From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Newspaper extract from the 'Westminster Gazette' about a new engine claiming to be the mightiest in the world.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 52\1\ Scan026 | |
| Date | 1st September 1927 | |
| Extract from the "Westminster Gazette," Thursday, 1st September, 1927. MIGHTIEST ENGINE IN THE WORLD. CLAIM OF BRITISH INVENTOR. TRAINS AT 140 MILES AN HOUR. What is claimed to be the fastest and most powerful engine in the world is now undergoing tests on the road and the racing track at Brooklands. Its inventor, Mr. William C. Werry, a Cornishman who has lived for many years in Australia, told the Westminster Gazette yesterday that on the bench the engine had reached the record of 14,200 revolutions a minute on each of two crankshafts. The invention is a 300 c.c. petrol engine which, Mr. Werry claims, can be adapted for use with steam or oil. "It can be used," he said, "for locomotive, marine, aerial, and motor vehicles, and for all purposes where power is required. "I claim that it should increase the speed of railway travel by 50 per cent. without any danger since the engine is an absolutely balanced unit. "We shall be able to get up a speed of from 84 to 140 m.p.h. with a locomotive. The journey from London to Glasgow would then be done in five hours with a saving of from 20 to 30 per cent. on the running cost. TRACK TESTS. "Our road tests are only in the preliminary stages, but on the Brooklands track with a motor-cycle we got good results." The engine has been built by Messrs. William Beardmore and Co. It has no valves, and each cylinder contains two pistons operating in opposite directions. A feature of the engine is that it works without vibration. The compression ratio is very high, being about 7½ to 1. It is claimed that two such engines, which are less than 3 horse-power, would be ample for any ordinary touring car, and would give motorists as effective results as an ordinary 20-h.p. engine. Several British firms, it is understood, are awaiting the results of the present tests, with a view to manufacturing the engine on a large scale. The project is being backed by Australian capital, and Mr. Werry informed the Westminster Gazette that he had already spent £50,000 on the invention. | ||