IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Aston Close, CASTLEFORD, WF10 1BN

The flattened site of the former Lambsons chemical works, Castleford, http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/523153 awaiting clearance in preparation for housing development. All Saints parish church tower in background, plus houses along Savile Road.

This area is still known as 'the Potteries' having been the centre of this industry in Castleford in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

The former Lambsons (previously Laporte) plant in March 2005, now demolished to make way for housing. However, as industry disappears, the River Aire becomes cleaner and more attractive to wildlife and the fisherman.

Houses in the 'potteries' district, overlooking a former bend of the river Calder. Contrast this with the drier conditions and lush vegetation of summer. http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/11139

Now demolished, this contained a pumping engine. We had been told it was a steam engine but at first glance it was obviously electric motor driven. Detailed examination showed that it had been steam once and we were able to deduce its possible configuration. This was later confirmed from a contemporary account. Access was through the top half of one of the arched windows.

This site is long since demolished and was derelict when seen. We were expecting a steam engine but found these motor driven reciprocating pumps. At first we accepted them on face value but after a while I got thinking a persuaded the others that they were converted from an original steam engine. I was able to come up with a conjectural layout and that was later confirmed by a contemporary engineering journal. We now know they were built as two singles that could be run individually or coupled. They were built by Joshua Horne of Providence Ironworks, Castleford in 1882. The steam cylinders had been 12.5" x 2' and the pump cylinders were 14" x 2'. The two flywheels were each 6' diameter. As rebuilt an induction motor drove by belt to a new shaft geared down to the crankshaft by herringbone gearing. So, what started as a damp squib actually became quite interesting.

This site is long since demolished and was derelict when seen. We were expecting a steam engine but found these motor driven reciprocating pumps. At first we accepted them on face value but after a while I got thinking a persuaded the others that they were converted from an original steam engine. I was able to come up with a conjectural layout and that was later confirmed by a contemporary engineering journal. We now know they were built as two singles that could be run individually or coupled. They were built by Joshua Horne of Providence Ironworks, Castleford in 1882. The steam cylinders had been 12.5" x 2' and the pump cylinders were 14" x 2'. The two flywheels were each 6' diameter. As rebuilt an induction motor drove by belt to a new shaft geared down to the crankshaft by herringbone gearing. So, what started as a damp squib actually became quite interesting.

This site is long since demolished and was derelict when seen. We were expecting a steam engine but found these motor driven reciprocating pumps. At first we accepted them on face value but after a while I got thinking and persuaded the others that they were converted from an original steam engine. I was able to come up with a conjectural layout and that was later confirmed by a contemporary engineering journal. We now know they were built as two singles that could be run individually or coupled. They were built by Joshua Horne of Providence Ironworks, Castleford in 1882. The steam cylinders had been 12.5" x 2' and the pump cylinders were 14" x 2'. The two flywheels were each 6' diameter. As rebuilt an induction motor drove by belt to a new shaft geared down to the crankshaft by herringbone gearing. So, what started as a damp squib actually became quite interesting.

This site is long since demolished and was derelict when seen. We were expecting a steam engine but found these motor driven reciprocating pumps. At first we accepted them on face value but after a while I got thinking a persuaded the others that they were converted from an original steam engine. I was able to come up with a conjectural layout and that was later confirmed by a contemporary engineering journal. We now know they were built as two singles that could be run individually or coupled. They were built by Joshua Horne of Providence Ironworks, Castleford in 1882. The steam cylinders had been 12.5" x 2' and the pump cylinders were 14" x 2'. The two flywheels were each 6' diameter. As rebuilt an induction motor drove by belt to a new shaft geared down to the crankshaft by herringbone gearing. So, what started as a damp squib actually became quite interesting.

View of the 'Potteries' district of Castleford across the River Calder. The terraced houses are River View, the building to their right was part of Clokie & Co's pottery, the last in the town to close, in 1961.