File:Fire Fighting Appliances Gilbert 1969 Plate 20.jpg

English: Shand-Mason London Brigade Vertical steam fire engine c.1876. This model (Scale 1:4:8) represents a later example of the London Brigade Vertical type of engine which was introduced by Shand, Mason & Co in 1863.

This machine is carried by large wheels on mail-coach axles, with a forelocking carriage, and is generally arranged for rapid travelling, two horses being employed. The delivery hose is stored in a central box, which also contains a tank for the boiler feed water. The two lengths of heavy suction hose are carried one on each side beneath the firemen’s footboard, and a coal bunker under the fore carriage holds a supply of fuel conveniently near the furnace door. The box seat is utilised as tool store, and two short branch pipes with nozzles are carried, one each side of the box, and two long ones over the hose box. The pole terminates in a special fitting, by which a horse that has fallen can be quickly released, and the back wheels have a powerful lever brake.

The pumping machinery consists of a vertical cylinder 7:5 in (19 cm) diameter, 7 in (17:8 cm) stroke, and a double-acting bucket and plunger pump with an 8 in (20:3 cm) bucket and a 6 in (15-2 cm) plunger. The piston is directly connected to the plunger by two piston rods, which permit the horizontal crankshaft to be placed on the centre line of the engine, a return connecting rod from the interior of the plunger connecting the reciprocating parts with the crank pin. A full stroke is thus secured and a flywheel introduced which carries the engine over its dead centres. An overhanging eccentric works a slide valve, and also a feed pump attached below in line with the valve-rod. The suction chamber of the pump is directly below the barrel, and the delivery takes place above, two sluice valves being arranged to direct the water into two lengths of delivery hose. A spring-loaded relief valve permits the return of water from the delivery into the suction valve-chamber if the pressure exceeds the limit for the hose. A large copper air-vessel is placed on both the suction and delivery boxes, to prevent any concussion in the pipes, anda pressure gauge in front of the boiler registers the pressure in the hose. Steam at 100 Ibs pressure per sq in (7 kg per sq cm) is supplied by a vertical boiler, internally fired and having the fire-box crossed by rows of inclined water tubes. The boiler shell is in two lengths, bolted together, to render the fire-box accessible for cleaning and repairs. The boiler is provided with two spring-loaded lever safety valves, an injector, steam whistle, and a jet in the funnel for drawing up a poor fire.

The engine indicates 30 hp delivers 350 gallons (1,600 I) per minute and weighs rather under 14 tons (1,500 kg). Steam is raised to full pressure in six minutes from the time of lighting the fire. A full set of tools and accessories is shown with the model.. Plate 20 from Fire fighting appliances, the descriptive catalogue of the collection in the Science Museum, London.