[SEL] OT Carrie Blast Furnaces - Pittsburgh, PA

[Rick Rowlands]

I'm trying to acquire a Bailey mud gun right now from another blast furnace 
plant to replace the missing gun at Carrie No. 6.  If I get it I plan to 
make it operational again.  It is electric.

Rick

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Peter Lowe" <plowe at exemail.com.au>
To: "The SEL email discussion list" <sel at lists.stationary-engine.com>
Sent: Thursday, April 28, 2011 9:16 AM
Subject: Re: [SEL] OT Carrie Blast Furnaces - Pittsburgh, PA


> Yes Rick, blast furnaces and the whole steel making process is 
> fascinating.
> I worked and served my time as an electrical apprentice and tradesman at 
> the
> BHP Steel Works in Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
> The blast furnaces in particular were full on, we ran 4 of them 24/7.
> The job I hated most was when the mud gun cables got burnt or the motor
> malfunctioned. For those who do not know, the mud gun is a device that 
> plugs
> up the tapping whole at the bottom of the furnace where the molten iron
> comes out. All 100 tons of it. It has a water cooled head/plug that closes
> the hole and fills it with a clay plug.
> We dreaded hearing the urgent call for an electrician to the #4 blast
> furnace mud gun. Putting on the flame proof suit and helmet and getting
> sprayed in molten sparks and the heat in summer was unbearable, aahhh the
> good old days. The entire BHP site in now gone, wiped out by cheaper
> imports, a placed where you could really learn a trade well.
> http://www.hfinster.de/StahlArt2/archive-Trinec-Steelworks-img_2615-2008-a-en.html
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/uon/5124322221/
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/uon/5551841142/
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/state-records-nsw/2807965978/
>
>
> Regards
> Peter Lowe
> R&V Engine Registrar
> http://www.oldengine.org/members/plowe/rv-engines/rvpage.htm
> Australia
>
>
>
>
>
> For the past month I have been actively volunteering with Rivers of Steel 
> to
> assist in the preservation of the Carrie blast furnace plant in Rankin, 
> PA.
> The Carrie furnaces area pair of ironmaking blast furnaces, built in 1906
> and operated until 1978.  If you like big stuff made of metal, its hard to
> find a more fascinating place.
> http://news.webshots.com/album/578647201kosHYJ
>
> ROS acquired the plant last year after twenty years of off and on
> negotiations, and now have their hands full in preserving the site. I have
> permission to organize a volunteer work crew to assist in the preservation
> work, and am looking for a few able bodied people who would be interested 
> in
> joining our work crew and help fight the battle against corrosion and
> neglect.
>
> Some of the projects that we will be tackling this summer include:
> 1) Closing up and securing the blowing engine house and establishing a
> workshop inside.
> 2) Cutting brush and trees around the property to improve the appearance 
> of
> the plant.
> 3) Restoration of some equipment on site to operation for visitor
> demonstrations
> 4) Cleaning around the bases of the steel columns and making repairs to
> ensure the structural stability of the plant.
> 5) Mending fences. (yes literally, its a daily chore)
> 6) Building handrails, railings, repairing stairs and platforms etc.
>
> Volunteers do not need to have any skills, just the willingness to help 
> out.
>
> Engine related content:  I'm negotiating to move the 1905 Westinghouse
> Corliss steam engine from Steubenville to the Carrie Furnaces for display.
> 150 ton, 18' flywheel cross compound generating engine.
>
> We will hold our first Saturday work session sometime in May, depending on
> volunteer availabiliy.  If interested in joining us please contact me and
> I'll put you on the list.  I feel so strongly about this project, and have
> such a sense of urgency that I've postponed some of my planned 2011 
> projects
> at the Tod Engine Heritage Park to spend as many days as possible at 
> Carrie
> this year.
>
> If you are local to Pittsburgh an can volunteer on a regular basis that is
> great.  If you would be coming in from out of town for a one time visit 
> that
> is good too.  I may be able to provide short term lodging at the 
> "Rowlands'
> Bed and Breakfast" to wayward travelers.
>
> Thanks and I hope you can join us.
>
> Rick Rowlands
> rick at todengine.org
> 330-272-4089
>
>
>
>
>
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