Demolition preparations.

[Chris 42 RQ]

Just going through the archives and came across these piece's of history.

Picture 1 The two chimneys of "Earley" power station along with part of the demolished boiler house building.

Picture 2 The two chimneys waiting for drilling to accept charges, note the funny colouring is the remants of wartime camoflage paint which was visible over the entire building before it disappeared.

Picture 3 A close up of the drilled Chimney just prior to demolition.

Old 35mm Negatives that have not survived well over the years so apologies for the of lack of quality.

This power station was used as a "reserve" station for times of increased power consumption such as winter.

 

[ydnum303]

Hi Chris,

Is this the one that used to be on the right hand side as you came out of Sonning Cutting, where Thames valley Office Park is now?

R.

 

[Chris 42 RQ]

Correct !

Hi Chris,

Is this the one that used to be on the right hand side as you came out of Sonning Cutting, where Thames valley Office Park is now?

R.

Correct Ydnum303, the later added oil sidings have only recently had the ground frame removed along with the entrance gate for the railway wagons to deliver the coal before the Gas plant was added as back up (you may remember the two large concrete chimneys?).
Have rooted around and found a few more too.
Even found one showing the Oil wagons alongside.

 

[ydnum303]

Nostalgic!

Thanks Chris, those photos really bring the memories back! Used to go to Reading on the train quite a bit in the 70s and 80s, and worked there from 1992 to2007. I was always surprised that the sidings lasted as long as they did once the power station closed. Also surprising that the WW2 camo paint job lasted so long as well.
R.