The London Museum of Water & Steam is a thrilling place to visit: all thrusting pistons and jets of steam — plus a miniature railway.
Right now, it needs your help. The museum must restore its Grade I listed Great Engine House, home to the gigantic Grand Junction 100 Inch and 90 Inch engines. These are powerful bits of kit which started pumping water to upper floors in buildings back in 1838, improving London's sanitation, as well as inspiring the city to build upwards. They ran all the way up until 1944.
Says the museum "Unless work is undertaken in the next two years to stop this decay these historically significant machines could be lost, and central parts of the museum building will be closed off. We hope through this project to return the 90 inch engine to steam, which will make us more financially resilient and vastly enhance the museum's visitor experience."
A Crowdfunder has been launched, with the museum needing to hit a £50,000 target by mid August (at time of writing it's at 37%). The museum remains very much open by the way — we highly recommend a visit this summer, especially if you've got kids who'd appreciate a miniature railway!
