Britannia Steam Engine Is a World Traveler

Maintenance on the Britannia is a full-time job. Each winter the engine is washed out and completely drained. “Come springtime, we’ll pull the engine out, clean it, replace all the wicking in the oilers, take out the bearings and take them up to keep it running nice and smooth,” Shane says. “It’s a constant and ongoing job to keep the machine somewhat clean-looking, with polishing brass and so on.”

Somewhere along the line, the Britannia appears to have suffered an accident. Originally, two identical flywheels were fitted at either end of a 5-inch-diameter crankshaft. On close examination, the brothers discovered a replacement flywheel had been made in Santiago. The right-crank plummer block showed an old repair and the water pump’s eccentric drive had obviously been straightened at some point. “We’re not sure what happened,” Shane admits, “but evidence points to a mishap at some time in the engine’s past.”

Bridging the generation gap

Today, a new crop of Skeltons clambers over vintage steam engines. Shane’s son and daughter, Christian, 9, and Emily, 6, are very interested in engines, the Britannia in particular. “Any chance that Christian has to come and spend some time with the machines, he does,” Shane says. “All he wants to do is burn himself, putting wood in and so on. From now on I’ll start teaching him how it’s done. But he’ll take any chance to drive the Road Locomotive or open the regulator on the Britannia.”

The Britannia steam engine was also Shane’s mother’s favorite engine. “It was parked in front of her bedroom window,” he says. “I think she became quite fond of this now very well-traveled engine. The Britannia is just filled with great memories.” FC 

For more information: Shane Skelton, 13647 Oakwood Curve, Burnsville, MN 55337; email: roadloco@usfamily.net  

Bill Vossler is a freelance writer and author of several books on antique farm tractors and toys. Contact him at Box 372, 400 Caroline Ln., Rockville, MN 56369; email: bvossler@juno.com