London Hydraulic Network

[Thunderchicken]

Every day is a school day for me and yesterday I discovered London had a huge network of underground mains which supplied hydraulic power to industry. Even better they date back to the 1870's.

I feel a VSF scenario coming on: a Prussian raiding party has made it's way up the Thames and intends to sabotage the pumping station at East India Dock thus bringing much of London's war industry to a grinding stop. The defenders, a mix of armed police and local militia will desperately hold on until the arrival of the regular infantry from Woolwich and Chelsea. I shall don my smoking jacket and retire to my chambers while I dwell on this plan.

Anyway, here's the link:

http://www.subbrit.org.uk/sb-sites/sites/h/hydraulic_power_in_london/index.shtml

Might be worth having a look at the rest of the site, there's lots of underground goodies there:

http://www.subbrit.org.uk/sb-sites/sites.shtml   

[Red Orc]

Wow. Not seen this before. Great find. It's practically a random scenario generator, isn't it? Grandiose Victorian engineering (perfect for Sherlock Holmes / League of Extraordinary Gentlemen / Van Helsing to run around); WWII bunkers for cybernazis and mutated agents in WWWII; catacombs and tunnels for Deep Ones and Ghouls to infest; military installations that could house VBCW games; radio transmitters and whatnot where square-jawed heroes can punch sinister minions to thwart the fiendish plans of Doctor Necro...

[Hammers]

Every day is a school day for me and yesterday I discovered London had a huge network of underground mains which supplied hydraulic power to industry. Even better they date back to the 1870's.

How very rare. Not that I am an engineer in anyway, but how can it have been effective?

[Thunderchicken]

Totally agree Red Orc, endless possibilities. I'd love to explore some of these places.

Hammers, I'm with you on that one. My engineering knowledge extends to pulling levers and pressing buttons and things happen! There must have been a hell of alot of pressure running through those pipes. I noticed some were damaged during WWII so I wonder what the effect was when the pipes ruptured. Maybe a boff will wander along soon and enlighten us.   

[gamer Mac]

How very rare. Not that I am an engineer in anyway, but how can it have been effective?

I am an engineer and 700 psi is a fair sized pressure. I wouldn't like to be anywhere near a pipe that ruptured, it would easily take your head off.

[OSHIROmodels]

I like the sound of this 

cheers

James

[Hammers]

I am an engineer and 700 psi is a fair sized pressure. I wouldn't like to be anywhere near a pipe that ruptured, it would easily take your head off.

I would be very particular with which plumber to charter. A man getting his pipes crossed would make for a very uncomfortable visit to the facilities indeed.

[Thunderchicken]

I am an engineer and 700 psi is a fair sized pressure. I wouldn't like to be anywhere near a pipe that ruptured, it would easily take your head off.

Boff! 

[Westfalia Chris]

Some days ago I watched an interesting episode of "Industrial Revelations" on one of the private TV stations here (cannot remember which one it was, maybe "Dave" or "Virgin"). This one featured Victorian (and some Edwardian) steam technology used for water supply and sewage disposal. Most impressive, that. If they show a re-run these days, very much worth it (although that presenter is a bit irritatingly exhilarated - not half as bad as Andrew Marr, though, and at least not as sedate as the late Fred Dibnah).

[odd duck]

Steam was(and is) also produced and distributed comercially in a simular manner for heating and industrial use in a number of N. american cities,don't know about London tho.,be surprized if it was'nt. So adventures and skirmishes in Victorian era tunnels would provide a number of hazzards!! Oh and let's not forget Gaslines!!