"DSK" wrote in

The notched wheel at the outboard end looks like it might be
a row of magnets for some type of generator, but it doesn't
make sense to power a generator with a single-cylinder steam
piston... unless these things are pre-1915 which they don't
look.

It makes sense when you already have the steam available, and the
cost of electric is high. The one in place powers part of a
mental health care facility. With both engines up and running,
they will power the whole place.
they already had 2 big coal fired boilers and I brought them an
oil fired boiler last year.
Most of the engines are from the 30s - 40s. The oldest I've
transferred was a 1912. Lots of exposed , whirling parts.
Most of the engines are running wood mills where they burn the
free sawdust in the boiler.

SBV