Markfield Beam Engine

The Markfield Beam Engine is a 100 horse-power Beam Pumping Engine, built in 1886 to transfer 4 million gallons per day of sewage into the London system for treatment at the Beckton outfall works. Now almost restored to working order, the engine can be seen operating on the 2nd Sunday of Every Month.

The Engine

It is a free-standing engine of the compound rotative type and is believed to be the last engine produced by Wood Bros of Sowerby Bridge, Yorkshire. It is the only surviving eight column engine in situ. The engine has two cylinders arranged to be double acting and compound.

It was built between 1886 and 1888. It was commissioned on the 12th July 1888. It saw continuous duty from that time until 1905, when it was relegated to standby duty for storm water pumping.

Restoration

Since the engine was mothballed in the 1950's and the surrounding site was leveled, the area has seen significant decay and vandalism. It has been estimated that a complete restoration of the engine will cost an additional £25000.

The Surrounding Area

By the late 1950's it was decided that the site was too small to have a digested sludge system, and all incoming sewage could be directed through a new low level sewer to the rebuilt Deepham Sewage Treatment Works at Edmonton. Thus pumping of sewage would no longer be required at the Markfield Works.

The works were closed, the site leveled apart from the engine house buildings and the settling tanks and filter beds. The engine house was made secure and the Beam Engine mothballed.

The former sludge tanks were turned into a garden space, however due to poor security, the entire area has been extensively vandalised.

External link

• The official web-pages of the Markfield Beam Engine and Museum