[Taylor]

" I recall that in some places, the steam control room was separate from the electrical control room. Others had the entire unit control consolidated into one room. Different philosophy at the time of construction, I guess. "

You are correct sir. In the 70's, plants went to a single contol room design instead of a seperate switchboard/fireroom design.

[meyer]

You are correct sir. In the 70's, plants went to a single contol room design instead of a seperate switchboard/fireroom design.

That change is illustrated in the Eastlake Power Plant in Eastlake, Ohio. Units 1 through 4 were built in the 1950's and 1960's, while Unit 5 was added in 1973 or so. Units 1-4 have a single electric control room, which also controls the high voltage switchyard. Plus, there are IIRC 2 steam control rooms on the other side of the turbine floor, with controls for 2 units in each. Unit 5 has a consolidated control room.

Last time I was in the plant, Unit 5 had some sophisticated (for the time) computerized control system installed (Network 90, I think was the name of the system). It was quite a machine.