[SEL] OT Carrie Blast Furnaces - Pittsburgh, PA

Peter Lowe plowe at exemail.com.au
Thu Apr 28 16:14:16 PDT 2011


Pity I am so far away (smile) good luck.
Peter


> 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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