MOTAT honoured with international award for Pumphouse restoration

Later this month, The Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) will honour MOTAT with an award for its work to restore The Pumphouse’s Beam Engine to its former glory.

“The IMechE Engineering Heritage Award is our way of formerly recognising the dedication and ingenuity shown by MOTAT to restore the double beam engine,” said President of IMechE, Mark Hunt. “It is wonderful to see modern engineering expertise being applied to such a historically significant piece of infrastructure.”

William Herrington, an engineer trained in United Kingdom, designed the double beam engine in 1874 as a way of solving Auckland’s water supply problems. The Pumphouse operated for almost 50 years until it was decommissioned.

“This award highlights both the passion and world-class talent of our volunteers and staff.”said MOTAT CEO, Michael Frawley. “The Pumphouse is an iconic part of MOTAT and Auckland’s history.”

The award coincides with appointment of the new Pumphouse Operator, John Broadwell. John is qualified Fireman with Glenbrook Vintage Railway, a member of Railway Enthusiasts Society and Auckland Steam Engine Society.

Once all the necessary operating certifications are complete, John will be operating the Pumphouse and Beam Engine on a regular basis to provide on-going demonstration of this example of early engineering and steam technology.

The award ceremony will take place at MOTAT on Thursday, 29 January.

ENDS

History of the Pumphouse

• Prior to 1877, the citizens of Auckland had very inadequate water supplies and suffered huge losses from major fires in the city.

• In 1874 William Errington (1832 - 1894), an engineer trained in United Kingdom, was commissioned by Auckland City Council to design the Western Springs Pumping Station with associated pipelines and reservoirs. Coal fired boilers operated a steam engine driving a 16.3

tonne, 6.25m diameter flywheel and 7.3m beam operated twin pumps raising up to 13,600m3 water per day, 71.6 m to the Ponsonby Reservoir.

• This system brought huge health benefits to the city when first commissioned in March 1877. The pumps served Auckland until 1910 when adequate water from the Waitakere Ranges became available.

• From 1920, when the springs showed significant signs of pollution, they were used in emergency only and heavily chlorinated.

• By 1936 it was recommended the machinery be scrapped and the original boilers were removed in the following year.

• The beam engine, housed in its attractive mid-Victorian brick pumphouse, is now the centre piece of Auckland’s Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).

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