Exploring a Huge Abandoned Art Deco Power Plant 

3:27 I operated equipment like this for over 22 years. The blades shown at 3:27 are not turbine blades. That is the collector end of the generator, and the blades circulated hydrogen gas through the generator to cool it. Turbine blades are within the housings at the other end of the machine. 9:56 That tool is for replacing incandescent lamps. It attaches to a pole for out-of-reach places. 14:45 Electrical Switching, Metering and Relaying bay 17:40 The steam condensers have already been removed. They were located underneath the turbines in the archway-like area in the turbine foundation, near the center of each machine. 19:30 Feedwater Heater 19:50 Transport Pipes, carry pulverized fuel and air to the boiler burners. 19:57 Coal Chutes, carry raw coal from the bunker to the pulverizers. 21:42 This is where the condenser would have been. 22:07 Turbine blades and shaft. It is astonishing how much material was abandoned at that site.

You mentioned nothing was being done to preserve it. Well perhaps not physically, but you are preserving it by documenting the architecture and engineering. Good work.

Those mid-century facilities embraced a really lean design, lots of open space and visibility, and natural light. Love the old tech.

I've binge-watched the crap out of your videos, and I've seen the two of you mature through them. But you've always had respect for the places you've explored, and you have never lost the sense of awe over what you've found.

Fun Fact: the reason you've found a bunch of that minty green color in old building is because it was the cheapest kind of paint available. You'll see it across the former Soviet Union for this exact reason.

As far as the asbestos containing materials. Dont get too overwhelmed. As long as you aren't disturbing the materials you are perfectly safe. On the other hand if you beating or filing on the materials and creating a airborne particles. At that time you would be at risk for exposure. I've been working in indistrurial facilities for over 25 years. I find these fascinating especially the controls. I'm a industrial instrumentation tech. Some of that technobly is pre WW2 and very functional even in it's current state.

Every once in a while I find myself coming back and watching this video, you guys most likely got there at the right time as the plant is in the process of being torn down for redevelopment.

I live down the road from this plant. I remember the clock being lit at night when we’d come home late from my grandparents. They’re starting to tear it down now. I know it’s old and has asbestos everywhere but it still makes me a little sad.

I read in an old manual for power plant managers that for the workers to be more productive the plant manager should consider keeping the plant well lit, painted to be aesthetically pleasing, and to practice good house keeping. The plant I work at practices none of those lol.

Just beautiful. That’s America or at least the one I remember. This is a homage to what was, and what could have been. I can only imagine the pride and feelings of accomplishment the first employees felt. Should be a museum with a museum in it. It’s that incredible. Thanks so much guys!

Here is a thought, how cool would it be if you could find somebody who use to work there, to walk you around and explain where everything was and what it did?

Your “whisk “ was a lightbulb changer lol. Lifesaver for when you can’t use a ladder.

the power plants as usual are the most interesting in my opinion. love the colours in this one, hella aesthetic.

I love hearing the howling of wind. Its creepy but cool.

Just a heads up, if your respirator is crushing your face it's on way too tight. If you do both a positive and negative air test and don't feel any leaks then you're good. (I'm a mold remediation specialist and wear those for 8+ hours a day 5 days a week) Love your videos! Thank you for the interesting tours

I weld stainless steel piping for general electric power plants, it's cool to see how it used to be done.

I have been watching since your first video and your art just gets better and better. Love the calm sensitivity and respect that you bring to all the places that you explore. All the Best from Australia.

That "whisk" is a light bulb remover. You attach it to multiple poles and you can unscrew lights without getting out a lift or tall ladders.

I love Mid Century art deco design. The machine age. that turbine hall really makes me happy. I'll bet it was an amazing sight, and quite the spectacle to behold when she went online for the first time back in the 40's.

I can’t imagine the amount of noise created into existence when this plant was in operation and how quiet it is now. Love it.

"Avoid breathing airborne asbestos fibers" - that's a good advice. It's a good thing they remind people of that, lest they forget it and start trying to breath in airborne asbestos fibres.

I love your power plant videos, they're my favorite videos you all do! I would love to see another nuclear power plant. Keep up the good work!

9:56 that item is to change light bulb on a stick when they are prety out of reach

Awesome vid as always guys. Man that plaque at the entrance summed up the pride and work ethic they had at the time. All of that engineering complexity and yet things were simpler back then. Not sure if it's technology to blame or everyone just wanting to make easy money or what but things sure have changed.

Great video, I worked in a coal plant for 40 years. It is now also shut down and abandoned. It was constructed around the same era. First unit on line in 1952. I wish someone would document iy before it gets demolished. Great work guys.

+1 for using exactly the right protection!

Videos of places like these are so important. You guys are really capturing on film the last major remnants of this country's original industrial heritage, when men built things that were incredible and to be proud of, and were built to stand the test of time. That era is over, and I don't think that it will come about ever again anywhere in the world. Thanks again.

"Dumb ass graffiti", just one of the many reasons why I love you guys 💕😆 And security guard geese 😂👍

Ooooh, another power plant! These are definitely my favourite videos to see. It's weird that big industrial places and power plants in these videos always make me anxious. Like it's wrong to even see them or something. Also that quote at the end was deep.

Great video! I absolutly love these old industrial buildings. You should go to poland one time, its absolutly full of old industrial buildings like powerplants and coal mines 😁

The reason why I love your video documentaries is this. Thank you for giving respect to these monuments of energy, the life blood of our lives. Indeed, these places won’t be around long, as God isn’t creating more land. This forgotten place like others, is memorialized in your work.

Thanks for paging through that turbine manual. It's great seeing something that's been lost and abandoned resurfacing somewhere on the internet. You guys are keeping the memories of these places alive. Thank you!

You guys have such a good eye for film and photography. You create beautiful art, and I really appreciate it!

To know what to do is . . . Wisdom To know how to do it is . . . Skill To do the thing as it should be done is . . . SERVICE . . .

This structure is the work of an architect who took pride in aesthetics as well as function. I'm sure there were many other architects who submitted ideas, but when people saw these drawings they recognized its beauty.

My mother would cry if she saw this plant. She was a electric power production specialist in the military in the 70s. I am going to show her your video! Thank you for another amazing upload!

Your passion for these otherwise forgotten places shows. You actually cared and were angry about about the f**ckbags who vandalized it. So glad somebody appreciates the building's history. And one of my favorite parts of a building is the staircase too

I love the fact that y'all go to explore these places simply to appreciate old architecture or just for the joy of exploration -- never to vandalize or steal. I really respect y'all for that. Plus the videos, in general, are just so fascinating. I'm so glad I discovered this channel.

It's really something else to see a place of work that is now totally abandoned. All the people who worked there, the experiences they had. That place is like a huge still portrait of mystery, with a bit of sadness

Excellent explore. It always amazes me how much instrumentation is in a power plant. I fear the aesthetic design of industrial plant nowadays is a dying art.

That turbibe blade assembly is just fascinating! And all the other mechanics of it all 😍👍

This plant is in really good shape for an abandoned building.

4:08 These are direct current generators that create the initial supplementary excitation magnetic field in the generating turbine to then provide brushless excitation generation of power. Really cool video!

You guys seriously make the best content on RU-vid proper urbex content no click bait garbage always get mad hyped when uploads come out thanks guys for the amazing videos

I can just imagine how loud that place must have been when operating. Hearing protection was a must.

These videos always make my damn weekend. When I come home from work, this is the first thing I watch.

I love those old tourist brochures. I really like how you threw in the bit about them fantasizing about vacationing there, it really adds a genuine realness in such a surreal place. It humanizes the plant in a way. Well done as always Proper People!

I love how your videos have become more like short films with smooth narration mood appropriate music and much more steady filming plus I love when you share background history. I also really love when you show colmon things like bathrooms light fixtures glass bottles telephones floor tiles and windows etc.

This is by far my favorite channel on RU-vid. I hope you never run out of amazing places to visit.

The railings throughout are beautiful examples of deco. Some builder should salvage these and use them in a new project.

For kids of the 80s, such modernist structures are a piece of the homespace of our minds. Fun to visit the past.

Amazing video as always lads, always brings a smile to my face when I get a notification saying you uploaded. Top explorers❤️

You will be happy to know they are making conservation efforts for this place. It just is taking a while b/c of all the asbestos.

Those dark, ambient synths really makes this video an 11/10! Well done!

I always wait impatiently for your next adventure. I enjoy your videos immensely. And the fact that you neither destroy or steal anything. The only thing you leave are footprints. Thanks for sharing.

this was awesome! Loved it! Absolutely adore the Art Deco Style, sad to see such craftmanship crumbling and rusting away! despite all the vandalism, I am glad to see that they weren't completely destructive, most of the dials and equipment are undamaged! Keep up the amazing work guys!

I've worn those masks for 8-10 hours straight while at volcanic vents. Yes, they get uncomfortable and full of snot but they do save your health for sure.

@16:40ish.... Turn that shot on its side and it looks like a futuristic city 👀👍

Just wanted to say many thanks for this video and bringing back some fantastic memories of me and my dad. My dad worked for General Electric at the Basildon, UK facility during the 1970's and 80's and as a kid I would sometimes go there and he would take me out on the shop floor where the turbines from ships and power stations would be brought from across the UK and parts of Europe to be refurbished and have the blades replaced, realigned and rebalanced which was done by a lot of very talented people by hand. It was truly something to see, some of the turbines even when on their side were still up to 2 stories tall.

Pure and simple, This power plant was made when craftsmen and engineers had pride in their work. That cared about what they were doing and had an ethic for leaving a legacy more than making $$$. Something that is not thought of today. There are very few true craftsmen.

“You’re walking in asbestos” “Yea”

Power plant and rainy weather damn The Aesthetics are strong on this one!

Plants like this one have powered peoples lives for generations and deserve to be preserved and shared. Thanks for the chances you take getting footage that allows the rest of us to explore these places too.

So glad you guys are documenting these gems. Kudos to you! Thanks

Well done, gentlemen. The book you were checking out was the plants' "O&M" (Operation and Maintenance) manual. You were correct in stating it was specifically for that plants' application. The quote on the large placard at the end of the video is known as "The Ushers' Motto". Some who have attended services in a Baptist church will recognize it, but it's very much applicable to life in general. The last part left out of the quote refers to "pure service" as being the most noble thing a man can do. Also very true.

Imagine that people had to engineer and build this. Holy cow.

If this is where I think it is. That clock on the building worked and was the right time until the very last day of operation. So neat to get to see inside after all the years of just passing it. Im happy you guys do your best to keep locations secret to help deter vandals. Its sad what humans can do to a place.

10:38 imagine if this plant was still open, and you apply for a job opening, and the supervisor told you to read 5 of those books, just to make sure you understand those custom build turbines and generators! I would go insane :P

23:49 - "The wind in here sounds crazy..." Imagine hearing that in that room at night with no lights. Gives me the shivers just thinking about it. ;)

Hands down, you guys just put out kick ass content, stay safe and keep them coming!!!

We began watching your videos nearly two years ago with the sneaking into nuclear power plant episode. This is now my favorite. I love abandoned power plants as well as art deco architecture. Great footage and narration. Thank you!

You guys are the BEST Urbex team EVER!!! I LOVE your videos!!! You take us right along with you, it feels like we're there with you. Take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but footprints. God I love you guys!!! Much respect from the UK

You guys are definitely one of my all time favorite channels. Never get tired of seeing your stuff. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

I live 75 miles from Snoqualmie Falls. Seeing that brochure was like "Hey! I know that place!" for me.

One of the best of your vids imho! Wisdom, skill and service all over this tour! Thx!

8:45 This is scene with the rain coming down is by far my favorite one out of the whole video. I wish you guys would include more moody shots like that!

Awesome, I used to work in a coal fired plant of the same size and vintage. The turbine generators, the Hear Here booths, yellow brick tile...all the same. I would have liked to see the coal pulverizers. With 6 units, there would have been 18 to 24 pulverizers in the basement. Also your approach to asbestos is correct. If it isn't marked non asbestos, it's PACM. Presumed Asbestos Containing Materials. Edit: spelling

This has to be the best one. Of the videos I seen along with the blast furnace video.

What a beautiful industrial site! Thank you so much for sharing this. Some of the shots of rain pouring down and when you walk inside the control panels are deeply emotional and truly cinematic, like those scenes found in the Ghost in the Shell and Bladerunner movies. And cheers up for crawling into those respirators. Take care and stay safe with those hazardous dusts...

Your awesome work preserves these places, even as they continue to degrade, or be torn down. Now there is a record of what they looked like because of you guys. Thank you!

You guys get better with each video. Awesome stuff thanks for the effort.

Books you were referring to about the control system. Those were operator manuals for the vibration monitoring systems. I've worked with many of those in the past. They can measure vibration along with thrust and use key phasers to measure rotational speed. That condition monitoring system can be used to monitor the rotating equipment and give key indicators to when it might need major overhaul type of work. Pretty critical stuff and that brand "Bently Nevada" is the best product in the market for that. Surprised it was just abandoned, there is a big demand for aftermarket equipment like that. Great find.

That place is a work of functional art, and it should be saved. Thanks for bringing this to us all.

This is my favorite video. It is an amazing trip into our past but you truly captured and connected us to the generation that built and operated the plant when you read the lobby sign. It was a transformative moment where we all could feel our former generations come alive.

At 3:53 you can see an ITE KA Slate-back breaker. It normally resides inside the greenish-metal cabinets. As seen, it's in the "racked out" or "disconnected" position and one of it's arc chutes is missing. On the back side is a set of metal "fingers" that grab onto the metal bars in the back that carry the voltage when energized. The beauty of it was that it could be "drawn-out" and worked on easily, or lifted out of it's cradle and replaced with another unit. What makes it special is the very first circuit breaker to ever use an inverse-time element to operate a large switch to protect people and equipment from overcurrent caused by ground faults, short-circuits, and overload. The circuit breakers in your house panel are just a scaled down version of this beast. Really cool to see!

that shot at 16:45 reminds me of some kinda complicated apartment building in a dreary futuristic industrial universe. love it edit: and that BOILER ROOM lookin like a feral ghoul is gonna pop out at you guys any moment

I just realized where you explored. It's such an amazing place inside and out, thank you for letting the rest of the world see it!

You guys are my favorite channel on youtube. Straight up

12:35 Good to know that "Deb loves creampies"

Old power stations are amazing. As you might imagine, we have a few of them in the UK, big and small, and we work hard to restore or find uses for them. Battersea Power Station is perhaps the most famous, it's now being redeveloped. Bankside power station is now the Tate Modern in London, with massive spaces for art and performance. There are a few smaller stations privately owned and converted into homes and offices too, but as almost all of them are listed and protected so everything has to be approved to maintain their features and aesthetics wherever possible. TBH, if you're buying an old power station, you're probably doing it for the aesthetics anyway and want to preserve it. It's a shame we're not investing in modern architecture in the same way we used to, everything we're throwing up now is cheap and temporary in comparison.

Been watching your guys' content for a while and just noticed this video. Thanks for making this! My grandfather worked here for years as a stationary engineer and was a volunteer firefighter. I'll have to show my grandmother this. Sad that they're going to be demolishing it. My mom watched the moon landings in the small guard post by the gate when she was young. Place looks surreal at night.

What a shame, this facility should be a museum.

I live near here... Update: Just explored it (one hour ago, actually) and it's just as mindblowing in person as it is in this video. Great work guys, I love your stuff.

Wow looks like they just up and left right now! Except for the broken glass.

love it when you walked though the control panel. vary cool

You two are truly artists. Your videos are so beautiful and professional

New 'the proper people' upload! Have we won the lottery? No but this is very close.

Thanks for the video!!! Travel channel should buy your old episodes to air.

Love watching y'alls videos, it done in such a way as though we are there, love it. Absolutely love how yall respect and preserve everything, good work guys

Wow, great work. You guys are true professionals. I’d say that you deserve your own TV show if I didn’t think that television was a dying media. I especially loved the end where you read the text from that plaque to the music and changing scenes. Gave me chills.