Sunday trip to the abandoned Belvedere Hydropower plant - a photo report

[Sheepman]

We reward ourselves with a cold one after the hard work

Almost thought Vincent was the ou in the middle ;D......but then realized his kit was squeaky clean and of a non - biking nature  O0 Great ride & pics NK  :thumleft:

 

[Noneking]

We reward ourselves with a cold one after the hard work

He does have a bit of a "KTM houding" about him..... eepwall:

Almost thought Vincent was the ou in the middle ;D......but then realized his kit was squeaky clean and of a non - biking nature  O0 Great ride & pics NK  :thumleft:

 

[user 27974]

About 25 years ago I stayed at the "abandoned guesthouse" , the views were amazing.

For those that hasn't been there, it is seriously steep down to the power station, typically old school heavy machinery - I was in awe of the endeavors by  the builders, they got everything down there by donkey and cart.

It is also one of the places with the most snakes I've ever seen, they were literally all over.

Interesting ride  :thumleft:

Die pad is te steil vir die slange om uit te seil nou bly hulle daar

 

[skydiver]

Interesting ride
I did not even know about that power plant

 

[ALLEN I]

lekker little RR thanks for the ride :biggrin: :biggrin: :ricky:

 

[BlueBull2007]

Thanks for another great report. :ricky:

Amazing another old TGME installation. I did not know about that. Those turbines look pretty good. I wonder who owns them now?

 

[Welsh]

Some history…..

- the plant was completed in 1911. Project completed in 1 year
- Turbines were imported from California. Shipped to Lorenzo Marques. Via rail to Machadodorp and then ox wagons to Belvedere
- it provided electricity to gold crushers at Pilgrims Rest
- this meant that Pilgrims had electric street lighting before London!

The company Marthinusen and Coutts, still exist Noneking. :thumleft: 

 

[0012]

Fantastic ride and pics, thank you.

That concrete strip road looks almost bloody vertical  :eek7:

Very special to see the old station, it amazes me how long a hydro can last if quality equipment is installed

 

[Noneking]

Fantastic ride and pics, thank you.

That concrete strip road looks almost bloody vertical  :eek7:

Very special to see the old station, it amazes me how long a hydro can last if quality equipment is installed

Thanks.

Yeah quite a steep climb out of there

 

[dirtWarp]

The power plant

How has this not been looted?
All that iron could fetch a pretty penny?

 

[Noneking]

The power plant

How has this not been looted?
All that iron could fetch a pretty penny?

A lot of smaller things have been taken. Would be a mission to get bigger stuff out. It is a very steep and treacherous drive out of that valley. I would say “low range” steep in places…..

 

[Welsh]

Too heavy, the copper has gone.  :sip:

 

[2StrokeDan]

I like that "No weapon allowed" spraypainted on the shop wall.

Lyk of dinge daar kon rof raak.

 

[Noneking]

I like that "No weapon allowed" spraypainted on the shop wall.

Lyk of dinge daar kon rof raak.

Verseker!