Padiham Power Station Open Day, 1989.

[jdrobbo]

My dad stumbled upon this footage the other day. He took me (I had just turned six) and my sister to the open day and it was a huge event: hundreds and hundreds of people in attendance.

I remember it clearly (it was incredibly noisy) and a quick watch of the video shows just how far the other way Health and Safety has gone! It was a great day and I later remember attending the site to see the two huge cooling towers demolished.

https://youtu.be/pBwT6vJtAhQ

[clansman]

That was brilliant john. Thanks!

[Guitargeorge]

I was there that day. Have photos of the event somewhere. Great to see Bahamas looking so good.

[jdrobbo]

That was brilliant john. Thanks!

No probs

[jedi_master]

I went to one of these with my Dad, and I remember the tiniest fraction of a memory (and what a boring one, being led to a building and walking across some gravel down a little path). In 1989 I would have been 2 though so I doubt it is then that I remember, did they do this annually or something?

[Dark Cloud]

I once had a private tour of Huncoat power station back in the mid 80's when it was still in service, but never went to Padiham. Question: As I understand it the railway line from Burnely through Padiham, past the power station, then Simonstone, Read and Gt Harwood, closed in 1966 (ish) so how did all those engines get there and what's with all the track?

[Quickenthetempo]

I once had a private tour of Huncoat power station back in the mid 80's when it was still in service, but never went to Padiham. Question: As I understand it the railway line from Burnely through Padiham, past the power station, then Simonstone, Read and Gt Harwood, closed in 1966 (ish) so how did all those engines get there and what's with all the track?

The railway line between Burnley and Padiham power station was still there until around 2000. Trains were still used in the early 90s.

[Quickenthetempo]

Although the rarely used railway line was a great playground for us kids growing up in the area. The green way path is a great addition to the town.

[dushanbe]

Back in the early 90s I fitted the fire alarm in parts of the power station and the in the coal conveyors. There was hardly ever anyone around, such a strange place, it reminded me of the set at the end of Full metal jacket. On the day we commissioned the system, they announced they would be shutting for good in six months.

[Dark Cloud]

The railway line between Burnley and Padiham power station was still there until around 2000. Trains were still used in the early 90s.

I see. I assume the line from Burnley as far as the power station (but no further) remained open for coal deliveries.

[Somethingfishy]

The line branched off just after Rosegrove station. As has been mentioned..it is now the Padiham Greenway. The greenway goes past the edge of Shuttleworth Mead business park (which is where the power station was located) and ends at the bottom end of the Padiham bypass. There are talks of the path continuing across the road..following the old railway line and being able to walk over Martholme viaduct.
I remember being on a cross country run from school one day and we were under Gypsy Bridge by the canal when a big loco with lots of coal wagons came thundering past..incredibly noisy. I walk up the greenway with my dog now and if you continue under Gypsy Bridge into the woods some of the old track is still there just before it meets the main track at Rosegrove. There is also a bit of track at the bottom of Padiham Memorial park too i think.

[ClaretTony]

What a superb bit of footage that is

[claptrappers_union]

Everyone is thin

[Somethingfishy]

All the blokes have a Kevin Webster tache

[jdrobbo]

Back in the early 90s I fitted the fire alarm in parts of the power station and the in the coal conveyors. There was hardly ever anyone around, such a strange place, it reminded me of the set at the end of Full metal jacket. On the day we commissioned the system, they announced they would be shutting for good in six months.

When you need help with an alarm system, Dush is your man!

[rufus lumley]

I worked for over two years installing a fire alarm system at Ormskirk General Hospital that never went live.

[jdrobbo]

Amazing seeing loads of kids hanging from the steamers and folk just running across the path of the trains. Light years away, yet it’s quite nice to see. Innocence.

[Pad1951]

I remember that day too, Fred Dibnah was there.

[jdrobbo]

Yes he was. Aren’t those his engines towards the end? I remember he used to occasionally go past my grandma and grandad’s front door in one of his steamers, in Bolton, on his way to his work sheds, back in the day. Top bloke. He often allowed us in to have a look around.

[giveusaB]

Footage of the chimney & cooling towers demolition plus footage of redevelopment of the turf.About 20 minutes in.

https://youtu.be/HNS1i_C-Jx0

[bfcjg]

Cheers JD Robbo, I was also there that day, amazing looking inside as well as you say the H&S industry would be going insane today. Hows the Covid ? Hope you are improving.

[jjclaret]

I was also there that day. An interesting but perhaps brief read would be the day’s risk assessment file!

[jdrobbo]

Cheers JD Robbo, I was also there that day, amazing looking inside as well as you say the H&S industry would be going insane today. Hows the Covid ? Hope you are improving.

Tested positive on the 27th and still don’t have my taste or smell back. My breathing is more static and comfortable now and my headaches have gone. I’m still quite fatigued but appear to have turned a corner, thank you!