Cast Iron Cathedral

Another day, another sewage treatment plant.

I seem to have visited a number of sewage treatment plants and pumping stations in the last couple of years (eg this) but today I visited somewhere that I've been keen to visit for some time.

Crossness sewage pumping station was part of the London Main Drainage scheme planned for the Metropolitan Board of Works by their Chief Engineer, Joseph Bazalgette following the "Great Stink" of August 1858 when the smell of untreated human sewage and industrial waste in the River Thames forced parliament out of the Palace of Westminster.  This pumping station, opened in April 1865, occupies a magnificent building (Grade 1 listed) and features some wonderful cast iron structures which have been partly restored to their original painted glory - a supreme example of proud Victorian architecture and engineering.  The building contains 4 massive steam driven beam engines - the largest of their type in the world, originally designed by James Watt, but later converted by Benjamin Goodfellow from single cylinder to triple expansion engines.  One engine has been restored to working order and was in steam today.

With many visitors, it was impossible to get a wide view without people (although I hope I can combine multiple images to show as much of the building as possible with the minimum number of people).  Tonight I only have time to blip this shot which, hopefully, gives a hint of the glories of this building. 

Incidentally, thanks to the volunteers running the event for allowing me to take in my tripod - that was quite unexpected.