IEEC2.2 22 Preserving Crofton’s Future

Preserving Crofton’s Future

Jon Willis

An off-print from

Transactions of the 2nd International Early Engines Conference - Volume 2 pp239-248

Summary

Crofton Pumping station houses two of the oldest working beam engines in the world; our 1812 Boulton and Watt and our 1846 Harvey. While the engines have been well looked after by our volunteers for more than 50 years, we may not have given enough attention to the buildings. The paper describes the wide range of building work and the improved facilities implemented, supported by a Heritage Lottery Grant. Also, the costly work to maintain our Lancashire boiler and the issues facing us and similar attractions with the future supply of coal. It then describes the innovative Mechatronics programme we are implementing to understand if we are damaging the engines by continuing to operate them at full load.