Richard Albanese’s Visit to Sandfields Pumping Station — Breathing Life into Industrial History
Richard Albanese’s Visit to Sandfields Pumping Station — Breathing Life into Industrial History
We were thrilled to welcome Richard Albanese of The London Museum of Water & Steam to Sandfields Pumping Station recently. His enthusiasm for industrial heritage made for an inspiring visit — and a great reminder of why Sandfields is such a special place.
The Sandfields engine isn’t just another old machine. It’s one of only sixteen surviving Cornish engines in the UK, with just two more known examples overseas — one in South Africa and one in France. Among these survivors, seven were mining engines, two were built for canal pumping, and the rest were designed for domestic water supply.
Why Sandfields Matters
Of those, three were made in Cornwall, and the others came from Birmingham and London before being rebuilt by Cornish engineers to their legendary high standards. The remaining examples can be found at Dalton and Springhead pumping stations.
Out of all sixteen engines in the UK, only four can still run on steam — including two at Crofton Canal Pumping Station. That makes Sandfields incredibly special: a rare chance to bring an “up-country” Cornish-type engine back to life.
Sandfields also represents a lost generation of engines that once filled the Midlands and North — across Staffordshire, Shropshire, Cheshire, Lincolnshire, and Lancashire — all now gone.
Looking to the Future
Our vision is to bring the Sandfields engine back to life, first through hydraulic power, and one day, we hope, under steam. This will let visitors see it in action, just as it once worked to supply clean water from Lichfield to the growing industrial communities of the Black Country.
This restoration will preserve not only machinery but also the traditional skills, technical knowledge, and craftsmanship that defined Britain’s industrial past.
It creates hands-on learning, volunteering, and educational opportunities that keep history alive in meaningful ways.
Through grant funding, volunteer engagement, and creative partnerships, Sandfields can continue to inspire future generations while strengthening its role as a centre of learning and community heritage.
Richard Albanese’s visit reminded us that Sandfields isn’t just about the past — it’s about the future of industrial storytelling. With imagination, teamwork, and community spirit, we can ensure this magnificent engine lives again.
www.LichfieldWaterworksTrust.co.uk