Episode 2: Backstreet Mecnanic

Fred always described himself as a 'back street mechanic' and the workshop in his garden where he did his 'mechanicing' was a one-off. It was all assembled from scrap and the cast offs from old mills and factories but it was probably the finest working example of a steam powered engineering workshop in the country. Fred takes us on a tour of the garden, shows us how everything works and demonstrates some of the jobs he can do in it.

[@ShevillMathers]

Fred & I would have got on very well-came out of a similar mould over the Pennines in Leeds in January 1938. Now 85 I have added wood turning to my many interests. My first model steam engine and boiler took me a year to build to exacting standards, a medical career did not leave me too much time for my diverse interests & skills. Lovely man, Fred, sadly he left this mortal coil far too early. R.I.P Legend.

[@tenmil1]

Wish you luck on your projects my friend. I’m young and have a lifetime of work ahead of me. I can only look up to men like this.

[@indyzzr]

Never forget you fred r.i.p. grew up fascinated with his programme s on tv . A legend

[@geoffm9944]

A very hard working and unique man, who was a courageous and skilled steeplejack, as well as being someone who became an accomplished self taught engineer. Fred was a remarkable character, whose enthusiasm for engineering launched an incredibly successful TV series. RIP

[@bouffant-girl]

George Westinghouse and Fred had a great deal in common. George Westinghouse only attended one semester at Case Western University studying Mechanical Engineering, before The University President told George that , while George was a brilliant inventor with excellent Mechanical skills 👏, George Westinghouse was a terrible student 👍 Case Western University's President told George Westinghouse to go back to His Father's Workshop and Invent World 🌎 Changing Equipment. That is exactly 💯 what George Westinghouse did. Amongst other things ✨️, We can thank George Westinghouse for Continuous Air Braking Systems, Alternating Current, and Natural Gas Distribution Amongst other technologies that we take for granted today 😀 😉 😄 😊 ❤🎉😊

[@mrnice88x]

I like the term Backstreet mechanic. I've always thought of myself as a field mechanic. When plowing snow, no ones going to save you at 2 AM in a blizzard.

[@PSUK]

Fred was a wonderful bloke. A “man’s man” really. I often go to Tonge cemetery to pay my respects when in the area. His former home is still resplendent with its woody glade but all of his workshops and kit are now gone. Bloody heartbreaking.

[@kevdadd1976]

A true historian Not only did he learn all he could He lived it as well

[@michaelwatson4822]

will never forget when I met fred at a steam rally when I was a young lad , he was a larger than life character , love watching him on you tube , your passion for the industrial age has passed on a lot of knowledge to many , thank you for the work you did , a real friendly , warm person with lots of character , sadly taken from us far too early

[@gahtsno1]

I think Fred`s message and unspoken legacy is; Do not dream on, do it practically to fascinate the next generations special girls and boys. In that way they will have a great chance to do more than just boring mainstream stuff. They should have more to tell their young ones from their own youth than just about fart phone and other trash.

[@billconnor103]

Remarkable man sadly missed ❤️

[@barryphillips7327]

It is a pity young Jack could not have carried on where his great father left off, now all is sold, very sad really. I greatly admire everything Fred did he was truly a remarkable man!!!!! My own father was also a great man with many ( 14 or 15 ) qualifications he was largely self taught, but he had to prove his knowledge many times, there was almost nothing mechanical he could not fix! He was once made a special nut for a tractor with five threads, $2000 at the dealer, Dad made that nut for about $500. Sadly nowadays hardly any of these type of men left in the world!! We have have become a throwaway society and just buy a new one instead of fixing things. I greatly admire what these men were capable of doing! With my Dad when he was fixing something if you could find a part then he would make it himself. He was very well known in the area and people often called in, to talk to him, about a problem with a tractor or some other machine, Dad was able to tell how to do the job, or sometimes he would do it himself, but his health suffered in the end, and he could do very little for himself towards the end!

[@pmacc3557]

Can't beat the old boys💪😉👍

[@billkeaveney1526]

We have new ways and technology. Nothing stays the same.

[@Waveluth]

Gosh I miss that man so very much. He was one of my hero’s. I wrote him a letter once with a question I had about forging a piece for a custom Harp I was building. I never heard back from Fred but I never figured I would with how busy a man he was. What a brilliant engineer he was and he had balls of brass to climb those chimneys. I get shaky just watching the videos of him up on them. God bless Him he was a good man. ✌🏻🇺🇸👍🏻

[@rsrfm24]

Great seeing Fred at home at play as a ‘ back street mechanic’ with young son getting right into it and enjoying it with dad Fred.What a guy very talented missed greatly .Rip best wishes to his family. 👏👏👏👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿😉

[@paulp96275]

How many folks did Fred inspire to get off their backsides and do something who are now passing on what they learned 👍👨🏻‍🏭

[@robertparkes4982]

Dear Fred, would have loved to have met him.......

[@forgive7449]

so would his 2 ex wives apparently.

[@kdiddy4714]

@@forgive7449 very funny 😂

[@Bibibosh]

Hi

[@grahamwood156]

I wish my father was still alive so I could show him this he did his apprenticeship in the shipyards Stockton on tees he would have loved this

[@johndoyle4723]

He still brings a smile to my face, amazing guy. I had the pleasure of meeting and working with many so called "Backstreet Mechanics", we used to have some amazing characters, and so skillful.

[@gahtsno1]

So you must be one of the real lucky ones with a colorful biography!!

[@garyc5483]

A great loss to the mechanicing trade. I met him once, a really nice man with time for everyone.

[@albertcross4275]

Oh Fred, we all miss you very much, you were a genius, really knew your craft, sheer determination, God bless you...Rip.... 👍👍👍

[@kenrandall4494]

Fantastic, miss this man soooo much ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@trevordeane3940]

I have seen this video of the great man over and over again and still take joy from it.

[@paulwalker1793]

I doubt we'll see another like him 🌹

[@Hespeakstruth]

Fred was a mechanical marvel!

[@davecooke914]

So sad not here anymore watched his programmes all the time hard working man r.i.p Fred

[@chriscctv408]

Thats the true definition of a real old school man .. self made

[@matthewdickson7838]

Fred dibnah was a true legend would love to have met him i still watch his programmes amazing guy ....god bless him ..

[@gregcollins3404]

All the guys like Fred and the guys that preceded him, did more to change the world though their hands-on skills developing metal machines and the industrial age than we appreciate. All the people in the world complaining about the 1st world leaving the 2nd and 3rd worlds behind would be better off learning from Fred.

[@iangray5991]

Working class hero. Rip fred

[@andymandyandsheba4571]

this is one great guy R.I.P fred

[@jamiebrian5445]

Nothing....notvone bad word said about him....says more than any words...just hope his family get some happiness out of this....they were the ones that truly knew him...amazing guy x

[@maineoutdoorsman677]

What an awesome show ,top notch 👍

[@toddcott9510]

Poor old Fred had to be doomed before he was rewarded with a qualification and a medal.

[@Chr.U.Cas1622]

Simply fantastic! Thanks a lot for uploading and sharing. Best regards luck and health.

[@carmelofarrugia5855]

simply amazing man he loved these engines as his kids if it wasn't for him many would have ended in the foundry

[@bouffant-girl]

Fred reminds me of My Dad 👨, William Charles "Steamboat Willie " Shepherd. Dad 👨 is 87 years young and has had to live in a Skilled Nursing facility for the last 2 years, but the Staff treats Dad 👨 ❤️ 💙 Like A King 🤴 💙 ❤️ ♥️ 💖 💕 Dad is the Yodeling Bingo Champion 🏆 🥇 and a Favorite 😍 💙 ❤️ 💖 ♥️ 💕 of All of The Ladies 🚺 💙 ❤️ 💖 💗 💕 both Staff and Residents ❤🎉😊

[@colinmoore7460]

I think that if Fred couldn't get what he needed, he'd make something, use that to make something else, then use THAT to make what he wanted in the first place!

[@robertandryszewski9169]

When l get to that steam workshop in the sky. I will ask to work with Fred. My type of guy. Salt of the earth.

[@fredlea3501]

Magnifique Fred,t'es un artiste.Et t es pas pretentieux en plus!Salutations a tous les Freds artistes

[@TheTheoldgit]

A real"Working class hero" ifthere ever wa sone.Thanksfor uploading this.

[@paulpaul93]

What a guy...

[@casper1240]

Thers got to be other men like Dear old Fred out there ,go and find them TV

[@lyndonwebber1389]

I could listen all day

[@copee2960]

Kids today don't have that old bloke we all knew who was always fixing someone's exhaust pipe with a few jubilee clips and a toffee tin lid...not a bodge job...but it 'll get you and your kin on holiday and back...needs must....good men...great men...

[@Everywhere2]

What a delight! Thank you for sharing this, dukesTT!

[@triple6758]

Ol Fred was jealous of that kitchen piece!

[@peterbamforth6453]

Hes's bloody good at sharpening drillbits as well Just look at the swarf on that...:}

[@mickyruddy6974]

Dont make them like fred anymore ! What a man !

[@lynnmorgan4782]

All I can say is Brilliant man

[@adeh503]

There will never be another

[@Flanneryshanedward]

Fred. I wonder did you ever have a wobbly moment or a near miss on top of those huge chimney stacks. Amazing concentration needed to be a steeple jack like the one fred was. Had a lovely sense of humour and someone who really enjoyed his experience down on earth. He is in the right shop now. Fred always was in the right shop.

[@XhristinaMacey]

Fred’s garden workshop should have been saved, disgusting crime what happened after Fred died

[@kevdadd1976]

What happened?

[@XhristinaMacey]

Kevin Martin his house became abandoned and was repeatedly robbed Fred should’ve sorted it before he passed away but I guess at 66 he didn’t think it was going to happen

[@jameswallace7091]

Shame would’ve thought his kids would’ve looked after it

[@NJPurling]

It wasn't just his workshop. His engines also were attacked.... Enough to keep half of Bolton awake with the great man turning in his grave. Or digging furiously upwards to get the shites that did it. I always thought that his yard as it stood would have been a fantastic attraction. A modern health & Safety' man would have been horrified with the un-shielded belts flapping around & demand test certificates for all those chain blocks. Then they wouldn't allow you to get closer than 30ft away. I only saw him once at Pickering Steam Rally.

[@alangiles2763]

@@jameswallace7091 From what I read his sons were forced to watch it happen and were unable to stop it because of legal proceedings. I remember his son Roger tried to save one engine but was outbid for it in an auction. He was in very por health in his final months and just about managed to record a TV series he was contracted to do, and went into a hospice as soon as recording ended. Very sad.

[@geraldswain3259]

I absolutely love ,all the exposed belts and gears thrashing about totally exsposed!..can you imagine, the health and safety would have a heart attack!!!.

[@gahtsno1]

For me too, the world of belt driven machinery has always been fascinating. Not anymore..... because I am now in the very lucky situation of using our local historical hammer forge with pupils two afternoons every week. So my fascination had to give room to a real "I need it for my job and treat it like any tool I use". You should see the eager pupils when we service the transmission system......it doesn`t go blacker... and no complains from parents!!! They enjoy when their young ones forge their own knives, hammers, axes, etc. In the USA we all would be sent to Guantanamo by now!

[@bouffant-girl]

In those days, Common Sense was Mucg More Common. If Something was spinning; You kept your hands away from it! If it was Hot 🔥 🥵, You Put on a Pair of Heat Resistant Leather Gloves first. COMMON SENSE 😂😅😊😮

[@Cola64]

RIP Fred...Where can I find the Introductory Song with the horn playing I rather like it 🍻

[@keithpilkington907]

God rest Fred and hope alf and the men are all well

[@porkchop803scwilliams9]

At 8.47 did that man fall

[@alansharp307]

A fascinating fella

[@cliffordgill9052]

@9:27 of course an engineer would be baffled by the capability of a man like Fred, it speaks to the elitism of trade schools and academia in general. We tend to forget that every field of endeavour started from capable human beings forging a new way forwards.

[@ostosix]

My thoughts exactly

[@thysonsacclaim]

Oh bollocks

[@Tyler.i.81]

Ohhh eye he was a working man's hero

[@mikeznel6048]

19:30 hit the nail on the head Fred. You'd be sick to the stomach if seen what was going on now a days. Rest in peace bud.

[@thysonsacclaim]

Load of rubbish. That "the good old days" nonsense is exactly that: bullshit. Men (and women) nowadays 3D print parts to then cast or send to a specialist production line. They work smarter not harder--which destroys the body and very likely contributed to his own death at the age of 66. Bladder cancer. And a lot of the things associated with machining, steam engines, etc are--ding ding--cancer causing agents. So you do things the old way. The rest of us don't want cancer and short lives.

[@jamesrobert4106]

We have a generation now encouraged to decide which of the 100 genders they think exist and want to be. The Woke movement should be put down the pits. They would soon figure it out.

[@jamesbutterson5218]

RIP Fred Dibnah 🔧🔩🔨🛠️⚒️🔗⛓️📐📏🗜️⛏️⚙️🚂🙏

[@stevejeffries1603]

1 amazing bloke

[@muesli4597]

I clicked on this video expecting to see a “Mecnanic" Am I the only one that dreams of being a qualified Mecnanic?

[@GenaFrog]

She called his friends 'his cronies' and stopped a lot of them coming down yet here she is pretending to be nice about them. She's a two faced witch. I know exactly why she was cut out of his will and I think she's disgusting for contesting it forcing the lads to sell the precious steam roller to get rid of her!

[@joedell71]

That’s too bad that all Fred wanted was a woman who could appreciate what he did and who he was. Shame he never found one.

[@littlebull8881]

I'm afraid it was doomed from the start with women and Fred, all the Victorian suitable ones had spent half a day with the undertaker

[@user-xn2hf9re8r]

Frog - is that right - she was cut out? Why did he do that? I think he should have stayed with Alison. Sue was the worst in my opinion. Love Fred he was simply wonderful and why people couldn't just appreciate all his qualities without wanting to change him. I would simply have loved to sit and watch him work - mesmerising with all his skills.

[@paulemmott1263]

She is horrible

[@bucksnortbumblefuk6872]

What I don't like about this is they constantly get the theme across that if you didn't go to Harvard or Manchester you didn't know what you were doing. So it takes some pencil pusher from Manchester to say this feller was good at what he did. Its extremely obvious to someone who knows how turn wrenches this guy was next level. It proves you don't need a stupid piece of paper hanging on the wall.

[@iancalland5934]

What an absolute legend

[@randomspecificity5334]

8:46 buddy falls hard

[@phobos2k2]

At his age that could've been half a day out with the undertaker.

[@thomasc6412]

Yeah I noticed that, Hope the old fellow was alright.

[@paulspydar]

Its a national tragedy & very short sighted of his local council to let Freds steam powered yard be vandalised , stolen from , then finally dismantled & sold off, A bloody disgrace! RIP Fred,

[@owenb1t5014]

paulspydar Yes I totally agree, he worked so hard to get his yard in the state it was, like a Victorian time capsule. When he died why the hell was it not protected as a national treasure and a part of British Heritage. All the hard work had been done by Fred for gods sake, it only had to be maintained. It beggars belief how it was sold off and broken up!

[@adeh503]

@@owenb1t5014 the problem is there's never going to be another Fred, the national trust and the national lottery missed a massive opportunity to keep the memory alive, shame on them

[@romanzdenek4682]

I hope all crooks and individuals who nicked anything from his garden and took part on its devastation will burn in hell. Fred's efford was British even European heritage. My grandad use to work for Czechoslovak Railway as steem engine mechanic and he use imperial measurements until the 80'in his wooden workshop when he was retired. Also he made by himself first central heating on his house that time in his area, all done by imperial scale. All this skill comes from this industrial age who actually Sir Fred preserved for us,so we can see where we come from. Many thanks for documentary. Regards from Czech Republic.

[@guitarplayerforu]

I was a huge fan of Fred and I totally agree with you, it makes me so sad what happened to Fred's yard 😭😭 All those years and many long hours of hard work he spent on it to get it like it was, so current and future generations could enjoy it and learn how the Victorians lived, only for the lowest of the low to destroy it. Poor Fred would be absolutely distraught 😭 I really wish his son's and wife would have got to keep Fred's house/workshop. I'm glad they still have Betsy, his Steam roller though 👍 R.I.P Fred, I never got to meet you unfortunately, but miss you so much 👌

[@sungazer454]

@@romanzdenek4682Typical English behavior, to steal everything what’s not bolted down, without shame or respect, even for the dead.

[@liamjordan5935]

Does he love his kids by looks of it

[@voornaam3191]

MECNANIC?! The potser is a folo!

[@quillianpiffkitt8284]

what a guy

[@maineoutdoorsman677]

I wounder what happened to Fred beloved steam engine,if they sold it ,MBE a great man

[@BeingAwakeisPainful]

Fred’s the Willy Wonka of steam

[@Road38910]

Love Fred, wouldn't want to be his neighbour......!

[@davidbutler4363]

The best👍😁👏👏👏

[@ironmantooltime]

Legend.

[@davidbutler4363]

Proud of you 👏👏👏👏😁👍rip❤️

[@lyndonwebber1389]

Sad how his kids didn’t take it all over .

[@ajdahun]

he sure did have an authentic recreation, noticed some child labor going on, just like the ole daze

[@cliffordgill9052]

@19:19 so true!

[@englishdogs]

What happened at 8:46??? 😅

[@arjanwilbie2511]

Wish i had those pulleys for a leather drive belt / shaft set up...

[@Bibibosh]

How do the belts stay on? 2:22

[@thenewBH]

The pulleys are crowned- in other words they have a slight peak in the middle. The belt is always drawn to the peak which is centered. Quite simple and ingenious.

[@nw8000]

Was there only two of these?

[@cameronwallis7024]

You’ll be surprised that people are still making imperial nuts and bolts😂 I love people ripping into the imperial system, even if they don’t mean it.

[@casper1240]

Is there any steam yet at Freds place , i heard they were getting steam up in 2014 if i remember right ,be good if steam was actually there

[@GenaFrog]

No, they aren't bothering and they're selling up

[@lukeroberts6188]

+Gena F no they ain't they raised 200k for repairs

[@michaellee2255]

I wonder what his opinion would have been about all the guards and having to wear googles weather it's all too much or it's a good thing ?

[@AA-69]

This begs the question WHY Sheila got involved with Fred in the first place 🤔...Was it love at first sight 😏

[@davidbutler4363]

😍

[@keithmoore5224]

not enough young people won’t to get there hands dirty but it’s not there fault when i went to school classes in woodworking metalwork all changed tory s and technology college s just saying

[@hamstirrer6882]

We Would If The Money Was Right! Young(ish) person here, I did a mechanics apprenticeship after school and got qualified, unfortunately got sick of being treated like a dogsbody everywhere I worked, and for the equivalent pay of being a shelf stacker unless you work 60 hours a week...No thank you!

[@alexthomas637]

😎😎😎👍

[@waltersobchak2273]

how he sits on sit classic

[@nonyadamnbusiness9887]

I just dropped in to find out what a Mecnanic is.

[@blobby273]

these moments shouldn't be 3 . 2. 1 years ago they should 3.2.1.year back

[@Weegus]

It's a shame to see what's left of what should have been properly preserved.

[@StabMcShag]

🥃🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇬🇧

[@Jack-xb4ny]

8.45 Man down

[@Unclejohntyskitchen]

can anyone tell me what fred has on his zip of his boilersuit their.

[@jaffa154]

Gareth Johnston pocket watch

[@mrinconclusive83]

we definitely don't bread um like we used to instead of here you are son watch how this does this its what game you playing its

[@hamstirrer6882]

Its ok take your time pal

[@Mossyz.]

08:45 o.O

[@1961kickboxer]

Fred should have married his steam engine the trouble he had with ex wives who took him to the cleaners , great man rip

[@sararyan1255]

🇮🇪 t u🥰👍👍👋

[@Zimbabwerailways]

The sad thing is he could still be around if everthing went well health wise 85 he died to early