Steam engines revolutionised industry but, initially, they weren’t very efficient. The introduction of the triple expansion engine brought a massive increase in efficiency and boosted what could be done with steam power. The Twyford Waterworks used to use a steam engine to drive the pumps that pull water from underground. That process now uses electrical pumps, but the engine has been preserved.
They fire it up for visitor days but, because it isn’t actually doing much work, it doesn’t need to generate much power. Even so, with the boiler providing the steam, the mechanisms can be fully exercised. Because it isn’t in constant use, the mechanics supervising it have to put a lot more effort into ensuring that it is properly lubricated. The oils would stay well spread and up to temperature if it was on constant use, but sporadic usage means it needs to be nursed more.
The heavy steelwork of the three cylinders is beautifully crafted, and the various pipes and gauges look like works of art. As the whole thing works through its cycles, you get a small appreciation of the engineering that came out of the late Victorian era.
