went to see a steam powered pumping engine in thamesmead, south london.
let me run this by you:
52 ton flywheel
47 ton beam
10 1/2 rpm
total weight of all moving parts= 160 ton.
there are FOUR of these engines in an amazing building, although only one is restored and working.
even the stairs are a piece of art, all made of iron in the 1850's. the flywheel is almost 30 foot in diameter, and the whole engine and alot of the building has been restored and painted in the original colours
look at
www.crossness.org.uk to get an idea of how fantastic this place is, and to find out the next steaming day.
Anyone with an interst in engineering, history, or architecture should go. Best £5 i've spent this year.
350bullet
