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From the collection of Melbourne Tram Museum
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Photograph - Set of 5 Black and White photograph/s - mounted, Darge Photos, early to mid 1920's?

  • A man stands in a control room, operating a complex electrical switchboard with numerous dials, levers, and meters.

    Essendon NMETL power control room

  • A black and white photograph of a row of large, complex industrial engines and machinery in a dimly lit power station setting, with numerous pipes and valves overhead and along the side.

    Interior of the generating room

  • Close-up of a rectangular metal hatch with a rounded frame, secured by six visible bolts. In the center of the hatch is an oval plaque with the words "BARWELL, LINLEY & CO ENGINEERS PATRICROFT MANCHESTER" in raised lettering. Two horizontal handles are present on the hatch face.

    Name plate on one of the generators

  • Interior of a large industrial engine room with multiple heavy-duty, large-scale engines or generators lined up in rows.

    Another view of the generatoring room.

  • Close-up of the side of a large, dark, industrial machine, showing two rectangular access panels with framed inserts. Each panel features a circular brass plaque with engraved text and detailing, identifying the manufacturer as "BROCKETT, LINDLEY & CO. ENGINEERS" and "PATRICROFT, MANCHESTER".

    Name plates on the generators.

  • A man stands in a control room, operating a complex electrical switchboard with numerous dials, levers, and meters.
  • A black and white photograph of a row of large, complex industrial engines and machinery in a dimly lit power station setting, with numerous pipes and valves overhead and along the side.
  • Close-up of a rectangular metal hatch with a rounded frame, secured by six visible bolts. In the center of the hatch is an oval plaque with the words "BARWELL, LINLEY & CO ENGINEERS PATRICROFT MANCHESTER" in raised lettering. Two horizontal handles are present on the hatch face.
  • Interior of a large industrial engine room with multiple heavy-duty, large-scale engines or generators lined up in rows.
  • Close-up of the side of a large, dark, industrial machine, showing two rectangular access panels with framed inserts. Each panel features a circular brass plaque with engraved text and detailing, identifying the manufacturer as "BROCKETT, LINDLEY & CO. ENGINEERS" and "PATRICROFT, MANCHESTER".

Historical information

Photographs of equipment at the Essendon or Ascot Vale Power House operated by The North Melbourne and Electric Tramways and Lighting Company. Photo by "Darge" Photos, 175 Collins St Melbourne, printed on the bottom right hand corner.
1 - Switchboard and wiring at the one end of the power station with attendant.
2 & 3 - View showing the engines and steam control equipment. (images i2 and i3 - close up of builders plate)
4 & 5 - View showing the generator ends of the engines (images i4 and i5 - close up of the buildings plate) - Browett and Lindley of Manchester, main engines. Two copies of image 4 held

Reference photo on page 12 of "A short history of The North Melbourne Electric Tramways and Lighting Company Limited" - K.S. Kings, edited by Dean Filgate Dec. 2016.
See item 9509 for a photo of the boilers and firing arrangements, thought to be at Essendon.

Significance

Yields information about the interior of the NMETL Ascot Vale power house at the Essendon tram depot. Photos possibly taken at the time of the handover to the MMTB /SECV or when the plant was shut down during the 1920s.

Physical description

Set of five Black and White photograph, mounted onto grey impressed and lined, brown rear, card.

Subjects

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