London Hydraulic Power Company, plan of mains, c1950
Hands up those who recall the old London Hydraulic Power Company (and their associated outfit in Liverpool)? I have memories as during the 1960s my first visits to London as a child were to stay with family friends who worked for this company. Founded in 1883 their system of high pressure water mains provided power for machinery such as lifts and presses in the day just before the widespread development of electricity and electric motors. Several early tube lines, such as the City & South London Railway of 1890 had hydraulic powered lifts no less. Other than London & Liverpool, I'm only aware of Manchester having a similar network and that was municipally owned.
The Company had various pumping plants at different times, the ones shown here being Grosvenor Rd, Falcon Wharf at Bankside, Rotherhithe, Wapping and City Rd canal basin. The business slowed gradually during the 20th Century although they survived until 1977 when, upon closure, ownership was quite sought after. The empty mains, and the company's legal powers as a 'statutory undertaking' thus relieving them of certain planning requirements and allowing them to dig roads and pavements up, making them a bit of a prize. The old Mercury Communications got them and the assets, although Mercury didn't last as long as the old LHP! Oddly London Transport's old tram/trolleybus cable network, never lifted, is also now used for similar purposes.
London Hydraulic Power Company, plan of mains, c1950
Hands up those who recall the old London Hydraulic Power Company (and their associated outfit in Liverpool)? I have memories as during the 1960s my first visits to London as a child were to stay with family friends who worked for this company. Founded in 1883 their system of high pressure water mains provided power for machinery such as lifts and presses in the day just before the widespread development of electricity and electric motors. Several early tube lines, such as the City & South London Railway of 1890 had hydraulic powered lifts no less. Other than London & Liverpool, I'm only aware of Manchester having a similar network and that was municipally owned.
The Company had various pumping plants at different times, the ones shown here being Grosvenor Rd, Falcon Wharf at Bankside, Rotherhithe, Wapping and City Rd canal basin. The business slowed gradually during the 20th Century although they survived until 1977 when, upon closure, ownership was quite sought after. The empty mains, and the company's legal powers as a 'statutory undertaking' thus relieving them of certain planning requirements and allowing them to dig roads and pavements up, making them a bit of a prize. The old Mercury Communications got them and the assets, although Mercury didn't last as long as the old LHP! Oddly London Transport's old tram/trolleybus cable network, never lifted, is also now used for similar purposes.