The last remaining water cooling towers, (there were four but the other two were demolished back in the 50's) alas elf n safety have chopped the legs off the access steps.
The upfeed bucket conveyor to feed the furnaces
The original electropower shunter that would drag wagons containing raw lignite into the hopper and discharge into the hoppers for crushing and onward conveying into the furnaces.
There was no power! so I had to walk the length of the shed to the buffers.
A chance to see the water coolers from a higher level
Originally built in 1926 the bunker was only 40yds long, twin tracks, expansion took place within 2 years and it was extended to 120 yds, and increasing the capacity to handling 1200 tons
At the time I thought, that's strange to have a scaled model of the plant here. Writing this up I now find out that a few years ago on certain times of the year guided tours, take place of specific limited areas, AND you have to pay!
Where is the fun in that??
Now that looks
A. Fun
B. Dark
C. A long way down
D. All the above
So? what are we waiting for?
3 beeps and red warning lamp: conveyor is approaching!
Well, having worked in risk management around equipment like this for 20 years all I can say is, it must be a fucking loud beep to be able to hear and in this darkness a very strong lamp!
It was dark, very dark. lovely.
Once I got to the conveyor tailend and returned via the open side things were a little brighter
Caution: danger of crushing only open doors when stationary
The tail end of the bucket elevator that transports the crushed lignite to the furnaces.
Guess where we are going next!
