Exploring an Abandoned 1920s Hydroelectric Power Plant with Original Generating Units

[@TheProperPeople]

Thank you Helix for sponsoring! Visit helixsleep.com/properpeople to get 20% off your Helix mattress, plus two free pillows. Offers subject to change. #helixsleep

[@kurtismckemmie4850]

Is your mattress good for side and back sleepers?

[@09mxrider]

Why don't you guys explore the old kieser aluminum plant in Spokane Washington???

[@fredashay]

_"Frankly Scarlett, I don't give a hydroelectric power plant!"_

[@09mxrider]

@DAMIAN WAGNER all hydroelectric generators are direct current dum dum it is then inverted into alternating current so it can reach your house if you tried to use ac current you would kill everything in the lake

[@jamessparkman6604]

@@09mxrider I think this electric plant should be shut off forever

[@BigRigTrig]

Y’all can do as many power stations as you want, I’ll never get sick of watching them

[@inazuma1]

These old power plant exploration videos are my favorite of theirs

[@prdoohan]

​@@inazuma1These and the steel Mills 🤌👌

[@notwaldo]

The man above is spittin

[@ToxicFruitSnack]

This one in particular is pretty dope i wish i had the money to travel down there in Portugal 🇵🇹

[@zxggwrt]

Yea!

[@randomchannel1712]

This power plant seems to utilize two types of water turbines, Kaplan and Francis, the ones looking like big turbos are Francis type with adjustable guide vanes, although they seem very old given the generator is a dc machine, the shaft driven ones are most likely Kaplan with the exception of 11:25 one which has vanes thus its a Francis unit. 8:49 that's not the exciter, but rather the commutator linking the rotor assembly with the machine's output, the excitation winding is on the stator alongside the auxiliary winding and compensation windings. That machine is a 42kw unit

[@johnsenchak1428]

DAMN ! ( PUN INTENDED ) another good video !

[@MrPhotodoc]

The overhead crane is next level.

[@DerelictToDecay]

Freakin awesome!

[@brendakrieger7000]

Thanks for sharing this location🏚🏭

[@UQRXD]

It was clean power.

[@zxggwrt]

It takes a second to wreck it It takes time to build

[@djfunkycraig]

Crikey, was wondering when the free to air adds finished just to watch

[@sameerrajakumar]

In today’s episode we gonna blown away by an abandoned hydro electric power plant

[@BrogeKilrain]

They should rebuild that hydroelectric plant and use it . Much better than wind and solar

[@tew2608]

These are.old hydro electric systems but look similar to the still running ones on the authorized personnel only you tube videos

[@NGHmusic]

making me wanna play infra again.

[@PedroSantos-he7vd]

I'm Portuguese and my grandmother have worked in that place for many years. This was the very first portuguese hydroelectric power plant and construction begin in 1908 finishing in 1922. Till recent years it was still used partially as part of storage and distribution of electricity into the grid.

[@Nollekeuh]

The place should be protected…

[@jlwine]

Certainly one of best preserved power plants you visited. Predictable-but disappointing that scrappers have gone after the place. Nice job guys.

[@TheCabinfever1977]

over $10,000 in copper per motor, i don't know what the scrappers are thinking...

[@jlwine]

@@TheCabinfever1977 yeah, I think they are thinking just that-that it is okay to steal others property as long as it’s valuable enough and no one is watching. Quite sad.

[@jooch_exe]

@@TheCabinfever1977 If they cared they'd have cameras or people surveilling the building. The owners are probably happy that scrappers are doing the dirty job, because getting rid of anything that contains just traces of asbestos can be a massive money pit nowadays. Thank legislation for making any work or maintenance on these machines practically impossible.

[@JustMeandMySelf2]

It's sad to hear of scrappers destroying these beautiful and historic places.. Makes me appreciate the ones that have turned int museums and have tours

[@Quellems]

better to have people preserve them than turn them into museums. Museums make boundaries, and boundaries suck for explorers.

[@mindeeloo]

True, and museums sometimes charge

[@lenajesse]

​@@Quellems Better to have them turned into museums etc., than be just preserved and left empty, with no other use, but to wait for explorers and eventually - vandals - to come. Also, without money or purpose to truly preserve them, they will not be taken care of for future generations to see. Museum use protects these buildings better than security guards or explorers do.

[@Quellems]

@@lenajesse and museums ruin the experience. Museums are literally a s s

[@lenajesse]

@@Quellems Ruin what experience? To see a building turning into a ruin? The preservation of a building in an unvandalized state with its interiors and stories intact, so that future generations *have* a location to experience and appreciate in person, and a space to share with people long gone...is far more important than the "experience" of few explorers (or their viewers) who are respectful to the property. It's even more important than the experience of people who don't care to just take memories and leave only footprints. If it was only respectful explorers who were getting in, then museumization of these places would not be necessary. I highly appreciate these videos for preserving cultural heritage into a video form. Nobody is taking care of the buildings, so at least someone is making a record of the spaces and buildings, before they are gone...or bulldozed to make way for an Amazon warehouse. But if someone were to take the buildings and turn them into a museum or using them for something else, that would be better. Because the buildings were built to be used, not to be locations where you can go experience "life after people".

[@ylwen1525]

The architecture of this place is incredible ! They knew how to make powerplants in the 1920’s. Love them !

[@spongebobsqueeze]

I do not understand by a place like this would not still be in use. I can certainly understand building and using a more modern and efficient hydroelectric but unless it was seriously interfering with the wildlife or causing pollution problems, the more power the better.

[@Murgoh]

@@spongebobsqueeze Probably too expensive and work intensive to run for the power output compared to more modern, more automated facilities. An old-fashioned plant like that would require a lot of skilled workers to run and maintain.

[@kaiyotee2475]

*insert PG&E joke* Seriously we have lost so much power this year.

[@togowack]

these plants are thousands of years old the ones the Freemasons didn't disable and scrap from 1800-1900 were switched on for a while for the fake industrial revolution. Doesn't it occur to people that they should be turned back on and should never have been turned off ?? it will probably be local communities that should do this and write some laws to protect the areas.

[@togowack]

@@Murgoh Expensive and work intensive how? These would have required almost zero maintenance. Unless you are ramping it up and down, which is why the ancients had batteries in all the forts. Anybody could run this thing

[@medhurstt]

I think in years to come your videos will be considered some of the more valuable videos ever made.

[@J-T-]

I have always thought the same

[@Andy_Dines]

I'm always blown away with how much style was put into these old power plants! In everything, the floors, the walls, the machinery. the railings and stairs. A fabulously executed visual feast for the eyes, excuse me while I take the tour a second time and try and take it all in :-D

[@bread-muncher]

it honestly feels more welcoming to workers that way. with a more homey/peaceful working environment with peaceful pastel colors instead of an industrialized metal grey.

[@togowack]

It's a Tartaryan power plant, meaning we didn't build it, it is from when the USA was known as Great Tartarya, and we had better start re activating these old plants because they were built hundreds of years ago and will need them again.

[@michaelimbesi2314]

Yeah, in those days electricity was the new technology and the people who worked with it were the tech workers of their era. Power plants were considered the height of modernity and were emblems of the forward progress of humanity, and were decorated accordingly.

[@togowack]

@@michaelimbesi2314 In those days power plants were already very old and being removed by the Freemasons.... nothing was wired it was all wireless, if you look at the photos those ugly poles with wires on them doesn't match the buildings for style at all. Had to attach meters to them, Mr. Rockefeller

[@w8lvradio]

It's the same way with the "old" Canadian Niagara Power Building: It looks like a TEMPLE!

[@CowTown]

Beautiful building and stunning scenery around it! Awesome

[@edge8941]

The power generating stations are always among my favorites. This should be a good one.

[@edge8941]

@@RealWattage I thought it was interesting and I liked it. What kind of videos do you prefer?

[@MetaphoricTechnique]

Hey Proper People, I have a request. If an electrical enclosure or control cabinet is de-energized it would be amazing to see the inside. I would love to see the care and style that electricians of the day used to wire them up. It truly is an art form and I have been so curious what that specific slice of history looks like. BTW you guys are amazing keep it up!

[@MrTonyPiscatelle]

That would have been done by a real electricians unlike todays multi craft technician that isn't a pro in anything. They were paid top scale pay and turned out some of the best work and visually pleasing to the eye. Most had data plates with the technicians name on them. They were proud of their work.

[@BlueZirnitra]

​@@MrTonyPiscatelle There are still competent electricians that know what they are doing. Rose tinted glasses. Their work underpins all the shit around us that works, regardless of the lack of fancy nameplates.

[@jestestuman]

Not a good idea, no offence but both of these guys or their pals are knowledgeable in any way in electric related things, in those old places often there are lack or missing LOTO security on existing operating connections and there is high degree of probability something can be on. They could do this if they would have measuring/safety equipment. Sometimes they don't even have masks where there is obvious damage to lungs or potential chemical fumes, so it's unlikely they will have necessary security electrical equipment. They seem to follow this rule and don't touch what is potential danger.

[@MrTonyPiscatelle]

@@BlueZirnitra Worked the trades for over 40 years and I can tell you sir that the majority are not that good and do just enough to get a paycheck

[@platin2148]

The price of building this would not be possible today.

[@ggnutsc]

Those things you referred to at the 12 minute mark are connecting linkage between the governor and the wicket gates that allow water flow into the turbine. The governor opens and closes those wickets based upon the speed of the machine.

[@unclemonster48]

Like guide vanes?

[@ggnutsc]

@@unclemonster48 similar to guide vanes that encircle the turbine case. Kind of like vertically oriented Venetian blinds that open and close to guide water into the scroll case to allow more or less water flow. They are typically operated by a hydraulic cylinder that is controlled by the turbine governor.

[@dirtyaidzz]

Holy shit guys I'm from Rockford IL an used to work for Woodward wow this is crazy I'm a huge fan of ur guys work keep the amazing work u guys do love it

[@Richy.Boi.]

You guys still produce the best content in the abandoned genre! Really enjoy the power plant vids.

[@Tbone1716swagmaster]

@@RealWattage Who then? Genuinely curious.

[@valmorumann6840]

Location ,lugar país?????.....

[@APERTUREAEC]

my love for abandoned places in perfect condition will never change. this is a perfect example of what it is.

[@lilacfilms7292]

Gotta say, that is the most beautiful power plant I have ever seen. I hope you guys find more power plants to explore.

[@logankibler5733]

Excellent Video! I am a Hydro Electric Engineer working on many of these style of units! They are correct, many different OEM units there, Russian, German, Swiss, USA! Fun to see the original mechanical flyball governors. Many of these style units are upgraded by now, but there are still some out there running from around 1900 unchanged. I work for one of the companies listed in the Video. It would be fun to see if I can dig up some original drawings for this equipment. Great find and video documentation. I try to collect old drawings of much of this equipment in my spare time. If anyone has any questions about how any of it works, ASK!

[@DurresDurres-nf5rw]

Where is the location of this please ? I want to visit it BADLY

[@RegalCobra097]

Okay, here we go: 1- Why are two generators horizontal and on a lower level while the others are higher up, vertical and the turbines deep down connected by a drive shaft? Is it just the size and therefore generation capacity? 2- 10:38 What is that? Some kind of governor? 3- On the switchboard in the contol room; (16:27) The red line is the electrical side, right? Are the switches for remote power switches? 4- 18:26 What is that for?

[@swi4blde]

Wow, this place seems like something out of a dream. The colors, the amount of empty space, the fact that there is close to none vandalism and its just the small amount natural decay. It almost feels like the whole place could just come back to life at any second! Great video!

[@EphemeralProductions]

This has to be the most pristine abandoned power plant I’ve ever seen! lol. At least out all of the ones they have shown.

[@Ru2stee]

This is probably second to the peppermint power plant in terms of how untouched it is.

[@upstatelee18]

It seems like a lot of the European locations they go to have a lot less graffiti and destruction than the US locations.

[@EphemeralProductions]

@@upstatelee18 big surprise. The entitled rude angry people of America are more destructive and happy of vandalism than a lot of other places it seems.

[@newrad2007]

Woodward in Rockford!! That's my back yard!! Home to so much industry in that time period. Sad how it's pretty much a shadow of itself. Super cool explore guys. Well done as always.

[@johncantrell614]

With so many interesting places you two have been to over the years, perhaps one day you should consider publishing a coffee table book, with a bunch of the most interesting places, or perhaps places that you have made videos about that are no longer around anymore. Kind of a way to preserve history, as well as be a neat alternative income stream if the book does well. Even e-books!🙂

[@snorlax4021]

This is seriously such an awesome video. You are preserving history, keep doing what you are doing.

[@Kristjan10a]

Hope places like this get preserved like a museum or something.

[@weatherwitchandfelinefamiliars]

This was absolutely fantastic! As usual your beautiful style of filming and editing made this a complete joy to watch. Such beautiful machinery, architecture, design and scenery here. Unexpectedly I found it incredibly relaxing too! I think the beauty of the place along with the background sounds made for an incredibly peaceful video ❤️

[@kelleyursu8610]

Awesome! Love seeing sites with just some natural decay, no vandalism or graffiti. Power plants are always great. Another good one 👍

[@maximkluck9938]

Where do find these abandoned Buildings, all of the places is there an app😊

[@davidwilhelem5288]

Wow I love these kind of buildings❤ You are awesone guys! Never stop it please😊

[@EphemeralProductions]

with all the craziness going on in world, these videos help me escape for a while. I know i've said it many times before but THANK you so much, once again! i always drop what I'm doing and run to watch your videos when I get notified! :)

[@skeetrix5577]

how are there comments from a day ago when it says it was only uploaded 67 seconds ago?? lol

[@flygirl6048]

Channel members get early access

[@Fruitflyonyourwall]

Sometimes when places are closing they will strip pumps etc to reuse at nearby plants because almost immediately after they stop running rust will take over and prevent them from being operational in the future. That could be the case with some of the equipment in the video, such as around the 10:00 min mark. I add this as someone currently working in wastewater that’s seen this happen in our local systems, because new gear is insanely expensive.

[@DavidMacLuna]

That's the Ponte de Barca original station - the much bigger station at Alto Lindoso Dam made it kind of obsolete around 1992, but it was kept maintained as a backup and secondary station, I think. Which explains why it's in such good shape - it hasn't been totally abandoned, or if it is, it hasn't been for very long.

[@UnchartedTravel]

Yay new video!!

[@JounLord1]

That is insanely well preserved. It at times looks like the workers just stepped out for a break. There is something cool about decay but something equally cool about something preserved, looking as it did when still occupied.

[@neonnoodle1169]

if that was in the USA it would be covered in grafiti inside and out

[@JounLord1]

@@neonnoodle1169 You unfortunately aren't wrong. Taggers and urban explorers are natural enemies like brothers and sisters.

[@classicaudioadventures]

I'm thankful you can preserve places like this in photography...they don't make 'em like they used to. The circular mechanisms on top of the turbine housings are the actuator links that connect to the wicket gates, which control the flow of water into the turbine.

[@sarahcoleman5269]

Amazing how pristine the place was, I work in a 100-year-old building and we have more grime and peeling paint than that! And it was last painted less than 10 years ago! Considering how polished some of those panels were I wouldn't be surprised if there was someone who came through every once in a while. Maybe it's not used for generating power anymore, but it's still a part of the power grid?

[@rebokfleetfoot]

it's a shame to see it disintegrate away, something should be done, some of those brass fittings are worth a small fortune, hard to believe they still there

[@chrismiller7754]

Those control room gauges were stunning! Made by Swiss Precision Tool Masters!

[@MoisesCaster]

14:14 That box is written "Labelec". It's a division of a Portuguese energy company called EDP (Energia de Portugal). It's responsible for the preventive maintenance of this hydroelectric plant. This company also supplies energy to my state, São Paulo, Brazil.

[@valmorumann6840]

De nada adianta postar fazer sensacionalismo e não tem informações complementares!!!

[@WTFIsThisGuyDoing233]

Why do I get nostalgic for old power plants

[@GRAFHC]

It's almost like seeing an alien world, just a century ago when there was pride in literally everything made. All things contained art, and care, everything was intentional. Profits mattered, but they weren't the only important element. Sure we can all buy a 60" 4K television for a couple hundred bucks now, but the craft is long lost. I'm not even sure we as a civilization could design, engineer and produce things like this anymore.

[@watershed44]

@GRAFHC Before the money.changers took power from us!

[@craigandsnowwadam4511]

Absolutely 💯 AWESOME!!

[@stacylynn1821]

Love y’all’s videos. Y’all do such a great job

[@GreyRockOne]

Wow, very nice. What was that big pit with the water shooting up at about 4:25?

[@nicholas4839]

I want to know the same thing my best guess is a pipe that was used to transport the water to the turbines broke and created a sink hole there now where we see water shooting up now is my guess could be wrong

[@DGCastell]

Hydro plants are quite amazing due to all the complex engineering involved. About the empty space at 5:11 - here in my country there's a hydro plant called "Cerrón Grande" which was originally planned to house four generators but was later reduced to only two due to miscalculations, so now there are just the huge empty spaces left beside the operational units. It may be possible that this was the case here, or it was just simply decomissioned / removed at some point.

[@SimplyTakuma]

06:23 Many greetings from Baden, Aaragau, Switzerland! 🇨🇭🇨🇭🇨🇭 09:38 And also Escher & Wyss Cie. from Zurich

[@CarpeDiem2]

Yay, time for decay !

[@65gtotrips]

I think it’s sooo cool how even industrial plants were given period architectural detail as seen in this video. Most if not all of these types of settings weren’t skimmed over on detail, showing the character of people back in that time.

[@janicecopeland9083]

Yall just keep em coming and we will come watch!

[@ianellertson4963]

I live in Green Bay wi and have worked at a paper mill owned by Georgia pacific which was over 120 years old called “Day street” The mill just shut down last year and i can’t wait to see if they explore this place especially since there was a murder that took place at this specific mill in the pulper tank in the 90’s which I worked by and on many times! This would be Soo cool!

[@walf8099]

I can't believe i've never heard of this place, especially in the surprizingly immaculate conditon it's in, many thanks to you guys for showing it off. Greetings from Portugal! Edit: I guess Sorefame built the metal armatures for the generators, they were a metal workers company who built rolling stock for Portugal's railways that still runs to this day.

[@rickybrazzell7348]

The lever things on the turbine are nozzle speed controls that control RPM. The Woodward governor actuates or moves the nozzle ring. I love any videos on old power plants.

[@hawnsolow]

I worked an old power plant in Arkansas they are packed full of asbestos....be careful when exploring around any old plant

[@nunegalibut]

What a fascinating place,amazing engineering back in 30's

[@craigandsnowwadam4511]

This is so awesome!! I’m a steampunk guy,…and this is rocking my brain!! Thanks boys!!

[@ScarlettStunningSpace]

I think if I had to travel back in time, I'd work in an old school power plant like this one, back before modern design made everything look the same. Just to have that knowledge of running the whole plant is cool alone.

[@MynameisChris_72]

You know its a great start to the weekend when my proper peeps release a new video to get ridin

[@ShooterMcNut]

Straight up Bioshock vibe.

[@HarpazoReady2022]

Really nice video. The first room you went through seemed uncommonly clean and swept. To have an open window above, there’s no leaves or debris that’s blown in. A lot of the instruments were clean, no spider webs either. It looked great! So interesting to see those old machine brands.

[@christopherharris6005]

Awesome video as always Proper People. I always look forward to watching your videos especially the power plants.

[@roxychickw49]

Obsolescence is my new word for today lol

[@tommycoffelt]

Hey go to crawfordsville Indiana power plant and state hospital 😂 please you both never been there ok

[@phantomskipdavid]

You guys are amazing love when a new video comes out We luv em! Keep it up!

[@damaddog8065]

I suspect some minimal maintenance is being done on that plant, as a back up. Good thing you did not touch anything could have got cooked.

[@craigandsnowwadam4511]

@ 4:33 those floor tiles look like something M.C. Esther would have designed

[@jeffsutter5982]

The plaque on the wall the said Voith... Voith hydro is a machine shop in Pennsylvania that specializes in hydroelectric turbines. I'm not 100% sure, but I bet the actual metal impeller inside was machined in the US, by Voith Hydro

[@bryank3500]

You guys are doing awesome.. exploring the abandoned, and documenting the remains. Always enjoy your vids the best.

[@allawa]

Miss the old days when it was about architecture and pride of the building now it's about cost cutting and efficiency

[@engineresurrector2414]

Thanks for the helpful progress bar during the promotional ad.

[@victorm.photovic9983]

The absence of vandalism is mind blowing…kinda nice for a change.😁

[@deborahchesser7375]

Sounds like me now, sitting quietly in obsolescence ✌️🇺🇸

[@DavenHiskey]

Im getting sick of power plants and prisons, just my harmless opinion✌😉

[@sidewaysbeard7606]

This was pretty cool, very vintage. You guys always find interesting cool places, no matter where you are. :)

[@tiagosilva.b5]

Im from Portugal, much love for you guys

[@TieDyedShawn]

I wish people would leave these places alone. they are history.

[@daddythomas1389]

Thanks guys for another great video!!! Your attention to details, staircase, floors, ceiling gaging equipment is such a sensitive and heart felt touch!! As always, amazing job!!!

[@GaMMERKitten]

I hope you can find more abandoned hospitals to explore

[@alexreisinho]

hello guys..i am from Portugal. Where is this place ? local name?

[@paulvamos7319]

Thank you for this awesome explore! I thought you had gotten arrested or worse, someone got hurt! Thank God both of you are ok!🍻🥳

[@gmcnewlook]

This place looks remarkably looked after wouldn’t be surprised if someone comes and checks on it occasionally (edit got to the end, never mind)

[@formulized94]

The pride that was put into construction back that really speaks for itself time and time again. Does it seem that the exploration sites seem less disturbed when they are abroad? I really enjoyed this one.

[@RangerRickTV]

sikkkkkk!

[@craigandsnowwadam4511]

I’d seriously love to live here

[@EphemeralProductions]

That looks like a small hydro plant i know of in a small town here in my state. :) down to the look of the building and the surrounding greenery. Not nearly as big though and not as big a switchyard

[@punchline1729]

4:21 Terrifying

[@lands1459]

that place is in such good shape that one of the units could probably be spun up, reexcited and resynchronized

[@flannerymonaghan-morris4825]

It amazes me that equipment nearly hundreds of years old appears to be in intact good working condition!

[@mikebon8352]

Looks very Edison/ Tesla times..

[@thenameisnando]

Wow, my family lives 20 minutes from here and I visit the new dam every time i visit Portugal.