Steam Engines in Brooklyn

Clif Heeney_2

I came across this website today and thought that some of you might be interested.



Quoting from the website:





Who would think that the oldest continuously-operating, privately

owned steam-powered electrical generating plant in the United States

sits in a quiet Victorian section of Brooklyn, New

York?  Pratt University has its original steam-powered engine room

intact.





There are a number of photos and a video of last year's New Year's Eve

celebration where they fire it up and use the steam to power old steam

whistles outside.







Enjoy all ye Steamheads!!



Please post your experiences and photos if you have visited here.

Clif Heeney_2

Website URL

http://steampunkworkshop.com/visit-pratt-university-steam-plant

DanHolohan

I was there years ago.

The place looks like it opened yesterday.  The place also had a bunch of "Pratt cats," which had descended from the original cat years and years ago. They had the run of the joint. It was magical.



Another link: [url=http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2008/03/steam_whistles_pratt_inst.html]http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2008/03/steam_whistles_pratt_inst.html



And more:



http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5076759



http://www.limws.org/Thumbnail-folders/Pratt/Pratt.html

Mike Kusiak_2

Amazing place!

I had a friend who was studying engineering at Pratt in the 1970's who first told me about the engine room. When I went with him to visit soon after, I was amazed to see the generators in daily use in winter. Pratt used the exhaust steam from the engines to heat the campus buildings. At that time a lot of the older buildings still had incandescent lighting, which was wired into the DC distribution system. They also used the generated DC to run the elevators and other motor loads.

Over the years, I have been back a few times, and it hasn't changed except for the fact that they now don't routinely run the generators.

If you are in the area, it's a place well worth a visit.

Clif Heeney_2

I'm Envious

Dan, I thought that you had probably been here in your travels, but wasn't sure.  Thanks for the other website URL's with lots more photos.  I especially like the ones that showed their workshop and other assorted gear in their plant.



Mike, thanks for sharing your recollections!



Both of you gentlemen, have taken in the sights and sounds of a place that sounds like a steamheads dream.  I am truly envious!

DanHolohan

I remember

Conrad had an office door with that old-fashioned milky glass. His name was on the glass in gold leaf. It was very Turn of the Century. He's a true delight.

Clif Heeney_2

Dedication Brochure and Whistles

I've had time to do a little more digging, and found this brochure from the Dedication Ceremony of the Pratt Institute Power Generating Plant.  The dedication was held on 20 April 1977.  Lots of detailed information about the plant and the Institute.



[url=http://files.asme.org/ASMEORG/Communities/History/Landmarks/5628.pdf]http://files.asme.org/ASMEORG/Communities/History/Landmarks/5628.pdf



This video is of the steam whistles that Chief Engineer Conrad Milster sets up from time to time.  These must be the same steam whistles that are heard, but could not be seen, in the video at the first website that I posted.



[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GThb-Gf70pM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GThb-Gf70pM



The magic of steam engines and whistles!

DanHolohan

Wonderful stuff, Cliff!

Thanks for digging that up. If you ever make it to New York, we'll go visit together. 

David Nadle

Memories

I studied engineering at Pratt in the late 80s. The steam plant was just as gleaming then and the Pratt Cats were numerous. Someone said the campus hasn't changed much, but one big change was the closure of the Engineering School in 1992. Still makes me sad. The neighborhood sure has changed.

Clif Heeney_2

Great Invitation

Thanks Dan for your wonderful invitation!  It means a lot to me that you would want to do that and are willing to take the time for me!  I do hope to take you up on it.



I have no current plans to visit New York City, but hope springs eternal!  Now I have a great reason to visit!



Thanks again, my friend!