Dogdyke pumping station is on the north bank of the Witham near Tattershall.

The steam engine (housed in the larger brick building to the rear of the photograph) was built in 1856 to replace an existing wind driven pump to drain a large area of farmland between the rivers Bain and Witham.

It is the only surviving engine by this builder and is possibly the oldest steam-driven scoop wheel land drainage pumping set in the country that is still in steam and in its original position.

It once lifted water from the lower drain (to the right in the photo) into the River Witham (to the left).

See the website:  https://www.dogdyke.com

Jean Howard, 19 April 2021

The Lancashire Boiler, made by William Foster of Lincoln, raised steam for the nineteenth century engine which drove the scoop wheel.

August 2013

This simple steam boiler valve is on the external north wall of Dogdyke Pumping Station.

The boiler was a Lancashire type manufactured by Foster of Lincoln, installed here in 1909 and remaining in use for over 30 years.

Ken Redmore, 2010

"The steam engine was replaced in 1940 by a Ruston & Hornsby 7XHR diesel engine, serial number 194833, driving a 22 inch Gwynnes centrifugal pump.

This engine has a capacity of 23.6 litre.

The 7XHR design has a single horizontal cylinder of 10 inches (25.4 cm) bore, 18.5 inches (47.0 cm) stroke, and develops 40 horsepower (30 kW) at 300rpm"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dogdyke_Pumping_Station 

DB 2 June 2013

The engine man who looked after the pumping station lived in this cottage, a few yards from the pump.

The cottage is now used by the Dogdyke Steam Preservation Trust as a visitor centre.

August 2013

A second photograph of the station engineer's house, now carefully restored and improved.

On the regular Open Days, held throughout the summer, visitors can not only see the steam and diesel pumps in operation but also visit the excellent museum collection in the house - and enjoy home made teas.

For details of Open Days see:  https://www.dogdyke.com 

Jean Howard, 19 April 2021

The restored scoop wheel at Dogdyke is 24ft diameter and lifted water about four feet.

It drained an area of approximately 1500 acres (625Ha).

August 2013

Dogdyke Pumping Station is located on the bank of the River Witham at Tattershall.

A wind-powered drainage pump was built here in 1796 to drain an area of land in Tattershall and Tattershall Thorpe parishes.

Then, in 1856, a steam engine manufactured by Bradley and Craven of Wakefield was erected to drive a traditional wooden scoop wheel and it survives today in full working order, albeit with a new boiler.

It is believed to be the only steam-driven scoop wheel in Europe which is regularly operated.

The site is run by the Dogdyke Pumping Station Preservation Trust (DPSPT). This photograph was taken in 1932.

NB Although known as "Dogdyke" the site is actually in the parish of Tattershall.

DPSPT, 2010

The original external condensing steam engine installed at Dogdyke in 1856 was built by Bradley and Craven of Wakefield.  It was rated at 16hp and had a 12ft 6in (3.7m) beam.

This is the governor.

August 2013

The steam powered beam engine which drives a wooden scoop wheel at Dogdyke Pumping Station

Drawing by Michael Lewis