Report - South Bank Coke Ovens, South Bank, October 2015

[stranton]

Been wanting this for quite a while now,
always thought about these each time the train passed through South Bank,
but never felt comfortable attempting them while live.
Once I read about the mothballing,
I began too plan an explore as I know the sorroundings well.
Saying that the recee became the explore.
So arriving at South Bank station on a hazy overcast morning things seemed quiet,
I went too the Pump house at South bank Wharf first, which is in a bad way.
Then made my way too the coke ovens.
The site is vast with some impressive stuff,
The sound of machinery and the pressure of steam or fuel in the pipes is evident & the electricity is on.
as expected with the site not fully mothballed, but seemed eerie with few folk about.
Even though i had too play hide & seek with the 2 cctv cameras & some staff,
departing was no problem.

South Bank Coke Ovens by stranton

originally built in 1957 by Simon-Carves Otto, rebuilt in 1971 - 2 by Gibbons Wilputte for Dorman Long.
consists of 88 ovens split into two batteries of 44, each 5 metres high.
Became Corus, Tata Steel & now Sahaviriya Steel Industries SSSI
which went into administration in September 2015 & the coke ovens mothballed.

steam & fuel pipes,
with the gasometer behind

conveyor belts

coke ovens

benind & beneath the coke ovens

conveyor belts

pump & cylinder houses

thanks

 

[stranton]

Cont

work stations

thanks

 

[Wevsky]

Pretty impresive stuff mate,looks like you had a relatively relaxed time of it

 

[Speed]

Nice one! Things can be unexpectedly simple when you try them.

 

[Camera Shy]

Likin that.

 

[coolboyslim]

Good stuff m8ty. You always knew it was possible. Loving those towers. Good pics m8ty and gratz on finally getting it done.

 

[tumbles]

Epic Industry Win.

 

[ACID- REFLUX]

Well I think it's pretty impressive mate, you've done a good job getting round most of the place including climbing the conveyor. Never easy when there's people on site.And solo as well.

It's a pity some of the members that's viewed it don't feel the same ?

I thought it'd be worthy of more comments considering some of the shite that gets posted on here on a daily repetitive basis

 

[jST]

Only just seen this, well done mate, that's a splendid report. Having grown up less than a mile from this, that Dorman Long coal bunker was always a fixture on the skyline and it's great to see a detailed look inside.

 

[Yorrick]

Cracking report mate

 

[dweeb]

Coalite meets Hicksons!

Cracking, some lovely dated stuff there for sure.

 

[stranton]

Well I think it's pretty impressive mate, you've done a good job getting round most of the place including climbing the conveyor. Never easy when there's people on site.And solo as well.

It's a pity some of the members that's viewed it don't feel the same ?

I thought it'd be worthy of more comments considering some of the shite that gets posted on here on a daily repetitive basis

agree 100%,
some view your threads but seldom / never reply.

 

[dave]

Well done indeed ive done the Dorman Long tower a few times many years ago mind. Shame the pumphouse nearby is flooded too. I did think about this and procrastinated too much so well done for making the effort. I take it there is just a small amount of staff left.

 

[stranton]

Well done indeed ive done the Dorman Long tower a few times many years ago mind. Shame the pumphouse nearby is flooded too. I did think about this and procrastinated too much so well done for making the effort. I take it there is just a small amount of staff left.

thanks,

While up at the top of the tower I notice a van with 4 staff,
they stop too photograph the conveyors then left towards Lackenby.
I was on site about 2 hrs & notice 4 staff,
2 of them were photographing the machinery.

 

[stranton]

My thoughts are with the staff,
seems unlikly this will work again, as theres already coke ovens at Lackenby.