Bolton Steam Museum

The Volunteers who make up the Northern Mill Engine Society run the Bolton Steam Museum.

Their goal is to save some of the stationary steam engines that once powered the North of England’s cotton mills.

The Bolton Steam Museum is housed in an original warehouse that used to house Atlas Mills’ raw cotton bales.

The assemblage of 30 engines has grown to become one of the nation’s largest. You may see these wonderful machines up close and appreciate how they once generated the power for the Industrial Revolution.
A massive 40-ton “McNaughted” beam engine, an extremely uncommon 1840 twin-beam engine, and a unique “non-deadcentre” vertical engine built by Musgraves of Bolton are among our larger engines.

Other engines on exhibit include a little engine known as “Caroline” that used to power Fred Dibnah’s workshop. On typical steam days, all of them can be seen in action.