A Beam Engine

[Robin GrahamParticipant @robingraham42208]

Being a sunny Bank Holiday afternoon we took the hounds for a stroll along Cromford Canal. The Leawood Pumphouse was steaming and for an entrance price of nothing we took a look, It was nice that there were no silly restrictions – you can look at everything close up. It seemed to be a pretty cool machine for it's time (1850's) – 50 inch diameter piston, 9 foot stroke, but maybe I'm easily impressed!

When first I got a lathe I swore that I wouldn't succumb to my childhood fascination with steam engines, but my resolve may be weakening….

Edited By Robin Graham on 29/08/2016 23:53:21

[Robin GrahamParticipant @robingraham42208]

[OldMetallerParticipant @oldmetaller]

Hi Robin, we also visited Lea Wood Pumping Station over the weekend- when travelling on the A6, I always look through the trees for the tell-tale black smoke from the lovely stone chimney, that tells me the engine is in steam.

You are right, it is truly amazing just how 'open' this attraction is- no 'keep off' signs, no intrusive supervision; very refreshing in this day and age.

I only took the one photo but it is a nice one- I got my girlfriend to pose with the engine house in the background and coincidentally, some coal was thrown into the firebox just as I took the photo!

Regards,

John.

[Author]

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