Hydraulic Engine

In 2018, the Moccas Parochial Church Council (PCC) commissioned a further report on the condition of the unused hydraulic engine that had once provided power for the organ prior to the installation of an electricity supply into the church (presumably in the 1950’s or 1960’s). The Duplex Pipe Organ and Blower Company Ltd (Duplex) were asked to visit the church and undertake an appraisal of its condition and whether it could be restored sufficiently to become operational again. This report was provided in May 2019 and a copy of it outlining the work that was required can be viewed by clicking on the link below.

Moccas Church Information Sheet X – Hydraulic Engine – Appraisal Report (author Duplex)

Following the recommendations outlined in this appraisal the PCC decided to add the cost of these works to the funding raising campaign for the organ. Due to the invaluable support of the Garfield Weston Foundation and the generosity of many private donors and charities (some of whom are mentioned at the bottom of this page) the additional £16,000 required to undertake the work was raised and work on its restoration and rebuilding commenced in early 2020. The purpose of the project was to ensure that:

• the hydraulic engine could function again reliably,
• once fully restored it was as close to its original condition as possible
• the restoration work would be more resistant to decay thereby allowing the engine to keep working for a longer period.

The work necessitated the removal of the hydraulic engine to the Duplex workshop, where it was painstakingly restored, before being reinstalled in late July and August. After a period of testing further modifications were made to the hydraulic engine between October 2020 and February 2021. A copy of the Duplex restoration report outlining the work that was carried out to the hydraulic engine can be viewed by clicking on the link below.

Moccas Church Information Sheet IV – Hydraulic Engine – Restoration Report 2020 (author Duplex)

We thank the Garfield Weston Foundation and all our other extremely generous private donors for making this work possible.