Psyche Bend Pumps Running Day

The historic Psyche Pumps will be running under steam power next Sunday.

The dedicated members of the Sunraysia Steam Preservation Society will fire up the boiler at 7:00AM, and set the pumps running around 10:30AM pumping through to 3:30PM.

The pumps still function just as they did in George Chaffey’s day, lifting water from the river into Kings Billabong.

The running day will mean that LMW will not have to pump quite so much water with their electric pumps on Sunday!

The pumps ran from 1891 to 1959 when replaced by the electrics.

They sat idle and unloved until 1985 when the SSPS started the restoration and in 1995 they roared to life again.

They now only run 4 times per year, (New Years Day, Easter Sunday, Kings Birthday, and middle Sunday of the September School Holidays) so this is your chance to come along and appreciate the massive engineering splendour that is the Chaffey Billabong System.

The pumps were built to George Chaffey’s design by Tangyes of Birmingham, England.

Tangyes were famous for their engineering prowess, especially hydraulic jacks.

Tangye jacks were used to launch The Great Eastern Paddle Steamer the largest ship ever built at the time of her 1858 launch, with a length of 692 feet (211 m) and a  gross tonnage of 18,915 tons.

Four of their jacks were also used to raise “Cleopatra’s Needle” on the Thames Embankment in 1878.

Cost of entry is $5.00 for an adult, $3.00 for children and a family is only $15.00 (2 adults and their children).

EFTPOS available.

For more information contact Mal White 0403 320 686