We often talk about vintage machines as a group, but the truth is that every piece of old machinery is an individual, with its own unique history. When I saw this 1904 Ruston Proctor portable steam engine at the 2011 National Rally at Fairbridge in Western Australia, I suspected that such an impressive machine must have a very interesting story...

A chat with Peter Dymond, who is the owner of the engine, and also President of the Machinery Preservation Club of WA, confirmed that this is a steam engine with a past. Peter has a special affection for steam engines and explained that, “I am an electrical engineer by profession, and steam engineer by love. Working on steam engines is my retirement hobby.”