Lea Brook Pumping Station
 

By chance today when I went to Cromford boiler works to retrieve my Land Rover, I noticed smoke coming from the chimney of the Lea Brook.

I have driven past this engine many times and was really chuffed today when I noticed it was working.

For those interested this is well worth a visit, admission is free and the engine is just incredible to watch.

Its in steam tomorrow so if you get chance go...

Chris, its Lea Bridge pump not lea brook.

Have visited this engine too and would recommend a visit. When I have chance I'll post some photographs.

its the oldest Cornish type engine still in its original position... 183? tops up the cromford canal from a tunnel under the derwent between cromford, lea and Holloway and whatstandwell.

A small group of miniatures including me were also out at cromford wharf, a short distance north from the pumping station.

depending on the weather we will be there tomorrow (sunday 3rd)

Ian

The engine is well worth a visit and the walk from Cromford Wharf to the pumping station is very relaxing, especially if it's a nice day.

1849 If the brass plate on the engine is to be believed.

Its not Brook or Bridge its Leawood , the engine was built in 1849 byGraham and Co Milton Iron Works , Elsecar , and there is a beam engine on that site too , both engines can be found on web sites , and don't forget there is a twin beam engine at Middleton Top ,

Don't know about the oldest but the one at Else car was built in 1795 and that's on its on the original site , and is of the Newcoman type . But its not steamable .

Crofton has an 1812 Boulton & Watt Cornish engine - the oldest working beam engine in the world still in its original engine house and capable of actually doing the job for which it was installed

yes Anthony but its not a Cornish type I believe crofton doesn't have a cateract, or so I was told by the bods at lea........ I supplied the elm which forms the seal round the pump plunger.... few years ago now...
chris you may be right its certainly pretty old, I seem to remember there was an old train type loco boiler cut down used to steam her?? you got any recent pics, i'll hunt some out taken 20 years ago...

The plate says 1849, so I guess I'm right on that one.

The boilers were built by the Midland railway to replace the Cornish boilers, they are not the same as a railway engine boiler, they are quite a bit bigger, but like a railway engine they have domes and sliding fire doors.

Leawood is on my 'to do' list, but as I only live four miles away from it I will probably never get there! Funny isn't it, you never seem to visit stuff on your doorstep yet travel many miles to see things in other locations.:o

Pete.

quite a fascinating history, I would like to have seen the temporary pump set up....http://www.middleton-leawood.org.uk/...d/history.html
either way it may not be as old as crofton but still very interesting....

Agreed, it's on my list for a one day. I have a very soft spot for large stationary engines - just wish a few more did as well, they always seem to be the cinderellas of the steam world, you can't take them to the pub, out to sea or over Shap with 11 coaches on the back...

I like large stationery engines anthony.
Have been to both the pumping stations that are steam powered in Durham.
have noticed a collection of buildings as you leave Sunderland on A690 just before Jag garage sure it was once a working pumping station.

Are yes , visited years ago , I seem to remember some of the Croft on team went on to work at Kew .

If it's Stoneygate you're thinking of, it still is a pumping station, albeit electric now.

Oh come on Colin,support your local pumping station!!

From what I remember, Kew Bridge started out as a sort of 'Offshoot' of Crofton, certainly there were a lot of family names in common, and a lot of volunteers spending time at both sites, as of course there is at present between Kew and Kempton.

Last time I came there was a war on , anyway when are you going to get the paraffin lamps lit .

That's right , Ron Plasters name comes to mind , I know he rang me , to say came down p d q as Kew was finishing steam ,

All right smart arse! I've run out of paraffin.James says many thanks for the shovel but its not been used for breakfast yet!

Looks like Leawood is in steam for the last time this year this weekend , but check web site .