Crossness Pumping Station 09.10.16

The Crossness Pumping Station was built by Sir Joseph Bazalgette as part of Victorian London's urgently needed main sewerage system. It was officially opened by the Prince of Wales in April 1865.
The Beam Engine House is a Grade 1 Listed Industrial Building constructed in the Romanesque style and features some of the most spectacular ornamental Victorian cast ironwork to be found today. It also contains the four original pumping engines (although the cylinders were upgraded in 1901), which are possibly the largest remaining rotative beam engines in the world, with 52 ton flywheels and 47 ton beams. Although modern diesel engines were subsequently introduced, the old beam engines remained in service until work on a new sewerage treatment plant commenced in 1956. Following abandonment in the mid 1950's, the engine house and engines were systematically vandalised and left to decay, which greatly impeded the Trust's restoration/conservation programme.

[@mutoromanof8487]

one of the best places to visit in London. especially during the cold November December period. It's gloomy, dark and I love it.

[@heru-deshet359]

I need to put this on my bucket list.

[@gizmothewytchdoktor1049]

they look so calming at slow speeds.....massive and slow. i wonder what it all feels like when all ate at wot. does the building shudder with the changing harmonics?....that sort of thing. just how intimidating would it be?

[@ekkiseisenwerk260]

The builing will shudder. Unforgettable experience watching large steam engines under full load, pumping station at a canal near Cornwall or coal mine lifting 80 to in regular works 😅😊

[@krystiansieminski363]

Well these works of wonders on a giga scale are much different than micro cheep ? its like we humans made a switch and went from giga in to micro,. This place looks like from another world.