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aerial photograph of the Crofton Beam Engines, aka Crofton Pumping Station in Crofton Wiltshire England UK. The Grade I listed pumping station was built in 1810 to pump water from underground springs up to the channel seen in the photograph from where it is used to supply water to the the Kennet and Avon Canal. The Pumping station was originally built with a second hand steam engine which was replaced with a new Boulton & Watt Beam engine in 1812. This 200 year old Beam Engine is still operational today making it the worlds oldest Beam Engine still working in its original location. The older original engine was replaced in 1846 by a new Harvey and Co which is also still operational. Today water pumping operations are usually carried out with automatic electric pumps, however the beam engines are preserved fully operational as a museum and are run on special occasions.
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