Exploring the Abandoned Lackenby Steelworks: Before Demolition

[@Ganiscol]

To me, industrial titans like this one represent the pinnacle of abandoned exploration, for their monumental size and historic value - steel works like this one were instrumental in building our world and now they are rapidly vanishing from our part of the world. I cant see enough of them in their state of decay. Its just beautiful, in some ways romantic and melancholic all at once. Thanks for sharing this exploration and the bonus thrill of doing it while its being demolished! You are some mad lads! 😅

[@Urbandoned]

Great words - thanks for the response

[@davidpemberton2770]

Fantastic video. I spent 7 years working in the BOS Plant. You have really done justice to the place. You brought back so many memories, both good and sad. Keep up the good work. 👍

[@johncarlisle6865]

I thought the BOS plant at the Corby site was big until I watched this

[@Urbandoned]

Glad you liked the video - thanks!

[@jeffreyhodge5564]

An absolute disgrace ,the abandonment of a core uk industry ,just like Corby,Ravenscraig ,Shotton ,Consett and many more ,abadoment of ship building ,brick making ,mining ,on and on and on !

[@lordcaptainvonthrust3rd]

Everyone complains about Chinese stuff but at least the Chinese government subsidies it's industry's to keep people in jobs

[@Sarah_270]

In my 60th year I find myself getting very impatient with some content on KZbin. Your videos are so consistently professional, sympathetic, understanding and full of interest. You are seriously great guys. You bring these abandoned places alive, give them relevance. I applaud and thank you for such incredibly hard work well done.!

[@terryansell6641]

This was a amazing video such interesting content just think all those jobs lost thank you from New Zealand

[@PaulHarland-e1o]

I was a Concast crane driver in the mid -70's (the little Goliath cranes, 188 & 189 cranes, mould service & tundish bay, the 184 & 185 cranes too. Looking back, I'm a better person for having worked there. It was hard, dirty work, but great to be a part of. I met some wonderful characters who helped to form my politics. I'm a semi-retired school teacher now, and am a better teacher for having these experiences. I'd been looking for some visual record of the plant. So I want to thank the guys for doing this.

[@brimstone260]

The thought of this now being history gives me shivers. Thanks so much for sharing guys.

[@PaulHarland-e1o]

I was an overhead crane driver in the Concast plant for a few years in the 70's. Sad to know it's all gone. I was in my early 20's then, & I guess most of my workmates will be on permanent night shift now. RIP to all of them, and to the steelworks that we had in common.

[@felixthecleaner8843]

an awesome explore - you could sense the atmosphere of the massiveness of the place and the closeness of the security. It is a sad testament of what happened to the steel industry...some people say it was inevitable once the Chineses flooded the worlds markets with cheaper steel others say it was helped along in it's demise by the here-today-gone-tomorrow politicians who mismanaged everything - and those who profited in it's sell-off. It is sad the UK doesn't have any comparable industry like this anymore so thanks guys for this requiem to a bye-gone era.

[@kevindobson8002]

Worked here for the first time as a 17yr old Mechanical Fitter. Walked into the plant for the first time in 1978,will always remember it. Steam,flames,heat,dust,noise. It was a shock to my system I was terrified! Spent most of my time working on the overhead cranes.

[@bg9711]

I remember spending most of my time sleeping off hangovers on them ;)

[@Kivetonandrew]

Such a sad sight to see the insides of what had been a huge plant. I visited Lakenby in the late Eighties to measure up for a limestone injection system. We had to climb inside the crane tracks to plan a route for pipework. Looking back where we had walked was like looking at footprints in the snow but this was deep black dust! Can't believe it has shut down.

[@Urbandoned]

Glad we could bring back some memories! Thanks for watching

[@alancasselden4376]

Great vid as always, I live about a mile away from this site. It was sad to see it all being demolished. The steel from here was used allover the world. Even the Sydney harbour bridge was built with steel from teesside.

[@aljonflavin6760]

Well done filming the DECLINE OF WHAT WE DID.

[@RandomDude-l5f]

Worked on the mould bay floor and later as a concast mould PU in the 1980's, worked with great lads. ill never forget them.

[@frasermathers2287]

Well lads, I know I have said this so many times, but you have surpassed yourselves once again. I love all your work, and thought the Redcar one was the tops, but this was on another level and certainly complemented the Redcar visit. The scale of the place is indescribable and having worked in paper mills in the past I thought the halls in them were large, but in reality they were dwarfed by Lackenby. The shots with the sun coming through and the footage when you were chatting the the room whilst hiding were epic. I was worried for you whilst at the same time I know you are as careful as you can be, but thought your game was up when the chased after you. Thanks for all your efforts to entertain us.

[@Urbandoned]

No problem, thanks for the kind words

[@dazzler8859]

Brilliant!! To some this is nothing, to me this is 4 generations. Thank you

[@Urbandoned]

Definitely, glad you enjoyed the video

[@TONYJUD57]

Hey Lads, I can't thank you enough for this, I'm blown away with the sheer size of that works, Thanks to you we have it for posterity and memory of this once great industry, The worker's would be concerned about H+S as an accidant to one of you would have caused chaos with their risk assesments a safety regime, anyway once again a BIG THANKYOU.

[@pauloconnor2980]

I love it: "Have a good day, mate!!!!!"

[@Catbells21]

You are two very brave and talented young men. I salute you for your acheivements but for Gods sake stay safe.

[@Urbandoned]

Will do, thanks!

[@Lilmissdangerous]

Done with professional artist eye.....just beautiful ❤

[@peterallen7938]

Well done guys. Thoroughly enjoyed that video and well done for escaping the security guards. I love that bit. You are very brave guys

[@robdedrick2052]

I was fortunate enough to have visited several Foundry Operations over my life . They were Amazing in Operation . They are still Amazing Silent . Thanks for Sharing . The Scampers were Fun Too !

[@chrishewitt2866]

I worked there for 23 years on the vessel converters and all the cranes. You are right,the cameras dont do the scale of the place justice RIP BOS

[@theymademedoit6814]

What a beautiful place!!so grand .Such a shame it's gone ....well done for taking the footage .Excellent work 👌

[@rtrobinson88321]

One of my favorite videos you guys have done. Thank you very much for sharing it. Be careful. God bless you and keep you safe.

[@mmatejka01]

Absolutely amazing guys. To capture this history is some of the best video you have done. The scale of this place is amazing...

[@davemac8817]

Just started watching the channel. Excellent quality work lads

[@islastewart4648]

You capture history. Always a beltin video. So sad to know it's all gone. Also ur wigan vid int galleries pulled at my heart strings. Many college memories.

[@MichaelTaylor-ei7es]

Absolutely awesome video. I’ve been in there when it was fully operational back in the 70s when I joined BSC Research as part of an induction introduction to working in the industry. Really intimidating. Same as other parts of the industry. Rolling mills, Coke ovens and blast furnaces. The enormity of the place was unreal. Must have travelled past it thousands of times. It was a thing of beauty. Shame they demolished it without any leaving anything to remember it by. Thanks guys.

[@Pure-Luck447]

smashed the 100 likes, good someone did this thanks. the sunbeams were amazing

[@fisherman-gi2mw]

Thanks lads

[@focus3415]

Another great explore lads I really enjoyed this one and glad you never got caught on the wrong side of the fence dangerous but great footage cheers

[@Urbandoned]

Can never be caught on the wrong side of the fence!

[@bobbythomas200420032]

That was a great video guys the filming as ever was excellent along with the commentary as well as the pictures you took as well.

[@karllangeveld6449]

Another great video. Thanks

[@nataliesmith303]

Great video guys, thanks for sharing 😊

[@the_fearless_explorer1213]

What a fantastic place great explore. Such a shame that these places are disappearing

[@malcolmsmith4695]

great vid ,thanks

[@TheAnonyy]

Wow fantastic video loved it.

[@jimtheboless8011]

I started as a process utility operator (PU ) in 78 on the concast till it closed in 2010 great times greater people

[@OLIFAB]

Fantastic video!! Really enjoyed this explore! 😁

[@dennisbean7336]

So that this had to happen My most loveable work experience

[@ramblingremedies]

Great job lads!!

[@gibgrth]

Great video guys, loved the Redcar video this one completed the story! Thank you for your effort.

[@Urbandoned]

Exactly that!

[@marcboylen2813]

Bravo lads

[@cindygibbs1964]

Unbelievable quality of video that you always capture! I love this channel because of the great video...the narrative with much of the history being given about your 'Explores". But...my anxiety level hits an all time high when I see the danger that you insert yourselves into!!! To see the demolition that was occuring in real time was so scary and I do fear for your safety. The abandoned places that you share with us are rare and unique and also allows us to see what the majority of your followers would never have the chance to. Please...weigh the advantages and disadvantages of your travels when choosing your Explores and as always...thanks for sharing and stay safe!

[@Knockseekfind]

Well done 😊boys great 👍 stuff

[@adamm.1367]

"Seccys here...have a good day guys!" omg lmaooo. Great video

[@paulguise698]

Hiya Ally and Theo, that was a close one, nearly getting spotted by them workers, my backside was falling right out and my stomach was doing somersalts, but I'm glad you got out, there's an abandoned church here in Whitehaven, it been abandoned for years its on the corner of Irish and Lowther street, just to let you know

[@Urbandoned]

It's good to hear we could create the tension we felt during those moments for you! I'll take a look

[@R-S2021]

Brilliant as always lads, very tense at the end. No way I could do that, I'd be caught.😅

[@micgent]

Cant help thinking some dark blue hard hats would have helped you blend in and kept your heads safer as you dodge the steel beams. Great explore well done.

[@Urbandoned]

100%! Sometimes we carry them, but we didn't think it would be hard to avoid workers even if seen, here

[@philiplees7467]

i worked on the works in the 1970s for redpath dorman long /head wrightsons /and woodhall duckham i made many friends while their and met up with them on future contracts around the uk

[@jerryn9496]

You mentioned Bladerunner. Ridley Scott who directed the film found inspiration for the opening scene from visiting ICI on Teesside, not far from the Lackenby Steelworks.

[@toomanyopinions8353]

I think they likely meant a Hungarian factory that is code named "bladerunner" in the urbex community.

[@Urbandoned]

Fascinating! Thanks for sharing

[@urnansroach]

You guys should do steelhouse next!

[@derrenleepoole]

Great explore lads. Quality explore. Plenty of squeaky bum moments :)

[@Muswell]

It's colossal ! Ironically, it all seems to be made of steel which begs the question -- how on Earth did they construct it?

[@purplemandala]

Great video. You should have gotten hi vis jackets and hard hats for this one. You would have blended in.

[@57oldsmobile]

Wear a vest and hard hat, you will blend right in! Good job!

[@hdns6678]

I know this is random but I think it's sad when swimming pools and leisure centres close.

[@MostlyLoveOfMusic]

Can't you (we) do more to fight against demolition of our history??

[@Urbandoned]

We could 'Just Stop Oil' in front of the diggers

[@marklittler784]

Same as roadworks rarely see anyone on the job.

[@stevezodiac491]

I hope you enjoyed making your video. Just remember though on the 70 metre level where you were at times, we used to wear face masks, whilst we worked there because of the high lead content within the dust. If you get damage to the brain and nervous system, slowed growth and development, learning and behavior problems, hearing and speech problems also, it will as a result of your own foolishness. By the way, the steel after additions were made in the area between the BOS and Concast plants and after going through the vacuum degasser and desulpherisation, went though the concast slab machines, making slabs for export. The bloom caster was defunct and badly damaged many years earlier after a massive breakout. Ingots have not been cast at Lackenby for decades before the plant shut shut. Ingots were old technology, which was improved upon and superceded by the making of dog bone shapes from slabs in the beam Mill directly from reheated slabs, before it was finished as universal beams of differing lengths and sizes.

[@zerofox7347]

The scrap value must be eye watering. I’d love to know what the total is.

[@BIG-DEE-EASTMIDDZ]

This is such a shame i wish i would have been born erlier i would of loved to have exsperianced this sort of work ❤💯

[@benjymac4664]

Great video again. Just one point to note, it’s “Teesside”. Common mistake.😊

[@inarinukka7729]

Another interesting discovery trip. This video probably gives one of the best ideas of the size of this factory. It is strange that these big steel mills are all being destroyed from our world at a fast pace, but not a single private destroyer leaves a memory of it for future generations, even with high-quality film or video footage. There are almost always some security guards and staff who bragging "because of the dangers" - I wonder why they don't take a camera and make a video of a few hours at least, which would give an overview to those who are interested about it in technically and historically. Are this private owners who cut these factories into scrap really not willing to make this small expense? Even take experienced explorers with good video equipment and let them film the materials, it would not cost these owners anything either. They always think that not any explorers know how to assess dangers. In any case, it's very good that such a video from this "soon-to-be-disappeared" steel mill is here to remember this lost times.

[@DJ-Brownie-UK]

i used to work @llanwern steel works which was just as big, as a industrial cleaner, we had so many hiding places where we would sleep and smoke weed, the flimsy wired walkways that links all the lighting just under the roof are pretty sketchy to walk along as you can feel the the wires flexing under your feet

[@DJ-Brownie-UK]

most time we was painting

[@lorrainedimmock4096]

Terrible wast of such an important plant, we only come use too now, with SSi demise and the Chinese taking over steelmaking, out country is screwed, fantastic views inside , you have made history filming this , only school children will be able to see the beauty of this place....

[@johnallen8680]

The erosion of the of the training structures is damaging many industries as well as the forces.. My nephew was in the Navy but says that sailors are leaving in droves and they have have a big recruitment problem. . Similar problems in the U.S. too.. Furthermore, during WW2 Eisenhower had under him hundreds of thousands ( if not in the millions) of of men .. He also had seven 4 star generals. Today the services have a fraction of those numbers under arms but have 42 four star generals !

[@marklittler784]

Need a steel works to build the steel works 😂🤸😄🤸😄

[@stranraerlad1]

It would be great if you contacted X workers who could tell you amazing stories I brt

[@kpurban1310]

This style just works too well.

[@Urbandoned]

Thanks buddy

[@JonAleno-jx1vg]

12.42 being tracked by the terminator

[@airwolf8915]

The irony (no pun) is, the scrap steel will be shipped to India or China to be recycled and the new steel products sold back to the UK 🤷‍♂️ I worked at different times, in the old steel plant and the Rod Mill, in the 60s, before the BOS plant was built. I remember the first closures at Lackenby cost over 4000 jobs, crippling the small businesses that were mostly dependent on the the money it generated for the local economy, Redcar and Soutbank haven't really recovered from that, although they had a respite with the building of the blast furnace, which has also now been demolished.

[@Deleted11100]

It’s absolutely criminal that Teesside was stripped of what made the town famous worldwide. We literally helped build parts of the world over the last 160 years. There’s steel beams and bridges across the US, Africa, Asia, down to Australia with ‘Made in Middlesbrough’ stamped into them. A part of us is everywhere. The whole town flourished because two fellas found iron ore in our hills and the rest is history, sadly literally. It’s a very hardworking town and it’s in our blood. It’s got a bad reputation for being the roughest and most deprived part of the country, and it’s a sh*thole, but it’s our sh*thole. Redcar, Southbank, Lackenby etc all just abandoned and forgotten about. My dad was a shunter for the trains at Lackenby for EWS. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else on earth but it’s disheartening walking home and not seeing the smog and smoke coming out of these workplaces. Used to always stare at the flaming chimneys as a kid and it’s so weird to think they will never be there. Place feels empty now… we will always have the stunning hills though, with some mining heritage still remaining, where it all started. You should both explore SS Castle, a fan house in the hills next time yous come over I’ve always wanted to see what’s actually in it. Subscribed lads, great quality content and relaxing to watch.

[@MrStuNoo]

A once great industry forced into the ground by successive British Governments. And as the old saying goes, "idle hands are the devil's workshop."

[@David-gr8rh]

Then old farts and their lectures. Lol great work, boys well done

[@ashleighwatson8635]

the 3 goons at 33:04 just shows what the thompsons group is like! rubbish

[@johncarlisle6865]

what do you mean ?

[@BIG-DEE-EASTMIDDZ]

Isit legal 2 go 2 these places i want to visit plaves like this

[@zerofox7347]

It’s hard to grasp that we have a place like that and they just shut it down! It looks like you could just fire it all up again. Very sad, All those lives, Hopes and dreams. All the kids that place fed, Put through school etc I’ll never understand why our governments have just given up on our country.

[@JonAleno-jx1vg]

14.31 Allen isolation

[@camper234]

I'd be wearing a hard hat in there

[@mandofan2616]

I'm hoping all that steel will be recycled.

[@DJ-Brownie-UK]

if you had a hard hat, boots, and high viz you wouldnt have been bothered

[@MoeLarrycurly1]

Neetoo

[@YK-gm7vg]

Great video! It's so good to see the English industry crumbling!

[@ProfileP246]

Why?

[@rumbler900]

awesome vid guys but masks next time anywhere where pidgeon shit is prevalent a buddy of mine got menningitis from crap at the fullers earthworks plant in redhill uk

[@OliverLower]

Why don't you guys just wear some basic PPE ? Steel toe caps, take a white Helmet and a Hi-Vis. No one would even notice you hiding in plain site!

[@karllangeveld6449]

Please guys, do be careful, those security men were not after you to ruin your day. The were rightfully concerned for your safety. To a certain extent it is indeed your risk to take, but what if something would happen to one of you, these workers will have a hard time living with that, as will your families and frankly also us, your patrons.. After all, we pay you guys to do this work. Still a great video though, so keep on doing this, but consider visiting a place like this at a time, where there is no active demolition going on.

[@markm-ci6rj]

t is amazing to think it is cheaper to bring steel from the other side of the world, but I guess that is what needs to happen if we are going green, carbon zero Here is the demolishion kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3STpJ-hgtWEepI You really could do with doing Fiddles Ferry Power Station before that goes

[@kevinbreedon679]

This video really annoyed me, the risks taken for likes is pathetic. The building is not abandoned as the title says IT IS AN ACTIVE DEMOLITION SITE and as a result very dangerous, if there was an accident and they were injured or more likely killed the demolition company would be libel for prosecution and the people would have to live with this. The arrogant attitude of the videographers towards the demolition company that it is their risk and what is your problem was the final straw for me.

[@PhoneVidoes]

and it will be my tax money that will be used when they eventually hurt themselves and need to be rescued, as it will happen that one of them or both will end up falling or stepping on something sketchy 🙄 not too mention in say another decade or so when they are older they then find they have asbestoise 🙄 but hey ho while likes and subs keep flooding along with the money why should they care.

[@oddy532]

Get a life ya miserable cunt, they could be out sticking needles in their arms burgling houses. Fair enough it's dangerous , if your bothered about your tax being wasted look at the government. These kids are obviously quite on the ball, I'm sure they will play plenty of tax themselves in the future. I really enjoyed the video well done lads.