Water pump in Birstall cutting
According to S. W. A. Newton's notes, this view shows a pair of navvies 'Pumping the cutting dry, New Birstall estate', just north of Leicester. The pump is located on a wooden platform, supported on piles on the right side of the cutting. A trough runs from the pump, along the cutting wall away from the camera. There are some roughly laid contractor's tracks in the cutting, but no sign of any other activity, other than the two navvies on the platform. This section of the London Extension was built by Henry Lovatt of Wolverhampton between 1894 and 1899. The leafless trees suggest that this scene was captured in winter.
Digital Reference: L1201
Creator: Newton, S. W. A. - circa 1897
Contributor: Leicestershire County Council
Type: Black & White
Format: 118mm, 161mm
Copyright: Leicestershire County Council
Source: S. W. A. Newton Collection - Record Office for Leicestershire, Leicester & Rutland (part of S. W. A. Newton Collection, copy of glass plate negative)
Identifier: Newton - B 6/3
