CMCO Supports Brede Steam Giants

In November 2024, CMCO supplied upgraded equipment to the Brede Steam Engine Society to replace the original Steerman toe jacks they were using. The Brede Heritage site is a registered charity located in East Sussex, which aims to restore, operate, and exhibit heritage water pumping technologies. To support them with this goal, CMCO has donated two fifteen-tonne hydraulic toe jacks enabling pumps and engines to be easily moved around the museum site and displayed for visitors.

Tangye Engine House                                                      Tangye Engine

Worthington Simpson

Since the mid 1990’s when the Brede Steam Engine Society was formed, they have been serving the community by preserving various engine and pump sets which have all been used in the supply of fresh drinking water to the local area.

This mission began primarily to restore and present in motion the two large triple expansion steam pumping engines which reside at the Brede waterworks and have been nicknamed the Steam Giants. One engine was built by the Tangye Brothers in 1904 and the other by Worthington Simpson in 1939. Following the completion of this project, they have broadened the scope of pump systems featured at the exhibition to include diesel and electric drives.

One example of these new displays is the Darwell Pump. This pump is electrically driven rather than steam driven, with the motor alone weighing 1.8 tonnes. After 25 years of operation at the Darwell reservoir, the pump arrived at Brede Waterworks in poor condition. The original Steerman toe jacks and skates were used to move the motor, pump and frame around the site for their eventual reassembly. This pump is still on display for visitors today.

The Darwell pump on arrival and during/after re-assembly

Over the years, these jacks are now in need of replacement. We would like to thank the Brede Steam Engine Society for their historical contributions to the local community with a donation of two hydraulic toe jacks. With the preparation of a new Powerhouse underway, we hope these jacks will support the renovations.

They have been used so far in the transport of a Ruston diesel engine, a set of Worthington Simpson well-pump connecting rods and a Gwynnes valve.

Ruston diesel engine

Worthington Simpson well-pump connecting rods                                   Gwynnes valve

We are delighted to play a small role in helping this charity achieve their goal of keeping this site available to the public and look forward to hearing more of their new installations. To learn more about this heritage site, visit their website or stop by their next open day for an in-person tour!