Heritage Assets

Since the closure of Queens Works the Association has worked to preserve and record many artefacts of Heritage interest. The major collection of artefacts is the models of Allen products, most of which were made by Allen Apprentices and Students in the Queens Works Training Centre. These were recovered at the time of closure of Queens Works in 2000. The Association has endeavoured to ensure these are held in safety and kept in good condition. Most of the models were in good condition and new homes were found for them almost immediately. Three of the models were not so fortunate and were in need of major restoration. Two of these have now found new homes and the remaining one has recently been restored.

Full descriptions of all W. H. Allen Heritage assets are available in the Members Document Archive available in the Members area of the website. This includes A Directory of W. H. Allen Heritage Items, published by WHAEA. This provides a formal record of all sources of heritage information known to the W. H. Allen Engineering Association. 

A selection of items is given below.

Allen Apprentice & Student Models

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	The Allen 4S12 Marine Diesel Genset model was set in a ship’s engine room layout, in a glass display cabinet. The model was fully restored in 2023 by WHAEA Heritage Officer Phil Mann and is now located in the offices of Allen Diesels in Bedford. See the 4S12 model page for further details.
	The Interactive Epicyclic Gear model is believed to have been made in the Bedford Training Centre. It is mounted on a steel plinth to show the modes of operation of epicyclic gears. Rescued by WHAEA when the Queens Works closed, it initially went to Allen Diesels and was then restored by a WHAEA member. In 2023 it was donated to the Internal Fire Museum of Power and can now be seen on display there.
	The 2-cylinder Allen Compound Steam Engine Generator Set model was constructed in 1957 by W H Allen Apprentices. Along with the other Apprentice models this was saved by WHAEA when the Queens Engineering Works closed and found a new home. This one is now on display at the Higgins Museum, Bedford and housed in a glass display case. It underwent considerable renovation by WHAEA Member David Combes in 2006. It can be made to operate by the pressing of a button.
	A small epicyclic gearbox model. These were made commercially at Allen Gears, Pershore (not by apprentices) and came in small wooden presentation boxes (just visible in the picture). Following closure of Queens Engineering Works, one was presented to the Institute of Mechanical Engineers in London by E.F.Clarke and a second one was presented to IMarEng/IMarEST (along with the 12VS12 Diesel model) by Charles Allen in 2008. Like the diesel model it then went to South Tyneside College – Marine Engineering School (South Shields) in 2011.
	The Allen 12VS12 Diesel Generator Set was built in 1965 by Apprentices and Students at the W H Allen Training Centre in Bedford. It is electrically driven from below. The model was restored in 2007 by David Combes. Again pictures show it before and after restoration. Housed in a glass display case and mounted on a wooden plinth it was presented to the Institute of Marine Engineering (subsequently the Institute of Marine Eng. Science & Technology) by Charles Allen on behalf of WHAEA in April 2008. In March 2011 ownership was reverted to WHAEA and in June 2011 it was shipped to South Tyneside College for display in its Marine School.
	The model of an Allen back-pressure steam turbo-alternator set with epicyclic gearbox was constructed by Allen Power apprentices. Mounted on a wooden base with a perspex housing. Electrically driven by via switch and in full working order. Following closure of Queens Works the model was passed to Allen Steam Turbines – Weir Power & Industrial at Oakley, near Bedford.
	The Gwynnes Invincible Irrigation Pump model was passed to Bedford Pumps in Kempston. The model is 1/8th full size of a 24” Invincible irrigation pump supplied to Bangkok, Siam. Origin and date of model not clear – presumed to be made by the Allen Apprentices.
	Allen Epicyclic Gearbox model. Dimensionally 8” in each axis and slightly larger than the E F Clark model. It is believed at one time to have had a plinth and spacers to fix the top casing in a raised position above the rotor. This was located at Allen Gears, Pershore until the factory closed in 2019. Current location is unknown.
	The Allen 4BSC12-D Diesel Alternator set model was delivered to the Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust (RRHT) in 2002 and is now in storage. Last known location was the Light Alloy Foundry, Derby.The model is mounted on a tiled plinth and is motor driven. The crank case and camshaft cover doors are Perspex as well as the rocker covers to view the internal workings.
	The Allen 5012 Diesel Generating Set model is currently located at the Anson Engine Museum, Poynton, Stockport. It was not made in the Allen Training Centre but was on display in Queen’s Works Office reception during the period immediately before closure and was then transferred to Crossley Works, Manchester where development of this engine took place, finally being moved to Anson in 2008 when Crossley Works was closed.

 

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Other Assets in preservation but not the property of the Association are:-

• William Henry Allen’s desk and reference table marked as used by William Henry Allen.
• Portrait oil painting of William Henry Allen

Restored by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers and hung in their library in their London offices.
Both items presented to them at the time of closure of the Queens Engineering Works.

• LeRhone rotary aero engine

This was formerly in the reception of Queen’s Works Offices. Now with the Shuttleworth Trust (Vintage Aircraft Museum), Old Warden, Bedfordshire.

• Allen Works Crest

Formerly mounted over the personnel entrance from the office block to No.2 machine shop has been recovered and passed to Bedford Museum.

• Brass Plaque marking the opening of the ‘new’ Queens Works Office Block in 1958

Recovered by the housing redevelopment company and mounted in the wall a modern bungalow at the entrance from Hurst Grove onto the former Queens Works site – now a housing estate.

Part of the original cast and wrought iron gates and gate posts from the factory entrance have been saved and re-erected in a small park area within this housing development.

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Other Assets of which the Committee are aware and keen to see preserved include:-

• Allen 400Kw Gas Turbine

Ex SS Rotterdam and possibly in store in Holland.

• Allen Crest

This has been on display in the Bedford mayoral chambers and the committee are endeavouring to ensure it is transferred to WHAEA if it ever becomes surplus to requirements.

• Titanic Plaque

This was on display in the Queens Engineering works steam test bay and relates to the Allen products installed on the RMS Titanic. The committee are attempting to locate this and ensure its preservation.

• ‘Clocking on‘       a painting by Steve Bowers

This shows workers at the Queens Engineering works and was owned by the first Mayor of Bedford Frank Branston. It is believed to have subsequently been sold.

• A number of Allen trophies, shields etc. were recovered on the closure of the Allen Club in 2010.

The majority of these related to the Sports associations and the Allen Club. A cabinet of major trophies was passed to the Bedford Bowls Club, some were passed for preservation to Bedford Museum and the remainder stored by a committee member.

These are in the process of being catalogued for Heritage records.

The committee is always open to hearing about any other historical Allen assets and establish the extent to which these can be preserved.
Any information should be passed to the heritage co-ordinator (whaeagroup@gmail.com)