Guest 657- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,037
#1
Had a lovely day at Crossness water pumping station. The Crossness Pumping Station was built by Sir Joseph Bazalgette as part of Victorian London's urgently needed main sewerage system. It was officially opened by the Prince of Wales in April 1865.
The Beam Engine House is a Grade 1 Listed Industrial Building constructed in the Romanesque style and features some of the most spectacular ornamental Victorian cast ironwork to be found today. It also contains the four original pumping engines (although the cylinders were upgraded in 1901), which are possibly the largest remaining rotative beam engines in the world, with 52 ton flywheels and 47 ton beams. Although modern diesel engines were subsequently introduced, the old beam engines remained in service until work on a new sewerage treatment plant commenced in 1956. Following abandonment in the mid 1950's, the engine house and engines were systematically vandalised and left to decay, which greatly impeded the Trust's restoration/conservation programme.
Slideshow of my photos:
http://www.slide.com/r/XGBhm0LDwD9K7g7ujGYWRQ_SUtfbkNZt?previous_view=mscd_embedded_url&view=originalGuest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
#2
Thanks Jeane.
There was a program on the TV a year or so ago about Bazalgette, what an amazing engineer - a man with a very high standard of work and vision. We owe so much to him.
Roger
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
#3
We have him to thank for also pumping out a lot of *** in the form of Big Brother from his descendents !!
Been nice knowing you :)
Guest 657- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
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#4
He was an amazing engineer Roger.
Paul.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
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#5
I've just lookd through the photos on the link and it certainly has the WOW factor.
Are they going to restore/refurbish the whiole building Jeane, or leave some as a before and after ?
Certainly very impressive iron-work and the size of everything is awesome.
Where is Crossness ?
Thanks again Jeane.
Roger
Guest 657- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,037
#6
It does.
There is an ongoing restoration programme but of course it's dependant on funds.
It's near Abbey Wood, London SE2.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
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#7
Thanks Jeane.
Have a good day/week.
Roger
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
#8
I have never worked or been there but what a great place to go to.I have worked in old pumping stations before and I would have loved to work on that one.Thank you so much for showing it on the forum,also alot of that would be underground to,like the one on our own water works hill and I have work there underground for
the water company.
Guest 657- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,037
#9
Thank you Roger - likewise to you and Jean.
It was absolutely fascinating Vic.
Website:
http://www.crossness.org.uk/Guest 700- Registered: 11 Jun 2010
- Posts: 2,868
#10
Bazalgette - one of many of the amazing Victorian engineers that made Britain 'Great'. Where are today's inventors?
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Lincolnshire Born and Bred
Guest 657- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
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#11
He was Kath.
Yes we don't really have inventors like that anymore
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
#12
I don't know...World wide web,wind up torches/radio,Dyson taking up Booths mantle the (first vacuum cleaner inventor..Hoover followed) and not forgetting that the stiff upper lip has recently been replaced by another great British invention.. Viagra which makes other parts of the body stiffer.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
#13
Quite appropriate that I am watching the "Made in Britain" programme on BBC2 and it is surprising me what is still make and invented here !
Been nice knowing you :)
Guest 700- Registered: 11 Jun 2010
- Posts: 2,868
#14
It always amazes me how the Victorians liked to 'decorate' EVERYTHING, machines down to man-hole covers !! And why not....
'A thing of beauty is a joy forever'
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Lincolnshire Born and Bred
Guest 657- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,037
#15
The Victorians never quite got 'Less is more' and I find their over the top (in some cases) decoration wonderful. Much better than a boring plain manhole cover or doorway!