Crofton Beam Engines bridge the technology gap from the 1800s to 2022
It’s Heritage Open Days in September, with an inspiring theme that could have been designed especially for Crofton! Join in one, two or all of our FREE ONLINE TALKS. Pre-booking required so we can send you details on how to take part.
Virtual Tour of Crofton Beam Engines – Tuesday 13 September 2022 at 15:00
Our experienced talk leader will guide you online around the grounds and through each room, explaining the history and engineering of the site and how it came to be. Learn about the pressures the Station faced on the opening of the Great Western Railway’s Bristol to London mainline and play spot the difference between 34 years of engineering history.
Bricks and Mortar Carry Water – Wednesday 14 September 2022 at 15:00
We hope you’ve got your hard hat and Hi-Vis handy for our second online talk Bricks and Mortar Carry Water. Stride into learning about the huge quantities of building materials that were needed to construct the various aqueducts, tunnels, bridges and locks along the Kennet and Avon Canal from 1794. Discover the story of the discovery of suitable clay for brickmaking at the Caen Hill flight, find out more about the brickmaking industry of the time and the alternative sources of bricks needed to build the canal.
Watt’s Solution to Straightening a Curve – Thursday 15 September 2022 at 15:00
Finish your online journey with an engineering problem. Our third online talk Watt’s Solution to Straightening a Curve revolves around James Watts’ Parallel Motion Linkage, of which Crofton Beam Engines houses four examples. Dive into the mind of this great inventor and absorb the descriptions of the detailed workings of the elegant geometry, which Watt described as his greatest invention.