Maple Brook Pumping Station - barring engine

Image: © Chris Allen Taken: 28 Jan 1984

This is a South Staffordshire Water Works pumping station with a preserved inverted vertical triple expansion pumping engine that drove well and force pumps. This was built in 1913 by Galloways Ltd of Manchester. The Corliss valve cylinders are 22", 35" & 55" bores by 48" stroke. The two flywheels are 14' diameter. It was designed for 254 water horsepower at 20 rpm on steam at 160 psi. It ceased operation in 1972, a year after the other engine in the same room had been scrapped to make way for electric pump. This view is of the vertical duplex steam barring engine that could slowly move the large engine for warming up or adjustments. On the extreme right is the electric motor that now allows the large engine to be demonstrated slowly via the barring engine. The barring engine engages with teeth on the flywheel rim. The flywheel boss is seen above the barring engine and is seen to be a bored and keyed fit to the crankshaft and to be held together by shrink rings. On the extreme left behind the steps is the exhaust pipe from the main engine to the surface condenser. While busily photographing I once heard a couple say that people who took photographs didn't appreciate what it was they were so busy looking at through a viewfinder. I bit my tongue but don't necessarily agree.

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