Kew Bridge Steam Museum -- Grand Junction 90 inch Cornish Beam Engine
Ғылым және технология
The Grand Junction 90 inch Cornish beam engine was built in 1846 in Cornwall. For nearly one hundred years until 1943 it was in operation at Kew pumping water for London. In 1976 it was restored and returned to steam. It continues to be run at Kew on selected steam days throughout the year.
Cylinder diameter 90", the beam weighs 32 tons, each stroke lifts 472 gallons of water -- 6.4 million gallons each 24 hours. A Lancashire boiler built in 1927 provides steam at 40psi.
The term "Cornish" refers to the operating cycle of these engines. Some were made in Cornwall and many were used to pump out the constant ingress of water that affected Cornish mines. The main characteristic of a Cornish engine is that pumping is done by a falling weight which is lifted by the engine. This weight is positioned above the pump, which is linked to a beam, with the piston attached to the opposite end of this beam. The weight is lifted by a combination of steam pressure above, and vacuum below, the piston. During the pumping stroke, as the weight falls, the piston returns to the top of the cylinder because an equilibrium valve opens to allow steam to pass from above to below the piston. The speed of movement varies during the cycle, making a Cornish engine both exciting to watch and to drive.
Kew Bridge Steam Museum has the largest collection of Cornish engines in the world, including this, the world's largest 90 inch working single cylinder beam engine
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I took my daughter here in 1988 when she was 9. It was such a profound experience that it changed her life. She is now a mechanic engineer with a Masters and is on a team that designs jet engines for GE.
@julianporter5
2 ай бұрын
My dad took me when I was about 7 almost 50 years ago when it must have just been opened to the public. I worked as an engineer too!
Went here today with my son and marveled at the scale of this monster from a few feet away. It rises up through the ceiling to a total of three stories, and you can climb iron staircases to see the sides and top. I think that this video was taken from halfway up. It really is very high. From 2:40 you see the top of the giant piston column, and at 3:12 you see it looking up from below. Unfortunately it was not in operation while I was there, so thank you for sharing this video. They only run the steam machines on weekends, bank holidays and school holidays. There's an actual scale steam train you can ride around the building. I'll definitely come back when it's running. Lots of good activities for kids. My 3yo enjoyed himself, and there were school groups who looked like they were having fun. Another mechanical display from the Victorian era are the Engine Rooms at Tower Bridge. Inside you see the impressive machine that once lifted the bridge. Nowadays it's an electric hydraulic system which you don't get to see. But the old system had large pumps on the south bank that pushed high pressure water to the central pillar to lift them. So the drive system is in its original location, and impressive to behold. I've lived in London for 20 years and saw them for the first time last week. Glad I did.
Whoa! Amazing machine! And great photography. Outstanding 👍.
Amazing technology for 1846. Thank you for the video and the information..... Doug...=)
Was für eine Maschiene!
What a monster! Very interesting.
A good video. Gives a real sense of the wonderful powerful quiet motion of the monster. On my bucket list for next visit to UK, (if Aussies become welcome again.)
@blackthorne57
5 жыл бұрын
Please come to the UK again. Aussies are always welcome here. Brexit is our battle with the EU not Australia.
@johnv341
5 жыл бұрын
@@blackthorne57 I know. Just stirring.
This thing would perform nine lifts per minute?
what time do you opening is the beam engine running ?
@blackthorne57
7 жыл бұрын
Hi Sandra, Your best bet will be to look up 'Kew Steam Museum' on the internet for the most up-to-date days and times when the engines are in steam.
@caroleast9636
Жыл бұрын
This engine can’t be run frequently because of the expense of providing enough steam. If you’re going to be travelling a long way to see it in action then it’s best to check with the museum website first. 6:47