With Hount of Paris in tow Zero and I once again boarded the Micra and shot North from London in search of urbexy goodness.
West Park Asylum
Once again explorers are easy to pick. From the carpark we marked a suspicious group, watched them duck into the bushes, followed them into the site, then scared then crap out of them as they went to jump in through a window.
Childrens ward. A field of dreams ground up and stored in the freezer.
London Brick Company
I generally find brickworks fairly boring, once you've seen a few they're mild variations on a theme. The industrial machinery and components are pretty tame, compared to a smelter for example where the machinery is more exotic. I love industrial sites that could double as a crashed spacecraft. The less I understand the nature, use and operation of a site the greater initial interest it holds. Maybe your fourth grade teacher was right when she said "learning is fun kids". London Bricks were incorporated in 1900 and at the height of production pumped out 18 million bricks a year. It's estimated that 25% of all Britain brick houses are constructed of London Brick Co bricks. The site is big enough for a full day explore, so our late afternoon wander is just a peek at what the LBC offers.
Metal molds used for embossing London Bricks onto the top relief surface of the bricks.
Conveyor room. 70cent film, 21/4.
Brickfag.
If Mr Miyagi was a brickmaker.
Shouts out to all the industrial workers out there with a sense of humour. Sick bro.
Longbridge Shadow Factory
I didn't take any photos of the tunnels below the Lonbridge Plant but the wikipedia article is quite in depth about the usage of the automotive plant during the war effort to produce mines, armour piercing ammunition and ammunition.
Chance Glassworks
The kilns of the old glassworks are rad. If you're in Birmingham go see em. It's no victorian sewer but the brickwork is decent.
Victorian sewer it may not be, but cheer up kiddo this is dope!
Draycott Cross Colliery
A nice dirty, squeezy afternoon crawling around in black coal saturated mud. Sub-brit have a large writeup on the colliery here.
The colliery is built inside a disused train tunnel, with side tunnels cutting away into the working shafts.
Tees Newport Lift Bridge
From the end one path up the bridge is glaringly obvious, and visible. The anti-climb cages are worthless since the structure itself is a giant lattice ladder but points for trying. Another tiresome liability issue. Velvia 100.
Opened to traffic on 28 February 1934 by the Duke of York, the Tees Newport Bridge spans the River Tees a short distance upriver from Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge, linking Middlesbrough with the borough of Stockton-on-Tees, England. Designed by Mott, Hay and Anderson [1] and built by local company Dorman Long, who have also been responsible for such structures as the Tyne Bridge and Sydney Harbour Bridge, it was the first large vertical lift bridge in Britain.[2]
Constructed around twin 182ft (55m) lifting towers, the 270ft (82m) bridge span, weighing 2,700 tonnes, could be lifted by the use of two 325 H.P. electric motors at 52ft per minute to a maximum height of 120ft (37m). In the event of motor failure a standby 450 H.P. petrol engine could be employed to move the bridge, but should both systems fail it was possible to raise or lower the span manually using a winch mechanism. It was estimated in 1963 by Mr R. Batty, long time Bridge Master at Newport Bridge, that "it would take 12 men eight hours" to complete the movement by hand.
Source: wikipedia
**** creatine and whey powder, get the wide angle rip.
Now we're getting somewhere! Middlesbrough was the main reason for the roadtrip, the route was just warm up baby. Like running the subway, climbing bridges is ******* life affirming. They're often protected, well lit and difficult to bail from (minus the obvious). If you're seen by people or cameras heading up a bridge the first time you'll know is either when traffic curiously stops or the police roll up at best with spotlights and angry faces, at worst with a helicopter. As you grasp the ladders or lattice and begin to climb you commit fully to the consequences and rewards. Once the game is in motion just play it out.
This steel cables run over these pulleys and down into the massive counterweights which enable the bridge span to rise and let boats pass below.
I am Batman. Velvia 100.
Transporter Bridge
Raging on adrenaline from our jaunt up the Newport bridge we rolled to the seedy neighbourhood around the base of the transporter and gaped skywards at the steel lattice structure which dominates the skyline. It towers over the surrounds, stretching over the river on spindly lattice legs like a decapitated AT-AT walker. We picked our approach path and charged the base.
The bridge was built by Sir William Arrol & Co. in 1911 under a 1907 Act of Parliament. The opening ceremony on the 17 October 1911 was performed by Prince Arthur of Connaught. The Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge reflects the dynamic industrial heritage of the area.
The Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge at 850 feet (260 metres) long and 225 feet (69 metres) high at the tallest point, is the largest working bridge of its kind in the world. The distance between the two towers is 580 feet (177 metres).
In December 1993, the bridge was awarded the Institution of Mechanical Engineers' highest honour, The Heritage Plaque, for engineering excellence, in recognition of the Council's efforts in keeping the bridge in good working order. Its historical importance was also recognised in 1985 by its listing as a Grade II* Listed Building and its prominence as a local landmark was further enhanced in 1993 by the installation of flood lights that operate during the winter months.
Source: wikipedia
Between the legs are the faint cables which suspend the gondola and transport it across the river. Velvia 100.
Sunrise behind the transporter, minutes before departure. Velvia 100.
The mid-ground door is locked to prevent access to the section of bridge where this shot was taken. Congrats.
The bridge is an easy climb, compared to the old hardcore method up Story Bridge. The floors are all mesh, a constant reminder of the fate which awaits the not so cautious. This was shot out past the overhanging section beyond where the struts join the span. Velvia 100
We departed Middlesbrough at 4am Monday morning, 8 hours from London. I sauntered into work 3 hours late unshowered, unclean, without sleep and slumped into my chair. This really is the good life.
West Park Asylum
Once again explorers are easy to pick. From the carpark we marked a suspicious group, watched them duck into the bushes, followed them into the site, then scared then crap out of them as they went to jump in through a window.
Childrens ward. A field of dreams ground up and stored in the freezer.
London Brick Company
I generally find brickworks fairly boring, once you've seen a few they're mild variations on a theme. The industrial machinery and components are pretty tame, compared to a smelter for example where the machinery is more exotic. I love industrial sites that could double as a crashed spacecraft. The less I understand the nature, use and operation of a site the greater initial interest it holds. Maybe your fourth grade teacher was right when she said "learning is fun kids". London Bricks were incorporated in 1900 and at the height of production pumped out 18 million bricks a year. It's estimated that 25% of all Britain brick houses are constructed of London Brick Co bricks. The site is big enough for a full day explore, so our late afternoon wander is just a peek at what the LBC offers.
Metal molds used for embossing London Bricks onto the top relief surface of the bricks.
Conveyor room. 70cent film, 21/4.
Brickfag.
If Mr Miyagi was a brickmaker.
Shouts out to all the industrial workers out there with a sense of humour. Sick bro.
Longbridge Shadow Factory
I didn't take any photos of the tunnels below the Lonbridge Plant but the wikipedia article is quite in depth about the usage of the automotive plant during the war effort to produce mines, armour piercing ammunition and ammunition.
Chance Glassworks
The kilns of the old glassworks are rad. If you're in Birmingham go see em. It's no victorian sewer but the brickwork is decent.
Victorian sewer it may not be, but cheer up kiddo this is dope!
Draycott Cross Colliery
A nice dirty, squeezy afternoon crawling around in black coal saturated mud. Sub-brit have a large writeup on the colliery here.
The colliery is built inside a disused train tunnel, with side tunnels cutting away into the working shafts.
Tees Newport Lift Bridge
From the end one path up the bridge is glaringly obvious, and visible. The anti-climb cages are worthless since the structure itself is a giant lattice ladder but points for trying. Another tiresome liability issue. Velvia 100.
Opened to traffic on 28 February 1934 by the Duke of York, the Tees Newport Bridge spans the River Tees a short distance upriver from Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge, linking Middlesbrough with the borough of Stockton-on-Tees, England. Designed by Mott, Hay and Anderson [1] and built by local company Dorman Long, who have also been responsible for such structures as the Tyne Bridge and Sydney Harbour Bridge, it was the first large vertical lift bridge in Britain.[2]
Constructed around twin 182ft (55m) lifting towers, the 270ft (82m) bridge span, weighing 2,700 tonnes, could be lifted by the use of two 325 H.P. electric motors at 52ft per minute to a maximum height of 120ft (37m). In the event of motor failure a standby 450 H.P. petrol engine could be employed to move the bridge, but should both systems fail it was possible to raise or lower the span manually using a winch mechanism. It was estimated in 1963 by Mr R. Batty, long time Bridge Master at Newport Bridge, that "it would take 12 men eight hours" to complete the movement by hand.
Source: wikipedia
**** creatine and whey powder, get the wide angle rip.
Now we're getting somewhere! Middlesbrough was the main reason for the roadtrip, the route was just warm up baby. Like running the subway, climbing bridges is ******* life affirming. They're often protected, well lit and difficult to bail from (minus the obvious). If you're seen by people or cameras heading up a bridge the first time you'll know is either when traffic curiously stops or the police roll up at best with spotlights and angry faces, at worst with a helicopter. As you grasp the ladders or lattice and begin to climb you commit fully to the consequences and rewards. Once the game is in motion just play it out.
This steel cables run over these pulleys and down into the massive counterweights which enable the bridge span to rise and let boats pass below.
I am Batman. Velvia 100.
Transporter Bridge
Raging on adrenaline from our jaunt up the Newport bridge we rolled to the seedy neighbourhood around the base of the transporter and gaped skywards at the steel lattice structure which dominates the skyline. It towers over the surrounds, stretching over the river on spindly lattice legs like a decapitated AT-AT walker. We picked our approach path and charged the base.
The bridge was built by Sir William Arrol & Co. in 1911 under a 1907 Act of Parliament. The opening ceremony on the 17 October 1911 was performed by Prince Arthur of Connaught. The Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge reflects the dynamic industrial heritage of the area.
The Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge at 850 feet (260 metres) long and 225 feet (69 metres) high at the tallest point, is the largest working bridge of its kind in the world. The distance between the two towers is 580 feet (177 metres).
In December 1993, the bridge was awarded the Institution of Mechanical Engineers' highest honour, The Heritage Plaque, for engineering excellence, in recognition of the Council's efforts in keeping the bridge in good working order. Its historical importance was also recognised in 1985 by its listing as a Grade II* Listed Building and its prominence as a local landmark was further enhanced in 1993 by the installation of flood lights that operate during the winter months.
Source: wikipedia
Between the legs are the faint cables which suspend the gondola and transport it across the river. Velvia 100.
Sunrise behind the transporter, minutes before departure. Velvia 100.
The mid-ground door is locked to prevent access to the section of bridge where this shot was taken. Congrats.
The bridge is an easy climb, compared to the old hardcore method up Story Bridge. The floors are all mesh, a constant reminder of the fate which awaits the not so cautious. This was shot out past the overhanging section beyond where the struts join the span. Velvia 100
We departed Middlesbrough at 4am Monday morning, 8 hours from London. I sauntered into work 3 hours late unshowered, unclean, without sleep and slumped into my chair. This really is the good life.
like the well endowed sparrow to
