igners were enabled to employ
a contour of roof and wall section for the northerly side that was
identical with the roof and wall contour of the southerly side, so
that the building, when viewed from either end, presents a symmetrical
appearance with both sides of the building alike in form and design.
The operating room section is practically symmetrical in its
structure, with respect to its center; it consists of a central area,
with a truss roof over same along with galleries at both sides. The
galleries along the northerly side are primarily for the electrical
apparatus, while those along the southerly side are given up chiefly
to the steam-pipe equipment. The boiler room section is also
practically symmetrical with respect to its center.
A sectional scheme of the power house arrangement was determined on,
by which the structure was to consist of five generating sections,
each similar to the others in all its mechanical details; but, at a
later date, a sixth section was added, with space on the lot for a
seventh section. Each section embraces one chimney along with the
following generating equipment:--twelve boilers, two engines, each
direct connected to a 5,000 kilowatt alternator; two condensing
equipments, two boiler-feed pumps, two smoke-flue systems, and detail
apparatus necessary to make each section complete in itself. The only
variation is the turbine plant hereafter referred to. In addition to
the space occupied by the sections, an area was set aside, at the
Eleventh Avenue end of the structure, for the passage of the railway
spur from the New York Central tracks. The total length of the
original five-section power house was 585 feet 9-1/2 inches, but the
additional section afterwards added makes the over all length of the
structure 693 feet 9-3/4 inches. In the fourth section it was decided
to omit a regular engine with its 5,000 kilowatt generator, and in its
place substitute a 5,000 kilowatt lighting and exciter outfit.
Arrangements were made, however, so that this outfit can afterward be
replaced by a regular 5,000 kilowatt traction generator.
[Illustration: CROSS SECTION OF POWER HOUSE IN PERSPECTIVE]
The plan of the power station included a method of supporting the
chimneys on steel columns, instead of erecting them through the
building, which modification allowed for the disposal of boilers in
spaces which would otherwise be occupied by the chimney bases. By this
arrangement it was possible to
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