Kevin Whittle I hired a boat on the Shropshire Union Canal in 1971 and was captivated; by 1976 I had managed to buy a 30ft narrow boat. Over the years I have fitted out three narrow boats including “Tebay” my current boat. This was built in 1929 by Yarwoods at Northwich for the LMS Railway Co. All my boats have had vintage engines, except in the early days they were just called second hand engines! From this hobby, sprang The Oil Engine Company, which opened its doors in 1989, with the aim of rebuilding vintage marine engines for canal narrow boats. All types of engines were supplied from 15hp semi diesel Bolinders, to Listers, Dorman’s, Gardner’s, Fowlers, and Ailsa Craig etc. But when a customer asked for a Kelvin engine in 1991, things changed. I rebuilt a Kelvin J3. This three cylinder diesel engine of 4.5 litres delivered 33 shaft horse power at 1000rpm, and idled at 225rpm. It was tall and narrow, and had more brass and copper on it than you could shake a stick at. Individual cylinders surmounted by individual heads, all the coolant passing through external copper pipework.  It started on petrol with a magneto providing the sparks, then once running it could be changed over to run on diesel. It looked good and sounded nice, and the proportions fitted a narrow boat very well. I was hooked.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Un-restored Model J Kelvin

I have travelled all over the UK collecting Kelvin engines, but soon the supply of decent engines dried up and
thus the need for the re manufacture of spare parts for both the Model J and its big brother the K.
I have ended up remanufacturing new cylinder heads, guides, valves, pushrods, complete cylinders, liners, pistons, all the shell bearings, flywheel bolts, exhaust manifolds, starter motor brackets, gearbox parts etc. Nowadays any model J or K can be fully rebuilt, and thus many engines that in the past would have been
scrapped are now giving sterling service in craft all over the world.

Kelvin J4 Partly Rebuilt

Naturally the business evolved and I have over the past 9 years supplied project engines to enthusiast for home
completion. Supplying also a help line via telephone, fax, or email to enable them to overcome obstacles. I have
also been able to supply the spares to go with the project engine. Vintage engines need a little love and attention
from time to time and an owner who is familiar with his engine is best placed to deal with these matters.

Kelvin J4 Nearly Complete

The Kelvin Register was started at this time also to bring together all these enthusiasts as a sort of self help group,
and very early on the late George Bergius, son of the Founder Walter whose company built all the Kelvin engines, joined as a Member. Five years later due again to demand I started the Vintage Marine Engine Club to cater for all
the other vintage marine engine enthusiasts.
After producing some 80 magazines, I felt that it was as well to combine the club magazines. So that today I am
about to publish No 84 !!

 

Along the way I accumulated lots of information about the old engines, and how to install them into narrow
boats. The culmination of this was two books that I wrote and published.

“The A to Z of Vintage Marine Engines” and “Vintage Engines for Narrow Boats”

The “A to Z” is a hardback book of 264 pages, size 8 x 11.5”. It covers the engines built by 50 companies. It’s
illustrated with over 200 colour illustrations plus over 500 black and white, period and modern photographs, plus period advertising.
A good read detailing the growth of marine engines from the early petrol motor through the semi diesels, and
then finally the move to diesel engines. It also shows a few of the blind alleys that designers followed before the success of the diesels in the early 1930’s.
With input from the late George Bergius of the Bergius Co that built all the Kelvin engines, and from Dr. Robert
Kisch of the Ailsa Craig Co. Not forgetting the many customers of The Oil Engine Co, and the many members of
the Kelvin Register and the Vintage Marine Engine Club, this is the authoritative work on the subject

Priced at £43, plus £7.50 P&P, or £15 airmail.

Details from K Whittle, Sytch Books, 1 Sytch Lane, Waters Upton,
Shropshire, TF6 6NT

Email vintage-marine@tiscali.co.uk

“Vintage Engines for Narrow Boats” is the companion volume to the “A to Z” book.
This hardback book of 164 large 8 x 11.5” pages deals with choosing a vintage engine, and then in 10 chapters
outlines designing the engine room, methods of installing the engines, engine beds, the cooling, fuel systems, engine controls, exhaust systems, shafting and propellers.
It also covers the suitable engines built by 13 companies that one would expect to find today. All based upon 33
years of narrow boating and supplying vintage engines for narrow boats since 1989.

With 220 illustrations, of which 125 are in colour.

Just £32 plus £6.50 P&P, or £14 by airmail

K Whittle, Sytch Books, 1 Sytch Lane, Waters Upton, Shropshire, TF6 6NT
Email vintage-marine@tiscali.co.uk

Kelvin K1 at the KR VME Rally

The Kelvin Register is aimed at owners and enthusiasts of the fine engines built by the Bergius Company in their
100 years of existence. These Kelvin engines are to be found world wide, and with care will outlast most modern
engines!
The club publishes, in conjunction with the VME Club, 6 issues of the magazine. This is a 36 page, A5, colour
magazine dealing with vintage engines, their restoration and use as well as their history. It does this by means of
modern writing, period advertising and articles. Up until recently the late George Bergius was honorary member
and contributed greatly to the magazine, now I am pleased to say a grandson is a subscriber.

Subscription is £28 pa by cheque, or by £24 pa by standing order. All 50 back issues of the Kelvin Magazine are
also available at £4 each including postage. “Kelvin” cast brass plaques are £6, plus £4 postage.

The Vintage Marine Engine Club was formed to cater for all owners and enthusiasts of inboard vintage marine
engines. With membership of over 230, it covers all the engines. The 36 page, A5 colour magazine is shared with the Kelvin Register now, but 28 issues were independent. These and the back issues of the combined magazine
are available at £4 each including postage.
The magazine deals with restoring and using vintage marine engines; also the historical side is not forgotten. Dr.
Robert Kisch is an honorary Member and his input ensures authenticity. “VME” cast brass plaques are available at £6 plus £4 postage

The Annual Kelvin Register / Vintage Marine Engine Rally is held in different canal locations every year. Members
arrive by vintage engined narrow boats as well as others bringing their engines in trailers. Add a smattering of
related trade stands, a live band and Daystar live theatre and you have a most enjoyable and interesting weekend
for old engine enthusiasts. More details of 2005 Rally to follow soon.

Ruston & Hornsby