The Bratch Pumping Station, Bratch Lane, Wombourne, South Staffordshire WV5 8DW
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.
This is the site of The Bratch Pumping Station, visited by Fred Dibnah for his last Television series

*	Next Steaming - Christmas 29 December 2007	*
The 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.
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.
The 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.
	Site last Updated 28 June 2007

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