Mobile electricity generator DTA 983 C consisting of a Centrax gas turbine generating set fitted on an AEC Mercury truck chassis, 1965. Model Mercury Mark II with 6GM chassis. Built at Newton Abbott, Devon.
This mobile generator was built for the North Western Electricity Board in 1965. It was used to supply electricity in emergencies when the network failed. The generator was originally rated at 400kVA, making it state of the art when it was built. It was later de-rated to 380kVA. Weighing 18 tonnes, its aeroplane-style gas turbine consumed more than a gallon of aviation fuel per minute, so it had to be accompanied by an oil tanker or bowser.
It was originally stationed at the Manchester Road depot in Bolton. It was designed to be deployed to provide emergency power when important industrial sites experienced a power outage.
Its rescue missions included providing power at a Yorkshire drift mine after flooding had caused an interuption in power supply. One of its last tasks was to support the steel works at Shap in Cumbria, keeping the blast furnaces running during a long power outage.
Flag "North West Electricity," from mobile electricity generator consisting of a Centrax gas turbine generating set fitted on an AEC truck chassis, 1965.
Flag "The North Western Electricity Board," from mobile electricity generator consisting of a Centrax gas turbine generating set fitted on an AEC truck chassis, 1965.
Interpretation panel including awards received for the display and demonstration of the mobile generator at heritage events after the end of its working life.