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Halliday’s Oscillating Machine

This oscillating engine made by Charles Halliday c 1870 has been restored and is now a part of the collection of the Powerhouse Museum. The curator notes, “Oscillating engines differ from other steam engines in that the cylinder rocks, rather than being stationary. This rocking allows motion to be transferred from the piston rod directly to the crankshaft, without an intervening connecting rod. This is a useful feature for ships, as it means the engine is lighter in weight than a similarly sized engine with a connecting rod, has a low centre of gravity and can fit in a space with low head height.”23 The engine was donated to the Powerhouse by Robert Halliday