Forncett Industrial Steam Museum, Norfolk

[IanM]

On another topic there was a post from @Pluto with a picture of a large stationary steam engine at the brewery museum in Burton on Trent.  I recognised it as I'd seen it's pair recently on my visit to a small museum in Norfolk and I posted a few pictures.  @ditchcrawler replied that he lived not too far away and had never heard of this museum so I thought I'd share a few more pictures.

 

I had come across the Forncett Industrial Steam Museum several years ago while browsing the internet but had forgotten all about it.  My parents visited on a private tour earlier in the year and I went back with them a month ago on one of their steam days.

 

It started as private collection belonging to an ex surgeon who still gives the guided tours and one who you can listen to for hours.  He has a team of volunteers who look after the engines and it really is an amazing place with some impressive and unique engines.

 

The twin of the engine mentioned in the other topic is a 1904 Robey engine from Sleaford Maltings.

 

 

 

In the same part of the building there is a Hunter & English engine from Poplar gas works

 

 

In the other part of the building is the engine which stated the collection, a 1897 Jessop & Appleby engine originally in the Crosse & Blackwell factory then later Sarsons vinegar.

 

 

Next to that is a 1873 Hick Hargreaves from a lace factory in Nottingham.

 

 

 

The big surprise is a Vickers Armstrong engine of 1941 which was the installed to supplement the original 1898 engines at Tower Bridge.  It was removed and given to the museum when the bridge was converted to electric power in 1974.

 

 

 

Through a door you find a Grimson & Co beam engine from the Hopwas Water Works.

 

 

 

A separate building houses another beam engine made by Easton Anderson from the Roall pumping station in Eggborough.

 

 

The last big engine is a Worthington Simpson engine built in 1937 from Dover Waterworks.

 

 

 

There are other smaller engines and exhibits including a Soame Steam Cart

 

 

All the engines in my pictures were in steam when I visited as well as a few others.  I recommend anyone interested in that kind of thing to pay it a visit if you're in the area.

 

https://www.forncettsteammuseum.co.uk/

 

I have no connection with the museum, only a very happy visitor.

 

 

 

[David Schweizer]

I "found" the Forncett steam museum whilst we were on holiday in Norfolk about five years ago, and spent some time there on the Saturday whilst Jan watched the Wimbledon men's final back at the holiday cottage. It is probobly one of the most comprehensive and facinating collections of working steam engines in the country, and well worth a visit. My only disapointment was that it was not a Steaming day, but the volunteers that were presemnt were very informative and helpfull.

[ditchcrawler]

And I live close by and have never been. I must put that right

[IanM]

My parents have lived in Norfolk for nearly 30 years and only found out about it this year. It’s not the easiest place to find but definitely worth it when you get there. 
 

Norfolk does seem to have a lot of hidden museum gems. One place I noticed while looking at directions for the steam museum is the Norfolk Tank Museum which is situated just down then road. 

[ditchcrawler]

3 hours ago, IanM said:

My parents have lived in Norfolk for nearly 30 years and only found out about it this year. It’s not the easiest place to find but definitely worth it when you get there. 
 

Norfolk does seem to have a lot of hidden museum gems. One place I noticed while looking at directions for the steam museum is the Norfolk Tank Museum which is situated just down then road. 

Another place I keep trying to get to way when they are running is the saw mill somewhere near

Aylsham 

[SUIGENERIS]

And of course there is the Strumpshaw steam museum just to the east of Norwich just off the A47. Again its a privaately owned collection run by volunteers. Well worth a look.

[ditchcrawler]

13 minutes ago, SUIGENERIS said:

And of course there is the Strumpshaw steam museum just to the east of Norwich just off the A47. Again its a privaately owned collection run by volunteers. Well worth a look.

They had a nice series on TV.

 

Head in wrong place, that was Bressingham not Strumpshire. Then every year in September is the Henham steam rally 

Edited October 13, 2024 by ditchcrawler