Megatron, Sheffield, S.Yorks, May 2018

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HughieD

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1. The History
A bit of history from wikipedia:

“From Granville Square to the Don, the river is almost entirely in culverts. The Midland Railway bought the water rights to allow them to build their station over the river. The site of Pond Tilt is now occupied by the station forecourt, and the goods yard covered its dam. The owners of Pond Forge vacated their site soon after the station was built, but attempted to get compensation for loss of water power as a result of the work.

At Granville Square, a large screen prevents debris from entering the culverts. Serious flooding in 1990 led to the construction of the first screen, and it was refurbished in 2010, so that it could be continuously monitored by the Environment Agency.

The river continues below ground to the edge of the station, where it is joined underground by the Porter Brook, which emerges from its own culvert to flow beside the station car park before passing under the station from the west. The river surfaces briefly by Pond Hill, before passing under the Ponds Forge district. It flows through a huge cavern before joining the Don beside Blonk Street bridge, named after Benjamin Blonk, who was the tenant of Castle Orchards Wheel from the 1750s to the 1770s.”


2. The Explore
Been before but wasn’t happy with the old pictures. Thinking back, it was my first ever experience of shooting in a no-light situation. So been meaning to go back for ages. So finally got round to it. Met up with fellow forum member Tarkovsky and off we went. We popped into the Porter Brook and after a bit of stooping came out into the open and walked along the short stretch to where the Porter Brook joins the Sheaf under Sheffield station. It was a lovely day and the water levels low but waders were still de rigour to get to Megatron. All-in-all, a very enjoyable morning in excellent company. The place is a bit surreal – it’s so quiet down there but just above you is the hustle-and-bustle of the big city.

3. The Pictures
We dropped into the Porter Brook via the landscaped patch near the former Matilda pub:

28517206338_52b0d76c36_b.jpgimg7531 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Love the randomness of the stonework of this initial section:

40582359390_9621f3f84e_b.jpgimg7535 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Much stooping to get through this culverted part of the Porter Brook:

42341190212_0d49ed721a_b.jpgimg7538 by HughieDW, on Flickr

41666762714_df6cd0ec24_b.jpgimg7539 by HughieDW, on Flickr

28516988268_1af34c6f03_b.jpgimg7546 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Just before popping out into the open:

41666732924_b2598d7f91_b.jpgimg7544 by HughieDW, on Flickr

As soon as you join the Sheaf there’s a slight incline and a weir, split into three sections:

42383599671_9fa53f2836_b.jpgimg7625 by HughieDW, on Flickr

After the weir the Sheaf continues in three parallel rough tunnels with arches:

41481032175_8e245ec2ba_b.jpgimg7616 by HughieDW, on Flickr

This section has clearly been strengthened:

41659873784_31490e7bfe_b.jpgimg7618 by HughieDW, on Flickr

And goes from rough rock-built tunnels to this:

27518998387_bf9c80601b_b.jpgimg7611 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Coming back out into the light:

41665721134_a8bf1c5378_b.jpgimg7607 by HughieDW, on Flickr

And into the open section near Pond’s Forge:

28516051298_51cef9c89c_b.jpgimg7596 by HughieDW, on Flickr

The famous graff line:

42340157012_778778f827_b.jpgimg7601 by HughieDW, on Flickr

28516142168_bfbb8edb91_b.jpgimg7591 by HughieDW, on Flickr

41665905514_88c372c2ec_b.jpgimg7594 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Nice arches:

27519460347_09df6749d4_b.jpgimg7586 by HughieDW, on Flickr

And leaving the light behind again:

41665988724_4566b6667d_b.jpgimg7588 by HughieDW, on Flickr

28516416338_5e38e5786c_b.jpgimg7577 by HughieDW, on Flickr

28516330148_9569bce32d_b.jpgimg7580 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Into one of the three tunnels between the open section and the Tron:

42389938211_34dfdb956d_b.jpgimg7572 by HughieDW, on Flickr

…and another:

28516473838_dd9c0b48eb_b.jpgimg7575 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Until three become one:

28516635638_2ca74ddac0_b.jpgimg7570 by HughieDW, on Flickr

The might of Megatron:

41666568514_daa1ea39ca_b.jpgimg7553 by HughieDW, on Flickr

41666504744_5b9171e178_b.jpgimg7563 by HughieDW, on Flickr

And beyond to Lady Bridge and the meeting of the Don and the Sheaf:

27519988867_aa91f33ce3_b.jpgimg7558 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Close-up of the Tron:

40582155050_bdde669772_b.jpgimg7552 by HughieDW, on Flickr

And looking back:

42390078861_cfd7f4a28b_b.jpgimg7567 by HughieDW, on Flickr
 
That's a beautiful set..net done a drain before but always fancied this one.well done mate
 
Wow now that's something special! I think you have got the lighting very atmospheric HD! Love all them brick arches, you must have slithered like a snake at times haha. A culvert would be the place I would try before a drain, done neither so I appreciate other peoples pic's! It must of been rather surreal underneath the city with all that commotion goin on above with just the sound of the water and the odd rumble from the trains I guess. Would you try a drain now do you think HD:eek::excitement:...maybe a few more culverts first a???:emerged:
 
Wow now that's something special! I think you have got the lighting very atmospheric HD! Love all them brick arches, you must have slithered like a snake at times haha. A culvert would be the place I would try before a drain, done neither so I appreciate other peoples pic's! It must of been rather surreal underneath the city with all that commotion goin on above with just the sound of the water and the odd rumble from the trains I guess. Would you try a drain now do you think HD:eek::excitement:...maybe a few more culverts first a???:emerged:

Cheers PV! Quite difficult down there as in places it is literally pitch black. It is really peaceful down there. When you are under the station though the trains don't half rumble! My mate it a big drainer so may do I've with him soon!
 
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As a rule the only aspect of our hobby I don't have much time for is culverts, but you sir may of just made me have a rethink!
There is some excellent pics there that give this a truly magical feelin thanks for enlightening me.
 
As a rule the only aspect of our hobby I don't have much time for is culverts, but you sir may of just made me have a rethink!
There is some excellent pics there that give this a truly magical feelin thanks for enlightening me.

Cheers BG. It's a good one to start with. A lot of variety and some great architecture.
 
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