Palmerston North Electric Power Station Inc.

Scenes from about 1945

These photos were taken by power station staff member Len Lui (Lup Wah Lui), who was an electrical apprentice at the power station from about 1945. The  photos were donated to PNEPS in April 2001 by Don Eglinton, who had been an apprentice there between 15 July 1942 and 1945.

The left end of the switchboard and desk.

The right end of the switchboard and the desk. Note the large plaque from the official opening at the right end. This vanished from the power station between the point at which the building was decommissioned in the early 1990s, and 1997 when efforts began to preserve the building. We would very much like it back.

The back of British Polar engine No. 216. These are the actual pipes that were stolen in March 2001.

British Polar engine No. 216 with the glare from the end door that is open beside it.

This is the only known photo (to date) showing both the National engines and the comparatively squat British Polar engines in the engine room. BP 216 can be seen in the distance. BP 215 makes an appearance in the bottom left corner of this photo. Note the height of the Nationals and the walkway between them. This photo was possibly taken while sitting on the top of the steps.

This image shows Len Lui (Lup Wah Lui) the electrical apprentice around 1945 who took these photos. Possible the railway lines were immediately in front of the trees shown in the background.

Last Updated: 4 May 2001