That is what I call poetry in motion simply fantastic:-)) You have to keep in mind that when this pumping station was built in 1890 there were no computers no calculators and they managed to do a great job!!!!
(Number 2 pump seems to be running slow, why's that?) It must have been amazing being a designing Engineer in those days, inventing as you went, making things never made before. All the compromises and all the advantages, a babbitt bearing will work, a fiber packing will work, an oil pot will work...if you have world class machining, even of parts like these, huge, ungainly, and complex because of the state of the technology at the time. No CNC, just men with calipers and fine sand paper and really good brains working with lathes and milling machines. I suspect the designing Engineers would be in grease up to their armpits, just like the operating Engineers, to keep these mighty beasts running. It would be like stepping into a whole new dimension of thought. Good on you all for keeping these pieces of art running.
I wasn't directly involved in the running of the engines but am aware that providing enough steam was a key issue. The usual on-site boiler is only sufficient to provide steam to run two engines but even then its a challenge to keep them both turning over for lengthy periods of time. For this special event an additional mobile steam generator was hired in to provide sufficient steam for all four engines to be run simultaneously. Even then the speed of the engines had to be held back to avoid over-stretching the available supply so none of the engines were turning an anything like the rate that would have been the case when the pumping station was active. I believe that even then not all four engines would be running at the same time.
@@andybennett5570 WoW!!! I thought that sedate churn was normal! It would make sense to keep one or two pumps in reserve, because of the limits of the materials of the time. What must it have been like, when it was "Balls out" and everything was humming, for a little while.
Beautifully shot and edited. Brings out the mesmeric qualities of repeated motion. 2022 is going to be a difficult year for lots of us, and steaming these engines may be problematic for a while, so thanks for this record.
SYNCHRONICITY......and the joy engendered by looking upon superb workmanship that worksp like a graceful dance.mesmerising.i could watch it all day.the best stress reliever ever.😊😊😊😊
Glad you are enjoying the film. It was a wonderful experience to make the film - totally unscripted - just happened to be in the right place at the right time!
I'd definitely pick "A" as well. OK the coal fired boilers will have generated some exhaust gases but that has to be balanced against the fact that before these pumping engines started their work parts of Leicester were a stinking cesspit . It was the removal of untreated sewage from the low-lying areas of the city that made it habitable and laid the foundations for making Leicester one of the most prosperous cities in the UK exporting hosiery and finished goods to Europe and beyond.
The engines would originally have been pumping sewage(!) but this is now done by electric pumps at a new location. When the beam engines are now run for demonstration purposes they are not actually pumping anything other that "fresh air". Water is however used in the condensing process as can be seen in the basement scenes towards the end of the film. However as the fly-wheels weigh around 20 tons apiece and the associated beams and con-rods weigh a similar amount on top there is still plenty of work for the engines to do which is why the sight and sound is so impressive.
Can someone tell me how long it took for the engines to in stall and to get running? Back in the days when they didn't have the technical knowledge that we have today?
The technical knowledge needed to build the pumping station and the engines was certainly there back in the 1890's when this type of technology had already been perfected. Ironically you'd struggle to find a manufacturer here in the 21st century capable of manufacturing the enormous parts necessary to build engines on this scale. More details about the construction can be found here en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbey_Pumping_Station
And every Wiper and every Engineer in that place will be listening, through all that din and roar, for the tiny sounds of a dry bearing or a leaky seal! I wonder if running those pumps without any water to pump would hurt them?
Indeed we all were. It took a lot of drivers, although, I had both No.3 and 4 under my watchful eye. No.4 suffered a bit later on the Saturday with a warm beam pivot bearing, the oilway was blocked with fibres of worsted yarn. They'd been on it for 5/6 hours a day, that's the most we've ever run them. The noise in there was terrific, and made communication difficult at times. All in all, an incredible long weekend of a never to be repeated event.
In answer to your question about running pumps "dry", we regularly poor oil down the pumps, and they are checked from time to time by removing the large inspection covers with the gantry beam above. No.1 engine' flywheel end pump (there's another direct off the high pressure piston tail rod) was seized solid in the bore. It took months of flushing a mixture of cola and old engine oil down it, with our hand cranked main crane chained up to it. Some side jacking with some 16 tonne hydraulic cylinders and some encouragement from yours truly up on the crane, the old gal broke free from it's seal, first time in 50 years. As you can see, No.1 ran in time for the four engines, pumps bore is immaculately polished from running. She's a sod to keep happy tho, and needs some further time spent on her. But yeah, only place in the UK with all four operational beam engines. Crossness is not far behind!! 💪💪🤞🤞🤞
I'm not sure if it could be called "modern" but the on-site boiler is gas-fired and was relocated to Abbey Pumping Station from the public swimming baths at Leicester's Vestry Street pool. For the special event which took place in 2014, when all four beam engines were steamed simultaneously, a large lorry carrying a portable boiler was hired in to supplement the on-site boiler to provide enough steam to power all the engines.
Now we're beginning to see what one of these Victorian engine houses were really like when they were in actual use, hot, steamy, loud, oily and without all those modern guardrails, extremely dangerous. There might be fifty men working in that shop, twenty four hours a day. I wonder if they had electric lights or gas lights or even lamps? Were they beautiful? Yes! Were they awesome? Yes! Were they works of genius? Absolutely! Were they man eaters? You betcha!
This was a public event which quite rightly attracted a lot of visitors. When I arrived with my camera I thought I'd only get a few distant sequences but the curator of the museum kindly let me film from the non-public areas (as a member of the museum friends association). It was a privilege to record that special day which, sadly, has not been repeated.
![Start up squence of the River Don 12000 HP steam engine {Sheffield] #steamengine](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/MrcIBSm2mB8/mqdefault.jpg)
Sometimes the word "awesome" is simply inadequate.
That is what I call poetry in motion simply fantastic:-)) You have to keep in mind that when this pumping station was built in 1890 there were no computers no calculators and they managed to do a great job!!!!
Every time I come across the YT videos I see something wonderful each time. Beautiful. Many thanks
Many thanks, it was a joy to be there to make the film - totally unplanned!
That film and sound track could win an Oscar in the short subject section,, superb many thanks
(Number 2 pump seems to be running slow, why's that?) It must have been amazing being a designing Engineer in those days, inventing as you went, making things never made before. All the compromises and all the advantages, a babbitt bearing will work, a fiber packing will work, an oil pot will work...if you have world class machining, even of parts like these, huge, ungainly, and complex because of the state of the technology at the time. No CNC, just men with calipers and fine sand paper and really good brains working with lathes and milling machines. I suspect the designing Engineers would be in grease up to their armpits, just like the operating Engineers, to keep these mighty beasts running. It would be like stepping into a whole new dimension of thought. Good on you all for keeping these pieces of art running.
I wasn't directly involved in the running of the engines but am aware that providing enough steam was a key issue. The usual on-site boiler is only sufficient to provide steam to run two engines but even then its a challenge to keep them both turning over for lengthy periods of time. For this special event an additional mobile steam generator was hired in to provide sufficient steam for all four engines to be run simultaneously. Even then the speed of the engines had to be held back to avoid over-stretching the available supply so none of the engines were turning an anything like the rate that would have been the case when the pumping station was active. I believe that even then not all four engines would be running at the same time.
@@andybennett5570 WoW!!! I thought that sedate churn was normal! It would make sense to keep one or two pumps in reserve, because of the limits of the materials of the time. What must it have been like, when it was "Balls out" and everything was humming, for a little while.
Excellent video of four wonderful engines. Pity it can't be done every day!
Beautifully done. Love these engines. The tiles and columns are so decorative.
Steel and glazed bricks, can't beat it !
Beautiful photography, many thanks for sharing.
What beautiful craftsmanship, everything is so utilitarian now days.
Beautifully shot and edited. Brings out the mesmeric qualities of repeated motion.
2022 is going to be a difficult year for lots of us, and steaming these engines may be problematic for a while, so thanks for this record.
Sooo much quiet power, so nice to watch.😊
10:34 looks like temporarily permanent repair. 😢
Fantastic video Andy, it was a very historic day and it is great you captured it so well.
really good video, thank you for sharing.
Incredible.
Great video!! Thanks for sharing.
Superb, that's real engineering.
thanks andy.loved it.
Fascinating video. Great subject, great camerawork, and well produced.
damn i love this
Thanks for that amazing video ! 😊
SYNCHRONICITY......and the joy engendered by looking upon superb workmanship that worksp like a graceful dance.mesmerising.i could watch it all day.the best stress reliever ever.😊😊😊😊
Glad you are enjoying the film. It was a wonderful experience to make the film - totally unscripted - just happened to be in the right place at the right time!
Thanks Andy, excellent video and what a spectacle! It is ironic that these magnificent machines were used for pumping sewage!
More lives have been saved by pumping sewerage than any other activity, including medicine.
Simply mesmerizing. I wonder what sort of force those things exert?
Perfect.
fantastic
Glad you enjoyed the film. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity to be able tofilm behind the scenes with all four engines running.
Hypnotic
wonderful
Puts to rest the myth that all old machines had square nuts. All we see on these 1890 engines is hex nuts.
A ballet of elegance and engineering genius. Or green house gas factory? You decide. I'll pick A.
I'd definitely pick "A" as well. OK the coal fired boilers will have generated some exhaust gases but that has to be balanced against the fact that before these pumping engines started their work parts of Leicester were a stinking cesspit . It was the removal of untreated sewage from the low-lying areas of the city that made it habitable and laid the foundations for making Leicester one of the most prosperous cities in the UK exporting hosiery and finished goods to Europe and beyond.
Are the engines pumping against a fluid or freewheeling?
The engines would originally have been pumping sewage(!) but this is now done by electric pumps at a new location. When the beam engines are now run for demonstration purposes they are not actually pumping anything other that "fresh air". Water is however used in the condensing process as can be seen in the basement scenes towards the end of the film. However as the fly-wheels weigh around 20 tons apiece and the associated beams and con-rods weigh a similar amount on top there is still plenty of work for the engines to do which is why the sight and sound is so impressive.
@@andybennett5570 Thank you sir. I absolutely love steam power. Beautiful machinery, elegant even!
15min:24 sec of how the Victorians moved things. The lads who restored them are to be congratulated. CAT MANSELL.
Can someone tell me how long it took for the engines to in stall and to get running? Back in the days when they didn't have the technical knowledge that we have today?
The technical knowledge needed to build the pumping station and the engines was certainly there back in the 1890's when this type of technology had already been perfected. Ironically you'd struggle to find a manufacturer here in the 21st century capable of manufacturing the enormous parts necessary to build engines on this scale. More details about the construction can be found here en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbey_Pumping_Station
@@andybennett5570 Thanks for that cheers mike
Almost overwhelming to watch. Are these engines single or double acting?
Kpkndusa les machines sont à double effet.
สวยงามมีพลัง
And every Wiper and every Engineer in that place will be listening, through all that din and roar, for the tiny sounds of a dry bearing or a leaky seal! I wonder if running those pumps without any water to pump would hurt them?
Indeed we all were. It took a lot of drivers, although, I had both No.3 and 4 under my watchful eye. No.4 suffered a bit later on the Saturday with a warm beam pivot bearing, the oilway was blocked with fibres of worsted yarn. They'd been on it for 5/6 hours a day, that's the most we've ever run them. The noise in there was terrific, and made communication difficult at times. All in all, an incredible long weekend of a never to be repeated event.
In answer to your question about running pumps "dry", we regularly poor oil down the pumps, and they are checked from time to time by removing the large inspection covers with the gantry beam above.
No.1 engine' flywheel end pump (there's another direct off the high pressure piston tail rod) was seized solid in the bore. It took months of flushing a mixture of cola and old engine oil down it, with our hand cranked main crane chained up to it. Some side jacking with some 16 tonne hydraulic cylinders and some encouragement from yours truly up on the crane, the old gal broke free from it's seal, first time in 50 years. As you can see, No.1 ran in time for the four engines, pumps bore is immaculately polished from running. She's a sod to keep happy tho, and needs some further time spent on her. But yeah, only place in the UK with all four operational beam engines. Crossness is not far behind!! 💪💪🤞🤞🤞
Thanks anyway.
do they have a modern boiler to supply steam to the engines
I'm not sure if it could be called "modern" but the on-site boiler is gas-fired and was relocated to Abbey Pumping Station from the public swimming baths at Leicester's Vestry Street pool. For the special event which took place in 2014, when all four beam engines were steamed simultaneously, a large lorry carrying a portable boiler was hired in to supplement the on-site boiler to provide enough steam to power all the engines.
Now we're beginning to see what one of these Victorian engine houses were really like when they were in actual use, hot, steamy, loud, oily and without all those modern guardrails, extremely dangerous. There might be fifty men working in that shop, twenty four hours a day. I wonder if they had electric lights or gas lights or even lamps? Were they beautiful? Yes! Were they awesome? Yes! Were they works of genius? Absolutely! Were they man eaters? You betcha!
What a pitty, those People talking inthe background, the hairs in my neck...
This was a public event which quite rightly attracted a lot of visitors. When I arrived with my camera I thought I'd only get a few distant sequences but the curator of the museum kindly let me film from the non-public areas (as a member of the museum friends association). It was a privilege to record that special day which, sadly, has not been repeated.