Geograph - photograph every grid square

London Hydraulic Power Company, Wapping Pumping Station - machinery

From 1892 this room contained six 200 horsepower inverted vertical triple expansion steam pumping engine pumping water at 750 psi to provide hydraulic power for the company's complex distribution system and myriad users. After WWII these were replaced with five motor driven hydraulic pumps. On this side the nearest machine is a constant speed base-load device with an AC drive and three throw geared pumps. Beyond are two variable speed pumps fitted with DC motors controlled by the Ward-Leonard system. These date from the days when variable speed control of AC motors was problematic. The tall green box in the back corner contains the small accumulator that replaced the two big ones in the tower. This is an awesome site and despite its conversion to a cafe, it has maintained much interest and ambience. I would recommend a visit.