The wheels are in motion on one of Bolton town centre’s most beloved landmarks as the Steam Engine is moving again.
Town hall leaders, volunteers and supporters gathered behind the Iconic Fred Dibnah statue today (Monday, 21 August) to switch on the engine, which was placed in its huge glass case when Oxford and Newport Streets were pedestrianised in 1973.
Built in Bolton in 1886 it was in use until 1969 in a silk spinning mill in Bentham, North Yorkshire, and was donated to the people of Bolton by the manufacturers Hick Hargreaves & Co Ltd of Bolton.
The engine represents a typical steam engine that would have powered so many of the mills throughout the region which were busy spinning and weaving when the dye works were thriving.
Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Culture, Cllr Nadeem Ayub, said:
“It’s one of the sites that makes the town centre unique and attractive and getting it working again has been something that we wanted to do since we came back into office. Its only a small thing, but it makes a big difference in promoting our historical heritage.
“The machine has been inactive for a long time, but I remember when I was a kid coming into Bolton town centre and seeing it up and running, so we really want young people now to be able to see it for themselves.”
“The project has been led by volunteers and donations, so there has been no cost to the Council. “
Now the engine is in motion it will be maintained by Bolton Steam Museum throughout the Bolton Food and Drink Festival so visitors can see it in action.
Frank Dagnall, who formally switched the engine back on, was part of the original team that rebuilt the machine on site where it stands today.
Frank said:
“It is amazing to see the engine turning once again and bringing so much joy to the passing shoppers in Bolton, especially the young people, many whom would have never seen it before.
“I would like to thank my colleague Ginger for his help getting it moving again, and Sherwin Williams who will donate all the paint for the next stage of restorations.
“If anyone is interested in these engines, I encourage them to visit Bolton Steam Museum, the official museum of the Northern Mill Engine Society, which is a charity, and is open to visitors off Chorley Old Road.”
The Bolton Steam Museum is a world-class visitor attraction displaying the largest collection of working mill engines in Europe.
Entirely volunteer run the museum has been developed over 20 years and highlights many of the manufacturers that powered the North.