Steam fire pump, Merryweather & Sons

Steam fire pump, Great Western Railway, built by Merryweather & Sons, London, in May 1902 at a cost of £157, 'Valiant' model, used at Leamington Spa MPD, on loan to Old Oak Common in Nov. 1940, preserved 1959. This model was named after HMS 'Valiant' to which it was supplied as a fresh-water pump c. 1875.

This Merryweather “Valiant” was produced in large numbers between 1833 and the Second World War as it was portable, quick and relatively easy to use. The railways used it as a fire extinguisher – necessary in the era of steam locomotives and gas lighting and heating – as well as to pump water into overhead tanks for locomotive operation, carriage cleaning and kitchen facilities.