Cottingham Pumping Station - steam engine, cylinder level

Image: © Chris Allen Taken: 30 Aug 1994

One of the three engines installed in 1930 and the only survivor. A large example but short of the biggest in the UK. This site is well hidden and probably not all that visited. Service is public water supply. The engine was built by Worthington-Simpson Ltd of Newark-on-Trent and is works No. 5048, built in 1930 and retired in 1974. The three cylinders are fitted with drop valves and measure 18", 31" and 50" x 4' stroke. The engine took steam at 200 psi, ran at 24 rpm and developed 350 pump horsepower. The flywheel is 14' 3" diameter. The engine operated three ram type force pumps that were mounted below the engine and operated by rods from its crossheads. This view is the cylinder level from the low pressure end. The three cylinders are in the big green 'bath tub' and cannot be seen separately. Along the front of the cylinders is the layshaft that operates the four drop valves per cylinder via eccentrics and rods. The steam (inlet) valves are fitted with trip gear. The layshaft also operates the mechanical lubricator at this end. The engine also has a gravity feed drip-feed lubrication system in front of the mid-portion of the layshaft. This is a case of you can see it if you know what you are looking for.

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