Crofton Pumping Station facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Crofton Pumping Station |
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The pumping station on a running day in 1999
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| Type | Pumping station |
| Location | Crofton, Great Bedwyn, Wiltshire, England |
| OS grid reference | SU 2615 6227 |
| Built | 1807–1809 |
| Owner | Kennet and Avon Canal Trust |
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Listed Building – Grade I
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| Official name: Crofton Pumping Station | |
| Designated | 1 May 1985 |
| Reference no. | 1034049 |
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Crofton Pumping Station is a really cool historic building near Great Bedwyn in Wiltshire, England. Its main job is to pump water into the highest part of the Kennet and Avon Canal.
This amazing steam-powered pumping station is still kept in great shape. It even runs on special weekends! Inside, you'll find a working Boulton & Watt steam engine from 1812. This makes it the oldest working beam engine in the world still in its original building. Plus, it can still do the job it was built for!
Contents
How the Pumping Station Works
When the canal was first built, there wasn't enough water to fill its highest section naturally. But some useful springs were found nearby. These springs were about one mile (1.6 km) east of the canal's highest point. They were also about 40 feet (12 m) lower than the canal.
So, the water from these springs was directed to a lower part of the canal. This was just below lock 60 at Crofton Locks. Later, a reservoir called Wilton Water was built. This helped provide even more water to the canal. You can see Wilton Water across the canal from the pumping station today.
Water from below lock 60 travels through a special underground pipe, called a culvert. It goes to the bottom of a well at the pumping station. The pumping station is built on a hillside, over 40 feet (12 m) above the canal. The pumps then lift this water from the well. They send it into a channel right next to the station. From there, the water flows by gravity to the canal's highest point. This is about one mile (1.6 km) to the west.
Today, electric pumps usually do the work. They are controlled automatically by the water level in the canal. However, the original steam-powered pumps are still there and can be used! A special boiler, called a Lancashire boiler, creates the steam needed for the engines.
The Amazing Engines
The pumping station has two main steam engines:
- Number 1 engine: This engine was built by Boulton and Watt in 1812. It was later updated in the 1840s. It's a powerful engine that can lift about one ton of water with each stroke! It works at a speed of 11 strokes per minute.
- Number 2 engine: This engine was built by Harvey and Co. in 1846. It was also updated in 1903. It's another strong engine that can lift about one ton of water per stroke. It works a bit slower, at 10.2 strokes per minute.
When the Great Western Railway built its train tracks, they went right past the station. The tracks are between the pumping station and the canal. To get from the canal to the station, you now go through a short, low tunnel.
A Look Back in Time
The pumping station was built between 1807 and 1809. It was ready just in time for the canal to open in 1810. The building was designed for two engines. But at first, only one engine was installed. This first engine was bought second-hand.
In 1810, a second engine was ordered from Boulton and Watt. This engine started working in 1812. It's the engine we now call Number 1. It has been the most important engine for most of the station's history.
In 1846, the first engine from 1809 was replaced. A new engine from Harvey and Co. was put in. But this engine caused problems and eventually stopped being used.
In 1903, the 1846 engine was rebuilt. It became the engine we now call Number 2. Both engines were used regularly until the 1950s. At that time, the chimney needed repairs. Part of it, about 36 feet (11 m), had to be removed. The shorter chimney couldn't create enough "draught" (airflow) for the boiler. It was cheaper to stop using the steam engines and install electric pumps instead.
Saving a Piece of History
In 1968, the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust bought the pumping station. They wanted to bring it back to life! The building and both engines were carefully restored. The old boiler was replaced with another similar one.
The Number 1 engine was successfully steamed (made to work with steam) on April 4, 1970. The pumping station officially reopened on August 21, 1970. The famous writer John Betjeman was there for the reopening. The Number 2 engine was first steamed on November 15, 1971.
In 1985, the pumping station was given a special status. It was named a Grade I listed building. This means it's a very important historic site.
At first, an electric fan was used to help the shorter chimney work. But between 1996 and 1997, the chimney was fully repaired. It was brought back to its original height of 82 feet (25 m).
In July 2009, the modern electric pumps at Crofton broke down. While they were being fixed, the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust started up the steam engines again! This showed how important these old machines still are.
In 2012, the Boulton and Watt engine celebrated its 200th birthday! Special steamings were held, and even the Duke of Gloucester came to visit.
Visiting Crofton Pumping Station
You can visit the pumping station on certain days. On these special days, you can even see the amazing steam engines working!
See also
- Claverton Pumping Station, another restored pumping station on the Kennet and Avon canal
