Visitors from across the North East rushed to the steampunk themed open day at Tees Cottage Pumping Station.

The historic site is home to some impressive pieces of machinery that date back more than 100 years.

ABOUT 25 volunteers come to the station every Wednesday to keep it all running smoothly.

Throughout the year there are five opportunities to come and visit, the next will be in early October.

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Martyn Brown, chairman, explained how important it was to keep Darlington’s industrial history in good shape.

He said: “I think the main thing is that there are parts of machinery here from 1849 and 1914.

“We want to keep it going to demonstrate to young people what the past was like.

The Northern Echo: The building housing the beam engine

“People come here and they look at the beam engine and the gas engine and they think ‘How on earth did they do it?’

“It’s important to show our industrial history.

“We have 120 members in total and every Wednesday around 25 come in to keep the place maintained.

“Our volunteers come from a range of backgrounds: hands-on engineers, professional engineers, teachers, health and safety professionals, plumbers, a whole spectrum of experience.

“We hold five open days throughout the year, we don’t hold more because it takes quite a lot of work to get everything prepared.”

On the site there is also a blacksmiths hut where people can come and take classes.

The Northern Echo: Joe Simmonds (left) Arthur West (right)

Arthur West, one of the blacksmiths, explained that they liked to get on board with the different themed open days.

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For the steampunk day he was decked out with goggles and a stylish hat.

He said: “We run classes here and we also take commissions.

“It helps to bring in a bit of money for the site to fund any repairs or parts that we need.”

  • The Tees Cottage Pumping Station will be holding a MacMillan coffee morning on September 27.