VODNO ČRPALIŠČE Podlasi je od leta 1992 tehnični spomenik lokalnega pomena. Žal je zgradba v razpadajočem stanju. Zgrajeno je bilo za oskrbo parnih lokomotiv z vodo iz potoka Branice, ki so po hudem vzponu iz Prvačine prisopihale v Štanjel in tako za nadaljnjo pot potrebovale novo zalogo vode. Ob črpališču je čez dolino zgrajen talni jez, ki vodo potisne na površje. Od tu je črpalka po litoželeznih ceveh potiskala vodo v rezervoarja nad postajo v Štanjelu, višinska razlika je bila 172 m. Dolžina cevovoda je bila 1700m.
Od leta 1906 do 1956 je voda iz podlasov v Štanjelu potiskala parna batna tlačilka VORTINGTON z zmogljivostjo 300 litrov na minuto. Paro z dopustnim nadtlakom 10 barov za pogon parnega batnega stroja je dajal stoječ parni kotel. Premog za kurjenje parnega kotla so domačini dovažali na kmečkih vozovih iz železniških postaj Štanjel in Rihemberk. Tik ob cesti so še danes železna vratca skozi katero so ga spuščali do kurilnice.
Leta 1956 so parno barno tlačilko zamenjali s centrifugalno črpalko z elektromotornim pogonom in z zmogljivostjo 150 litrov na minuto. Poganjal jo je elektromotor z močjo 11 kW. V črpališču so vodo prečiščevali skozi peščeno ogljen filter in stalno preverjali njeno bakteriološko stanje, saj so to vodo na železniški postaji Štanjel in v nekaj bližnjih gospodinjstvih, uporabljali kot pitno vodo.
Po letu 1975 so postopoma prihajale dizelske lokomotive in s tem je črpališče izgubilo svoj pomen. Še nekaj časa so ga uporabljali za vodovod, dokler niso leta 1984 dokončno zaprli.
Objekt črpališče in rezervoarji v Štanjelu so v zasebni lasti. V rezervoarjih zdaj zorijo penine. Pred leti so cevem med črpališčem in Štanjelom dali nov pomen, saj so skozi njih napeljali električni kabel in optiko. Nad njimi poteka tudi peš pot, ki se pripelje do železniškega tunela pod Štanjelom.
ENGLISH:
The Podlasi WATER PUMP has been a technical monument of local importance since 1992. Unfortunately, the building is in a dilapidated state. It was built to supply steam locomotives with water from the Branica stream, which, after a steep climb from Prvačina, came into Štanjel and thus needed a new supply of water for the further journey. Next to the pumping station, an earthen dam is built across the valley, which pushes the water to the surface. From here, the pump pushed water through cast iron pipes into the reservoir above the station in Štanjel, the height difference was 172 m. The length of the pipeline was 1700m.
From 1906 to 1956, the VORTINGTON steam piston press with a capacity of 300 liters per minute pushed water from the podlas in Štanjel. Steam with a permissible overpressure of 10 bar to drive a steam reciprocating engine was provided by a stationary steam boiler. Coal for burning the steam boiler was imported by the locals on farm wagons from the Štanjel and Rihemberk railway stations. Right next to the road, there is still an iron gate through which they let it down to the boiler room.
In 1956, the steam press was replaced by a centrifugal pump with an electric motor drive and a capacity of 150 liters per minute. It was driven by an electric motor with a power of 11 kW. In the pumping station, the water was purified through a sand charcoal filter and its bacteriological status was constantly checked, as this water was used as drinking water at the Štanjel railway station and in a few nearby households.
After 1975, diesel locomotives gradually arrived and with that the pumping station lost its importance. It was still used for water supply for some time until it was finally closed in 1984.
The pumping station facility and reservoirs in Štanjel are privately owned. Sparkling wines are now maturing in the tanks. Years ago, the pipes between the pumping station and Štanjel were given a new meaning, as an electric cable and optics were routed through them. There is also a footpath above them that leads to the railway tunnel under Štanjel.