Photographs of
Sobeys Industrial Monument
Stellarton Pictou County Nova Scotia
Location: 123 Foord Street, Stellarton
GPS location: 45°34’22″N 62°39’27″W
The above photographs were taken on 5 May 2003.
What is a “Cornish pump”?
The term “Cornish” refers to the operating cycle of these engines (not to the manufacturing location). The main characteristic of a Cornish engine is that the pumping is done by a massive weight falling under the influence of gravity. This weight, positioned above the pump cylinder(s), is linked to a beam, with the piston attached to the opposite end of this beam. The weight is raised as the piston is driven downward by a combination of steam pressure above and vacuum below the piston. During the pumping stroke, as the weight falls, the piston is returned to the top of the cylinder. There is no rotation (circular) motion involved in a Cornish enginecycle.
Source: Kew Bridge Steam Museum
Cornish Pump Videos
• Grand Junction Ninety Cornish Pump 4:10
• KBSM majestic giant steam engines 3:05
