{"id":9641,"date":"2024-01-12T16:35:01","date_gmt":"2024-01-12T16:35:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/therailwaydog.co.uk\/?p=9641"},"modified":"2024-01-12T16:35:01","modified_gmt":"2024-01-12T16:35:01","slug":"yoshis-new-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/therailwaydog.co.uk\/?p=9641","title":{"rendered":"Yoshi’s New Year"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Yoshi visited The London Museum of Water & Steam to celebrate the New Year. In the background are the museum buildings and the impressive Victorian standpipe tower, which is not, as you might expect, a chimney but a brick winter coat for the two systems of vertical pipes – through which water was pumped before it entered the mains water supply – contained within to prevent freezing and is the museum’s most striking feature standing at 200 ft high. The Grade I brick tower, of Italianate design, was constructed in 1867 to replace an earlier open metal lattice structure – 01\/01\/2024<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

January 1st 2024 to January 11th 2024<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We kicked off 2024 with a visit to the “New Years Steam Up” being held at the London Museum of Water & Steam in Brentford. The Steam Up weekend of celebrations was the first opportunity in two years for people to marvel at the monstrous working steam engines that once provided water to the millions living and working in London.\u00a0 In July 2022, the Museum\u2019s 96 year old Lancashire Boiler failed an inspection when it was discovered one of the seventeen rivets which hold the crown valve mounting flange onto the main boiler shell had lost its heat inside the boiler\u2019s steam space. This meant that the boiler could no longer be used and the steam engines fell silent and still while extensive repairs were carried out. Now, just in time to celebrate the museum\u2019s 50th\u00a0anniversary the boiler is steaming once again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Situated on the site of the former Kew Bridge Pumping Station, close to Kew Bridge on the River Thames in West London, \u00a0the museum is centred on a collection of stationary water pumping steam engines dating from 1820 to 1910. It is the home of the world’s largest collection of working Cornish engines, including the largest working beam engine in the world; the Grand Junction 90 inch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Grand Junction 90 inch \u00a0has a cylinder diameter of 90 inches (hence its name!) and was used to pump water to London for 98 years. This machine is over 40 feet high and weighs about 250 tons. It was described by Charles Dickens as “a monster”. It was built by Sandys, Carne & Vivian of Hayle in 1846 as the first Cornish beam engine specifically designed for water supplies and was powerful enough to supply water to the upper floors of buildings, allowing direct supply to upstairs bathrooms 01\/01\/2024<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We arrived early after a good run in the car up from Dorset and luckily found parking on site in the small car park at the museum, although the site is only a 3 minute walk from Kew Bridge railway station if you chose to arrive by train. There were a number of families in evidence with young children during our visit and the museum is a great place to learn and have fun. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exhibiting a plethora of steam, diesel and electric powered pumps, the London Museum of Water & Steam tells the story of London’s water supply housed in historic Georgian buildings and they very kindly allowed access to Yoshi, but explained that our boy may not like some of the steam engines when they are working. We duly followed this advice and Yoshi waited with one of his hoomans\u00a0in the Pump and Grind Coffee Shop or explored the garden area while the machines were being operated. The coffee shop was very busy and served an excellent cuppa. It is run by \u201cOur Barn Community\u201d, \u00a0a local charity working with young people with learning difficulties enabling a supported work placement.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We have shared just a small fraction of the engineering marvels housed at the museum below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Waddon Engine with drove 3 pumps was built by James Simpson & Co of Newarkin 1910 and originally found use at Waddon Pumping Station in Croydon. It was the last steam water-pumping engine in active UK service before being retired in June 1983. It was restored in 1990 and restored to original Edwardian colours for display at the museum – 01\/01\/2024<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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This waterwheel was built in 1902 by S. Hindley & Sons in Bourton, Dorset for the Duke of Somerset to serve his estate at Maiden Bradley in Wiltshire and was one of the last waterwheels ever built to pump water in the UK – 01\/01\/2024<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The Boulton & Watt (West engine) is the oldest engine in the London Museum of Water & Steam having been built in Birmingham in 1820.It was one of a pair moved to Kew in 1840 which were then converted into a Cornish type between 1846 and 1848. Retired in 1944, this was the first engine to be returned to working order in 1975 – 01\/01\/2024<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Kew Bridge Pumping Station was originally opened in 1838 by the Grand Junction Waterworks Company, expanding over the ensuing years and ultimately housing six steam pumping engines as well as four Allen diesel pumps and four electric pump sets. The steam engines were retired from service in 1944, although two were kept on standby until 1958. The Metropolitan Water Board thankfully decided not to scrap the resident steam pumping engines and set them aside to form the basis of a museum display at a later date which came to fruition in 1974 with the formation of the Kew Bridge Engines Trust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The original Number 1 horizontal AC motor driving centrifugal pump was built in 1944 by Hawthorn Davey & Co of Leeds. This type of electric pump replaced steam engines at pumping stations across the UK and this example is the oldest surviving pump of its kind. It was retired in the late 1980’s – 01\/01\/2024<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The museum also runs a 2 ft narrow gauge railway, which despite being advertised as running over the weekend, was unfortunately not operating during our visit. The museum has been a filming location for many television programmes, including the Doctor Who serial “Remembrance of the Daleks” broadcast in 1988.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After our visit to the\u00a0London Museum of Water & Steam, we had planned on taking a trip into central London by rail, but in the event decided against this and instead took a drive and a leisurely walk around nearby Richmond, including a visit to the railway station. Of course we did!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Art Deco fa\u00e7ade of Richmond railway station complete with its square clock centrepiece – 01\/01\/2024<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Art Deco station building in Richmond, designed by James Robb Scott (1882-1965) for the Southern Railway and constructed in Portland stone dates from 1937 and replaced an earlier station on the site. Scottish born Scott became the Chief Architect of the Southern Railway and is perhaps best known for his redesign of London Waterloo between 1910 and 1923 where he was chiefly responsible for the offices, main entrance and war memorial to the fallen employees of the railway known as the Victory Arch. Scott also designed Wimbledon and Surbiton railway stations – now part of the South Western Railway (SWR) network – the latter having recently celebrated 40 years since being bestowed Grade II listed status.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SWR, Network Rail (NR) and the Railway Heritage Trust are jointly funding a \u00a3325,000 programme of improvements with hopes of more refurbishment to come in the future, subject to additional funding being made available. Initial work includes cleaning the Portland stone fa\u00e7ade, repairing the timber entrance doors and polishing its bronze embellishments, repairing flagpoles and refurbishing customer toilets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The restored entrance doors to Richmond railway station which Yoshi unceremoniously christened on our visit…. 01\/01\/2024<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The style of the building at Richmond is suggested as being inspired by the work of Charles Holden (1875-1960), the architect behind London Underground stations including South Wimbledon on the Northern line. Holden’s designs included multi-frame glazing, enamelled signage panels, the use of an iconic typeface for signage and brick and tile detailing. Similar features at Richmond have been lost or covered up over time, including during the station\u2019s last major refurbishment in 1985. SWR, NR and the Railway Heritage Trust have worked with Benedict O\u2019Looney Architects on designs that include restoring or replicating those features, and others, in future improvements. Paying close attention to detail, the station\u2019s original, hand-drawn plans are being used together with promotional photographs from when the station first opened its doors to customers. Samples of the station\u2019s original paint are also being analysed by the University of Lincoln, specialists in the conservation and restoration of the interior and exterior features of listed and historic buildings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The area in front of Richmond station main entrance was pedestrianised in 2013 and includes a war memorial to soldier Bernard Freyberg, who was born in Richmond.\u00a0 As well as Sir trains, the station is served by the London Overground North London Line and Underground District Line trains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Star of the show, Adams 4-4-0 T3 No. 563 working the 1200 Swanage to Norden service approaches Corfe Common – 06\/01\/2024<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Swanage Railway\u2019s first event of 2024 was their annual \u201cWinter Warm Up\u201d weekend held on January 6th & 7th. With cold, but clear weather forecast, I decided on heading down to Swanage on the Saturday after taking a chance on a picturesque sunrise at Durdle Door on the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Resident Class 33 No. 33111 crosses Corfe Viaduct hauling the 1245 Swanage to Norden train – 06\/01\/2023<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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SR West Country 4-6-2 No. 34028 \u2018Eddystone\u2019 takes her turn on the demonstration freight working the 1132 Norden to Swanage nearing Afflington. Later during the weekend, brake van rides were offered – 06\/01\/2024<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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This time working a passenger train, SR West Country 4-6-2 No. 34028 \u2018Eddystone\u2019 has departed Norden with the 1415 service to Swanage – 06\/01\/2024<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Class 33 No.D6515 \u2018Lt Jenny Lewis RN\u2019 takes her turn on the freight wagons working 1302 Norden to Swanage – 06\/01\/2024<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Class 33 No.D6515 \u2018Lt Jenny Lewis RN\u2019 departs Harman’s Cross with the 1030 Norden to Swanage – 06\/01\/2024<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In action this year was the recently restored Adams 4-4-0 T3 No. 563 hauling its first freight train since its return to service, SR West Country 4-6-2 No. 34028 \u2018Eddystone\u2019 and the resident Class 33 diesel locomotives no.\u2019s 33111 and D6515 \u2018Lt Jenny Lewis RN\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Adams 4-4-0 T3 No. 563 powers away from Corfe Castle at the head of the 1357 Swanage to Norden demonstration freight – 06\/01\/2024<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Swanage Railway Trust 563 Locomotive Group have been nominated for the “Steam Railway Magazine Award”. This award is decided by the public and will be announced at Heritage Railway Association’s annual ceremony on February 10th<\/sup>\u00a02024 and you can now cast your vote online until the 18th January 2024:\u00a0www.steamrailway.co.uk\/read\/hra-awards<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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