Ramsay Condensing Locomotive Co
of 105, St Vincent-street, Glasgow.
Developer of a design of condensing turbine electric locomotive
1922 The Ramsay Condensing Locomotive company opened an office in Manchester, the address being - Millgate Buildings, 18, Long Milgate, Manchester. The registered office remained the same as 105, St Vincent-street, Glasgow.[1]
1922 A turbo-electric locomotive was built for the company by Armstrong, Whitworth and Co of Newcastle; it was designed by Mr D. M. Ramsay; four electric motors drove two sets of 6 coupled wheels; the condenser was in the tender[2]. The front unit carried the boiler beneath which was the compound turbine direct-coupled to a 3-phase AC generator. The rear unit carried fuel, water, and the air-cooled rotary evaporative condenser, which had been fitted to create a sufficient exhaust vacuum for efficient turbine operation rather than to save water.
The locomotive was delivered to the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway in 1922 where it was tested, despite being much heavier than specified. The tests were not successful and the engine was returned to its makers[3]