Steam Power

During the Industrial Revolution Gunbridge Bells, like the rest of the nation, adopted steam power with unreserved abandon. But unlike elsewhere in the country, G-Bells had its unique network of tunnels, which were ideally suited to housing very large steam engines. Local engineers of the time surmised that four enormous engines situated centrally in the tunnels could do the work of 50 smaller engines scattered about town. It was determined that an elaborate system of piping could carry steam power to the entire town from this single source. To this end smaller tunnels were enlarged into cavern-like chambers where some of the largest engines in Britain were built.

The vast power of the mighty underground Spa river (so named because at one time the town considered promoting itself as a spa town, until it was discovered that the river water was not potable), which had only been discovered in 1846, was the determining factor in the construction of the titanic engines. River water channeled into each steam chamber, provided an endless direct supply to the engines. Coal was brought in by rail above and dumped directly from the rail carriages down 4 shafts leading to a coal store for each engine. Excess steam and exhaust from the boilers was channeled down special tunnels and vented on the surface outside of town.

In their heyday in the late 19th century, the 4 engines were responsible for powering the Mt Pleasant Funicular Railway, The Mechanical Skyway Gondolas, the town-wide trolley system, the Mt Ephraim Flume, 12 Automaton displays, various mechanical signage and around 100 individual Automatons, to name but a few. As the 20th century dawned and the world moved on to more modern power sources, Gunbridge Bells sought to preserve it's unique steam heritage by not only continuing to utilise steam, but also by elevating The Steam Guild to full local government status.

Today three of the four steam engines are still in operation. The fourth engine is now on display in the Steam Museum. The Steam Guild is still one of the most powerful factions in G-Bells government and has huge influence on many town decisions. The engines themselves are no longer powered by coal and the old shafts have since been filled in. It is rumoured that all three engines are now powered by a single nuclear submarine reactor, purchased illegally by the Guild from an unknown source. This cannot be confirmed though, because the Guild keeps a tight lid on all steam activities, and no one but Guild members has been allowed in the steam chambers since 1934. Despite the secrecy, the system works and Gunbridge Bells is very proud of it's steam legend.