Case Study - Bull Engine Restoration Project

Programme: Your Heritage
Applicant: Kew Bridge Steam Museum
Grant awarded: £14,500
Project length: September 2001 – June 2007

Bull Engine Restoration Project - printable (MS Word, 275KB)

Summary

The 1856 Harvey & Co. 70" Bull Engine at the Kew Bridge Steam Museum is three floors high and weighs several hundred tons. It was originally used to deliver clean drinking water to reservoirs near Notting Hill Gate in London.

In 1945 it was taken out of service. Fifty years later a restoration project was launched and volunteers worked tirelessly for seven years to restore it to its former glory. Not only is it now the only working Bull Engine in the world, but it is the largest of its type in existence and the only example remaining in its original location.

The public can now enjoy the awe inspiring sight of this massive engine working just as it did during its long working life of over 80 years. Information on the history of the engine and its designer, about whom little was previously known, is also now on display.

The aims of the project

The six year project had three main aims:

to restore the Bull Engine to working order, as near as possible to its condition prior to decommissioning in 1945;
to construct a detailed interpretative display highlighting its historical importance and improve public access; and
to make a photographic record of the restoration for archive purposes.

Benefits for heritage

Volunteers restored the engine to full steaming condition. The Bull Engine had suffered significant wear throughout its working life and the restoration work entailed rust removal, painting, polishing, machining, heavy dismantling and the removal of hundreds of tons of mud and silt from the basement sump areas;
A photographic record of the restoration was taken for the museum's archive which is available for viewing by appointment;
Previously the engine was displayed as a static exhibit, much of which was out of sight. Access to the engine has been dramatically improved and a detailed interpretative display focusing on the history of the engine and its designer, Edward Bull, is now on-site at the museum.

Benefits for people

Over 20 volunteers restored the engine to full steaming condition. Those involved in the project gained wide experience in restoration techniques, craft skills and administration of a project;
Regular updates of the restoration work were posted online to engage the public and keep them updated on progress;
Every year around 19,000 people visit the Museum. Every month, as part of the 'Giants of Steam' Weekend celebrating the life of the Victorian pumping station, a talk and demonstration of the Bull Engine in operation is given;
Around 1,000 school children visited the Museum on pre-arranged visits during 2009;
Wheelchair access to the entire ground floor of the Bull Engine area is now available.

Lessons learnt

When dealing with the restoration of a piece of machinery of this size and age it is wise to assume at the beginning that there will be substantial unforeseen technical problems that should be estimated for accordingly;
When carrying out a project which is essentially all volunteer-based, someone needs to take long term responsibility not only for directing and administering the project, but also for the financial and administrative side.

Long term benefits

Thanks to this restoration project, future generations will be able to witness the largest surviving example of a Bull Engine in operation;
A great deal was learnt about the restoration of large steam machinery and new skills were acquired by the restoration team. This will stand the Museum in good stead to maintain the working collection of large steam engines well into the future;
A lasting legacy of the project was the research into the development of the Bull Engine and the story of the patent litigation between Edward Bull and James Watt. This has been explained in the interpretive panels and published in a booklet which is on sale in the Museum shop;
Background information on the Bull engine and a video clip of it in operation is available on the Kew Bridge Steam Museum website.

The budget

Main Project Costs	£	Funding	£
Materials	8,050	Other funding	14,950
Equipment	2,720	Non-cash contributions	41,855
Contract labour	6,048	HLF grant (20%)	14,500
Designing / writing / printing education material	5,000
		Total costs	71,355

The fully restored Bull Engine

Sector

Industry, Maritime and Transport

Activity

Conservation