THE collective breath of everyone involved in getting the Crofton Beam Engines back up and running again will be held on Friday as the inspector checks to see if it is ready for use.
On Friday morning the inspector will check the work that the specialist team from HA McEwen Ltd have done to repair the coal-fired, 22-tonne Lancashire boiler, which needed to have its corroded rivets and mechanical fastener cut out and replaced.
Over the last few weeks the historic boiler has been pressure tested and has had its brickwork restored ready for the re-opening of the world’s oldest working beam engines.
"This represents the culmination of a lot of hard work, £45,000 in fundraising and a lot of organising to get to this moment," said Peter Turvey, the chairman of the Crofton branch of the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust, which owns and operates the pumping station.
"It all boils down to this inspection. It is very exciting. It is always a great moment when the station comes alive again and hopefully it will go down without a hitch. We are keeping our fingers crossed."
The traditional Easter steaming weekend is scheduled for Saturday, April 15-Monday, April 17.
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