Markfield Beam Engine and Museum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Markfield Road Pumping Station |
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| Location | Tottenham London, N15 United Kingdom |
| OS grid reference | TQ 34410 88782 |
| Built | 1886 |
| Original use | Sewage treatment |
| Current use | Museum |
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Listed Building – Grade II
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| Designated | 1974 |
| Reference no. | 1358862 |
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The Markfield Road Pumping Station, also known as the Markfield Beam Engine and Museum, is a special historic building in London. It holds a huge steam engine called a beam engine. This engine was built in 1886. Its original job was to pump dirty water, called sewage, from the Tottenham area to a larger treatment plant far away.
Today, the building and its grounds are a public park called Markfield Park. The River Moselle also meets the River Lea right here.
Markfield Beam Engine
The Markfield Beam Engine is a very large steam engine that stands on its own. It has a giant wheel, about 27 feet (8.2 meters) across, called a flywheel. This flywheel helps move a long, rocking arm, or "beam," which is 21 feet (6.4 meters) long.
How the Beam Engine Works
The beam is connected to two special pumps. These pumps are like big plungers, each about 26 inches (66 cm) wide. They move up and down with a 51-inch (130 cm) stroke. When the engine was working, it would run at 16 rotations per minute. Each pump could move an amazing 2 million gallons (9 million liters) of water every day!
The engine itself is also very fancy. It has decorative columns, like those found in ancient Greek buildings, and pretty leaf designs.
History of the Pumping Station
The sewage works in this area first opened in 1864. The Tottenham and Wood Green Drainage Board managed the project. It was connected to London's main drainage system.
From Pumping Sewage to a Museum
The huge beam engine you see today was built in 1886 by a company called Wood Brothers from Yorkshire. It started working in 1888. This new engine replaced an older, smaller one. It's special because it's the only Wood Brothers engine of its kind still in its original spot.
The engine worked non-stop from 1888 until 1905. After that, it was only used sometimes, mainly to pump water during big storms. The pumping station finally closed in February 1964. A newer, more modern treatment plant took over its job.
Saving and Restoring the Engine
In 1970, a group called the River Lee Regional Park Authority took over the engine house. A team of volunteers, who formed the River Lee Industrial Archaeology Society, began the hard work of restoring the engine. Because of its importance, the engine house and engine were given a special "Grade II listed" status in 1974. This means they are protected historic buildings. The Markfield Beam Engine and Museum was officially created in 1984.
Over £3 million has been spent to restore the engine, the building, and the park around it. The park was fully restored by April 2010. Now, the park, museum, and the amazing beam engine are open for everyone to visit. The money for this huge project came from different groups, including the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The museum is open on Sundays and public holidays. Sometimes, the engine is even run for visitors to see it in action!
See also
