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South Solihull

Claymills Victorian Pumping Station

Claymills is a restored water pumping station with four enormous beam engines from 1885, fired by coal, which we saw, heard and smelt in all their glory on one of their annual ‘Steam Days’.

We began with a short talk in the visitor centre, after which we were free to roam the site, where eager volunteers were on hand to explain what was happening at each location.

Façade of Victorian building. 2 flags are flying at the entrance. Steam rises from a low building.
Entrance to Claymilla.
Horizontal steam engine mounted atop a horizontal boiler.
The 'EX' portable engine. Once used on a farm, was adapted to drive a line-shaft.
Cylinder of steam engine in foreground, with wooden slatted cladding. Crank and flywheel in the background.
The largest horizontal engine and one of the few with a condenser.
Small green vertical petrol engine with belt drive to generator. Various electric lamps are illuminated
'The Lister' petrol engine and generator by R. A. Lister & Co. Ltd., Dursley, England
Blacksmith hammers red-hot metal on an anvil as he re-shapes the end of a pair of tongues
Repairing tools in the forge.
large steam-powered winch mounted on a substantial cart.
A winch used with a portable steam supply. Use mostly for scraping lime-scale out of pipes.
Walkway surrounding huge wrought-iron beam of vertical stem engine.
Massive wrought iron beam of 'D' engine.
Very large traction engine. Rear wheels taller than the man standing by it.
Traction engine by John Fowler & Co., Leeds.