Merryweather No.1 "Valiant" fire pump

The last time we had a running, fully operational one of these was way back in 2003 (those were the days when Station Road Steam actually was on Station Road, those readers with a long memory may recall). It's been interesting, twenty years later, to rediscover just how much fun you can have with a fast-steaming boiler, powerful engine and high pressure pump! Little boys and water, it's an enduring fascination...

A Merryweather No.1 "Valiant" steam fire pump, rated at 100 gallons/minute at 50 psi and mounted on a hand carriage. Many thousands of these versatile engines were built from the late nineteenth century onwards. They have been used for fire fighting all over the world (including use on ships), irrigation (Merryweather claimed that the unit would pump water through four miles of four inch diameter pipe) as well as providing a portable source of power for belt driving machinery, the engine being rated at 5hp.

Of wonderful vintage appearance, the Victorian design changed little right up until they ceased production shortly after the second world war.

The coal-fired, J-tube boiler is a fast steam raiser and can be fed either by injector, by a feed from the main pump or, if using dirty water for fire fighting, there is a small auxiliary pump which can draw clean water from a bucket.

The engine runs very well, capably managed throughout the day by Connor, our own fully qualified, on-call firefighter - he was most excited that the Merryweather can deliver water at the same pressure as the modern pumps he uses! Drawing water from a 1000 litre IBC container, it could spray a strong jet right across the car park to the hedge on our far boundary (nearly having Ashley off his feet in the process!)

The trolley is quickly detachable, leaving the engine freestanding where it can also be used for driving machinery by belt from the flywheel. When pumping hard, the engine sounds lovely with a very healthy bark. As well as driving its own engine, the boiler would be useful for running other stationary engines.

Prior to steaming we gave the boiler a twice working pressure hydraulic test at 240psi for 120psi working, held for 30 minutes with no sign of leaks or distortion. It will, however, require separating (the Merryweather is a two piece, bolt together structure) for a thorough internal examination before further use.

Complete with suction and delivery hoses, injector water hose and a fabulous polished copper and brass nozzle. There is a copy of the working instructions, together with an original brochure for the pump, showing it in applications around the world.