Crofton pumping station Crofton pumping station. Once, this steam-powered installation would pump water from Wilton Water up to the canal summit to provide sufficient water for the navigation and lock operation. Now, electric powered back-pumping is used, and the old steam pumping engine is maintained separately by a group of enthusiasts. 2002-03-29T10:37 image image/jpeg 020329-1037-030 Kennet and Avon canal Nikon CoolPix 995 Zoom Nikkor 8-32mm 1:2.6-5.1 daylight I hear that the chimney top was recently re-built. Previously, the top had to be removed for safety reasons. Then, electric fans had to be installed because there was insufficient draw to get the furnace firing properly. With a full-height chimney the furnace can operate properly with convection to draw air for the fire