Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-08-02
THE NEW POWER PLANT
Is a Model Of Its Kind and Practically
Ready for Business.

Inc large duultiOH 10 the power
plant of the Augusta, Winthrop &
Gardiner Railroad is now practically
completed and within a few days the
new engine and generators will be
employed in supplying the power for
Ill of the lines now in operation by
the company. The addition adjoinS
the old building on the north, is built
Of brick and is so feet by 80 feet in
size. Work was commenced as soon
rs definite plans for the construction
If the winthrop line was formulated
and ground was broken for the foun-
lation on Feb. 25-when the ground
was frozen like flint, for a depth of
three feet The contract for the build
ing work was in charge of Contractor
Hoxie of Augusta. Three piers of solid
masonry were constructed for the sup
Dort of the generator and engine, and
rom the appearance of things, moth
'ng of less significance than an earth
1uake will ever disturb or jar them.
The equipment of the new plant
embodies the Westinghouse idea and
embraces the most approved appliances
Known to the electrical world-from
1 trolley railroad point of view. The
engine is of 600-horsepower and is
rom the plant of the international
Power Co. A Cross compound con-
ienser is employed. The generator
IS in direct connection with the en-
CINE, without belt and is of the West
inghouse type-alternating current, g.
phase. $50 amperes, lis revolutions per
minute In addition to this man.
moth generator, which is Is feet III
r. x-,l oT-n fypO
transformers and one rotary trans
ormer, providing 9. current of 10000
otis. A Winthrop sub-station has
,een established, and power received
rom the main power house viii be
transformed from the high to a lower
potential The local system of electric
ailroads is essentially of 500 volts
motive power. With the local plant
nd the transforming station at Win
hrop an even voltage of 500 can be
maintained. If more miles of road are
.ventually added to the present sys
en-, more transforming stations Will
lecome necessary, but the main plant
viii undoubtedly be of sufficient horse
ooWer for all time to come. For in
;tance. if the Togus line is extended
Warren as contemplated, trans
orming station at Togus would give
he needed stimulus with the introduce
ion of the mother current from Hal
Dwell.
The current of 10000 volts is trans
erred to the Winthrop sub-station by
means of three copper wires-each of
mailer size than trolley wire. The
inenen have now practically COM
Aleted their work and the wires are
eady for attachment to the new plant
It any time. All Of the electrical APP
lliances which have been installed are
# the most approved type. and en-
irely different from the General Elec-
ric Cos. system. The lightning ar
'esters offer additional inducements to
he decoying of stray bolts which
would enter the building and none are
therefore expected to do so. The cur
'ent emanates from the transformer
md passes through coil of wire
1nown as q choke coil. At the point
where the coil is finished and the wire
passes from the building, a decoy wire
goes straight to the arrester and thence
o the ground. This decoy wire is
straight continuation of the feed wire
md is separated therefrom only by n
y
ollows the wire into the building.
vavers at the choke coil. owing to the
ndefiniteness Of direction, and jumps
the decoy wire, where it is sum-
narily dealt with and carried to the
ground.
In the basement of the power house
s located the high water condenser
md fire pump. Water is taken from
he Kennebec, by means of an S-inch
lipe which extends $50 feet outward
rom low water mark.
George Perkins, who has been chief
engineer of the power plant since the
initial year of the road, 1890, has di-
~ected the work from a local point of
view, while W. r. Steinmetz of the
Westinghouse Company, and Charles
Giles of the International Power Co.
have assisted in the assembling of the
many parts, and have worked Jointly
IN the setting up of the wonderful ma
chinery with which the building is
filed.