Mercury-arc rectifier station under threat! - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Lucien Nunes · 3rd Aug 2013, 4:27 pm

The Laxey substation of the Manx Electric Railway has for a long time been one of the last surviving mercury-arc installations in service in its original location for its original purpose. As a traction supply station it is now effectively unique in the UK, yet it is threatened with destruction now that the supply arrangements have modernised.

I believe it can and should be conserved complete and in situ, just as it is at the moment. Mercury-arc is an important 20th century technology that has the ability to inspire as well as to rectify - engineers and non-engineers alike are fascinated by the giant glowing bulbs.

A petition has been launched in support of the conservation of the sub, not just the bulbs (as sometimes happens) but the complete plant. Things are moving fast, there is a meeting about its future on Monday...

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/...b-station.html

Lucien

mole42uk · 3rd Aug 2013, 5:04 pm

Here's a couple of photos - not mine, it's years since I was there.

Richard

M0FYA Andy · 3rd Aug 2013, 8:10 pm

Duly signed, and forwarded to various vintage technology friends not on this forum!

Andy

MotorBikeLes · 3rd Aug 2013, 10:08 pm

Likewise, Les.

Zelandeth · 4th Aug 2013, 12:32 am

Thanks for the heads up there. Petition has been signed.

davidw · 4th Aug 2013, 8:36 am

Signed

Phil G4SPZ · 4th Aug 2013, 8:58 am

Signed

Cobaltblue · 4th Aug 2013, 9:37 am

Apparently I was signatory 561.

So a few people have now signed

Cheers

Mike T

elanman99 · 4th Aug 2013, 11:53 am

I'm on at 510

Ian

Lucien Nunes · 4th Aug 2013, 11:58 am

Thanks to everyone who has signed so far, if you fancy writing to Graham Cregeen, the minister who would be able to leverage this project, to add your support, you can find his contact details here:
http://www.tynwald.org.im/memoff/mem...CregeenGD.aspx
Thanks
Lucien

davidgem1406 · 4th Aug 2013, 1:04 pm

Signed today

Richard · 4th Aug 2013, 1:17 pm

No 587 here.

audiomagpie · 4th Aug 2013, 1:52 pm

Signed!

Greg

HamishBoxer · 4th Aug 2013, 2:03 pm

Signed 596.

line sync · 4th Aug 2013, 2:04 pm

Signed. 597

sentinel040 · 4th Aug 2013, 4:37 pm

Done.....

kalee20 · 4th Aug 2013, 7:46 pm

Signed... 635

gingpeakin · 4th Aug 2013, 8:10 pm

Signed - No. 644

maninashed · 4th Aug 2013, 10:24 pm

Signed Lucien, you have my total support.
Bill

MotorBikeLes · 5th Aug 2013, 11:07 am

I circulated details of the petition to a motorcyclist's list I run. I received this reply from a pal, now retired, who was an engineer with the Manx Electricity Authority.
His Reply:--

Hi Les,
Some 15 years ago, after I had been assisting the MER staff at Laxey locate a cable fault, I recommended to the Engineering Staff at their head office that the HV switchgear was in urgent need of upgrading, but further recommended that they retain the old switchgear as control gear using the old switches at a suitable low voltage to operate the new switchgear. This would have ensured the retention, maintenace and cleaning etc of the old transformer, rectifier, and other gear in a safe manner.
Obviously ingnored.
Joe O'H

Les.

3rd Aug 2013, 4:27 pm	#1
Lucien Nunes Rest in Peace Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: London, UK. Posts: 2,508	Mercury-arc rectifier station under threat! The Laxey substation of the Manx Electric Railway has for a long time been one of the last surviving mercury-arc installations in service in its original location for its original purpose. As a traction supply station it is now effectively unique in the UK, yet it is threatened with destruction now that the supply arrangements have modernised. I believe it can and should be conserved complete and in situ, just as it is at the moment. Mercury-arc is an important 20th century technology that has the ability to inspire as well as to rectify - engineers and non-engineers alike are fascinated by the giant glowing bulbs. A petition has been launched in support of the conservation of the sub, not just the bulbs (as sometimes happens) but the complete plant. Things are moving fast, there is a meeting about its future on Monday... http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/...b-station.html Lucien

3rd Aug 2013, 5:04 pm	#2
mole42uk Nonode Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Resolven, Wales; and Bristol, England Posts: 2,608	Re: Mercury-arc rectifier station under threat! Here's a couple of photos - not mine, it's years since I was there. Richard Attached Thumbnails

3rd Aug 2013, 8:10 pm	#3
M0FYA Andy Nonode Join Date: May 2007 Location: Preston, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 2,511	Re: Mercury-arc rectifier station under threat! Duly signed, and forwarded to various vintage technology friends not on this forum! Andy

3rd Aug 2013, 10:08 pm	#4
MotorBikeLes Nonode Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Kirk Michael, Isle of Man Posts: 2,350	Re: Mercury-arc rectifier station under threat! Likewise, Les.

4th Aug 2013, 12:32 am	#5
Zelandeth Heptode Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, UK. Posts: 931	Re: Mercury-arc rectifier station under threat! Thanks for the heads up there. Petition has been signed. __________________ Zel's Lair - A random bag of vintage tech, lighting information and other assorted geekery

4th Aug 2013, 8:36 am	#6
davidw Heptode Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Woodbridge, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 643	Re: Mercury-arc rectifier station under threat! Signed __________________ Dave G1AGK. My perception is my reality!

4th Aug 2013, 8:58 am	#7
Phil G4SPZ Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bewdley, Worcestershire, UK. Posts: 4,748	Re: Mercury-arc rectifier station under threat! Signed __________________ Phil Optimist [n]: One who is not in possession of the full facts

4th Aug 2013, 9:37 am	#8
Cobaltblue Moderator Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Exeter, Devon and Poole, Dorset UK. Posts: 6,865	Re: Mercury-arc rectifier station under threat! Apparently I was signatory 561. So a few people have now signed Cheers Mike T __________________ Invisible airwaves crackle with life or at least they used to Mike T BVWS member. www.cossor.co.uk

4th Aug 2013, 11:53 am	#9
elanman99 Hexode Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Sandiway, Cheshire, UK. Posts: 326	Re: Mercury-arc rectifier station under threat! I'm on at 510 Ian

4th Aug 2013, 11:58 am	#10
Lucien Nunes Rest in Peace Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: London, UK. Posts: 2,508	Re: Mercury-arc rectifier station under threat! Thanks to everyone who has signed so far, if you fancy writing to Graham Cregeen, the minister who would be able to leverage this project, to add your support, you can find his contact details here: http://www.tynwald.org.im/memoff/mem...CregeenGD.aspx Thanks Lucien

4th Aug 2013, 1:04 pm	#11
davidgem1406 Heptode Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Sheerness, Kent, UK. Posts: 936	Re: Mercury-arc rectifier station under threat! Signed today

4th Aug 2013, 1:17 pm	#12
Richard Heptode Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Garnant, near Ammanford, South Wales, UK. Posts: 657	Re: Mercury-arc rectifier station under threat! No 587 here. __________________ BVWS member.

4th Aug 2013, 1:52 pm	#13
audiomagpie Heptode Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Rugby, Warwickshire, UK. Posts: 824	Re: Mercury-arc rectifier station under threat! Signed! Greg __________________ Greg BVWS committee chairman

4th Aug 2013, 2:03 pm	#14
HamishBoxer Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: W.Butterwick, near Doncaster UK. Posts: 8,932	Re: Mercury-arc rectifier station under threat! Signed 596. __________________ G8JET BVWS Archivist and Member V.M.A.R.S

4th Aug 2013, 2:04 pm	#15
line sync Heptode Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Kinver, Staffordshire, UK. Posts: 634	Re: Mercury-arc rectifier station under threat! Signed. 597

4th Aug 2013, 4:37 pm	#16
sentinel040 Hexode Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Near Lichfield, Staffordshire, UK, most of the time and Crystal Palace, S London, some of the time.. Posts: 330	Re: Mercury-arc rectifier station under threat! Done.....

4th Aug 2013, 7:46 pm	#17
kalee20 Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Lynton, N. Devon, UK. Posts: 7,081	Re: Mercury-arc rectifier station under threat! Signed... 635

4th Aug 2013, 8:10 pm	#18
gingpeakin Hexode Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Worthing, Sussex, UK. Posts: 276	Re: Mercury-arc rectifier station under threat! Signed - No. 644

4th Aug 2013, 10:24 pm	#19
maninashed Rest in Peace Join Date: May 2011 Location: Preston, Lancashire UK Posts: 955	Re: Mercury-arc rectifier station under threat! Signed Lucien, you have my total support. Bill

5th Aug 2013, 11:07 am	#20
MotorBikeLes Nonode Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Kirk Michael, Isle of Man Posts: 2,350	Re: Mercury-arc rectifier station under threat! I circulated details of the petition to a motorcyclist's list I run. I received this reply from a pal, now retired, who was an engineer with the Manx Electricity Authority. His Reply:-- Hi Les, Some 15 years ago, after I had been assisting the MER staff at Laxey locate a cable fault, I recommended to the Engineering Staff at their head office that the HV switchgear was in urgent need of upgrading, but further recommended that they retain the old switchgear as control gear using the old switches at a suitable low voltage to operate the new switchgear. This would have ensured the retention, maintenace and cleaning etc of the old transformer, rectifier, and other gear in a safe manner. Obviously ingnored. Joe O'H Les.