This picture was sent to me by a browser of my page. It show what seems to be a Lister X type of 20 hp which is either serving as a gatepost or has been wired up to prevent it wandering!  A search of back numbers of "Stationary Engine Magazine suggests that around 200 were made with most being exported. Less than ten are known to exist and only two in the UK. It was designed in 1925 or 6 by Arthur Freeman-Saunders and is unique in having no common components with the rest of the Lister range. It weighs in at 1500 pounds and is a fully enclosed vertical twin with overhead valves. There was an oil (kerosene) version (Type XO-16hp) which is similar but has a large vapouriser and additional oiling equipment. The engine was rapidly overtaken by the explosion in diesel engine production at that time and must have been a commercial disaster for Lister.It is none the less a thing of beauty.

Stationary Engine Magazine (and the reprint service) can be found at: http://www.kelsey.co.uk

This engine displays some interesting features: The near flywheel has a sprocket behind it and the water inlet has been rerouted to the side cover which might mean it was radiator cooled, the governer appears to be different to contemporary pictures and might (perhaps) indicate a generator or just as likely an in-service modification?

Update 3 August 1999: The engine has serial number 63190 which would be about 1927 and the flywheels are 31" diameter with a  4 1/2" face which is again suggestive of a generator.

If you know the whereabouts or have pictures of any of these rare engine why not email me. It would be very interesting to know how many survive.