Laddus Fen Pumping Station
A small one from a few months back. I think it’s report worthy. Others may not, feel free to voice your opinions below.
This was a fair ol’ walk (like many of the others) and was one of two pumping stations on this path that we looked at, the other being called March Fen, sadly it was sealed. March Fen was around 3 times the size of this, so it holds some lovely bits and pieces no doubt. But I guess we will never know.
Laddus Fen is featured in KSG Hindes wonderful Fenland Pumping Engines book which Dan purchased. The book states “this fen lies between Waldersea IDB (internal drainage board) and the old course of the River Nene. The Coldham Estate owns this fen. It was sold to them by the Cooperative Wholesale Society in 1916”
According to the book, there was a wind pump on site, called Coldham White Mill, which stood on the north bank of the Old River Nene. It was removed in 1860 and in 1877, a 12hp Armitage & Ruston steam engine was installed. This engine was replaced in the mid 1930s. By the 1950s, a four-cylinder Ruston vertical engine had been installed. This has now sadly been removed. It was still in place in 2002 as shown in the photographs for the book. (Thanks to Dan for sending over the photos too!)
A Mather & Platt electric motor now sits in its place. The motor runs at 730rpm and produces 50hp, and around 34kw. The station is still active. There is an electric control board on the wall, still illuminated and with a counter. It just happened to be unlocked so we had a look.
Manufacturers plate on the new electric motor
Lovely old crane hanging from the roof
The pumping station in 2002
A small one from a few months back. I think it’s report worthy. Others may not, feel free to voice your opinions below.
This was a fair ol’ walk (like many of the others) and was one of two pumping stations on this path that we looked at, the other being called March Fen, sadly it was sealed. March Fen was around 3 times the size of this, so it holds some lovely bits and pieces no doubt. But I guess we will never know.
Laddus Fen is featured in KSG Hindes wonderful Fenland Pumping Engines book which Dan purchased. The book states “this fen lies between Waldersea IDB (internal drainage board) and the old course of the River Nene. The Coldham Estate owns this fen. It was sold to them by the Cooperative Wholesale Society in 1916”
According to the book, there was a wind pump on site, called Coldham White Mill, which stood on the north bank of the Old River Nene. It was removed in 1860 and in 1877, a 12hp Armitage & Ruston steam engine was installed. This engine was replaced in the mid 1930s. By the 1950s, a four-cylinder Ruston vertical engine had been installed. This has now sadly been removed. It was still in place in 2002 as shown in the photographs for the book. (Thanks to Dan for sending over the photos too!)
A Mather & Platt electric motor now sits in its place. The motor runs at 730rpm and produces 50hp, and around 34kw. The station is still active. There is an electric control board on the wall, still illuminated and with a counter. It just happened to be unlocked so we had a look.
Manufacturers plate on the new electric motor
Lovely old crane hanging from the roof
The pumping station in 2002
