exceptional' archaeological finds on Scottish Highland golf course CoDE explained: 'Built in 1878, this marvel of Victorian engineering, it was far ahead of its time, used to regulate the temperature of the Edinburgh Police Chambers, and its survival offers a rare glimpse into 19th century innovation. 'Remarkably, this engine is the second-oldest surviving Crossley four-stroke engine in the world and the oldest in Europe. 'Only two other examples exist, the oldest is housed at the Henry Ford Museum in Michigan, USA, and another in Denmark. 'Its discovery, in near original condition, by founder Andrew Landsburgh, adds a significant chapter to Britain's industrial heritage.' The rediscovered engine had originally been installed in the short lived 'Royal Aquarium' at Waverley, before being moved to the police chambers in 1881 where it was installed for the purpose of ventilation. Archive image of Waverley train station in EdinburghThe story of the discovery is due to feature in a new documentary titled Potential Energy. It will look at how the engine was found, its relocation from the attic to The Lost Close – where it is currently on display – and the possibilities of restoring it for modern use. James Armandary, tourism development lead for The Lost Close, said: 'This is an incredibly exciting addition to The Lost Close. It's not every day you uncover a piece of engineering history that bridges the gap between Scotland's past innovations and technology we take for granted today. 'This building continues to surprise us with its storied history and with the launch of the Scottish Innovations Tour, visitors will not only be able to see the engine up close but also explore Edinburgh's long-overlooked role in shaping global industry.' READ MORE: New Stirling city wall discoveries to be unveiled at archaeology conference Landsburgh said: 'This is one of the most exciting finds in Scotland. We found it during The Court's renovation, posted a photo online not knowing what we had, and suddenly experts from around the world were contacting us telling us we'd uncovered something incredible. 'What began as a refurbishment turned into the discovery of a vital piece of Edinburgh, and the world's industrial heritage. 'This engine connects us directly to Scotland's innovative past and the very beginnings of technology which still powers the modern world. We've brought it down from the attic to The Lost Close, the underground vaults of the building, where visitors can experience this historic find firsthand.'
The Herald Scotland
22-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Herald Scotland
Rare 19th century engine discovered in Edinburgh to go on display
It was built in 1878 and was used to regulate the temperature of the Edinburgh Police Chambers, and was discovered in the attic of CoDE The Court. It is now on display at the Lost Close, the underground vaults of the building and it is the second-oldest surviving Crossley four-stroke engine in the world. Only two other examples exist with the oldest based at the Henry Ford Museum in Michigan, USA and another in Denmark. Despite being hidden for decades, it is in near original condition and research has since found a connection to the Royal Family. The engine has been cleaned up and is on display (Image: Handout) Balmoral Castle had the same system installed and the rediscovered engine was originally installed in the Royal Aquarium at Waverly, before being moved to the police chambers in 1881. Andrew Landsburgh, Director and Founder of CoDE Concepts, said 'This is one of the most exciting finds in Scotland. We found it during The Court's renovation, posted a photo online not knowing what we had, and suddenly experts from around the world were contacting us telling us we'd uncovered something incredible. 'What began as a refurbishment turned into the discovery of a vital piece of Edinburgh, and the world's industrial heritage. This engine connects us directly to Scotland's innovative past and the very beginnings of technology which still powers the modern world. We've brought it down from the attic to The Lost Close, the underground vaults of the building, where visitors can experience this historic find firsthand.' Read More The story of the discovery is also to feature in an upcoming documentary, entitled 'Potential Energy' airing from May 23 and delves into how the engine was found. James Armandary, Tourism Development Lead of The Lost Close, said: 'This is an incredibly exciting addition to The Lost Close. It's not every day you uncover a piece of engineering history that bridges the gap between Scotland's past innovations and technology we take for granted today. 'This building continues to surprise us with its storied history and with the launch of the Scottish Innovations Tour, visitors will not only be able to see the engine up close but also explore Edinburgh's long-overlooked role in shaping global industry.' The Lost Close, hidden for nearly two centuries beneath layers of rubble from the Great Fire, was also rediscovered during renovations in 2019.
