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Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Papplewick Pumping Station

Papplewick Pumping Station

Papplewick Pumping Station contains two James Watt & Co beam engines constructed in the 1880s to pump water up around 200ft from subterranean sandstone, providing Nottingham with drinking water.

In the foreground on either side are wood-clad cylinders, which convert steam energy into motion. Up above (not visible), horizontal beams use the up/down motion to drive flywheels and hence the water pumps. In the background, towards the right, one of the flywheels can be seen, as well as the two spheres of the speed governor for that engine.

The architecture is elaborate for a building that houses functional engineering: gothic revival with egyptian motifs. This photo shows the ornately-decorated columns and stained glass windows.

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