Industrial History Online
Prickwillow Engine Museum
Key Words :- pumping station
Address :- Main Street, Prickwillow, Cambridgeshire, CB7 4UN
Grid Ref :- TL 59772 82424
Co-ordinates :- Lat 52.416478 , Long 0.347858
Local Authority :- East Cambridgeshire District Council
Pre 1974 County :- Cambridgeshire - Isle of Ely
Site Status :- Listed - Grade II
Historic England List No :- 1262255,
Site Dates :- 1831 -
Description and History of Site :-
Fenland pumping station, first powered in 1831 by a side-lever Butterley steam engine driving a scoop wheel - the soil was considered too soft to support a beam-engine. This was replaced in 1880 by a beam engine driving an early form of churn pump. By 1897 a double acting compound marine engine driving a centrifugal pump took over the main duties.
The Mirrlees diesel engine, which is now on display in the museum and in working order, took over from the steam engines in December 1924. This engine ran until the 1970s, when it was replaced with automatic electric pumps.
Collection includes six large diesel pumping engines, all British-built and of early to mid 20th century design, rescued from Fenland pumping stations. The Mirrlees engine is believed to be the only blast-injection engine remaining in working order.
Further Reading and References :-
Alderton, David and Booker, John. 'The Batsford Guide to the Industrial Archaeology of East Anglia'. Batsford, 1980
Balchin, Nigel and Filby, Peter. 'A Guide to the Industrial Archaeology of Cambridgeshire & Peterborough'. 2001
https://www.prickwillowmuseum.com/
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Grid Ref :- TL 59772 82424
Co-ordinates :- Lat 52.416478 , Long 0.347858
Local Authority :- East Cambridgeshire District Council
Pre 1974 County :- Cambridgeshire - Isle of Ely
Site Status :- Listed - Grade II
Historic England List No :- 1262255,
Site Dates :- 1831 -
Fenland pumping station, first powered in 1831 by a side-lever Butterley steam engine driving a scoop wheel - the soil was considered too soft to support a beam-engine. This was replaced in 1880 by a beam engine driving an early form of churn pump. By 1897 a double acting compound marine engine driving a centrifugal pump took over the main duties.
The Mirrlees diesel engine, which is now on display in the museum and in working order, took over from the steam engines in December 1924. This engine ran until the 1970s, when it was replaced with automatic electric pumps.
Collection includes six large diesel pumping engines, all British-built and of early to mid 20th century design, rescued from Fenland pumping stations. The Mirrlees engine is believed to be the only blast-injection engine remaining in working order.
Alderton, David and Booker, John. 'The Batsford Guide to the Industrial Archaeology of East Anglia'. Batsford, 1980
Balchin, Nigel and Filby, Peter. 'A Guide to the Industrial Archaeology of Cambridgeshire & Peterborough'. 2001
https://www.prickwillowmuseum.com/
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Contributor :- Cambridge IAG - 9 August 2022
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Copyright :- cc-by-nc-sa 4.0 © Cambridge IAG