Author: Steve Engel

RTL Archives
The four diesel motors and generators. Source: RTL Group archives

From the 1930’ to the 1960’ the national electrical distribution network isn’t adequate to ensure reliable power supply. The broadcasting station in Junglinster equips itself progressively with a total of four MAN diesel motors and their AEG generators to produce it’s own energy and be autonomous.

 

As the national electrical distribution network develops in the 1960’, the two first motors of 1931 – the same type of motor as used in German submarines – are only started in case of power interruptions and during peak hours. Their last use is on 16 January 1979. The remaining two motors are still in service.

 

Since their early beginning, the first two motors attract royal attention. Luxembourg’s princely children are photographed in front of one of them. Later they gain cultural attention. Disassembled in 2011 and 2012, then moved and stocked in Differdange, they await their definite transfer as exposition pieces to the Musée de l’énergie industrielle.

 

Contents

Sources:

Source: RTL Archives
The princerly children in front of a motor in mid 1930′. Source: RTL Group Archives

 

The association “Groussgasmachine” disassembles the the two first motors and their generators:

Source: “Groussgasmaschinn 11. Musée de l’énergie industrielle,” Youtube video, 6:45, posted by “Groussgasmaschinn,” October 13, 2011 (accessed on January 20, 2016).

The two motors of 1954 and 1960 are still in use for back up. They are installed in the generator room of the transmission station in Junglinster:

Literature:

“Aus dem Wenzereck.” Luxemburger Wort, September 23, 1948 (accessed January 20, 2016).

Engel, Steve. “Powerhouse Junglinster.” 2015. Jpeg.

Feist, Peter. “Vom Energie- zum Wissenschaftsmusuem,” d’Land, May 17, 2013 (accessed January 20, 2016).

“Groussgasmaschinn 11. Musée de l’énergie industrielle,” Youtube video, 6:45, posted by “Groussgasmaschinn,” Ocotber 13, 2011 (accessed on January 20, 2016).

“Industrie- Erbe auf Reisen.” Luxemburger Wort, May 5, 2012 (accessed January 20, 2016).

“Junglinster. les enfants princiers (env. 1934/1935).” RTL Corporate Archives

Musée de l’énergie industrielle. “Junglinster Démontage des moteurs diesel MAN de la station d’émission de RTL.” Musee-energie.eu (accessed January 18, 2016).

“RTL – Radio Télé Luxembourg, CLT – Compagnie Luxembourgeoise de Télédiffusion, CLR – Compagnie Luxembourgeoise de Radiodiffusion, Historique – Geschichtlicher Überblick”. Industrie.lu – The History of Industry of Luxembourg (accessed January 18, 2016).

RTL Group, Always Close to the Audience. RTL Group, 2014.

Author: Steve ENGEL