Victorian pumping stations are colourful cathedrals of utility. Their imposing and striking exteriors enclose a highly decorative cast-iron frame, built to encage mighty steam engines. They are glorious buildings which display the Victorians' architectural confidence and engineering skills. More than that, they represent a key part of the story of urban development and how our towns and cities were shaped in this period of ground-breaking invention and civic pride. In this illustrated guide, Trevor Yorke tells the story of Victorian pumping stations and explains why they were built in such a flamboyant manner. He describes their architectural features and shows how their mighty steam engines worked. This book also includes examples of their glorious interior decoration from pumping stations across the country and a list of those which are open to visitors.
