Uncovering our Victorian engineering heritage in the attic - Susan Morrison

A Victorian engine once used in an Edinburgh police building which has been found in an attic during renovation work. The Crossley engine lay hidden for decades before it was discovered in the attic of CoDE The Court, now a hotel in the city

“What do you see?” asked his fellow archaeologists.

“‘Wonderful things,” He replied. He did. The gold and glory of Pharaonic Egypt.

Here in Edinburgh, men whacked a hole in a wall during renovations and peered into the darkness beyond. What did they see? A wonderful thing, “one of the most exciting finds in Scotland.” And yes it is. It might not be a gold-encrusted tomb, but for my money, this is way more exciting.

It’s a steam engine, and not just any old steam engine. It's a Crossley four-stroke engine, and it's the second-oldest one in Europe. Oh, they have one in America, but this one is in brilliant nick having been bricked up like a dead Pharaoh.

Now, I will admit, I’m not that up on Victorian four-stroke engines. More inclined toward the massive triple expansion reciprocating beasts that powered the great ships of the early 20th century, even the one that came a cropper with an iceberg. And if you need that reference explaining, I’m available to discuss it further over a cup of tea. Best make that a pot. A big one.

Nevertheless, this wee dandy did sterling work back in the days of Greyfriars Bobby and Queen Victoria. Apparently it powered a “Royal Aquarium” at Waverley originally, which I’m guessing gave Seaworld a run for its money before it shut down, and then police got their mitts on it to help them regulate their temperatures in court. I think we can all agree there is nothing worse than an over heated copper.

You can go and see this dinky survivor of the steam age at the Lost Close. In my world, this beats the discoveries of the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Terracotta Army and even the death mask of the boy king himself.

At least the team who dug out the Crossley won't have to fear the curse of an angry pharoah. Yer Victorian engineer would be thrilled to see his work back out on display.