In a message dated 01/03/2009 GMT Standard Time, [email protected] writes (amongst other things): There was brief talk of the forthcoming BCN Challenge but our minds were more firmly set on the challenges of the day: a) Finding our way from Fenny Stratford station, via the nominated pub, to the stadium
How many people realise how much boaters owe to Fenny Stratford? Herbert Akroyd Stuart's experiments at Fenny Stratford led to the invention of the first successful heavy oil engine - the fore-runner of the modern diesel engine. The factory is often described as being in Bletchley, but is actually just over the border in Denmark Street in Fenny. One of the first experimental static engines was installed at the newspaper offices of the Fenny Stratford Times and in May 1892 the first production engines, No’s 101 and 102, were installed at the Great Brickhill Waterworks, at Fenny Stratford. In 1896, the first oil tractor was built, as well as the first oil locomotive. If the oil engine hadn't been invented, we wouldn't be able to discuss the merits and demerits of the use of various engines and Bob wouldn't have been on a Class 153, so would have had to rely on steam engines to get him to the match. And I wouldn't keep getting confused on another email list (not involving diesel engines in any way) where the list Administrator welcomes new members under the subject 'New Listers'. ;-) DaveD PS I have been told that the swingbridge at Fenny Lock was put in to provide the lockkeeper with a way of getting his car over to the lock cottage, rather than parking the other side and walking across - is that true? [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
