GPM 0968 WOLSZTYN - wieża wodna

The water tower in Wolsztyn (now Wielkopolskie Province) was built in the years 1906-1907 on the site of the then locomotive shed in this city. The purpose of its creation was thoroughly useful - it was to supply steam engine tenders with water as efficiently and quickly as possible through the so-called engine cranes, of which there were four at the beginning of the 20th century. The tower was erected in accordance with the patent of Ing. Otto Inze from 1883 for a standard structure of this type, often appearing on the railways of Europe, mainly today's Germany and Austria. The tower, in its lower part, was made of clinker brick, and in the upper part - of reinforced concrete on the so-called "Rabitz mesh" and steel angles. In 2002, this element of the building, due to severe corrosion of steel elements, was renovated by, among others: making a new roof of steel sheet, covered with tar paper, and repairing the attic of steel elements - especially angles. There is also a new steel flag with the date 1907. At present, the total height of the tower is 16.3 meters. Interestingly, it still performs its original role, but is powered by only one engine crane.