Earlier this year, volunteers at the Kew Bridge Steam Museum steamed the Bull Engine for the first time in preservation, moving the engine under steam for the first time in over 60 years.

 

The event, which was conducted in private, was only the second time steam had been admitted to the engine, following a sucessful test of the steam jacket and ancilaries the day before.

 

The engine was gradually worked up to it's full stroke lengh, completing six strokes in total (when running, this is the number of strokes the engine will perform per minute), before being "blocked up" on tall wooden supports to allow cleaning and re-packing of the engine's pump pole.

 

Visitors to the museum will currently be able to see the engine at the top of it's stroke, while work continues on items under the floor.