Report - Mode Wheel Locks Pump House (Manchester Ship Canal, Jun, 2020)

[urbanchemist]

There were three pumping stations on the Manchester Ship Canal, which together with sluices and weirs, regulated the water levels.

One of these, at Barton Locks, was turned into a hydroelectric station some time ago.
The other two are at Latchford Locks, which remains boarded up and at Mode Wheel Locks, which is also due to be converted to hydropower, and has been derelict for years.
Indeed there’s a 2015 post on here with a photo taken from the outside which shows something that might be machinery.
https://www.28dayslater.co.uk/threads/mode-wheel-locks-manchester-ship-canal-december-2015.101026/
So I went for a look on a wet and windy morning.

The Diesel is by Mirrlees Bickerton & Day.
It looks similar to the one below from 1911 (1,600 bhp) for driving dynamos on warships, but missing bits such as some cladding and the exhaust manifold.

The centrifugal pump, which pumps into the lock next door, is a ‘Bon-Accord’ from Drysdale, presumably similar sort of vintage.

Edit. I’ve corrected the above in view of @tigger’s comment below.
I also found a picture of what the engine used to look like before it was cleaned up here https://www.lanesfordrains.co.uk/global/news/vacuum-power-aids-hydro-power-on-famous-ship-canal/

 

[mookster]

That's a bit of alright that is!!

 

[Olkka]

This is a flex I wasn't ready for

 

[Terminal Decline]

Bloody hell, that's fantastic! Top quality content

 

[tigger]

Often wondered what was inside those places. I don't remember Irlam having one but Latchford, Barton and Mode Wheel I remember seeing.
I wonder what they used before those pump houses were built (they are much later build than the locks themselves)....I always assumed the sluices provided the power for operating the locks.

Great to see photos of the inside - thanks for sharing.

 

[host]

Stunning work mate. Pity looks hard to get to without Canoe ?? Or maybe not.

 

[raisinwing]

Always enjoy your reports - A+ as ever! Really nice looking thing

 

[urbanchemist]

Often wondered what was inside those places. I don't remember Irlam having one but Latchford, Barton and Mode Wheel I remember seeing.
I wonder what they used before those pump houses were built (they are much later build than the locks themselves)....I always assumed the sluices provided the power for operating the locks.

Great to see photos of the inside - thanks for sharing.

You're quite right, Irlam's the one that doesn't have a pump house - I meant Latchford, which is still boarded up.
I don't know if Latchford ever had an accumulator, although there was a 'hydraulic house' nearby, or what originally powered the hydraulics at the other locks and swing bridges.

Edit: The sluices are just for regulation. They probably had to add the pump houses since as trade increased more water was being lost downstream on locking up/down than could be replenished by the rivers upstream, Irwell etc.
It's similar to adding 'impounding stations' to a dock system.

 

[Speed]

Cool! I've only ever seen it through the windows.

 

[Brewtal]

Fucking hell mate that is incredible! Love it!

 

[mookster]

Stunning work mate. Pity looks hard to get to without Canoe ?? Or maybe not.

Looking at its location on maps there are a couple of ways to get to it but it's definitely what you'd call in an awkward place.

 

[Carl Hargreaves]

Pure engine porn !
The Anson engine museum holds the records for Mirlees engines

 

[Bikin Glynn]

Very nice that well done

 

[synchronoscope]

Stunning pics and setting! I do hope the engine can be retained somehow in situ.

 

[Calamity Jane]

That pump is incredible. The craftsmanship is just so good. Quality explore. Any idea of age of these? :