Plant: (
Satellite)
Tailrace Tunnel Outlet: (
Satellite, 229 photos)
This
Niagara Parks website has a lot of information about this station.
The road goes over the forebay.
Robert Gauthier
posted two photos with the comment: "Canadian Niagara Power Forebay as it was being built in 1904. Second pic is from last week."
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Candice Ann commented in Robert's post
On a nice foggy day...it is an amazing building. |
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| Robert Gauthier commented on his post |
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Dougie Jay posted
Postcard of The OPG & Canadian Niagara Wm B Rankine Stations (Buffalo Morning News, courtesy ebay) |
You can take a
tour that allows you to walk through the 2,200' (670m) long tailrace tunnel to the outlet for some interesting views of the falls and gorge. An elevator takes you down 180' (55m) from the plant to the tunnel.
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NiagaraFallsTourism
This was the first major power plant on the Canadian side of the Niagara River.
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NiagaraFallsLive
In 2023, the self guided tour was $20 (Canadian) for adults. The tunnel tour opened in 2022. |
Not only was the tunnel dynamited out of bedrock, but the 14' (4 1/4m) deep forebay was also dynamited out of bedrock.
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NiaragraParks_construction, this webpage has several more construction photos
Construction started in 1901. "Although the plant was ready to generate power by the end of 1904, its generators did not operate until July 27, 1905. At the time it opened, the power station was 296 feet (90 metres) long and big enough to house five generators that were brought into operation between 1905 and 1906. In 1913, the plant was expanded to 600 feet (183 metres) and five additional generators were added by 1917. The eleventh and last generator was added in 1924."
[I have not been able to find the megawatt rating of the generators.] |
This post taught me that the name is the William B. Rankine Station.
Mark Knupp
posted eight photos with the comment: "William B. Rankine Station Niagara Falls Canada. 25 cycle 11 units. Quite a unique operation. Now a museum. Would've loved seeing this in the full operational era."
James Irons: Why would they shut down a hydro operation ? Couldn't it be updated with new turbines ?
Mark Knupp: James Irons 25 cycle, some issue with rock strada shifting the alignment of the shafts . The turbines are 9 floors down. And water rights.
[At least they preserved it as a museum rather than tear it down or let it die a slow death.]
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A comment on the above post provided the following link.
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| MarkCsele, it has an extensive history and collection of photos |
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12:34 YouTube video @ 4:11
The thrust deck
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Was Rankine the Ontario Power Co.?
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Voith Group posted
Would you have thought that Voith was already commissioned 120 years ago by customers all over the world to build turbines for the generation of #CleanEnergy? As early as 1903, Voith received a special order to build large turbines for the power stations at Niagara Falls. 💦 The Ontario Power Company there ordered twelve Francis spiral turbines. At the time, this was no ordinary request, the twin turbines, each rated at up to 12,000 hp, were among the largest and most powerful ever built. 💪 This spectacular project caused quite a stir among experts as the turbines reached an output that had never before been achieved. ➡️ Are you curious about hydropower? Brett Wanamaker shared |
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