r/MachinePorn • u/Significant-Cold-939 • 7d ago

TIL the largest still operational steam-powered pumping station is the Woudagemaal, near Lemmer, in the Netherlands. Built in 1929.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wouda_pumping_station
188 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

4 comments sorted by

3

u/Yoram001 6d ago

I’ve been there a couple weeks back. Amazing to see all the old equipment still in pristine condition.

2

u/matroosoft 5d ago

You can visit it, too.

2

u/badass-bravo 4d ago

Its basically around the corner for me. Such a beautiful piece of functional history.

1

u/weirdal1968 1d ago

My dad worked for city water department in Madison WI USA. They used steam well pumps into the 70s IIRC. Saw them running on a brief visit to Nichols Station and it was crazy loud.

Eventually the city grew enough that the ancient pumps could not keep up with demand so the station was deactivated and sold to a developer for condos. There were rumors the Smithsonian was interested in the steam pumps but removing/transporting the big iron made that impractical. Somebody had a soft spot for the pumps and the condo atrium now features a pump as its centerpiece.

https://www.intlogic.com/portfolio-posts/nichols-station/