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Author Topic: Photos of Old Powerplants (1895-1925)  (Read 2014 times)

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Photos of Old Powerplants (1895-1925)
« on: July 19, 2020, 02:58:48 am »
Here are some photos of early powerplants in the state of Oregon. Some of these powerplants are still operating.

1. Photo taken in 1911, these are still in use.


2. Modern photo, powerplant closed but equipment intact,


3. Massive pulley on this one, powerplant closed/gone


4. New generator being prepared for installation in unknown plant


5. Exterior of powerplant built in 1895 still in use with some original generators running 24/7 to this day.


6. Interior of that powerplant. larger generator on right destroyed in 1924 flood, some generators on left still operational.



May upload more if people find this interesting enough.






If I had the storage space... And the money... I'd have a few more engines.

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Re: Photos of Old Powerplants (1895-1925)
« Reply #1 on: July 19, 2020, 07:48:00 am »
Very interesting!

More, please.
Bob

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Re: Photos of Old Powerplants (1895-1925)
« Reply #2 on: July 19, 2020, 08:04:06 am »
I love these old photos, interesting to see how steam engines were replaced with these early electric motors. Most of them in the photos look like they were for water pumping.
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Re: Photos of Old Powerplants (1895-1925)
« Reply #3 on: July 19, 2020, 10:42:48 am »
I love these old photos, interesting to see how steam engines were replaced with these early electric motors. Most of them in the photos look like they were for water pumping.

Actually it's the other way around Philip ..... they were not for pumping water, but rather for generating electricity in what is called a Hydro-Electric mode of operation, whereby the latent energy of water stored in reservoirs is run through a turbine to spin the generator. I would guess that there are not that many examples of this form of generation common in the UK, but it is very common here in the US, especially in the western US because elevation of source and gravity is the key.

Love old photos like this and would appreciate more of the same!
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Re: Photos of Old Powerplants (1895-1925)
« Reply #4 on: July 19, 2020, 10:43:34 am »
More please! Thank you!
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Re: Photos of Old Powerplants (1895-1925)
« Reply #5 on: July 19, 2020, 11:15:23 am »
Quote from: Stoker
Actually it's the other way around Philip ..... they were not for pumping water, but rather for generating electricity in what is called a Hydro-Electric mode of operation, whereby the latent energy of water stored in reservoirs is run through a turbine to spin the generator. I would guess that there are not that many examples of this form of generation common in the UK, but it is very common here in the US, especially in the western US because elevation of source and gravity is the key.

Ah now that does make sense!!

Yes that form of power generation is uncommon over here but there are still a few examples in the UK. I've been very lucky to visit such a facility in Wales at Dinorwig, aptly named the 'Electric Mountain' many years ago. 
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Re: Photos of Old Powerplants (1895-1925)
« Reply #6 on: July 19, 2020, 12:59:54 pm »
If I may add few pics to this thread near St. Louis , MO ; the first is long gone 20KW single phase generators directly connected to a Pelton water wheel. The massive steam engine from a municipal water supply was used to pump water from the water treatment plant to a distant reservoir and city water mains, but some if the pressurized water in the pipeline was diverted off to power a water wheels that powered these electric generators.

The remaining pics are of steam engines that still exist today, albeit rotting in a rotting city, —- a Frick steam engine and two generators and engine room of old Armour plant ,


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Re: Photos of Old Powerplants (1895-1925)
« Reply #7 on: July 19, 2020, 03:08:22 pm »
10 and 11. Exterior of powerplant shown in picture 1 in 1912 and modern day. [ Guests cannot view attachments ] [ Guests cannot view attachments ]
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Re: Photos of Old Powerplants (1895-1925)
« Reply #8 on: July 19, 2020, 03:14:00 pm »
12. A maze of equipment on 2nd floor of a powerplant.
If I had the storage space... And the money... I'd have a few more engines.

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Re: Photos of Old Powerplants (1895-1925)
« Reply #9 on: July 19, 2020, 03:15:18 pm »
same powerplant as last photo, the 1911 station L. Now closed but building still stand with only 2 engines-generators intact.

If I had the storage space... And the money... I'd have a few more engines.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY8ELrOezIftrQ6MKCoHyfQ

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Re: Photos of Old Powerplants (1895-1925)
« Reply #10 on: July 19, 2020, 03:17:14 pm »
14. same powerplant as last photo, the 1911 station L. Now closed but building still stand with only 2 engines-generators intact.

This massive engine is no longer there ):
If I had the storage space... And the money... I'd have a few more engines.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY8ELrOezIftrQ6MKCoHyfQ

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Re: Photos of Old Powerplants (1895-1925)
« Reply #11 on: July 19, 2020, 03:19:09 pm »
15. A 1924 photo of powerplant still in operation today.


Hydroelectric plants can stay in operation for a long time.
If I had the storage space... And the money... I'd have a few more engines.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY8ELrOezIftrQ6MKCoHyfQ

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Re: Photos of Old Powerplants (1895-1925)
« Reply #12 on: August 16, 2020, 02:41:55 pm »
Images seem to be having trouble loading.
If I had the storage space... And the money... I'd have a few more engines.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY8ELrOezIftrQ6MKCoHyfQ