This was the final location on the first day of explores during my most recent trip across the Atlantic, and what a place to finish an epic day on.

The steelworks here was once one of the largest in the world, employing around 20,000 workers in it's prime. It's closure in 1982 arguably kickstarted the declining fortunes of the local area, and the city was desperately close to becoming a smaller Detroit but it has recently started picking itself up and has had a major amount of money invested in businesses to revive it's fortunes.

Around 95% of the plant was demolished in stages during the 1980s and 1990s, and in 2013 the beautiful administration office building was controversially demolished much to the dismay of preservationists and campaigners. Although the vast majority of the site has been levelled, there are still a number of buildings left standing which have been decaying for the past 34 years which are each massive, and give some idea of the sheer scale of the facility when it was operational.

The three buildings we explored were each different - one was used to crush coal being delivered by train, the second was the old power station building (yes!!) and the last I am not sure on as it was totally empty but it had some epic pipework coming out the back of it. There were more to explore but we ran out of daylight and all the others were a serious trek away across the wasteground. To give you some idea of the scale, after entering the site the closest buildings were a fifteen minute walk through an overgrown jungle that used to be covered with countless buildings but are all now flattened.

The coal breaker building also was home to some of the sketchiest metal grate floors I've ever seen, coupled with instant death drops if one gave way, it made for a bit of a nervy explore at times wondering in my mind whether or not the next grate would hold!

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Thanks for looking

Where's the beef? That looks like a depressing shoot. Too bad it's not 10 years ago.

Were you able the shoot Beth Steel in Bethlehem in its day(pre-casino)? That was the cats ass of US steel plants. Very intact, still had CO alarms and all kinds of one of a kind heavy industrial machinery. I really miss that hellhole laden playground... what an insanely killer site it was.

This is awesome buddy. Can't wait for the rest of the photos from your trip.

Posted by blackhawk Where's the beef? That looks like a depressing shoot.

Now, Now, blackhawk....Whats wrong with you!? Sure BethSteel was grand... but we all have seen that plenty of times.... there is absolutely nothing wrong with this location, and its something we possibly haven't seen. Looks pretty cool to me. Mookster has hit plenty of places and always brings something interesting and quite awesome to the table. I wouldn't doubt if he's been to BS too.

Posted by MisUnderstood! Now, Now, blackhawk....Whats wrong with you!? Sure BethSteel was grand... but we all have seen that plenty of times.... there is absolutely nothing wrong with this location, and its something we possibly haven't seen. Looks pretty cool to me. Mookster has hit plenty of places and always brings something interesting and quite awesome to the table. I wouldn't doubt if he's been to BS too.

Now, now yourself. Facts are facts.
Nature and people abhor vacuums

Absolutely incredible. I have to find this place before they finish leveling it. Great shoot.

Good shit!! Next time you're back stateside we will need to make a return trip here. There is a large control room somewhere that I have yet to see and supposedly another control room that still has power.

This is very awesome! Great place and great photography Mookster!

Cheers guys

Posted by TheSwanStation Good shit!! Next time you're back stateside we will need to make a return trip here. There is a large control room somewhere that I have yet to see and supposedly another control room that still has power.

Yes indeed, first on my list when I'm up there again is the rest of this place!

Nice set Mook! Pics look awesome. It does justify the sheer size of the complex.

AH I love all the greens <3 Well shot, thanks for sharing!