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Introduction
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The
Bratch Pumping Station,
Bratch Lane, Wombourne, South Staffordshire
WV5 8DW |
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Next
Steaming - Summer Gala
Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 June 2008 |
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This is the site of The Bratch Pumping
Station, whose Chief Engineer Len Crane
recently received the 2007 International
Green Apple Gold Award for the restoration
of the steam pumping engine "Victoria"
from Professor David Bellamy, MBE. |
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This
is the site of The Bratch Pumping Station,
visited by Fred Dibnah for his last Television
series |
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Next
Steaming - Summer Gala
Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 June 2008 |
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Grade 2* Bratch Pumping Station at Wombourne
is one of only 50 remaining steam pumping
stations in England. Built in 1895 by Bilston
Corporation, it comprises a wonderful Gothic
style “fairy castle” pumphouse,
within which are two huge vertical triple
expansion steam engines. These were used for
65 years to raise pure drinking water from
deep boreholes, and pump it to a purpose built
reservoir in Wolverhampton. |
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The steam engines were replaced by electric
pumps in 1960, and fell into disrepair, but
in 1991 Severn Trent Water commissioned a
major refurbishment of the building and of
one of the engines, Victoria. The restoration
to full working order was undertaken over
a period of 5 years by the well-known Wolverhampton
steam engineer Len Crane, together with a
small team of enthusiasts. |
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engines are steamed for open days and galas
two or three times a year by Len with the
assistance of the Friends of The Bratch. |
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Site
last Updated 10 March 2008 |
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