Thomas Hawksley (1807-1893) and Marriott Ogle Tarbotton (1835-1887) were the engineers behind the Pumping Station. In 1879-80 Hawksley built Papplewick Reservoir and soon after in the early 1880's Tarbotton designed and supervised the building of Papplewick Pumping Station.
Today Papplewick Pumping Station is a uniquely preserved Victorian water pumping station of historical interest and beauty.
The
Superintendent's House, also entrance to the grounds.
Adding
to the beauty of the surroundings is the Cooling Pond, the pond also had
a purpose, cold water is taken from the pond to the Engine House where
it was used to condense the steam, the warm water is then returned to
the pond.
Inside
the Pumping Station there are four beautifully made cast-iron columns, the
columns are covered with intricate cast iron reeds, bulrushes and other
water plants, at the top of the columns are gilded Ibises.
The
Engine is a Beam type built by Watt & Co in 1884, there are two
flywheels on either side of the Engine House which make sure the beam
rocks at a steady pace. The triangular shape with two globes (Watt's
Patent Governors) control the speed.
Engine
Cylinder at ground level the top of which can be seen on the next level.
On
the next level the tops of the cylinders are visible on is what is known as the 'Packing Flat', this is where the
piston rods enter the cylinders.
Walking
round the building, can't help but notice the stained glass windows.
On
the next level is the Beam floor, the huge beams connect the pistons at
one end of the beam to the pumping rods at the other end. The engines
and beams were so big and heavy the Engine House had to be built up
around them.
The
fountain in the Cooling Pond has it's function too, it has a separate
water supply and is used to top up the water level of the pond.
View
of the magnificent Victorian architecture of the Pumping Station, at the
rear is the boiler house. 
Inside
the boiler house, there are six huge boilers which provided the power
for the engines, when they were in full use 2000 tons of coal were
needed in one year. At least three boilers were used at all times, the
stokers worked morning, evening and night shifts.
Miniature
railway all steamed up and ready to go.
Papplewick
Pumping Station still supplies water to Nottingham but these days it is
via modern electric pumps. In the Engine House the beam engines can
still be seen working, the lavish decorations inside only previously
seen by staff and members of the water board can now be seen by
everyone.