Exploring GE's Abandoned High Voltage Lab - Vintage Electrical Tech!

[@JenniferVasconcellos-ts6zu]

I used to work there! I am really surprised there was so much left. When manufacturing shut down there were a lot of things that walked out. And management made it seem like a lot of the machinery would be sold. The room with the blueprints- I was probably the last person that organized that room (circa 2016-17). What a nice trip down memory lane for me!!

[@justforfunvideohobby]

awesome! how many people worked in this lab at a time?

[@JenniferVasconcellos-ts6zu]

@@justforfunvideohobby it has been a loooong time since anyone worked in the big part of the lab. By the 2000s when I was there it was more of a storage space than anything. Suspension insulators had been manufactured overseas for decades by then, Locke was not doing much custom work, and there were better facilities for that type of testing. There was a small room to the side where some station post testing took place. When I first started working there I thought the High Volt lab had to be haunted because it was so dark and creepy. In the rest of the facility there were about 80 or so hourly workers over three shifts and probably about 30 or so salaried managers, HR, accounting, and sales staff.

[@Ka9radio_Mobile9]

@@JenniferVasconcellos-ts6zu I can only guess were over seas all the insulators are being made now. Thanks Jennifer V.

[@sputumtube]

Thanks for your input Jennifer. Your comments and experiences make this all the more 'real'.

[@CryptoRoast_0]

Tell us more :D

[@MobCat_]

One of the things that sets this channel apart from other urbex channels is the digging into the history of the place you are exploring to get a better idea of before and after and to see what's left behind. Todays ep went above and beyond and it was awesome.

[@aemj9277.]

I love how much this feels like a heist, except the thing you're after is just cool footage of abandoned buildings. Incredible work guys!

[@renardfranse]

Mission Impossible, dum, dum dum, de da dum dum dum LOL

[@sicooper4230]

Love the dude with them...rockin' that mad scientist look.

[@proZach380]

I was thinking more like the opposite of a prison breakout lol

[@RichTheNoun]

But at the same time, any security guard who knew who they were, would also know how professional and respectful they are. I wouldn't be at all surprised if every now and then they get caught by someone who knows them, and are told "I never saw you." and are just left alone to do their thing.

[@OFCbigduke613]

Damn right

[@happydaddy2618]

Not sure you guys know but in case you dont, the QR code at the doors are time stamp stations. Guards are required to scan each in specific time intervals to show that they are making their rounds as determined by the security company. SO, you see those or things similar be aware guards will be making rounds.

[@tehjamerz]

A once per week visit would also be considered "rounds", but yes

[@millwright15]

Absolutely amazing content. There will be people generations from now that will thank you all for preserving history. In cases like this, the risk is worth the reward. This will be a nostalgic trip for many of the people that have retired from here.

[@shockrocker]

I have seen steel mill documentary videos where people in the comment section are talking about how they used to work at a place that no longer exists. This is no different. Many will come here to talk about how they used to work here and how it provided for them.

[@pavelow235]

Makes you wonder why the Federal government can't just hire them to do exactly this.

[@togowack]

@@pavelow235 The Federal Government is destroying these places on purpose, because they interfere with the narrative we are taught in schools that we built and discovered electricity in 1900s. They are demolishing as much as they can right now because a new government is on its way in

[@millwright15]

@@pavelow235 the Government or the companies themselves that want to preserve their legacy.

[@spaceflight1019]

​@@millwright15 There's no profit in this. Westinghouse did amazing things before going bankrupt. GE is a mere shadow of what it once was. Foreign imports have reduced those smaller companies to nothing. Google Westinghouse Astronuclear and be amazed at what they accomplished over 50 years ago.

[@mandyerickson8693]

I discovered you two in 2018 while going through some pretty serious health issues. For some odd reason watching your abandoned videos brought me comfort. My health is much better and I still find such a peace when watching your videos. I've watched every single one and it's obvious the care you put into each video. Your knowledge of and respect for each location is refreshing. This one is by far one of my favorites - the amount of research you put into it is astounding. You boys are brilliant. . . I'm glad you find such joy in this "hobby!"

[@kivulifenrir]

As this video proves, they're documenting, and sharing things that are lost to time. If not for those like them, I'm sure there are many who'd never known about many of the places or the things related to those places.

[@Ka9radio_Mobile9]

I feel the same way about them, true professional historians.

[@kivulifenrir]

@@Ka9radio_Mobile9 Indeed. They take their time to do their research to present it to us, they don't destroy things, and we're all better for the amount of effort put forth.

[@nitendo67]

I live right up from the street from this place, one day when I was driving home from work I thought I saw you guys walking, must have been on your scouting run haha! Thought no way it was Brian and Michael, but if it was them they are definitely here for Locke! I was involved in the analytical lab work surrounding the environmental cleanup of the site and demolition of the building. They drill a grid pattern and take soil samples every few feet to determine how much contaminated soil needs to be removed. Around last october/november was when that process ramped up so I knew the building wouldn't be up for very much longer. Earlier this year they took everything down, crazy how fast it went less than 48 hours everything was flat. I could have never imagined that's what the inside of that place looked like! The largest part of the building is the actual lab itself, the part the says Locke Insulators on it - unreal! This is so cool thank you guys for doing what you do!

[@markfromct2]

Wow that is cool

[@jaysmith179]

Sad all that cool stuff will just end up in a land fill. Sad the building could not of been repurposed.

[@scowell]

Were there PCB's? That's what I'd worry about.

[@ianhosier4042]

​@@scowell it was common to use pcb's as high voltage insulation oil back in those days, plus of course asbestos would have been used in the separator boards. I am glad they were eliminated before I started my career in high voltage engineering - it's mostly paper, epoxy resins and vegetable oils these days.

[@Ilovevintage77]

That’s really cool !! Thanks for sharing that story !

[@brianj8451]

So cool!! I'm a master electrician, and your channel has given me one of the best historical insights into my opinion what is a poorly documented field. Every asylum, power plant, ect, I'm always getting cool new looks at distribution equipment, conduit, generators from the past and this has been one of the best yet! Thank you guys for what you do!! Amazing work.

[@kodyjbosch1]

Agreed! That's why the Algorithm brought me here :p

[@JamesonNathanJones]

Thanks for using a couple of my tunes guys! Always an honor :)

[@yasinkaratas8679]

🤠👍

[@StirlingWatt]

It is how I discovered your music, and now I have been listening for the past two years :)

[@JamesonNathanJones]

@@StirlingWatt that’s awesome! 🙏

[@Ka9radio_Mobile9]

Echoes in the Valley is awesome!

[@dalekrohse1871]

In about 1985, I was in the McGraw Edison transformer factory in Canonsburg PA to witness the high-voltage impulse testing of a 230,000 Volt substation transformer my company was buying new. During the impulse testing with hundreds of thousands of volts being applied to the high voltage windings for oscillographs to capture the response of the internal copper windings and insulation, there were three or four men standing next to the transformer case and using 4' long broom sticks to personally listen to the mechanical movements inside the transformer when the impulse was injected. There were also electronic volt/amp transducers as well as acoustic couplers and sensors. It was all going fine until it suddenly wasn't. Instead of the repeated and expected crisp "snap" noise pattern, it suddenly changed to a "kah-thud" sound. An alert siren began making noise and a half dozen more men ran into the laboratory to join the others. With everyone in place with a broom stick in their ears, they jolted the transformer another couple of times. The mood in the room changed and the test supervisor told me that the transformer had internally faulted. I was only about 10 years out of engineering school and the event was one which remains a utility industry career highlight for me.

[@sharkey086]

I've recently heard of that place are they still in business?

[@spaceflight1019]

​@@sharkey086 It's called Pennsylvania Transformer Technology now.

[@mikewhipkey6863]

I worked for Uptegraff in Scottdale PA

[@liquidlightninggaming8729]

My father worked at McGraw Edison in west central IL. the majority of his life. Worked there until they shut the plant down. He was a kiln operator. I have his awards for 30 plus years of perfect attendance.

[@GoostTube]

I like this new format, awesome story telling. Good job guys.

[@Furiends]

Arguably not a new format but a supplement. Considering the amount of research that went into finding the spot it makes sense.

[@GoostTube]

@@Furiends I like this new supplement, awesome story telling. Good job guys.

[@JaredConnell]

​@@Furiends arguably not a supplement, but an addendum. Considering the amount of work that went into finding the spot, it makes sense.

[@b1nary_f1nary]

@@JaredConnell I like this new addendum, awesome story telling. Good job guys.

[@brandon_bates]

Thanks for all the preservation work you guys do. FYI the BPA high voltage lab (part of the Ross Complex mentioned below) is very similar to this lab (marx and 3 stage million volt continuous) and is still active in my hometown of Vancouver, WA I had a demo/tour back in the mid 90s and they occasionally give tours to the public. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGrNd6RuqtabZs0 You guys should see if you can get a tour!

[@sirgor1814]

I live in Washington

[@ianhosier4042]

Working in a HV test lab myself (one of only 3 left in the uk) this brings a particular sadness seeing all that familiar stuff left to rot. Most of that kit looks exactly the same as what we have except our kit is controlled by computer - you just set the volts you want and all the spark gaps are set automatically. Must have been real tedium to set everything manually. Looks like a tan delta bridge at 25:40 which was used to determine how electrically lossy insulators are at different frequencies. Some of the knobs were to set the frequency whilst the others were used to dial in the capacitance and tan delta and you literally had to watch an analogue meter to "balance the bridge" - sometimes it could take hours to do one measurement at one frequency. We still have one of those in our shed but these days such measurements are done using computer controlled equipment which can do a complete frequency sweep in a few minutes.

[@elgullitch]

Stunning! I had the good fortune in the early 90's to explore GE Pittsfield's legendary Building 9. While officially considered an active facility, it was in an equivalent state of abandonment and was absolutely mind blowing. The scale of the equipment in the high-bay lab was staggering. The vintage control rooms were still intact but long disused - dust everywhere. There were complete blueprint sets that I spent hours flipping through. If only I had been able to take pictures!! I was a consulting engineer under contract to GE tasked with mapping site infrastructure so I had legitimate access to the facility but was prohibited from having any sort of camera equipment with me. Great work guys!

[@renardfranse]

Not only an explore but an education lesson on HVE as well. BRAVO!!!!!!!

[@UnitSe7en]

If you believe you got educated on HV, then tell us what you learned. You learned nothing. Don't confuse education for informative entertainment.

[@DieselGateFox]

@@UnitSe7en Quit being bitter for no reason

[@UnitSe7en]

@@DieselGateFox Quit being a sad apologist for mediocrity and ignorance.

[@b1nary_f1nary]

@@UnitSe7en I'm afraid you're wrong anyway, it's still a form of educational lesson.

[@UnitSe7en]

@@b1nary_f1nary Learn to read.

[@stanthehandyman3719]

Hands down the best video you guys have ever done. I love the history and background that you offered long before showing us the Locke Lab. This is a truly historic event. Thank You Proper People.

[@Christianwhyallhandlestaken]

So sad that many of these historically important places were demolished and lost to time.

[@zynifi]

The fact that one of them shown in the beginning was destroyed for a car park makes it even worse

[@Karmy.]

Agreed

[@neonnoodle1169]

Amazing how America (and most of the post-industrial world really) pretty much doesn’t care a lick about its glorious industrial past. Places like this should be preserved like a cathedral would be preserved.

[@12gauge_shawtyy]

@@neonnoodle1169 exactly. places like this made our world possible. I wish they could be museums or such :(

[@harshbarj]

What's even sadder is most times places like these are destroyed just for larger parking lots.

[@kivulifenrir]

My grandfather worked for GE for most of his adult life, the plant is still in walking distance right down the street. They made all kinds of stuff and had one of these labs. I got to see it in action once before they shut down everything and I can say they are amazing to witness. It's sad to think about how all these things are pretty much gone. While the building is there, everything that was inside has long since been removed. Yet more things they just don't make like they used to. I at least still have all the tools they used, as GE allowed workers to buy anything they had in their tool boxes or from the machine shop upon close.

[@rootbox]

A shame that these labs weren't preserved as a piece of history- especially that older one you showed at the beginning. Where I live, on the West coast of US, our oldest buildings really aren't that old but it is common for salvage stores to remove equipment and cool building materials and architectural pieces for resale/reuse before a structure is torn down. Absolutely dig the Frankensteinian vibe.

[@BertLensch]

I know the opening to this video is atypical, but I did really enjoy the additional context and passion you added to it in order to introduce the site. As someone who loves architecture and history, understanding the context and significance of a location is key to understanding the spirit and time in which it was built & operated, and why it might be cause to preserve the site. That said, I love what you both do and how you document these old places that are locked away and mostly forgotten.

[@HFX1955]

That items from the HV Lab were able to be saved for possible future activation brought a tear to my eye as I was thinking throughout the video "If only the items in the Lab could be preserved" Thanks for a remarkable video.

[@lindachaney8133]

I started watching abandoned videos about 7 years ago. I was going through a tough time with the death of some family members. I could not sleep and the videos took my mind off of my pain. You will never know why people watch these and that it is a help to get through some really bad times. Be safe !!

[@Just1Nora]

Hope you're feeling better friend. So sorry for your loss. These videos always help me when my anxiety flares up.

[@subparconscript9454]

Fred M. Locke is from my home town!! His first factory was there and part of his legacy lives on with the local company he founded, Victor Insulators Inc. They're still going strong making porcelain insulators that are shipped around the country. I grew up across the street from the factory and never knew the significance behind it or Fred's role in early electrification. I only learned about it later on when doing research about the town's history.

[@johnchambers8528]

Thanks for this video. My father worked at General Electric’s electric switchgear plant that covered several blocks on Elmwood Ave. in Philadelphia. One year they had an open house where we could tour and see where our family members worked. One one of the places we got to tour was their high voltage testing facility that was a separate building off Island road south of where the switchgear plant was located. We got to see them test some equipment where they generated a high voltage charge. It was as you showed looked like a large man made lightening bolt. It was loud and really scared many of us watching. It was explained that they took finished products from the switchgear plant to test them for high voltage loads or for how well they would hold up from a lightening strike. The old GE plant has been closed for years and I assume the test plant closed at the same time since there was no product coming from the old switchgear plant.

[@tori5270]

it’s always a great day when you guys upload. thanks for what you do!

[@npsfam]

Oh, glad to have discovered this channel. I am an older Electrical engineer, now mostly with low voltage semiconductor devices, but as a young person I know and remember such technology and it saddens me to see some of these labs end up in the land fill. keep up the work on documenting such areas.

[@screamqueen4282]

Having to work in the office preparing for year end taxes sucks. However getting notification of a new video from you guys just turned the day around! Love the start of the video. As always your maturity and professionalism comes through and it's been a pleasure to see you guys grow and change over the years. Thanks for not vandalizing!

[@jaysmith179]

Tax day was 2 weeks ago.

[@screamqueen4282]

@@jaysmith179 not here in Canada and not when you own a business. There’s a 6 month extension for us

[@lauriemartin490]

When I watch your videos, I feel educated and humbled by the passage of time. As a species we build so much that we think will be eternal, but the reality is that nothing lasts forever. But even marvels and relics of a past time, and the visionary people who created them deserve respect. I admire your interesting, thoughtful and respectful content so much.

[@sammillar6493]

This new context format is just fascinating! Don't know if it's gonna be the new norm for you guys or if its just a special occasion, but it's awesome! Great job guys!!!

[@TessaBain]

Really would be good if it were the norm from now on. More general talky parts bookmarking it leaves better room to do the specific talky bits during the exploration. Four key parts with general topic info > general location info > exploration with room/equipment specific info > updates since filming is definitely the ideal.

[@neonnoodle1169]

Spectacular work by the crew researching to track down one of these places. And just in time… Again.

[@GeneralElectricCNC]

Thanks Guys! As a G.E. Retiree, I love this type of content. In our now leveled service shop in Chicago, we had a Transformer department that did some work with the same equipment as in your video. We had a High Bay such as this one and it was amazing to see and hear! Any legal problems after you post a video like this??? Keep safe and good luck!

[@tariqelageli6552]

Man you will get every old radio restorer and high voltage tube nerds there is on youtube to watch this! BEAUTIFUL stuff!!!!! I'm archiving this video...

[@Adirondack_Gimp92]

Thank you for the trip down memory lane. I worked for GE in Schenectady NY in the 1980s when I was in my 20s. Back then we still use some of the older equipment for variable frequency projects. Motor generator sets that were almost 20 ft tall. It really is sad to see so much of this stuff going away. 60s 70s 80s that really was the Heyday of some of this emerging technology that we all take for granted today. Obviously in the 80s we had the beginnings of computers replacing a lot of stuff, but all those catalogs you went through, sales brochures, technical documents, all of that stuff had to be printed and available. None of that was in digital form back then. From what I remember GE had their own printing facility at one time for so much documentation. I think it also shows how we were as a country. We solved our own problems. We relied on our own technology to solve the problems of the day. Thank you for preserving it on video. I have to say regarding the demolition of buildings, I saw a lot of that at the GE plant in Schenectady. I don't remember all the details but I know they got into some kind of pissing contest with the county regarding property taxes. The end result was GE demolished a lot of older buildings, a lot of the older labs, a lot of things that should have been in a museum, so they wouldn't have to pay taxes on the property from what I remember. It's hard to think about how much history was lost during that time. I remember walking across the Main Plant from one building to the other, walking across a vacant stretch of land and seeing pieces of broken ceramic, little parts of this and that, screws and bolts, results of building demolition. I don't know where the little momentos went to, but I do remember every once in awhile pick me something up and thinking wow this is interesting I think I'll just toss this in my pocket and kept going. Thanks again for preserving some of this stuff before it's lost forever.

[@h276wah7]

I've been watching your channel for a few years, I'm always amazed and impressed by the confidence, finesse of access and never leaving a trace of your presence.. Best vid I've seen of yours so far, thanks for doing what you do

[@nicke1903]

I love y'all's "leave no trace" way of things, no vandalism, just cool footage and a bit of low rent trespassing at times.

[@sjldfilms5126]

Been missing seeing new material. So glad to see you guys and I like the new format.

[@danielfields7829]

Having worked in the industry for 30+ years, I've seen a lot of this type of equipment still in use.. One substation in particular that was built in 1929 and is now a parking lot reminded me of Frankensteins laboratory... Great video, thanks!

[@aaronjohnwhite]

Man the production on this episode is awesome. Only 6 minutes in but this is awesome! Good Job!

[@thatonelonelyeagle5398]

As a die hard insulator collector I really appreciate this video exploring this great piece of electrical history! Thank you very much for doing this exploration!

[@nottheinternet6276]

You guys really need to bring a thermal imaging sensor. Makes it much easier to spot people in vehicles vs empty vehicles.

[@CrunchCru]

these guys really need to bring a global hawk with them. makes it easier to spot and blow up security personel.

[@dashofawesome64]

Thermal can't see through glass. But a thermal camera is key i do agree.

[@ClumsyCars]

@@dashofawesome64 it can see if the truck is running or has been sitting for several hours.

[@UnitSe7en]

@@ClumsyCars That's cool, except he was replying to the specific example given of seeing people in vehicles. Everyone is so contrarian.

[@ClumsyCars]

@@UnitSe7en if contrarian means realizing an actual useful purpose then contrarian i am.

[@WildPh1]

Thank you for showing us the good news in the end! Many years ago I found some isolators at a garbage station over here in Sweden. I managed to bring one with me, a green glass one. They always used to look so cool from the roads as a kid. I keep it in the window of my cabin. 😊

[@cjuice9039]

The moment you enter the voltage lab it immediately reminds me of the old abandoned test levels from portal 2.

[@dawnwilliams4625]

Your passion for our past is one of my favorite things about your channel. This is probably my new second favorite video right behind the power plant where you read the service sign in the lobby. Thank you for continuing to take us on amazing journeys of our history.

[@Chrisss2112]

Talk about sketchy! The infiltration was amazing. Great job boys 😊

[@kodyjbosch1]

Extremely well done! I especially love your intro and outro segments at the desk and giving some context and chronology to the inportance of technological history. My heart Jumped when you mentioned Jeff at the end. I knew he recently had had some contact with GE high voltage equipment, but had no idea that this is where it came from! (I thought maybe he had been to Schnectady or something) It's in extremely good hands. Every week I check in on what he's doing and he seems to have done the work of 5o men in that amount of time. He is extremely knowledgeable and capable with high voltage equipment. Doing restorations or Building amazing replicas that often even exceed the originals! Sad the building is lost, but also relieved that not all was Lost 😊

[@VandalDecaProductions]

You are the absolute finest at this craft. Amazing work.

[@Craigers22763]

I am so glad some of the equipment will be preserved. Te entire facility should have been preserved as a museum.

[@mastertravelerseenitall298]

I've been inside this building before they folded; circa 2015. I was contracted to calibrate their AC-Hipot used for QA batch-testing of ceramic insulators. Although trashed beyond its life, the equipment I saw was much newer; not wicked-cool stuff shown around 19:50. The place had fearless Baltimore roaches, poor lighting and was absolutely cavernous. Excluding my employee-escort; it was devoid of people. Very creepy...even when it wasn't abandoned. Great work Proper People!

[@hiteck007]

You were so lucky to capture that place on video before destruction. It's extremely sad so few see value in preserving locations like this. At lest one person saved some of the equipment. I'm blown away someone left the ceiling fan on for god knows how long along with the lights still operational. It bugs me to no end that this sort of history just gets destroyed for no good reason.

[@josephshaw2747]

Pretty cool to learn this about GE's early history. I'm a new engineer at GE Aerospace involved in designing parts for their jet engines. It's honestly incredible how many industries GE has been involved in. From jet engines to electrical grid equipment to medical imaging equipment. And they still haven't changed their logo!

[@ericrawson2909]

I love this old electrical stuff. I have one of the large glass bulb tubes shown at 0:39 It's a mercury arc thyratron, used for rectification, rated at 20kV.

[@BenSauerwine]

If it makes you feel better, I was in the Westinghouse East Pittsburgh lab circa 2009 and there wasn't much left to see even then. The only really interesting thing left was the giant Van de Graff generator (from the outside, it looked like a water tower). As I recall, it produced a 6MV electron beam. The building proper was stripped clean and was mostly empty space--not even a desk or office chair. Left over were a giant gantry crane, a couple of empty server rooms, and some transformers leaking deadly PCBs. I'm told that they manufactured LSD there at one point and that there was a fire where a bunch of firefighters were sickened by LSD fumes. I may even have a newspaper clipping which confirms that story somewhere. A former employee told me that there was so much mercury dumped on the site that there were places where cracked pieces of concrete were floating on mercury which pushed up when you stepped on them, though I didn't notice when I was there. I'm happy to share the photos I have if you're interested.

[@TheProperPeople]

If you're talking about the "atom smasher" that was a different lab from what they called their "high-power" lab. But yea neither was around in-tact anytime recently.

[@BenSauerwine]

@@TheProperPeople You're correct, it was actually the "atom smasher" lab I was in.

[@emu5088]

This was amazing! The introduction and storytelling was top-notch, here. Michael, it's so clear you have a passion for this. As an EE, myself, who now works in grid-scale energy, this was incredible to see! Also, It typically has been Bryan who's the one who knows most about and is most interested about the technology at the abandoned places. It's very refreshing the see this role reversal! Proud to be a Patreon supporter of you two.

[@redactedlogic]

So so glad you guys where able to get footage of the unmolested equipment in the building before it was demolished, a true urban exploration. This was a fantastic video!

[@Andy_Dines]

Many thank yous to The Proper People for being able to get inside this place before it was demolished, getting some great video documentation of it and making a stellar production out of it (as always) :-D I want to check out that museum when the rescued equipment is all set up!

[@JohnLobbanCreative]

Westinghouse (later ABB) had a lab like this in Bloomington, Indiana that I toured in the 1980s. They made huge lightning arrestors used in high energy transmission lines, many of these used in Canada. I recall the huge room had a hinged roof in the event of an explosion resulting in an over-pressure event. It looked like a cleaner version of this lab. - I enjoyed this video! ❤️

[@bluepond]

With this video, you have taken your channel and work to the next level. The introduction segment gave important insight of the why and how you do your explorations. Thanks.

[@princessofchina2315]

I felt the passion and excitement in your voice as you explained your journey to finding this location. ❤️ this is why we all love you guys . Thank you for sharing this with us.

[@debbiekerr3989]

This was an awesome experience I'm glad that you were able to film the equipment before the demolition. What makes me really happy is that some of these important pieces will be preserved.

[@janicecopeland9083]

That was amazing and great to see some one trying to preserve this piece of history. Thanks for sharing this adventure.

[@tennesseedoddley885]

This is almost certainly my favorite video of yours. Michael doing the interview-style intro, and then the way it perfectly fades into the theme, the amount of research and know how you have and the excitement you clearly show for this location, the spiral staircase at the end (my personal favorite) and then the happy ending for the equipment… especially awesome work.

[@Chris-eh3du]

I love the history when it's included with each building or adventure explored. Really ties everything together, rather than just showing a building

[@Willpower-74205]

I wouldn't mind at all if this video is one day preserved in a national archive. You guys were at the top of your game with this one! 😃👍

[@warrenf5821]

I absolutely love when these guys take the initiative to explore a crazy site like this. Obviously, they can’t do it in every episode, but it’s sure a treat when they make a video like this. My favourite episode of all time is when they explore the nuclear plant on Long Island. It amazes me that they can get into these places that nobody else will ever see!

[@markdavich5829]

You guys really went above and beyond here - One of your very best guys.

[@NottaFoamer]

As an insulator collector I find this video just amazing. Thank you guys for doing this.

[@Ryan0751]

This is the coolest explore (for me)! Back when I was in high school I built a Van De Graaf generator from scratch and a Tesla coil. The Tesla coil was totally sketchy... I used a neon sign transformer as the high voltage input, built a rotary spark gap out of a table saw blade, and since I couldn't get high voltage capacitors I built one out of salt water glass bottles. It made about 8" sparks and once in a while a glass capacitor bottle would explode. That thing was as sketchy as can be! Once mis-step touching the primary coil could have been fatal.It's amazing I didn't electrocute myself in hindsight. Whenever I turned it on all the wireless devices in the house would just cut out completely. Glad to hear some of this lab gear managed to get saved.

[@myleftthumb2294]

Phenomenal research effort. Thank you SO MUCH for documenting this fascinating piece of American history!

[@markthemaniac3350]

Probably one of your best videos yet. More like this please. The introduction, your passion for the subject matter really came across in the level of research. Just a great video.

[@DanielGBenesScienceShows]

You weren’t kidding when you said this was a special episode! OMG! I’ve done a lot of work with some insanely high-voltages and this is the stuff of my younger man dreams. I’m glad that some of the equipment was rescued, and that you took the time and risks to document this amazing building and period in human history.

[@shannonrickard8605]

"This is not ideal" 😂 i love this behind-the-scenes glimpse into what you guys go through with some of these locations to bring us the amazing content that you do. I think a lot of people forget or dont realize the risks you guys take in doing what you do, not only risking being caught but also potentially getting hurt. I'd love more content like this, but i also know y'all dont like to share where you are or how you get in to some places

[@womprrpmow6682]

It's the haunting feeling that moves my adrenaline. Super imposing a once alive steel furnace over its now abandoned carcass is an example of moving moments. You parallel my curiosity with your cameras

[@pastepotthot701]

This format is banging! So pumped for you guys to get in on something first and found through your own research.

[@burningdust]

I’ve been glued to your content for years. It’s top notch and getting better and better by the episode. You’re well into history channel suitable content. I absolutely envy what you do here. This video is by far the best I’ve seen yet. I’ve worked in electrical engineering for 20+ years and live for this stuff. Thank you soo much for producing this masterpiece.

[@pfitz4881]

As I began watching the first several scenes it reminded me of a Insulator Company where I serviced mainframe computer equipment.. It was Locke Insulator.!!! It's been many years since I was in that facility. Was really cool to see the insulator test bed at night with all the arcing!! I was in that test lab with the cascading transformers and stuff.. It was totally fascinated by the HV equipment !! I had all but forgotten about Locke Insulator. Thanks for the images that have brought brought back memories working there. Totally enjoying this content.

[@Fran_SG]

This is like a museum and it should be preserved (here or anyway) as it finally happened. Thanks for this great job!!

[@billdberger7407]

It was nice of them to let you do this in this unique style, the HV lab looks so much cooler in that lighting it evokes thoughts of the Manhattan project.

[@khenscheid0213]

I think someone should set up this place for guided tours. I believe people would come to see all this really old historic part of history. I sure would! Even with no electric demonstrations (although that would be bad ass) just wiping all the dust off would make this a sight to see! I loved this explore. Thank you for capturing it before it is also lost to demolition. P.s. I wrote all this before hearing the end about someone saving pieces. That's wonderful to hear.

[@alexsmith-ob3lu]

That was a beautiful “mini documentary” you guys made! Well done! I am super proud! I myself am disappointed that so much of our historical monuments, labs, books etc. have been abandoned and discarded away without any after thought to educating/inspiring future generations! What a shame, however, you guys are literal angels for preserving all of this by film and photos! Aside from that, these vintage electrical labs really amazed me (even though I’m a journeyman electrician ). You rarely see such high quality equipment and creative builds these days with the decline in IQ today.

[@ForgottenBuildings]

Really interesting new format. Love to see more of it!

[@louisjones2653]

Absolutely fantastic work guys. Heartbreaking when these videos end with demolition.

[@Ranger_Kevin]

Man, it is so sad to see so much cool stuf just getting demolished / thrown away. They should just do a "garage sale", I bet a lot of that stuff would find a new owner that can have some fun with it. (at least the smaller items / instruments).

[@TheLifeOfJavi]

Your videos have the highest production value on YT. I've been watching for years, and I've never been disappointed. I would love to get the chance to do an explore with you some time. I've always found beauty in the old, the run-down, the abandoned. These massive structures, and the machinery they contain are amazing. They hold some much history, tell such an interesting story of how we've evolved. I think power plants, and anything related to electricity is the pinnacle of human achievement.

[@taistith8115]

As a fellow vintage laboratory aficionado, this video makes my heart happy. Well done, guys. I completely relate to the excitement that was in your voice when you talked about the research & following the paper trail that led you to the lab. In 2011 I started researching a mysterious government laboratory in our town, only to find out it was the site where a significant amount of classified work was performed during the U.S.'s quest to build a nuclear submarine, among other things! Twelve years later, I've written one book about the laboratory, and I've started in on a second book. I think we've been bitten by the same "vintage science" bug!! :) Do you believe there are any more high-voltage labs out there? Are you still searching for more?

[@TheProperPeople]

I have found 3 others inside power plants, but they were on a much less impressive scale than anything shown in this video, and 2 of them were scrapped just in the last year. I know of 2 more possible pre-war ones but I don't have my hopes up for them being in tact, and access would not be possible anyway. Even the GE Pittsfield one was stripped long before it was demolished because of the PCB's in the transformers. It's kind of a miracle Locke was still fully put together. If you look into the 60s and beyond though there are a handful of high voltage laboratories that are still operational. Some at universities and some owned by power companies.

[@togowack]

@@TheProperPeople They are Tartaryan (the Old World Buildings), we didn't build the first ones, very ancient. Do you really think struggling settlers would take the time to make that detailed ornate sculpture before building a totally unnecessary experimental lab? We were on wireless during the 1800s !!

[@taistith8115]

@@TheProperPeople I'll keep my eye out for any mention of high-voltage labs in connection to my own research (primarily metallurgical labs, but there's always crossovers into other areas of science.) Good luck finding another "unicorn" of a lab!!

[@blockstacker5614]

@@togowack I don't get it, Baltimore has always been pretty robust.

[@togowack]

@@blockstacker5614 I am trying to describe something our culture is struggling with, is that they gave us a false history. These labs the power plants have been here for hundreds of years. The Freemasons are destroying them using various building codes and business approval licenses. They are in a rush to do it now and are getting reckless. On videos like this they should target the problem at the source instead of frantically trying to video tape these locations before their permanent destruction. This stuff is ancient its better built than anything today and much was removed and hidden.

[@random22026]

Incredible job of research, Michael--one of my favourite Proper People episodes, revealing the lengths both you and Bryan go to, to capture these images for us to see. Shame about the wrecking ball demolition of that building--the exterior was amazing. As for the interior, and the history: shame on those who never credit Nikola Tesla. This is the man who WAS contained lightning! 24:15 Ancient, knowledgeable chair just chillin' 33:47 The spheres on you two, honestly! 😂😂😎😎

[@doncastrian]

Been watching you guys for some years and this is up there! Loved the intro with such a comprehensive background. It would be really great if once this equipment is up and running you could do a follow up and take a visit down there to see it in action

[@bkbreyme]

Did a double-take when I saw the industrial computer/monitor combo on top of the bench at 24:32. Looks like an Eaton model. This suggests that this lab had at least some use up to the mid to late '80's. I used to work for a company that still refurbishes these to this day (replace the plasma screen or CRT with LCD, replace Hard drive with SSD or disk-on-module, repair/replace mainboard, keypad, etc). Used to see racks of these things ready to ship. Interesting seeing such a piece of "modern" equipment mixed in with all of this older tech. I would say "vintage equipment," but even the computer would be "vintage" today...

[@mrhoward35]

You guys blew it out of the park. Exceptional job. as always your content is so interesting.You guys should be proud of the work you do. as always bravo.

[@handymandev03]

Sad to see history being pulled down or destroyed. Lots of cool stuff like this should be preserved for a museum.

[@KingKaosUnkgedOfficial]

I like seeing these Abandoned places videos. It looks neat seeing how destroyed these closed places are.

[@Welder-zk2zr]

My hometown is Pittsfield, MA and I remember GE’s high voltage lab on East Street. I left to go to school in eastern MA in 1970 and it was still there then. GE’s plant was the major employer in Pittsfield at the time. As this video states at the beginning, it is long gone now. Silver lake next to the plant was contaminated with PCBs and became a superfund site in later years. You would never know that these things existed looking at the site now.

[@PaulFisher]

Of everything in the lab, the documentation, the catalogues, and the blueprints are incredible-love that mid-century graphic design. I completely understand that you don’t remove anything from the site, but it would have been great if that had the chance to be archived.

[@JenniferVasconcellos-ts6zu]

A bunch of the material was saved! There is a museum in Florida that negotiated a deal to save some of the equipment and a boatload of the documents!!

[@PaulFisher]

@@JenniferVasconcellos-ts6zu oh cool! I didn’t know that the documents were part of the deal mentioned at the end.

[@jenniferroese1216]

This is, by far, my most favourite video!!!! I collect insulators and love how many different types there are! This was just amazing to watch.

[@NSaw1]

Holy cow.. If I was there I would be reading through those books for literally days, I would not want to leave ever! I am a total electricity nerd and this would be heaven to me lol

[@burningdust]

No kidding! Same, I’d make arrangements to legally extract and preserve various items and documentation & schematics from that lab. This has to be the pinnacle of urbex video production.

[@Just1Nora]

Right? The fact that those books and blueprints were just left to rot is so incredibly sad.

[@NSaw1]

@@Just1Nora I know it! Not to mention all the other amazing equipment too.

[@inthe410]

Thanks for another awesome video. I drove past this building for years and never knew what was inside. I used to work for a company that sent dozens of dumpsters to Locke between 2012 and 2013. I had no idea what was going on there and it makes me wonder what ended up in those cans. It's so nice to know that lab managed to last until you could immortalize it on film.

[@mykswappedescortmk2]

You guys do it how it should be done. Research and fast reaction but with patience is key to hitting the right spot. Never see a tour bus location with you 2. Without question the best not faked urbex channel on KZbin. Keep doing what you do best boys 👌🏻

[@pomonabill220]

What a great investigation! It is very sad that the other locations at the start of your video, are gone and didn't get investigated, but that is "progress" these days! I worked for LADWP and was able to operate the HV test lab where cables and insulators were tested, so the thrill of EHV is fantastic! The lab though was small by comparison to this lab. I am impressed that you were able to include some terminology and descriptions of the parts and how they were used. Makes the video more interesting and informative. Thank you! Glad you didn't get caught!

[@MrTurboturbine]

Before I even watch, I know this is going to be absolutely astounding.

[@u1zha]

Right? Nearly 40 minutes means they're on to something

[@Chris-pw5ce]

Thanks @TheProperPeople for your efforts and contributions to preserve our American history. This episode is definitely part of history.

[@xhag1x]

These videos are absolutely amazing. I love how you explain the history of them in detail and actually take the time to explore them before they are gone forever.

[@-Jethro-]

Great video! I couldn’t help but wonder what possible effect that lonely, tiny ceiling fan could have, being so small and so high up.