The Crofton Story - Tapa blanda

Detailed case studies, either of sites or objects, are the bedrock of archaeological research. This is a fine example of that approach which covers both. -- British Archaeology British Archaeology

Crofton Pumping Station near Great Bedwyn on the Kennet and Avon Canal is an important piece of the industrial archaeology of the canal age. It houses the oldest working steam engine in the world still in its original engine house and still doing its original job of pumping water into the summit level of the canal. Pumping started in 1809 and continued until 1959, when following deterioration of the top of the chimney the engines were retired. The engines and boilers remained in place and have now been restored to full working order by an enthusiastic band of volunteers. Quoting extensively from original records this book charts the history of the building of the pumping station, its Boulton& Watt engines, the engineers and enginemen who kept them working for 150 years and the painstaking work needed to restore them to working order.