Location - Inverkip Electric174 viewsHmmmm, were here! Let's take a look, eh?
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The Location - Giant Chimney134 viewsAfter just under a years' break: we return to InverKip with the goal of having a better look around inside.
Both Del and I are feeling fit; so let's try and tackle the chimney first!
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Welcome To InverKip142 viewsInside the massive Inverkip PowerStation Generating Plant.
If your reading this, well done - you have successfully entered the Inverkip Power Station. Have fun, unless your a security guard in which case fook off!
It's clear we are not Inverkip's first guests!
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Compressor 2131 viewsPrevious trips to InverKip had always failed to turn up the one thing we really wanted to see: The Central Control Room!
As compressor 2 points us in the right direction, we press on deeper into the facility.
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InverKip - Visiting Hours94 viewsThe sun is nearly up... Rooks and Co are running a tad late, but Snappel and Userscott are sleeping in a car parked just behind mine.
We should get moving. I'll go wake them up..
HOOOONNKKKKKK!! Car horn; the best alarm clock ever!?
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Time To83 viewsAfter an eventful 'bust by security' that turned out to be Dazza, Rooks and Co. turning up; we made our way inside.
Wow, it took us a while to get in... Uh, clock's wrong.
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Power Station CCTV Side192 viewsWow, no security in sight and nothing to worry about! Right?
Wrong. Check out the top left corner - and you can just make out a CCTV camera that's very interested in us!
We debate wandering on in and finding security - asking if it's OK to maybe take a look? I'm sure they will be reasonable, right? After we stop laughing, we decide a quick scout around is in order...
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Chimney Blower123 viewsAt the base of the chimney we have a look at the giant blower units which would have powered the exhaust gases inside the chimney tubes... There's no easy way in here, so we press on.
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King Dick132 viewsWe are welcomed to the Generating Hall by none other than KING DICK!!!
If ANYONE knows how to build a power-station out of DICKS, it's THIS GUY!
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Respirators106 viewsWe enter some offices equipped with emergency facilities - and it strikes us we may be getting closer to our goal.
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Steam Directions75 viewsThe 'devils horns' steam pipes fire away in all directions.
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The Chimney164 viewsWell, there is no missing the smoke-stack - we saw it from five miles away!!
(Handy for navigation purposes, for sure!)
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Chimney Middle127 viewsWe are in!
On the left and right can be seen the giant internal (brick) tubes of the chimney itself... We proceed upwards... 1000+ stairs to go!
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Watching You Watching Me131 viewsA well timed reminder that CCTV is used at this site... We make a mental note to look out for / avoid any cameras that might be interested in our harmless coming and going!
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Visitors Corridor117 viewsThe main corridor seems to be setup as something of a 'visitor's centre' - with colourful (if very 80's) maps and diagrams on the wall explaining the need for and operation of the plant.
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InverKip Pano101 viewsQuick panorama of the front left side of the turbine hall looking over towards the generators.
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Pump Hall Panorama164 viewsA look outside the pump hall. All glass construction - bold, striking and totally useless for trying to maintain some semblance of stealth behind!
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VHF Set115 viewsRoughly half-way up we find this abandoned VHF radio set.
My legs are killing me already: Christ, I'm unfit!
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Advice of the Month120 viewsAdvice of the month: People in wheelchairs can wire a plug too!
Wow, this sounds... modern!?
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Construction112 viewsWork started in October 1970 and the plant closed in 1988. The plant operated at full output ONCE in that time!
Man, not much of a return for investment, eh?
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Three Phase82 viewsThe output cables from one of the massive generators! Three phase - Blue Yellow Red.
Wouldn't like to see the insulation fail on these!! :-S
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Pump Valves160 viewsThe adjustment valves for the sea water intake. These were still electrically operational - but locked down.
Good call SSEB!
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Burst Lagging128 viewsNearer the top, some of the lagging is falling off the chimney tubing. We'd better get a man in to look at that!
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Tressle111 viewsInside the Main PowerPlant, this lonely trestle greets us and gives us an overview of the plant layout. We thank him for his time and press on.
One day I'll give up taking acid pre-exploration... But not today! ;-)
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Power Map111 views
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The Mini Computers110 viewsInside the 'server room' of the 'data collection suite' near the control room lie these old microcomputers.
Unfortunately, the OS tapes have been removed - for a flick of the switch and these machines power up: still ready to run after 15 years+ non-use.
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Sea Inlets172 viewsSeveral tremendously huge stainless steel wheels can be seen on the sea water intake.
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TurboFan 2000129 viewsThis giant turbofan unit appears to be on stand-by mode... Every ten minutes it fires up for 30 seconds! The noise is intense as it sends a gale into the sleeping monster that is the burner-stack!
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Designing InverKip143 views
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156 viewsAT LAST!! After a ball-breaking 45minutes climb, we arrive at the top... Greeted by this almost anti-climactic steel hatch, we pull ourselves up onto the chimney roof.
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Pair Of Computek 300s133 viewsThese '300 series Video Terminals' (EGA equivalent I'm told) would have represented state of the art early 70's technology.
Unfortunately, these appear to have suffered with age as one has a blown fuse and the other completely refuses to start.
Oh well, no advanced colour graphics for us today then!
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Pump Wheel158 viewsA look at one of the huge wheels!
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A Long Way Down!139 viewsAnd it all became worth it!
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Central Power Handler106 views
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InverKip at Work155 viewsWow. The 70's just came alive!
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Medical Cupboard and Fuse Tester90 viewsIn a corner of the control room lies this human first aid kit... And control panel first aid kit: the fuse tester (which still works)!
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Pump Hall192 viewsThe Pump Hall - this would have scooped up sea water, cleaned it and sent it through to generate steam / cool the three massive steam driven generators.
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Pump House134 viewsLooking out towards the water pumping station we visited in Trip 1.
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InverKip Station Manual137 viewsWith this small office full of 'how to run a power-plant for dummies' manuals, we detect our target is close.
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Wind Direction Indicator92 viewsThe 'chimney status indicator' panel - a Wind Direction and Speed indicator.
No doubt then the wind was blowing towards Glasgow they could switch to a more polluting grade of oil and start burning medical waste!
;-)
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