Newlook Ellenroad reopens to the public

Work continues at the Ellenroad engine house.

Thousands of people voted for it as part of a television fundraising competition and now Rochdale residents can come and celebrate the arrival of an important historic steam engine in Rochdale.

At the end of last year, as part of The People’s Millions programme, people voted to see the renovation of the Ellenroad Engine House in Rochdale – securing almost £50,000 for the project in the process.

The latest addition to the museum, made possible by the funding, is a 1907 steam engine, made by Marsden Engine Company and used for nearly 80 years by William Barker & Sons Tanners and Curers in Otley, West Yorkshire.

The engine is going to be restored by young adults on an engineering apprenticeship scheme aimed at capturing fading knowledge of the workings of steam engines and local heritage in a new generation.

This weekend, Ellenroad will be celebrating the arrival on site of the horizontal 100hp single cylinder steam engine driving a 10 foot diameter flywheel at 96 revolutions per minute. It worked all its life in the Barker tannery driving the production machinery and a 18 kW Dynamo. The engine is unique because it is the last Corliss valve engine to be built and was the last mill engine of any size to remain at work in the UK - and was the subject of many pilgrimages until it stopped work on 6 July 1988.

Councillor Irene Davidson, who chairs the Ellenroad Trust, said: “We are so grateful to the people of Rochdale for supporting us to win the vote. The fact that we’ve now brought the new engine to the site is really exciting and I’d encourage everyone to come along and have a look. Coupled with a trip to nearby Hollingworth Lake, it’s a good value, local day out.”

Already home to the world’s largest working steam engine, Ellenroad is gradually being developed into a tourist and educational attraction for visitors, families, local schools and others to enjoy. It already boasts the steam engines and helps to tell the story of the role the borough played in the industrial revolution.

The massive steam mill engine will be in steam and turning from midday on Sunday 5 July.
Entrance is just £3, or £8 for a family ticket of 2 adults and 2 children over 5. Under 5s get in for free.

The mill is just off junction 21 of the M62 on Elizabethan Way in Rochdale. Parking is free.