Geograph - photograph every grid square

90" engine by Bells Lightfoot, of Newcastle-on-Tyne. Built 1876. Stopped 1952 and preserved in situ. This is below the floor at the pump end with the large corrugated drum at the top being a water tank on top of the pump plunger. This allowed the engine to pump to a variable head by altering the weight on the pump. The suction and discharge valves are seen at the side at the bottom. Note the very deep beams with the blocks that the pump would have rested on while at rest. The blocks are not being rested on because the beam is propped up close to mid position by blocks on the beam floor. I believe this position is no longer accessible on tours of the site and I have not seen this view in print anywhere.

In 1991 this building was the museum of the Yorkshire Water Authority and was well maintained and full of interesting exhibits. The museum closed and the building was allowed to deteriorate appallingly, to the extent a roof beam came down on the engine. The building was repaired at considerable expense and is now open on rare occasions but it is a shadow of its former glory.