Engineering and mass production

Between 1894 and 1972, businesses across Manchester powered machinery using high-pressure water supplied by a network of pipes hidden beneath the streets. But how did Manchester, a city renowned for its steam engines and smoky chimneys, turn to this cleaner energy source, and what happened to this vast engineering project?

Here at the Science and Industry Museum we don't only have the world's oldest surviving passenger station, the terminus of the world's first inter-urban steam railway, but also a collection of historical railway engines that showcase a century of innovation.

The Industrial Revolution was not all about giant coal-fired steam engines and huge mills. By the late 19th century, thousands of little engines fuelled by gas were at work too, many of which were manufactured by Crossley Brothers of Manchester.

Curator of Engineering and curatorial lead on the project, Sarah Baines, takes us on a journey through time to tell us more about this significant and much-loved place…

Step back to a time when electricity was an exciting new phenomenon and discover how these vintage bulbs played a part in a grand new scheme of electric lighting.

In the first of a two-part blog post, Jan Shearsmith discusses the early life of Pakistan Railways SP/S 3157.

What is it about steam traction engines that persuades so many to put so much time, effort and money into keeping them alive?

Find out more about the Manchester Electrical Exhibition of 1908, held at Platt Fields in the Rusholme area of Manchester.

Archivist Ceri Forster reveals the electrifying story of some of the newest items in our collection.

Trace the development of methods and equipment for harnessing and delivering electricity, through objects reflecting the growth of the British electricity supply industry.

Find out more about the engines and other machines that drove the Industrial Revolution and more.

These internationally significant objects reveal how goods and people have moved on the rails over the last 200 years.