Over the festive period I made a visit to Claymills Victorian Pumping Station, excitedly the Pumping Station was in steam. (Check the website for forthcoming steam days)
In 1885 the pumping station was completed and pumped sewage from Burton-upon-Trent to farmland 3 miles away. The site closed in 1971 & restoration work began in 1993.
Fabulous blacksmith onsite, Hayley Powell from Forever Forged
Fantastic Victorian workshops with a great collection of tools, pincers & spanners
There are four large beam engines by Gimson of Leicester, 1885, these are in pumping house C-D.
The heat smell and steam was overwhelming but nice.
Gimson & Co builder’s plaque on the cylinder casing of ‘C’ engine. 
Climbing the stairs to gain access to the top floor was quite a challenge with a camera bag as they are quite narrow.
It was worth it though, watching the beams go up and down was mesmerizing
Beautiful light switches and giant cogs
Boiler House shoveling coal to provide power to the engines
Deep in the basement is a bathroom with small bath that workers and families used on a rota basis.
I can imagine how much of a luxury a hot bath with running water must have been, instead of a tin bath in front of the fire.
A fabulous museum and well worth visiting, especially on the days when it’s in steam.
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