The original ‘Grasshopper’ water pump at Shore Road.
NR
FOR the first time in 15 years, 100 members of the public were given the rare chance to see inside one of Birkenhead’s landmark buildings during the Heritage Open Days weekend of September 9/10.
Network rail teamed up with experience firm Big Heritage to provide six guided tours of Shore Road Pumping station which was built in the 1880s. The still-in-use pumping station keeps the railway tunnel under the River Mersey free from flooding. The building has an Italianate style in brick and slate, and was given listed status in 1992.
Two steam powered beam engines were originally used to continuously pump water from the railway tunnels, one of which – nicknamed‘The Grasshopper’– remains in the building but is no longer in use. Today, three modern pumps keep the Merseyrail network running smoothly.