We are all used to taking elevators “up” to our offices, apartments, etc., but today we took an elevator “down” 91 stories into the Churchill Falls Hydro Electric Power Plant, the largest underground power station in the world. It was fascinating to see the underground tunnels, rooms, and hydro-generating equipment that have been built into the solid rock. The plant, the building of which started in 1967 and was completed in December 1971, in less than the estimated time, and under budget, generates up to 5,500 MW making it about the 6th largest hydro-electric power plant in the world http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0001336.html. It was a great experience. Unfortunately, the pictures aren't that great, but I hope you get some feeling for the immense size of the underground tunnels.
After seeing the power plant we set out on Route 500 for Labrador City, with our satellite phone – about 238 km. The drive was similar to yesterday’s. We had some really heavy rain which was good because it doused the dust. On the way, we stopped to see the Churchill Falls (formerly known as the Hamilton Falls) on the Churchill River. We joined another group of 3 people to walk the 2 km up to the Falls mainly because I was very nervous about the possibility of encountering bears on the way! The Falls of course are practically dry, because the water has been diverted into the hydro electric power plant. None the less, they were still spectacular. Further along the route, we noticed a sign that said “Train Station” and turned off the deserted highway to find 3 people waiting for a train by the side of the Quebec North Shore and Labrador Railway waiting for the train to Schefferville. By the look of the station, I think you probably had to wave the train down. After that it was solid driving to reach Labrador City where we arrived around 5:30 p.m.
Labrador City and Wabush have about 10,000 population in total. They are iron ore mining towns, open pit. We drove around, saw the various sites which basically included the ski area and lakes, and the Wabush Mine equipment yard. Exciting!!
So, tomorrow we leave Newfoundland and Labrador and head into Quebec for Baie Comeau – isn’t that Brian Mulrooney’s home town?
After seeing the power plant we set out on Route 500 for Labrador City, with our satellite phone – about 238 km. The drive was similar to yesterday’s. We had some really heavy rain which was good because it doused the dust. On the way, we stopped to see the Churchill Falls (formerly known as the Hamilton Falls) on the Churchill River. We joined another group of 3 people to walk the 2 km up to the Falls mainly because I was very nervous about the possibility of encountering bears on the way! The Falls of course are practically dry, because the water has been diverted into the hydro electric power plant. None the less, they were still spectacular. Further along the route, we noticed a sign that said “Train Station” and turned off the deserted highway to find 3 people waiting for a train by the side of the Quebec North Shore and Labrador Railway waiting for the train to Schefferville. By the look of the station, I think you probably had to wave the train down. After that it was solid driving to reach Labrador City where we arrived around 5:30 p.m.
Labrador City and Wabush have about 10,000 population in total. They are iron ore mining towns, open pit. We drove around, saw the various sites which basically included the ski area and lakes, and the Wabush Mine equipment yard. Exciting!!
So, tomorrow we leave Newfoundland and Labrador and head into Quebec for Baie Comeau – isn’t that Brian Mulrooney’s home town?
1 comment:
Hello from your "crazy" fellow travellers. We made it back to Hamilton with nothing worse than a chipped widshield from flyinf stone from a passing transport truck. Hope you passed up the gas at Manic 5, 14 cents/litre more than anywhere else. I look forwared to reading more.
Ben & Randi Robicheau
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