Tonedale mill had some amazing parts but just down the road is somthing a whole lot more complete. Tone Mills housed the fulling and dyeing parts of the process. The fulling side was in use untill somtime around 2000 but the dyeing side had obviously been derelict a long time. Most of the machines had replacment sections dated in the 1960s but you could almost have been back in the 1800s!
Tentering Area
I belive this single machine was the start of the process and was used to dry the cloth. There was a small workshop upstairs with a 'cloth viewing screen'
Fulling Area
Amazingly intact with cloth still in most of the machines. The Teasel Gig was probably the most interesting part along with a small office full of samples.
Water Wheel and Motor Room
I found the power system in this place utterly mind boggling, theres line shafts and pulleys where ever you look! The water wheel was located in the centre of the building and appeared to transmit its power back to the motor room though a pair of lineshafts. these then appeared to turn a pair of generators via two massive wheels (to gear up the speed) which would then have powered an electric motor in the tiled room. The motor had been replaced with a more modern 1960s example however.
Dyeing Area
Crammed with amazing machinary and a flickr addicts dream! The decay is as stunning as the equipment itself..
Sorry to flood the forum with pictures of the same place but this is really one amazing find.. best of 2011 no doubt.. will we better it?
Tentering Area
I belive this single machine was the start of the process and was used to dry the cloth. There was a small workshop upstairs with a 'cloth viewing screen'
Fulling Area
Amazingly intact with cloth still in most of the machines. The Teasel Gig was probably the most interesting part along with a small office full of samples.
Water Wheel and Motor Room
I found the power system in this place utterly mind boggling, theres line shafts and pulleys where ever you look! The water wheel was located in the centre of the building and appeared to transmit its power back to the motor room though a pair of lineshafts. these then appeared to turn a pair of generators via two massive wheels (to gear up the speed) which would then have powered an electric motor in the tiled room. The motor had been replaced with a more modern 1960s example however.
Dyeing Area
Crammed with amazing machinary and a flickr addicts dream! The decay is as stunning as the equipment itself..
Sorry to flood the forum with pictures of the same place but this is really one amazing find.. best of 2011 no doubt.. will we better it?
