About the Site

Peter & Rita Forbes' Engine WebPages is a personal, non-commercial resource for stationary engine enthusiasts. The site is owned, written, and maintained by Peter and Rita Forbes in the United Kingdom.

As of 26th December 2010, the collection had grown to 10,224 pages of information, tables, pictures, and data related to engines. Content spans technical specifications, overseas trip reports, museum photographs, and links to other sites of interest.

The world of stationary engines is rich with history, mechanical ingenuity, and a dedicated community of collectors and restorers. This site serves as a personal archive for enthusiasts who share a passion for these remarkable machines, offering a deep well of technical data, photographs, and reference material compiled over many years. Whether you are restoring a fine-running engine, researching a particular model, or simply enjoying the visual record of museum exhibits and overseas trips, the content here reflects a genuine love for the subject. The collection continues to grow, with regular updates and additions that aim to support both seasoned collectors and newcomers exploring the hobby for the first time.

Navigating this resource is straightforward, with pages organised to help you find information on engines, shows, and related topics with ease. The site includes tables of data, trip reports, and links to other sites of interest, all presented in a clean, readable format. The layout is designed to work well on a variety of screen sizes, and care has been taken to ensure that images and text display correctly across modern browsers. From the main index page, visitors can explore a wide range of categories, each compiled with attention to detail. The aim is to provide a reliable, accessible reference that engine enthusiasts can return to time and again.

Stationary engine collecting is more than a hobby—it is a way of preserving mechanical heritage and the skills of a bygone era. The engines featured on these pages represent decades of workmanship, from early designs to more refined later models, and each has its own story. The site also documents visits to museums and overseas locations, capturing exhibits that might otherwise be lost to time. By sharing this material freely, the hope is to inspire others to take an interest in restoration, attend shows, and connect with like-minded individuals. The pages are maintained with care, and new content is added as opportunities arise, keeping the archive alive and relevant for future generations.

The Forum

The UK Stationary Engine Forum is a community discussion board where enthusiasts share knowledge about Lister, Petter, and many other engine makes. Powered by vBulletin, the forum allows registered users to post questions, contribute information, and connect with fellow collectors.