About 20 years ago I visited blast furnaces in Sweden, The Netherlands, and France. It is mind boggling how steel is made and how complicated the process is, and how important (and challenging to manage) quality control is to make a product that we absolutely need for many of life’s modern conveniences. Cant have cars or airplane or trains without it. Great video DJ! Keep em coming.
@RoadKing-ky2bs
2 жыл бұрын
Hi I stumbled across your video because my wife and I are going to Pittsburgh in late April and the Carrie furnace is on our must visit list. I am from Pittsburgh originally 1967 - 1982 so I still recall smokestacks, mills, warehouses, railroads, and factories everywhere. Pittsburgh was truly a working man's/blue collar city. It's sad now that many of these places have been torn down since Pittsburgh did its revitalization push starting in the early 80s. I was back in 2019 and the tear downs are still in progress. Once I visit I will come back and leave a comment. One last thing: thank you for doing the right, respectful, and LEGAL approach to visiting amd documenting the property. I have read of so many people through the years after it closed breaking in, trespassing, vandalizing, stealing items, and causing other damage. In fact I just saw another YT channel filming themselves with a go pro camera sneaking in without permission. Not only is that illegal but it's wrong. As a history enthusiast that bothers the crap out of me. Anyhow, thank you for the video.
@djstrains
2 жыл бұрын
Welcome back. Have a safe and fun visit! I saw that video also and was furious!
@henrygross6583
5 жыл бұрын
DJ, I really enjoy these videos of my old stomping grounds. I worked in the Duquesne mill and then in Homestead rolling mills as a crane operator. I am a molder of ho trains but not typical on the steel valley area. I now live in Florida but my heart belongs to Pittsburgh and the surrounding area.
@WAL_DC-6B
2 жыл бұрын
Do you use plastic or resin to mold your ho trains?
@klbertin
5 жыл бұрын
This is a great tour, I went 2 years ago, and the tour guide we had was very knowledgeable, he worked at a furnace close by that was almost identical to this one, thanks DJ for the memory.
@bnkwupt
5 жыл бұрын
This tour has been added to my bucket list. We go through Pittsburgh quite a bit and this looks like it’s right up my alley. Love your videos, DJ!
@towny72
5 жыл бұрын
The tour is definitely worth it. The people that run the tours will not only safely show you around the grounds they will also give you a great history lesson.
@ATSFVentaSpurNscaler
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks for showing this DJ! Your drone captured some spectacular footage of this once-great steel mill, even if the mill no longer operates and now only stands as a historic monument. Back in the 1970s, I actually toured an operating steel mill. I did it as a high school student during a class field trip to Kaiser Steel in Fontana, California. I felt blown away by the large-scale operations at this massive steel mill. I still remember seeing the huge metal ladle (whose liquid carrying capacity could fill a small swimming pool) as it was pulled from a blast furnace by a moving overhead crane. The ladle was full molten steel and when the crane pulled it over the ingot molds, it was tipped to pour out its white-hot ooze. After the steel cooled and hardened in the molds, the mill shipped these steel ingots by rail. I also recall seeing the giant coke ovens on site, where coal was cooked into coke to fuel the mill's blast furnaces. Santa Fe Railway pulled units trains of coal from New Mexico to feed these coke ovens, while Southern Pacific trains supplied a steady stream of iron ore from the mine in nearby Eagle Mountain in California's Mojave Desert. Like so many American steel mills, the one was shuddered many years ago. Its gigantic blast furnaces and coke ovens were razed to the ground to make room for an international speedway. At least I witnessed the mill's steel production firsthand before it ceased operations, and will always cherish the memory of one of America's great steel mills. On a side note, I also heard about Walther's recent announcement that its bringing back the steel mill in HO scale. I just hope Walther's will reintroduce it in N scale soon thereafter. -from Tom Pilling
@artyz2002
5 жыл бұрын
Thank you for this video. I grown up in a city in Australia where we have a steel works. I've worked inside it doing various jobs with heavy trucks and machinery. I have been contemplating on making a steel mill on my next layout, and looking at this steel mill It's interesting how the 2 blast furnaces are placed next to each other to save on space compared to the original design of the Port Kembla Steel works in Australia. At Pt Kembla steel works where the original first 3 blast furnaces were you can only see where No 2 blast furnace once stood, which was decommissioned and partially demolished in the mid 90's. Some of the original soaking pits buildings and rolling mills from the original section can still be seen today. If one travels to Sydney and wishes to do tours in a live operating steel works, Pt Kembla steel works offers guided tours through the plant, and is situated an hour and half train ride to the south of Sydney. Thanks for this video, it will give me another idea of orientating the buildings in a small space.
@djstrains
5 жыл бұрын
I appreciate viewers from outside the US. So glad you enjoyed this and shared your story.
@VeteranofthePsychicWars
5 жыл бұрын
This takes me back. I worked 5 quarters while in college at Republic in Cleveland. BF, coke ovens, BOF, soaking pits, bar and slab mills and rolling mills. What’s amazing is the scale of the equipment, words just cannot describe. Ironic story, the week before my first day someone was killed in a slag pit explosion by the BF. That really gets your attention.
@djstrains
5 жыл бұрын
cleveland has some rich steel history
@nscaled1
5 жыл бұрын
Nice Job DJ! Next time I am back in Pittsburgh will have to do this!!! Appreciate you bringing this to my attention!
@jolliemark6294
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks DJ, hope to take the tour some day....thanks for sharing....Jack
@douglaskasten4630
5 жыл бұрын
Was on this site in the late 80's when it was still an industrial ruin, saw some cool urban art & wonder how much is still there
@myesenc
5 жыл бұрын
Another great video, nice catch of the security guard coming out of the porta john👍
@DruSteel69
5 жыл бұрын
Awesome footage, DJ. Thanks for sharing. - Drew
@jeffbaker2897
5 жыл бұрын
Great video D.J., enjoyed the drone eye view too. Keep the videos coming.😎👍👍
@djstrains
5 жыл бұрын
I filmed some cool stuff today.
@jessicarebeck1178
4 жыл бұрын
I really enjoyed going there on my bus trip to Pittsburgh i learned a whole lot and saw very cool things there it was the best field trip i ever had.
@CM-ARM
5 жыл бұрын
Hay DJ I doubt I will ever go out to see this not that I wouldn't love to. This was definitely one of your best videos. What I was able to see is beautiful.
@TomsTrainsandThings
5 жыл бұрын
Great video DJ. I'll have to take the tour next time I'm up that way.
@ChizAfterHours
2 жыл бұрын
Going to try to tour the Carrie Furnace this summer when I have time off. Fingers crossed the blast furnaces here in Bethlehem will one day be opened up for tours besides the trestle and normal sidewalks around them.
@Fcutdlady
5 жыл бұрын
This looks amazing, sadly being Irish I live on the wrong continent to take a tour here but as a trainee tour guide I love industrial heritage and history.
@cherokeecoyoteoffical4625
5 жыл бұрын
That place is so eerie how still it is
@JoeyBPhotography
5 жыл бұрын
Great video. I wish I knew about that place when I was living in Pittsburgh (2 yrs for school). Next time I'm in that area I'll have to take the tour! Thanks for posting this.
@garychestnut6380
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the great video
@RocktCityTim
5 жыл бұрын
Thank you again for such an idea inspiring video. All of your real-world vids bring such great - dare I say it? - Immersion to what we try to do in miniature.
@djstrains
5 жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoy. Thanks
@michaelmartin6734
5 жыл бұрын
I did the tour with the family of a former maintenance Forman at Carrie. It included my brother in law whose first job was tapping the heats at Carrie.
@djstrains
5 жыл бұрын
That would have been a great experience
@michaelmartin6734
5 жыл бұрын
And the let him do the tour at no cost, they said he was a ‘legacy’. He was able to give the tour guide info and names of things that she hadn’t known, improving the experience for future tours. I just found your KZitem channel, I enjoy your videos. My uncle worked for the Pennsylvania RR, at one time he was Stationmaster of Penn Sta. in NYC.
@davestrains6816
5 жыл бұрын
Great video. Gotta put that on my bucket list.
@kamala2111
5 жыл бұрын
Nice story about the site
@Three_Rivers_Rail_Photography
5 жыл бұрын
I remember going into this place as a teen. Before they turned it into a tourist attraction. I know what the artist surprise is but won't spoil it for everyone. Been all over this place and it was exciting to explore such a piece of history. Also was wondering what happened to the bottle car that was sitting outside. I can see now where they put it. Awesome video as always DJ and hope to see you sometime down in Homestead operating your train!
@djstrains
5 жыл бұрын
That wasn't me who hit the guy at homestead yesterday, but now I may have to fill in for him since he is off work for 3 days.
@elsdp-4560
5 жыл бұрын
THANK YOU...for sharing. Enjoyed.
@nathandelay
5 жыл бұрын
Awesome DJ
@JoeG-firehousewhiskey
5 жыл бұрын
This is an awesome gem to study!
@ErikVince
5 жыл бұрын
Pretty cool video keep them coming
@charleslowery7914
3 жыл бұрын
If you ever get down to Alabama, we have a blast furnace that is well maintained and haunted. Sloss furnace is worth a visit.
@RoadKing-ky2bs
2 жыл бұрын
Sloss is on my bucket list! I live in Florida so Alabama is not a far drive. And the haunting part really fascinates me, aside the history.
@stephentucker4435
5 жыл бұрын
I model the Santa Fe in Arizona, but find your channel fascinating nevertheless. Good job. Keep it up!
@djstrains
5 жыл бұрын
I appreciate that
@loco4pack
5 жыл бұрын
Hey DJ, I keep meaning to ask if you ever run the Herzog ballast trains? My bother works for Herzog and has done a lot of work with CSX.
@Aceofdusk
4 жыл бұрын
Took a “ghost hunt” tour last night. Super interesting place. I’m a history buff!
@djstrains
4 жыл бұрын
Oh wow!
@ericcallender1575
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks for sharing. TMRCI
@sherrypilorski8975
5 жыл бұрын
your Amazing Sir.
@djstrains
5 жыл бұрын
"You're" amazing, Sir. so how is Selkirk?
@sherrypilorski8975
5 жыл бұрын
@@djstrains Its good, got my signals down. Lots of rules and information. I'm just grinding it out waiting for the day i can transfer your way and be your conductor.
@djstrains
5 жыл бұрын
YOU MEAN SCHNEIDER!! Lol. How do you know him??
@sherrypilorski8975
5 жыл бұрын
@@djstrains What??
@djstrains
5 жыл бұрын
c'mon, the first time you commented on my videos you asked if I ever kissed a train master or chuck schneider. I am still laughing over that, but tell me how you know him.
@markmccummins8049
3 жыл бұрын
DJ: great video. From 3:29 to about 5:10 you filmed a “trestle” that runs beside the two furnaces. Is this where the railroad brought the ore, coal, and limestone for the furnaces? I ask this because I may try this in O scale.
@djstrains
3 жыл бұрын
yes
@frankcardello6808
5 жыл бұрын
Hi DJ, Great Videos On Steel Mills. In New England Brass Mills were very popular and served by the railroad. My hometown had a huge American Brass Mill with a lot of trackage. I have found zero resources for modeling Brass Mills. Do you know of any resources and the similarities between Steel and Brass Mills? For starters I have the Sanbourn Maps with building plot plan and trackage, but zero information about the industry itself for modeling purposes.
@djstrains
5 жыл бұрын
Not familiar over my way.
@robertterry9367
5 жыл бұрын
great video!!!!!
@djstrains
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks
@spencerbass7142
5 жыл бұрын
Neat, thank you.
@djstrains
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks
@southern207hobbies
5 жыл бұрын
Youngstown steel heritage is going to add a 2ft narrow guage steel mill locomotive j&l #58 in operation soon to run here
@djstrains
5 жыл бұрын
I know Rick has worked hard
@gartsherriejunction4643
5 жыл бұрын
A historic video DJ and one which should be cherished. As in a previous comment, in which I asked if you knew where I could buy an Iron and Steel Works Blast Furnace, I have since reserved a model from Walthers Steel Series about 2 weeks ago but, for this particular model of which there are 6 in the series, this model won't be ready until March 2020. Andrew Carnegie was and still is a major influence in the country of his birth, Dunfermline, Scotland, (where I am commenting from), opening many public amenities including libraries for the education of the illiterate, throughout. Out of interest do you have any photographs of this steel plant which you can pass on to me? I would like to copy some of the structures that I have seen in order to enhance my own layout. I think what you are doing in preserving the historical legacy of US Steelmaking which made the US a industrial and economic powerhouse is vitally important and you should continue with this historical research. Hats off to you DJ, Mike
@natgass8102
5 жыл бұрын
very interesting, with the purchase of Conrail by CSX & NSC who do you think got the better franchises / parts of Conrail which was largely NYC and PRR?
@djstrains
5 жыл бұрын
we got the routes, they got the engines in my opinion
@seanpacificrailroad3700
5 жыл бұрын
Hi dj so are you going to do a tour inside for us next video please
@djstrains
5 жыл бұрын
no, there are already a few on youtube from others, and I want you to see for yourself. I took the tour 2 years ago, with only my cell phone.
@toyoubala
4 жыл бұрын
Sad to see them at this state. These factories were the backbones of NewYork and Chicago Sky rise buildings. Played significant role in the Industrial automation, Automobile Industries post Civil war.
@HiSmartAlarms
5 жыл бұрын
could you make some pov while your running a train at work? Or is it against the rules or guidelines
@djstrains
5 жыл бұрын
cell phone and camera ban
@YardLimit
5 жыл бұрын
Not for commercial use but you put ads on your video?
@djstrains
5 жыл бұрын
all my vids have by default. You are the first to mention it out of the millions of views I have had on 160 videos for the past decade.
@YardLimit
5 жыл бұрын
I'm not criticizing, just observing. At least you know I pay attention! You do nice work.
@djstrains
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks. I am really enjoying the drone and I have spent many hours trying to improve with it to give cinematic style views.
@fiercetrains4052
5 жыл бұрын
at 3:40 what is the purpose of the elevated track? i noticed that it's next to the blast furnace, and you said it was a "car dumper", but what gets dumped?
@djstrains
5 жыл бұрын
cars of raw materials like ore and lime.
@scottunger8585
5 жыл бұрын
Yes the pig iron was made in these furnaces, however it was sent across the river to be made into steel. The Homestead Works used open hearth furnaces to do that.
@fiercetrains4052
5 жыл бұрын
@@djstrains and that goes to the blast furnace which the hot metal cars are taken from there to the rolling mill?
@fiercetrains4052
5 жыл бұрын
im looking at the walthers steel mill pic which labels the buildings.
@intermodalman123
5 жыл бұрын
@@fiercetrains4052 A blast furnace produces molten iron. That iron must be converted to molten steel before it can be cast into ingots or slabs (which are then brought to a blooming mill or rolling mill respectively). The iron is converted to steel in either an open hearth or basic oxygen furnace depending on era. If you want to learn more pick up the modeler's guide to steel mills. Its very easy to understand and a good read in general
@ocsrc
5 жыл бұрын
There are so few people left alive that were alive then who remember how bad our country was and if it wasn't for World War II it would have continued. there were many children as young as 10 who signed up to join the Navy when The War started because their wives were so bad and parents routinely sold their kids and between 1890 and 1940 half a million children were sold in America by their parents. They don't teach history in history classes but they really should
@janeslavin
Жыл бұрын
Carrie Furnace is an Iron mill, not a Steel mill.
@djstrains
Жыл бұрын
I get that, took liquid iron to homestead, just trying to keep things easily searchable. New video: kzitem.info/news/bejne/0GmKt4JmqaB0l2k
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