Report - Hartshead power station, Heyrod, August 2023

[0161Dan]

History

The station was opened in 1926 by the Stalybridge, Hyde, Mossley and Dukinfield Transport and Electricity Board. The station began operation with three Metropolitan-Vickers 12,500 kW turbo-alternators generating at the local SHMD supply frequency of 40 Hz. Later that year the station's output was changed to the nationally agreed standard of 50 Hz. In 1935, a major expansion of Hartshead began with the first of three new Metropolitan-Vickers 30,000 kW generating sets being commissioned, followed by the second set in 1943 and the third set in 1950.

The station's concrete cooling towers were constructed in the 1940s. Coal was delivered to the plant at Millbrook railway sidings on the Micklehurst Line, situated on the opposite side of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal. The sidings were built in 1932 and had space to hold up to 130 12-ton wagons. Coal was fed into a hopper underneath the sidings before being transported on an enclosed conveyor belt which emerged high above the valley to cross the River Tame and canal before entering the station at a high level. The station was closed on 29 October 1979 with a generating capacity of 64 megawatts.[8] It was demolished September 24, 1989, although part of the site is still used as an electrical substation.

The visit

This was a spontaneous visit, and was my introduction to this hobby. It started with finding the railway warehouse in a wooded area. I found this easily on google maps, but was surprised how such a large building is hidden until you're right next to it. Nothing much to see here, small hole in the fence to get inside and there's about as much as you'd expect from an empty warehouse. i knew the power station was on the other side of the canal, towards where the coal conveyor remains directed. A short walk later and i found it. There was two lads repairing the fence so i hung around for a bit in the car until they went, and discovered they didn't touch the very obvious access point. Honestly not much at all here, two buildings, pretty much just shells. The first one story building is completely bare. lying behind it is a second building with two stories, with external staircases. Again, very bare with the odd bits of remains fixed to the wall. I am aware there is a fair bit of underground stuff here, I couldn't figure out where. May have another visit on the table if i can find out.

 

[Shaun]

See that the cool bits have gone now

 

[0161Dan]

See that the cool bits have gone now

Yeah, looks very different even compared to fairly recent reports.

 

[TalkingMask]

History

The visit

This was a spontaneous visit, and was my introduction to this hobby. It started with finding the railway warehouse in a wooded area. I found this easily on google maps, but was surprised how such a large building is hidden until you're right next to it. Nothing much to see here, small hole in the fence to get inside and there's about as much as you'd expect from an empty warehouse. i knew the power station was on the other side of the canal, towards where the coal conveyor remains directed. A short walk later and i found it. There was two lads repairing the fence so i hung around for a bit in the car until they went, and discovered they didn't touch the very obvious access point. Honestly not much at all here, two buildings, pretty much just shells. The first one story building is completely bare. lying behind it is a second building with two stories, with external staircases. Again, very bare with the odd bits of remains fixed to the wall. I am aware there is a fair bit of underground stuff here, I couldn't figure out where. May have another visit on the table if i can find out.

Surprised it went so long with what it had, still a shame that even the small cool bits are gone

Was due it anyway, won’t be long before it’s burned or something