Remotely controlled industrial heritage

An overhead crane in an old London water works has been modernised and fitted with remote control as part of a general refurbishment.

Kempton Park Pumping Station provided filtered water to the metropolitan region of London in the UK from 1906 until 1980. An overhead crane, 30m above the ground, was used to move maintenance equipment and engine parts around. To work it, an operator had to climb up to the gantry and wind the winch system by hand.

Installation of a Cattron portable radio remote control system enables the crane to be controlled from the most appropriate vantage point.

Restoration work at the station, funded by a charitable trust and carried out by volunteers, is expected to be completed by the middle of 2000.