This 12,000hp steam engine from 1904 is still working over a century later
Published on Nov 13, 2025 at 7:34 AM (UTC-5)
by Daisy Edwards
Last updated on Nov 13, 2025 at 12:31 PM (UTC-5)
Edited by
Emma Matthews
A 12,000hp steam engine built in 1904 is still running today, like it isn’t well over 100 years old.
It once powered the heaviest steel rolling machinery in Britain, but is now carefully maintained in a museum.
More than a century on, it still fires up under steam for live demonstrations, but it doesn’t run 24/7 like it used to.
Its size, noise, and movement make it one of the most impressive machines still operating.
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There’s nothing as cool as this 12,000hp steam engine from the past
Meet the River Don Engine, a survivor from the peak of the UK’s industrial power and an example of retro tech.
Built by Davy Brothers, it was designed to drive huge rolling mills that shaped red-hot armour plate for ships and heavy engineering projects.
The machine fills an entire hall at Britain’s Kelham Island Museum, where it still looks ready for a full shift on the mill floor.
It’s claimed to be one of the most powerful steam engines ever built, and the one at Kelham Island Museum is the most powerful one remaining in Europe.
Steam power was the electricity of its day
Back in the Industrial Revolution in the UK, the invention of gigantic steam-powered machinery changed the world as we know it today.
In the early 1900s, a third of cars on the road were steam powered, with a third being gas powered, and surprisingly, a third were electric.
Given that it’s been over 120 years since it first began work and is still chugging away is a testament to how well it was built in the first place.
This engine was the height of innovation back in the day, and while what counts as innovative tech has changed, it just goes to show how old inventions often lay the foundations for today’s futuristic discoveries.
Daisy is a technology and automotive journalist covering artificial intelligence, consumer tech, Apple news, cryptocurrency, emerging technologies, and transportation innovation. Since joining the team in 2025, she has reported on everything from AI-powered startups and major iOS updates to viral car stories and the latest developments shaping transportation and the digital economy. Drawing on her background in automotive journalism and a degree in History and Journalism from Goldsmiths, University of London, Daisy specializes in breaking down complex topics into clear, engaging reporting for a global audience. Her work spans cutting-edge technology, innovative vehicles, and the people driving change across both industries. Daisy has gained first-hand access to some of the world's most talked-about technologies and innovators, including meeting Tesla's Optimus humanoid robot during its first European appearance in London. She has also discussed the future of space exploration with an astronaut, bringing unique insights and real-world perspectives to her coverage of emerging technology.
