DeLaVergne Machine Company

[Harry]

Does anyone have a photo of one of these brutes?

Type SI Diesel Engine, Model VA, 300HP 225 RPM

November 25, 1924

[Alan New]

Harry,

Here are some pictures of a 1000 hp DeLaVergne engine that belongs to a friend of mine. I haven't asked his permission to post these so I don't feel that I should tell where it is.

Alan

[ronm]

Yes, sir-that's my kind of engine...anything with a catwalk around the head is OK w/me...

[Gary Moore]

The municipal power plant in Manning, Iowa has 3 large DeLaVergne engines used for power generation. There are 2 that were installed in 1928 that are approx. 350 hp and 1 that was installed in 1949 that is larger, but I don't remember it's rating. Gary Moore

[Harry]

We need a registry of these old power plants so that they can be checked out for a tour when passing through. There are huge engines to be seen out there!

http://www.old-engine.com/delta.htm

[Elden DuRand]

Harry:

I don't know if I've mentioned it before (CRS Syndrome!) but the city of Paris, Kentucky (close to Lexington) still has an operating power plant but now it's only used for standby.

As I recall, they've got two 9-cylinder SP engines and five OP engines of various sizes. All of them run and are used on occasion when Kentucky Utilities gets close to brownout conditions.

At the annual engine and tractor show in Paris, they have tours of the plant and start one of the old gensets and one of the newer ones and put 'em on line and make 'em work. Quite a show. They provide iced soft drinks and free ear plugs.

Unfortunately, both times I've been there, I didn't think to take my still or video camera. Somewhere around here (if it didn't get lost in the move), I've got the informational handout they give the folks. If I can find it, I will post it on my website.

Take care - Elden

[ronm]

Hey Harry, thanks for the Delta power plant pics! That's only 50 mi. away. I've passed by that building literally hundreds of times, & never "had time" to stop... It hasn't been too many years back I was working on a loader right behind that building & the engines were running. Nice deep sound...