So if I'm understanding the description above correctly, the chain is: turn crank -> bootstrapping air compressor -> air tank 1 -> 1.5MW emergency generator

So if I'm understanding the description above correctly, the chain is: turn crank -> bootstrapping air compressor -> air tank 1 -> 1.5MW emergency generator -> bigger air compressor -> air tank 2 -> 7MW main generators Pretty rube goldbergian. Here's an interesting parallel: the process that a computer goes through when it booted is itself an incredibly complex, intricate, and rube goldbergian process. Unlike a power station black start, this process happens completely automatically every day when someone turns a computer on, yet it is no less rube goldbergian and in many ways probably more so. The boot processes of computers have always fascinated me for this reason, and I suspect black start processes fascinate me for much the same reason. It's not unlike why people enjoy watching videos of rube goldbergian contraptions.