Restoration of the Steam Centre

Although part of the original 19th century building remains, most importantly the chimney stack, this building was largely rebuilt c. 1905 when new steam engines and boilers were commissioned for the Waterworks. These engines and boilers still remain in the buildings today.

Of all the buildings on the site, this one required the least amount of restoration work. Some water ingress through the roof and central valley had caused some deterioration of timber work, but in general, this building remains as it was built, 100 years ago.

The roofs were re-slated, with the maximum amount of slate salvaged and re-used. All steel and timber trusses were retained. As the building is to be used as a museum no insulation was required and so the roof structure and coverings remain as the original. Most of the timber sash windows survived and these were repaired on site and re-inserted. The doors also survived and were restored, which included re-glazing the filled-in panels over the doors to the front facade based on the evidence of early photographs.

Two modern interventions were made to this building. Firstly, a viewing gallery was inserted to allow visitors a fully accessible birds' eye view of the steam engines without the necessity to enter the engine room via the exterior stone steps. Secondly, large glass doors were inserted to the two arches to the boiler house. These openings were originally without doors as the coal to feed the boilers was piled outside the buildings and shovelled by the stokers.

The chimney stack, 44 metres in height from the base to the capping, was designed to disperse the exhaust fumes from the boilers. The condition of the chimney stack was first surveyed by steeplejacks who had much experience in the conservation work. The capping stones to the top of the chimney required some attention and much of the brickwork was re-pointed. Due to the inaccessible nature of the chimney stack this work also had to be carried out by steeplejacks.

In addition to the building and the steam plant, many other items dating from early 20th century were also found in the building, including pressure gauges, signage and the remains of old gas lighting. All these items have been retained and can be seen in the Steam Museum today.