Massive steam engine sewage pumping system in London.
Dave


http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=75f_1282431317


The Crossness Pumping Station was built by Sir Joseph Bazalgette as
part of Victorian London's urgently needed main sewerage system.

It features some of the best ornamental Victorian cast ironwork to be
found today. It also contains the four original pumping engines
(although the cylinders were upgraded in 1901), which are possibly the
largest remaining rotative beam engines in the world, with 52 ton
flywheels and 47 ton beams. Although modern diesel engines were
subsequently introduced, the old beam engines remained in service
until work on a new sewerage treatment plant commenced in 1956.

This last engine has been restored and is brought into use when
needed. It lifts 6 tons of sewerage at every stroke 30 to 40 feet or
so up from a low level sewer.

The small Barring Steam Engine shown at the beginning is for setting
the massive 27 foot 52 ton flywheel and connecting Beam so that they
are in the correct starting position.