Markfield Beam Engine and House, Haringey, London

Beam engine view
Beam engine
Museum
Victorian industrial building (1886) next to the River Lee, with the original Wood Bros beam pumping engine in situ and in working order.
The site was a sewage pumping and treatment station, but no longer has this function. Asides from the museum there are a cafe and other civic amenities. The buildings for the engine house, boiler house and other pumps (scrapped) still remain. The original boiler house and 2nd engine house have been converted to other uses.
The 100hp beam engine still stands in its original engine house, and was restored to working order in 2009. Steam is provided by two oil-burning boilers in a new single storey boiler room.
The ornamented design is typical of its period.
There are also some display panels about the history of the site.
Because of the cost of fuel, the engine is in steam only about once a month.
I was fortunate enough to see the engine running. It seems to be awkward to start up. 🙂 I purchased the operating instructions compiled by one of the volunteers – they run to 38 pages.
The site is worth a visit if you are interested in industrial heritage. It is at the end of Markfield Road: pass under the two railway arches and along the cobbled roadway to the left. Apparently it is OK to drive all the way down and park in the marked area next to the engine house.
Beam engine view
Beam engine view

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *