Big Poop Pumps

[Davejl]

The four massive preserved Gimson steam beam engines at the late Victorian Abbey Pumping Station, Leicester (formerly a sewage pumping station, now a museum) are an impressive sight, but difficult to photograph under normal access conditions. All four are occasionally in steam at the same time. The flywheels are 21 feet in diameter.

[xpatUSA]

Excellent!

Used to live in nearby Lincoln 30+ years ago and never knew it was there

[Shadowman]

Nicely captured.

[Davejl]

Excellent!

Used to live in nearby Lincoln 30+ years ago and never knew it was there

Thanks Ted,

It is a bit better known now because it stands next to the National Space Centre (actually built on some of the pumping station's old tanks). Younger visitors apparently often prefer the free museum which they stumble across (where you can flush plastic poo and watch its journey down a see-through system) to the hi-tech space centre their family had brought them to see. The steam engines are amazing in action, stately and almost whisper-quiet.

There are some videos on youtube showing the engines in action, including one with all four running at once.

Must get to Lincoln again soon, one of my favourite places and my favourite English cathedral.

Dave

[Davejl]

Nicely captured.

Thanks John

[rpcrowe]

Wonderful capture and conversion...

[Davejl]

Wonderful capture and conversion...

Thank you Richard,

Dave

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Dave,

Ah, yes, I visited that place a few years back, unexpectedly almost more fascinating than the space museum
(I think I did both)
I don't recall them running the day I went.

I see you had the "can't fit it all in" problem, but that's still a good composition.

Cheers, Dave

[flashback]

Given the size of these things I think you're image was the best way to go, great shot! And gotta tell ya, it was your title that made me look...I mean, it had poop in, who wouldn't look to see.

[Davejl]

Hi Dave,

Ah, yes, I visited that place a few years back, unexpectedly almost more fascinating than the space museum
(I think I did both)
I don't recall them running the day I went.

I see you had the "can't fit it all in" problem, but that's still a good composition.

Cheers, Dave

Thanks Dave,

The steam days are unfortunately just a few times a year due chiefly to cost. Quite recently the fourth engine was restored and all four run together for some of the time. It is just a shame that due to health and safety restrictions access is normally pretty restrictive, cutting down on viewing angles. On a steam day it is much better. There is a short video of the four running here (but this is the mobile youtube site, so may not work on a PC):

https://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=-u4p2vvm1zM

Cheers,

Dave

[Davejl]

Given the size of these things I think you're image was the best way to go, great shot! And gotta tell ya, it was your title that made me look...I mean, it had poop in, who wouldn't look to see.

Thanks Jack,

I thought the title might get a few looks (and possibly offend a few individuals too!) and it is a pretty accurate description too.

Dave

[IzzieK]

Don't worry about the few individuals that might get offended by the title...when did minority vote ever win? Anyway, I like the neatness of this composition seeing I like standing next to an overpowering machine that might suck the wind out of me as I stood there looking at it...Good job!

[Dave A]

I give this image an A+, nicely done.

Dave

[Davejl]

I give this image an A+, nicely done.

Dave

Thanks Dave.

[Davejl]

Don't worry about the few individuals that might get offended by the title...when did minority vote ever win? Anyway, I like the neatness of this composition seeing I like standing next to an overpowering machine that might suck the wind out of me as I stood there looking at it...Good job!

Thanks Izzy