Boulton and Watt Steam Engine
This is an 1820 Boulton and Watt engine that was built at the Soho Foundry, Birmingham, after the death of James Watt. It was moved to Kew Bridge in 1840, where it became part of the Grand Junction Waterworks Company's Chelsea works. It was converted in 1848 to work on a Cornish cycle, using higher pressure steam than originally.
Today, the Boulton and Watt engine is the oldest in London's Museum of Water and Steam, which is in Green Dragon Lane, Brentford, just north-west of Kew Bridge. It is believed to be the oldest working waterworks beam engine in the world.
The engine had ceased working in 1943 before being restored to working order in 1975. The sump has proven popular with wildlife, with fish and crabs making their homes there!
The cylinder diameter is 1.62m and it has a stroke of 2.4m. The beam weighs 15.1 tonnes and it produces a water output per stroke of 590 litres, and at 6-6½ strokes per minute its daily output is eight million litres.
Boulton and Watt Steam Engine
This is an 1820 Boulton and Watt engine that was built at the Soho Foundry, Birmingham, after the death of James Watt. It was moved to Kew Bridge in 1840, where it became part of the Grand Junction Waterworks Company's Chelsea works. It was converted in 1848 to work on a Cornish cycle, using higher pressure steam than originally.
Today, the Boulton and Watt engine is the oldest in London's Museum of Water and Steam, which is in Green Dragon Lane, Brentford, just north-west of Kew Bridge. It is believed to be the oldest working waterworks beam engine in the world.
The engine had ceased working in 1943 before being restored to working order in 1975. The sump has proven popular with wildlife, with fish and crabs making their homes there!
The cylinder diameter is 1.62m and it has a stroke of 2.4m. The beam weighs 15.1 tonnes and it produces a water output per stroke of 590 litres, and at 6-6½ strokes per minute its daily output is eight million litres.