Report - Engineers Workshops, Pilkington's Glass, Doncaster - Dec 2014

[The Amateur Wanderer]

Engineers Workshops - Pilkington's Glass Factory

Evening all,

Visited Pilkington's Glass Factory before (No report on here though), in 2012, however I, like many others missed this little gem! I had to go back after reading Ric's report, but as is usually the case other things cropping up and a lack of motivation pushed things back to the point where I actually even forgot I still had it to do! Anyway, after reading new member Tom Jones's report I was reminded of the greatness that was literally on my doorstep, got my arse into gear and headed out with the sole objective of locating and photographing the workshop!

The Explore

Explored this one on my todd, it didn't take me long to locate the workshop, about 15 minutes, how most of us missed it back when this was a tourist derp is beyond me... Security has stepped up ever so slightly now as the site is live, I guess this is what's put a lot of the 'newbs' off of visiting, but I had no trouble slipping past workers etc in the shadows... As I'm sure anyone with half a brain wouldn't have either! Got into the workshops and started merrily snapping away

History

I wasn't going to bother with a history, as every man and his dog has been on site at some point, but hey, it's been a while so here's a brief history from Jazzywheelz:

Pilkington Glass was established in St Helens, Merseyside in 1826. The Doncaster site was opened in 1922 at its canalside location in Kirk Sandall. Pilkingtons had a large workforce and the small village of Kirk Sandall grew to provide housing for the workers. There was even a pub nearby named "The Glassmaker" (now rebuilt and re-named "The Glasshouse").
The site eventually ceased production in 2008.

Pictures

Picture time, enjoy!

Shop Floor...

The Bender :/

Three Times the Cut!

I like big lathes and I cannot lie...

Wash yer 'ands...

Harley!

And finally an overview of the drawing room, would have liked a few more in here, but was to busy p!ss!ng around with the machines and the light had quickly faded

Cheers for looking as always guys!

 

[Camera Shy]

Re: Engineers Workshops, Pilkington's Glass - Doncaster - December 2014

Nice set of snaps there and still worth a look in.

 

[The Amateur Wanderer]

Re: Engineers Workshops, Pilkington's Glass - Doncaster - December 2014

Nice set of snaps there and still worth a look in.

Cheers man, yeah still worth a look!

The main factory is looking a little trashed compared to what it did in 2012 though sadly...

 

[urbanadvantage]

Re: Engineers Workshops, Pilkington's Glass - Doncaster - December 2014

Nice work, must try and put this in my 2015 diary ;-)

 

[The Amateur Wanderer]

Re: Engineers Workshops, Pilkington's Glass - Doncaster - December 2014

Nice work, must try and put this in my 2015 diary ;-)

Aye get it done mate, been in my calendar for years lol :P

 

[Speed]

Re: Engineers Workshops, Pilkington's Glass - Doncaster - December 2014

Epic! This bit was never in the old reports. Something to check out soon

 

[The Kwan]

Re: Engineers Workshops, Pilkington's Glass - Doncaster - December 2014

How cool is this place, Some gorgeous machinery here mate and good photies too

 

[ledgehammer]

Re: Engineers Workshops, Pilkington's Glass - Doncaster - December 2014

Nice one,

missed this sadly - will have to reschedule, take it you had fun dodging the forklifts... ;-)

best

ledgehammer...

 

[dweeb]

Re: Engineers Workshops, Pilkington's Glass - Doncaster - December 2014

That certainly is a good sized lathe! Great find!

 

[The Amateur Wanderer]

Re: Engineers Workshops, Pilkington's Glass - Doncaster - December 2014

Nice one,

missed this sadly - will have to reschedule, take it you had fun dodging the forklifts... ;-)

best

ledgehammer...

Cheers mate, was good fun

Let me know if you fancy it, happy to re visit!

 

[The Amateur Wanderer]

Re: Engineers Workshops, Pilkington's Glass - Doncaster - December 2014

Thanks for all the comments guys, it's worth the trip, some awesome bits of kit in there, if you're an industry nut like me!

 

[G3-Urbex]

Re: Engineers Workshops, Pilkington's Glass - Doncaster - December 2014



Cheers mate, was good fun

Let me know if you fancy it, happy to re visit!

I wouldn't mind going to this place, Do you know if you can still get in?

 

[The Amateur Wanderer]

I wouldn't mind going to this place, Do you know if you can still get in?

I haven't been back since, so I'm not sure, that said it's been doable now for around 4 years, so I doubt much has changed...

Best bets to go and have a look!

 

[Speed]

I'd take gloves and some paper overalls!