MAN DIESEL

   The MAN DIESEL is safely home at Coolspring Power Museum (CPM).  It is now on static display as the centerpiece of the Expo Building, but will be installed into a period power house and put into operation.

The engine was purchased for long-term display at CPM by Tom Stockton, from Charles Chiarchiaro, and was previously displayed at the Owl’s Head Transportation Museum in Rockland, Maine.  The picture above shows it at Owl's Head prior to the move to CPM.  A dedicated crew of Mark Himes, Ben Egloff, Ken Uplinger, Tom Stockton, and Paul Harvey moved the engine from Owl's Head to CPM over Memorial Day weekend, 2008.  CPM wishes to thank all who made it possible for this world-class engine to become a display here.

This engine was built by MAN in Augsburg, Germany, in 1903.  It is interesting to note that MAN is still a world leader in building large diesel engines.  It was purchased by Siemons and Halske, of Hamburg, Germany, and fitted with their direct connected DC dynamo.  It was then installed on the small island of Helgoland, in the North Sea, as a prototype and was the first diesel-electric plant in the world.  It is thrilling to note that Dr. Rudolf Diesel, whose 150th birth anniversary is 2008, saw and approved that installation.

Henry Ford purchased the unit for his museum in 1928.  It was sold to a collector in Florida at an early Ford museum auction and put into operation there.  Charles brought the engine to Maine in 2003. 

A volunteer crew moves 600 Snow Parts from storage at Knox Station to CPM in preparation for installation.  This is the compressor and crankshaft support bearing.  In the front row from left to right is Chris Austin, Mark Himes, Nate Smith, Ken Uplinger, and Mike Murphy.  In the back row left to right is Ben Egloff and Doug Fye.  Taking the picture is Paul Harvey.  Thanks to these hard-working folks for moving this project forward.  See our Snow Projects Page for more pictures of the Snow.

During the June 2007 spring show, Mark Himes and Don Brown made a record 175 gallons of homemade ice cream with an antique freezer belt-driven from this New Holland hit & miss engine.  In the booth selling the ice cream to show enthusiasts were Kim Himes, Reba Clapper, Sue Himes, Marcie Craig, and Michele Woods.  This hard-working all volunteer crew donate there services each year during the shows and all proceeds from the ice cream sales go to the museum to help with operating expenses and new displays.  Thanks to the volunteers for making this happen and to the customers who enjoyed the ice cream.

The Allberger arrives in Coolspring after being referbished at John Hanley's place in Michigan.

An unexpected visitor!! This is Dr. Paul Harvey with Don McBeth, son of the founder of McBeth Iron Works and producer of the Bruce-McBeth Engines. He worked for his father from 1944 to 1952 when the business was sold. He was delighted to see the Bruce McBeth engine (in background) run.

Fred Merry was a long time friend and volunteer of the museum.  Fred is no longer with us.  Fred was the engineer coordinator and ran the water system.  This tree was given to Fred by his daughter, Marcie Craig, for her parents anniversary, and also her father’s birthday, in 1972.  He originally planted it in his Oriental garden at his home in the Pocono Mts.  He then moved it to his home on Barr Hill, near Coolspring, and finally to Josephine, Pa. where he last lived. It was his wish that it come to the Museum where he donated so much effort to the Pump House and water system.  The tree is now about 50 years old.  The Museum thanks Marcie and her Mother, Janet Merry for making this Memorial to Fred Merry.  It now stands in view of the F. W. Merry Pump House.  Dedicated on June 16, 2005.

Jim McCauley stopped by Windy City in June 2005 and ran the engine once again.  Jim was the engineer who operated Windy City until he retired in 1989.  Also shown is Jay Duke (left), volunteer who normally operates Windy City today at the museum.

Model 3 Klein donated by Nate Lillibridge