Built in 1868 to supply water to the Sunderland area , ryehope pumping station closed in 1967 just short of its 100th birthday. The beam engines are still kept in use by volunteers and occasionally steamed for visitor days. We had a word with the owner ( a very nice man ) and he allowed us complete access to the site on a quiet day ( just us in ) took a few hours to do and is deceptively large , it has a great feel to it - being used gives it that grimey oily look and smell !
anyway the pics ...
The building is typically impressive victorian architecture , and far outclasses its little sister the Cherry Knowles Lunatic Asylum which still stands next door ! in a poor state
the intricate details inside is fantastic
and the size of some of the main machinery weighing in at 20 tonnes and pumping a million gallons of water a day !
an amazing place run by a great bunch of people , feel free to get in touch and get yourself down there , and dont forget to stick a few quid in the jar , its volunteers like these keep these great monuments alive for us to enjoy..
emotive69
anyway the pics ...
The building is typically impressive victorian architecture , and far outclasses its little sister the Cherry Knowles Lunatic Asylum which still stands next door ! in a poor state
the intricate details inside is fantastic
and the size of some of the main machinery weighing in at 20 tonnes and pumping a million gallons of water a day !
an amazing place run by a great bunch of people , feel free to get in touch and get yourself down there , and dont forget to stick a few quid in the jar , its volunteers like these keep these great monuments alive for us to enjoy..
emotive69