1940 Robey & Co. Ltd Undertype Steam Engine

Recently in the boiler workshop is this unique Robey undertype engine. It was supplied new to Hesleyside Hall, a large private country estate in Northumberland. It ran a small sawmill on the estate for a mere 15 years or so and was always kept in immaculate condition.

Dr John Middlemiss of Bellingham who was the physician for the estate notified the well-known preservationist Jack Wakefield of Hetton le Hole, Co. Durham of its availability and it was removed by him around 1960.

After a period of time at the Penrith Steam Museum, it was bought at the museum dispersal sale by John Keeley in 1994. In John Keeleys ownership it was exhibited at the Knowle Hill steam rally. After Johns death it was auctioned in May 2016 and sold to a private collector who placed it ‘on loan’ at the Robey Trust in Tavistock. It was found to be in need of significant boiler refurbishment and was purchased by David Goddard in 2019.