Johnson Fold

Settlement in Lancashire

England

Johnson Fold

Bolton Steam Museum This centrifugal governor has appeared on display since my last visit here. It is the speed control governor from a 2500 horsepower horizontal tandem compound extraction engine built by John Musgrave of Bolton in 1923/4 for the east Lancs Paper Mill, Radcliffe. The engine also had an extraction governor to maintain pressure in the pass-out process main. The Museum also has this engine&#039;s barring engine. The governor is seen with the cover raised to show the weights and springs within. — Bolton Steam Museum Credit: Chris Allen

Johnson Fold is a small residential area located in Bolton, Lancashire, England. It is situated about 4 miles northwest of Bolton town centre and is part of the larger Johnson Fold ward. The neighborhood is surrounded by other residential areas such as Breightmet, Harwood, and Tonge Fold.

Originally developed in the mid-20th century, Johnson Fold predominantly consists of council houses and privately owned homes. The area is known for its close-knit community feel and friendly atmosphere. The houses are mainly semi-detached or terraced, with well-maintained gardens and a variety of architectural styles.

Johnson Fold benefits from its proximity to local amenities. The nearby Harwood shopping centre provides residents with a range of shops, including grocery stores, cafes, and convenience stores. The area is also well-served by public transportation, with several bus routes connecting it to Bolton town centre and surrounding areas.

There are several schools within walking distance of Johnson Fold, including Johnson Fold Primary School and St Brendan's RC Primary School, ensuring that families with children have access to quality education.

The neighborhood is surrounded by green spaces, with nearby parks and playing fields offering recreational opportunities for residents. The picturesque Jumbles Country Park, situated to the north of Johnson Fold, is a popular destination for walking, picnicking, and enjoying the natural beauty of the area.

In summary, Johnson Fold is a residential area in Lancashire that offers a close-knit community, convenient amenities, and access to green spaces, making it an attractive place to live for families and individuals alike.

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Johnson Fold Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 53.593728/-2.474384 or Grid Reference SD6810. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Bolton Steam Museum

This centrifugal governor has appeared on display since my last visit here. It is the speed control governor from a 2500 horsepower horizontal tandem compound extraction engine built by John Musgrave of Bolton in 1923/4 for the east Lancs Paper Mill, Radcliffe. The engine also had an extraction governor to maintain pressure in the pass-out process main. The Museum also has this engine's barring engine. The governor is seen with the cover raised to show the weights and springs within.

Chris Allen

Bolton Steam Museum - Corliss valve gear

These components are the Corliss steam (inlet) valve trip gears from the low pressure cylinder of a horizontal tandem compound engine that was at Primrose Mill, Harle Syke. The engine was by Pollit & Wigzell of Sowerby Bridge and produced 700 horsepower. The intention is to reassemble these and drive them by an electric motor to demonstrate the trip gear in action. The green and red item behind is a barring engine from another site.

Chris Allen

Bolton Steam Museum - Robey cross compound engine

Seen running at about normal working speed of 120 rpm. Built by Robey of Lincoln in 1935 as a teaching engine for the Manchester College of Technology. The engine was removed in 1947 and stored for 40 years for possible resale. One of the society's members bought it and loaned it in 1987.

Chris Allen

Bolton Steam Museum - main entrance

This is the museum of the Northern Mill Engine Society and contains one of the best collections of stationary steam engines in the country.

Chris Allen

Bolton Steam Museum - 'Elsie'

The audience are admiring 'Elsie' during a run on live steam. The engine is a J & W McNaught of Rochdale horizontal tandem compound from Wasp Mill, Wardle. Bolton steam Museum is the country's finest collection of textile mill type engines and they can all be demonstrated in steam.

Chris Allen

Bolton Steam Museum - Robey uniflow engine

I have a real soft spot for this 'modern' design of reciprocating steam engine. This design has the efficiency of a much more complicated triple expansion engine in a much smaller footprint. This is because wasteful condensation is reduced by ensuring the steam flows in one direction only from the hot cylinder heads to the cooler exhaust ports in the centre of the cylinder. Because of the temperature gradient and differential expansion the cylinders were bored in a barrel shape with a wider bore in the cool centre. At operating temperature the bore became parallel. Another special feature was the need to provide compression relief when the engine was running without a good vacuum produced by condensing the steam. Many uniflows had manually operated valves on the sides of the cylinder that opened auxiliary clearance spaces. This engine has automatic auxiliary exhaust valves. These operate all the time in the Museum because there is no condensing plant in operation. This engine was built in 1926 and supplied to the Baltic Sawmills, Ammanford. From 1938 it was used as a test engine in the laboratories of the Manchester College of Technology. It was removed by a local machinery merchant in 1947 and stored until acquired by the Northern Mill Engine Society in 1987. The cylinder is 13.5" bore by 16" stroke and it ran at 200 revolutions per minute on superheated steam at 200 pounds per square inch.

Chris Allen

Newsagent on Markland Hill

Bill Boaden

Junction of Towncroft Lane and Verdure Avenue

Quite a desirable part of town.

Bill Boaden

Path down to Old Hall

Old Hall is in the dip, and now comprises a number of residences.

Bill Boaden

Grassland on Dob Hill

From here there is a good view over the Cheshire Plain, and the Clwyd Hills can be seen far right.

Bill Boaden

Mobile phone mast on Dob Hill

There is also a large phalanx of Himalayan balsam.

Bill Boaden

Himalayan balsam

Very attractive!

Bill Boaden

Private ground on the edge of Bolton

It is private as stated by Bolton MBC, but they haven't done much to keep it private.

Bill Boaden

Devonshire Road Heaton

View south down Devonshire Road towards the junction with Lonsdale Rd. The junction with Lowndes St is just behind the photographer. Most of the houses are between the wars semi-detached red brick houses.

Nigel Mykura

Lake Near Old Hall Farm

Richard Cooke

Wasp Mill Steam Engine

This is the most typical type of Lancashire mill engine of which many thousands were made. Originally built by J & W McNaught Ltd of Rochdale in 1902 for the Barchant Spinning Company in 1902, it was later used at Wasp Mill from 1917 until 1967. The engine is named "Elsie"; many textile mill engines were named, often after members of the mill-owners family. She has recently been given metal cladding with brass banding over the cylinders to reduce condensation and make it more efficient so it no looks very different than on my last visit (SD6909 : Bolton Steam Museum, Tandem-Compound Engine).

David Dixon

Former Wasp Mill Engine at Bolton Steam Museum

A closer look at SD6909 : Wasp Mill Steam Engine. This is the most typical type of Lancashire mill engine of which many thousands were made. Originally built by J & W McNaught Ltd of Rochdale in 1902 for the Barchant Spinning Company in 1902, it was later used at Wasp Mill from 1917 until 1967. The engine is named "Elsie"; many textile mill engines were named, often after members of the mill-owners family.

David Dixon