Starcross Pumping House, The Strand, Starcross, Devon
The pumping house was built in 1845. It was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel in an Italianate style. It contained boilers and a massive beam engine. It was one of 3 built for the South Devon Atmospheric Railway. The railway was designed to run between Exeter and Plymouth but it closed in 1848. The building had several other uses. The tower and chimney were reduced in height by 50 feet after storm damage in the late 19th century. The building was semi derelict until 1981 when it was sold by British Rail, repaired and opened as a museum of the Atmospheric Railway.
