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!!