Local historian and top chap David Moore has been in touch again, to alert me to the fact that he’s acquired some images of the South Staffordshire Waterworks Company water main undergoing maintenance in Brownhills in 1927, which he’s uploaded to his wonderful Flickr Gallery.

David, as regulars will remember, illuminated the wonderful story of the surge stack, or pressure ventilator, on the railway embankment near the canal, just off the Pelsall Road in Brownhills.

David’s primary interest in in the preservation of Sandfields Pumping Station – and it’s remarkable steam engine – situated in South Lichfield. He curates a blog full of history and information on the campaign to save this wonderful Victorian edifice, which I think we all support wholeheartedly. Do pop over and check it out.

David has also published a map of the legendary Hanch Tunnel. What a star.

David wrote:

Bob

A very obliging Chris Pattison who looks after the South Staffordshire Waterworks archives has kindly sent me some images showing the water main that ran alongside and below the rail track.

I have posted them with some other old stuff relating to Sandfields pumping Station here.

Regards

David Moore

I thank David for sharing these images – and for his essential, tenacious and dedicated work to save Sandfields from decay. It’s a fine thing he’s doing.

Click on any image to visit David’s Flickr gallery, where there are lots more great images to peruse.

The Surge Stack, Brownhills 24 November 1931. Image courtesy Dave Moore.

This train is engage in the task of raising the 22″ main at Higbridge 7 August 1927. Image courtesy Dave Moore.

It would be interesting to locate the exact spot. Raising 22″ main at Higbridge 2 August 1927. Image courtesy Dave Moore.

The on-track lifting gear looks quite sophisticated. Raising 22″ main at Higbridge 2 August 1927. Image courtesy Dave Moore.

As sophisticated as the equipment was for the time, many hands were necessary. Raising 22″ main at Higbridge 2 August 1927. Image courtesy Dave Moore.

I wonder if the stock was dedicated to the task, or used for other rail jobs? Raising 22″ main at Higbridge 2 August 1927. Image courtesy Dave Moore.

I’m interested in the plate layer’s hut there. Wonder where it was, and if any remnant remains? Raising 22″ main at Higbridge 2 August 1927. Image courtesy Dave Moore.

An absolutely remarkable image of Sandfields Filter House from July, 1925. Image courtesy Dave Moore.