ARTEFACTS from Nottingham's industrial past were back in all their noisy glory at Wollaton Park this weekend.
It was the first time the public had been allowed to see steam engines at the Industrial Museum since a major fault in the boiler meant the Steaming Sundays couldn't go ahead.
A team of crack volunteers had been working since July to see how the boiler could be fixed – and yesterdaysun, the pistons were pumping and the whistles whistling again.
Dave Potts, 73, of Keyworth, was one of three people who helped bring the boiler back to life.
He said: "It's good to be back. When we discovered the leak, we had three options including replacing the boiler which would have cost thousands.
"But we've worked hard and this is the result – having the steamings up and running again.
"This is our history – it's important to keep it going and show it off to people. I've always been a steam man, it's just something I'm passionate about."
Conrad Ives, 76, from Hucknall, is another volunteer at the museum.
He said: "We have had to work pretty hard to get everything up and running but it's all been worth it."
The centrepiece of the museum is the massive Basford Beam engine which was put to use at the Nottingham Waterworks Basford Pumping Station from 1858.
The engine used to lift drinking water from a well sunk 110 feet deep in to the ground and pump it to Belle Vue Reservoir, in Mapperley Road, or Mapperley Reservoir, on Mapperley Plains.
It was brought dismantled to the museum from the Basford Pumping Station in the 1960s and eventually a complete set of parts from the three original beam engines at Basford was obtained.
It was then rebuilt and restored and now runs on steam.
Among those marvelling at the engines was David Baxter, a 27-year-old electrician from Nuthall.
He said: "It's just really cool to see how all this stuff works. I work in the building trade and just like seeing how things are put together and function.
"I just find it cool because you have the mechanical aspect and the historical one too."
Also at the event was Marcus Cheeseman, 39, of Awsworth. He said: "It's a nice day to come out and see what was going on and it's great for the children."
Laurissa Hortoncorr, 36, of Awsworth, added: "It's not as if it's far from us and it's been really interesting seeing what is here."
Nottingham Industrial Museum, based in the Courtyard buildings at Wollaton Park, has been successfully managed by volunteers for the past two years and they have raised £2,500 for the steam generator's restoration work. Additional funds came from the former Nottingham Arkwright Society, which donated £2,500 and the remaining expenditure has been covered by Nottingham City Council.
Dave Trimble, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture at the authority, said: "The volunteers have done a tremendous job since they took over the running of the Industrial Museum in 2012. Their enthusiasm and commitment is a credit to Nottingham and we are extremely lucky to have such a dedicated group of volunteers in the city.
"Now they are up to full steam again, we hope the Museum will go from strength to strength and bring in a new wave of visitors to enjoy Nottingham's industrial past."
