Hidden away in a valley, This steam crane has sat here for 100 years !

The Jumbles quarry steam crane has sat hidden away in a valley in the Forest of Bowland for 100 years. The abandoned steam crane is a wonderful piece of Edwardian engineering. It is a Smiths of Rodley steam crane. It was used at jumbles quarry in the trough of Bowland to quarry stone for the Stocks reservoir project. The Stocks reservoir was a reservoir for fresh drinking water built by the Fylde water company in 1921. There is also an abandoned disused tramway across the moorland that crosses the River Hodder. The tramway is in a state of disrepair its a 3 ft gauge that took the stone across the moor to the reservoir civil engineering project. A wonder setting in the heart of Lancashire.

[@Chosies1]

Another fantastic and interesting video! Thank you Martin James Roy and beautiful Timmy! 🐕❤

[@kevinpalmer7452]

Another masterpiece lads. Got to thinking how many dawns and dusks that old crane has seen from its resting place it’s steel frozen by the winter of 63 and hot to the touch in the summer of 76. Comet Hale - Bopp that was clearly visible in the sky in 95 for many months maybe the occasional spitfire in the sky during world war 2 - fireworks in the far distance celebrating each new year someone tell me I’m not the only one that this lovely video didn’t cause the mind to wander 🫠

[@ih8hertz1]

U need to get out more

[@sarahcrowther6267]

Fabulous chaps and timmy. Hope you all enjoyed your trek. James hit the nail on the head when he mentioned "no graffiti" lovely to see that, clean and undisturbed. 🥰🐾🐾🐾

[@missmerrily4830]

What some fabulous scenery we were treated to in this video. Just stunning! And the crane is a marvel and just amazing that it's stood there so silently and undisturbed for so long. From an age when our engineering was the best in the world. An enormous thing and in a strange way its size made me think of science fiction movies and H G Wells' War of the Worlds. A smashing video guys, thank you!

[@MartinZero]

Yes it did have a steam punk quality

[@VanaPica]

Yes, getting ready for another interesting history lesson they failed to give in school.

[@UsualmikeTelevision]

Hidden away in the middle of nowhere for over 100 years. Nice to see it in situ as the day it was left. What a lovely place and great video!

[@marieseaward9891]

Ooh.. that was a good one.. thanks again all.🐕

[@lauriecooper8194]

Brilliant little dog. 🐕👍👍

[@jonathanchalk2507]

Many thanks, guys. Love ❤️ your outside video, brew up and chit chat.

[@DS-ke8pq]

Ah ha! Someone else has found the steam crane! Yep, great little nugget of industrial heritage tucked away from view, plenty more to find. Plus a pint at the Buck as well, classic Bowland day out👍

[@kevinbrennan2004]

When you first showed that old crane, in its "natural environment, it literally took my breath away. Like you guys. i fervent hope that is left alone for all to enjoy, and marvel at, for many years to come.

[@bobuilt10]

I loved this video Martin and what a great way for one of the industrial Goliath's to return back to nature. Looking at how the cast parts are surviving I'm pretty sure they will still be around in another 100 years. With regards to the holes in the stone, thats not for explosive, it is for a technique called plug and feather. A series of wedges are systematically driven in to a row of drilled holes until the stone can no longer stand the strain and splits. Some dressed stone quarries still use the same process today as explosive can cause fracturing making the stone useless for dressing. A modern technique is in esscence industrial grade expanding foam which is injected into the holes.

[@ewansim8069]

did that as a job when i first left school. one hard going job lol.

[@Marc_von_Hoffrichter]

You beauty! Another cracker. Thanks Martin! Getting my fix of UK history. Now, make sure you lads run everywhere now too, at least 10km!!😆😆😆

[@theusher2893]

Working steam engines are living creatures and I cannot be convinced otherwise.

[@ShawnD1027]

Another wonderful vicarious adventure -- thanks, Y'all!

[@pietweety7020]

Absolutely blown away by what has just happened to me whilst watching this video!!! Parked up in my car in Shaw near Oldham mid video I raise my head and James and his dog were walking towards me. Utterly gobsmacked I just stared in disbelief as they passed 😂😂 Didn’t say anything cos he was on his phone, probably talking to Martin Made my day that😊

[@MartinZero]

What are the chances, you should of said hello to him 😃👍

[@nesleinf]

You have some fantastic old industrial landscapes in Britain. Glad you share it with us. Regards from Denmark

[@brianberthold3118]

this is the only think i look forward to on a Sunday ... watching a new M.Z. Vid being i cant walk i dont get to go out and do this type of stuff anymore ... and i do miss seeing things no one else does ... TY again Martin i live a lil though your vids

[@tomsurbanexplore]

Omg what an amazing video that crane looked like time stood still it's amazing what you find out & about when you find history another excellent video Martin 👍

[@TheWacoKid1963]

12:59 put a white knotted handkerchief on James' head and you'll have an image of Michael Palin 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@oo0Spyder0oo]

That’s an easy restoration with so much metal left on it, someone should get it looking nice again and into a museum.

[@madgebishop5409]

great to see Timmy out and about, he's a funny little guy

[@leedavies3629]

Nice one lads brilliant part of history hope it stays there for another 100 yrs 🙂✌️

[@ramblinon]

Great to see historic engineering like that. If only everything was built like that today.

[@chucky2316]

Thanks for the videos Martin

[@martin4787]

Fascinating video and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. Lovely to see you've recruited and new member to the team. Thank you Martin, James, Roy, and last but not least, Timmy.

[@MartinZero]

Cheers Martin

[@nickhigginsonmusic]

Roads familiar to any Lancashire cyclists! On that line between scenic and bleak.

[@jason0870]

Great video. Thank you for sharing your adventure with your friends.👍

[@terryansell6641]

What a amazing day and adventure just imagine such a hard life for the workers.thanks from New Zealand for your many adventures and such fun 😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@MrSteffen2020]

Thanks you Martin for nice video see you next time.

[@oneteaminbristolbcfc]

Brilliant thanks Martin and co really enjoyed this.

[@updistant]

Excellently filmed/presented, as always, of an enchanting story. Thanks Guys.

[@ForTheBirbs]

Fantastic Martin. And my "garbage guts" namesake came through with a special treat at brew time. Cheers all

[@MartinZero]

Definitely Garbage guts

[@ForTheBirbs]

@Martin Zero I was waiting for a twist like well over use by / best before date. Lol

[@davidneesam2626]

Another great video Martin and James. We certainly made things to last back then. You could just see Fred Dibnah trying to get it going.

[@geoffhunter7704]

Another fine video and good to see a Thomas Smith Rodley Steam Crane i saw one use in Timberyard in Larbert,Scotland in the late 70's converted from Steam to a Perkins 4Cylinder Diesel Operated Crane in the 50's formerly fired with coal and waste wood there are at least 6 Preserved two still Steam Powered one at Beamish another in Birmingham.

[@victorgoncalves2442]

Another excellent video, another gem . Being Portuguese,i love "Pastel de Nata" , Portuguese Tart , Lidl does some very good ones , i always take some home when i go to a Lidl . Take care guys

[@MartinZero]

I love them Victor

[@hovermotion]

Wow what a stunning find and video... Superb editing ... 👍🏻

[@jonrutherford6852]

Particularly enjoyed the cascades at 20:30 -- and seeing Timmy once again. Thanks for another look at your beautiful regional countryside.

[@markwall6651]

Thanks Martin, superb camera work, editing and history!!

[@petershuttleworth3633]

probably your most intriguing vid...charming and beautiful history but I can't help thinking about those who worked there...Great!!!

[@SamDaviesBuilder]

Great video, Martin. I’d love to go back in time and see that last shift on that machine

[@terryalmond8777]

Another grand job lads ...

[@johncarold]

PUPPY ! Hi Martin, OK, who's puppy he's cute. Thanks for a beautiful walk, I remember back in the 60s, there was a steam tractor in a corner of an almond farm. I still love finding old machinery out where no one goes. Thanks again

[@MartinZero]

Puppy belongs to James 😀

[@barbaraking6980]

Another grand day out lads ( and Timmy ), beautiful place , thanks for taking us along 👍

[@thomasdieckmann5711]

And yet another time to say: Thanks Martin, great clip, cool history and a pleasure to follow you!

[@rheingau2011]

What an amazing time capsule. You can really see the moment they abandoned the quarry after finishing the reservoir. Thanks a lot for sharing!

[@dtb2654]

another well produced informative video of days gone, enjoyed watching, cheers Martin

[@robincurwood]

Very interesting video Martin, enjoyed it a lot. Tell James I hope he is following the vets advice for little Timmy. Our vet said to keep our puppy out of water for at least three weeks( after going out the first time)for the vaccination to fully take effect.

[@MartinZero]

Hi Robin thanks, Timmy was vaccinated about 3 months ago

[@robincurwood]

@@MartinZero nice to hear thanks for your reply. Keep up the good work.👍

[@williamwoods8022]

@@MartinZero As someone who rescues cats and used to get them jab bed and then noticed them getting allergies,asthma, cancer etc I would advise you to do some research and you will discover it is all a massive money making scam to create customers for the vets/doctors etc on behalf of big "farma". None of our animals get jabbed and neither do we either. The Poi soned Ne edle, Vir us Man ia and Wh at Re ally Ma kes You Ill are just three of many books exposing this and more.

[@trainsinkansas576]

Incredible video puppy and all.

[@esseel7896]

love the atmosphere and poeticism Mart, makes one very reflective indeed. cheers lads

[@TOM2RN]

One of your best videos. Wish I had been there to see it in person. Cheers from the States. Well deserved pint of Guinness for you guys.

[@kathgriffiths7687]

Brilliant! Thankyou for taking me to places I physically could not visit. Big hugs to the new guy Timmy ❤

[@petersimms4982]

Fantastic 😊 love your new comrade timmy!

[@LancashireLarks]

Practically on our doorstep, We go out there for a drive and take pics like ya do. Never realised about the old tram lines up there. Will look out for them next time. The steam crane was an amazing site sat there in its resting place 🙌

[@mrlister2000]

That is absolutely stunning, and a testament to the quality of the steel used to make the machiney because the Forest of Bowland is notorious for bad winters. Snow, frost, freezing conditions so for it to survive all that is a hats off moment to the engineers who made it

[@rowgli]

If you look carefully, you can see the remains of a Lancia Beta next to it ;) ;)

[@williamrobinson7435]

Looks like Timmy's going to be a regular star of the channel! I have never been to this particular reservoir and wood, but I spent a lot of years in the North West, and the nature of the countryside is unmistakable. Very different to and somewhat contrasting with my home county of East Yorkshire, but so very beautiful. There is a way in which the stones in rivers blend from grey to green in the north west that is unique and magical. I do hope the trippers leave the crane alone, but its so great to see it, very poignant I think. You know the Portuguese tart is really just a glorified egg custard, but v tasty, yes. I do remember the famous Holland's Meat and Potato Pie, but my favourite was the Meat Pie, if you remember, which was like an organic robot's head, you got the little round pastry case for its skull, and inside, the brain, which was a blob of meat (mostly minced lamb) floating in the encepholitic fluid (delicious clear lamb stock). The trick was to get them to put the chips in the tray, then the gravy and stick the robots head on top. Then you made a small hole in his tiny cranium and the delicious encepholitic fluid would dribble out onto the chips and gravy, turning the whole into an Al fresco post-pub delight! Really hit the spot. I envy you. You got 2 horrible catering sausages on YOUR breakfast, but the stingy b******s down here only give me one. Nice one anyway Martin! 🌟👍

[@MartinZero]

Marvellous descriptions 😄

[@adrienfrey9435]

Can we camp in this area? The scenery, with the dramatic clouds over it, it's amazing. Great britain always fascinated me since I was a child. I don't know why though.

[@Theoobovril]

A very enchanting video, Martin.

[@stewriley1183]

Stocks reservoir was build by Fylde water board for Blackpool and the fylde coast, Warbreck Hill water tower was built as part of the same scheme to improve water pressure to Fleetwood. Not quite the Thirlmere aquaduct but a massive undertaking nonetheless. Good video Martin, and on my doorstep 👍

[@mikerogers5043]

Great video, and what a stunning find. The tranway, the tracks, and that steam engine especially.

[@bigratkiller1]

Another excellent video chaps.

[@maggiefleuriot4427]

Wowww.... so beautiful. I hope Timmy is now a member of the crew. Very partial to Portuguese tarts myself, Potuguese community in Pretoria is large so theyre readily available. We get Guinness here too but not so often. I drink it, to me its medicinal.

[@MartinZero]

Iam now somewhat addicted to them Maggie

[@derelictmanchester8745]

Great find Martin...👌

[@lazyhazeldaisy9596]

Many thanks Timmy and the lads it was a long old walk but a very beautiful one all the same, I was thinking of the men that worked on that crane they are all long gone but the crane still sits there almost like it's waiting for the men to start it up again.

[@ponyboymb]

Wicked video, 🙏🏻🤟🏻 great piece of history left in time after all theses years. Loved the story of your conclusion on the river- from so many years ago 💯🤟🏻🤟🏻 , brilliant when thing's like that come to happy ending 👍👍👌 Brilliant 🤟🏻 have a smashing day ahead ✊🏼🤟🏻

[@alanlake5220]

Another facinating video Martin, Wow what an area the Forest of Bowland is , very bleak .Looking at open street maps there is another large quary with a Aerial Ropeway at a place called Claughton off the A683, that might be worth a visit to see what is left, for a future video. Cheers lads .

[@jennythescouser]

Great video, as always. Suggestion - get a small 'Pringles' type tube to put biscuits in and hang it around Timmy's neck. Like the St Bernard dogs that carry barrels of brandy in the alps - lol

[@MartinZero]

Good Idea Jenny

[@howardgibson]

What a lovely story, well done Martin

[@timwaywell]

great video , thank s Martin Bowland is a great place to go to

[@bobingram6912]

What a cracking find, all that history lying alone for 100 years ìn all weather's a credit to our industrial pioneers. Shame it was too far for you stay and light it up like the other one. Cheers guys👍👍👍👍

[@Satters]

thankyou for showing us another marvel of industrial archaeology in the beauty of the English countryside

[@1969works]

english breakfast ...I had one years ago ...👍Thx Martin

[@Me..D.S]

Brilliant video. Thank you for sharing Martin.

[@greg6172]

Another entertaining and thoughtful video Martin. I always look forward to your historical coverage which is excellent. Keep up the good work. Greg in Melbourne Australia.

[@countesscable]

I’d love to see that crane working. A magnificent thing just abandoned. Better than being scrapped though.

[@mileshigh1321]

How do you expect us to enjoy the loverly scenery when you have that little furry dynamo Timmy around! 🤣 If James was a dog he would be Timmy! Hahahaha! So that crane is amazing! Its in really good shape considering how long its sat there! I think enough exists that it could be restored ! However, there is beauty in the decay and the history it represents! Nicely done Martin and team!

[@MartinZero]

Yeah its a dilemma, preserve it or leave it where it stands

[@gazzaka]

Lovely owd crane ! I've driven quite a few cranes, but nothing like that ! Awesome !

[@MrLargePig]

Perhaps not for everyone, but I think the moors are beautiful.

[@eastwoodsadventures]

The tramway to Jumbles was an extension of an existing line from a quarry nearer to the reservoir. Not quite a 100 years either since it was abandoned nearer 90 years ago. Great to see the crane and quarry again.

[@johnhankinson1929]

Great film lads , it's a pity English heritage cannot repair it and getting it to look pristine again , it looks like a corpse that has been left to rot on the moor's , More please

[@shirleyashton3597]

Wonderful. Wish I was 10 years younger to visit it. I see the crane on the Bolton Bury canal often but this is much better but just too remote

[@memofromessex]

That was lovely thanks! Living down in London I rarely get to go out to quiet, bleak places (though I have been to Croydon, which is bleak in its own way!) - when I do I see my dad in Scotland in a touristy area. It's lovely to see quiet places still exist.

[@4-dman464]

Trees, hills and actual real genuine bona fide green grass - - you can't beat it. Now then.

[@carlwallace7157]

Hi Martin, great vid,hope your well...theres one of these tram roads running alongside the side of higher swineshaw reservoir in stalybridge...more intact than this one.👍

[@Qugar666]

Cheers... Thanks for the video.

[@ffrancrogowski2192]

They must have been real tough times, Martyn, to be able to install that railway and the crane to be brought up to the site, into such a most isolated spot. This must be one of the most isolated locations that yourself, James and Roy have ventured. An exceptionally good video is this and worth the journey just to see the crane still intact, as well as the lovely scenery around. Many thanks, and all of you keep well.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks Ffranc

[@andrewbell1105]

I wonder how many of the men that laid the narrow gauge line had been doing exactly the same in Belgium and France just a couple of years earlier? Great video Martin and the gang.

[@Frightningman]

Thanks for this Martin. I have driven and ridden the cross of greet road many, many times - one of my favourite bimbles and quite local to me, but I had no idea that all that was there. Not being picky, but that area is not the Trough of Bowland, whole area is the Forest of Bowland but the actual Trough is about 6 mile south west [as the crow flies] of where you were.

[@MartinZero]

I dont think I mentioned the Trough did I ? I said Forest thats why I put the caption 'Where are the trees' But its worth having a walk to it 👍

[@Frightningman]

@@MartinZero "It was used at jumbles quarry in the trough of Bowland" . The reason that there are no trees is that the actual original definition of a forest is a hunting ground - mainly for royalty. Today, we associate forests with trees and woods, but that was not always the case - word use and meanings change over time.

[@MartinZero]

@@Frightningman Ahh ok that’s interesting thanks Frank 👍

[@martinmarsola6477]

Thank you for the remote trip today. Amazing steam machine just sitting there deteriorating and not used. Enjoy the week ahead, and see you on the next. 😊

[@raybeaumont7670]

Well done lads. Looks a rewarding day out. Good to see Timmy becoming a regular member of the team. Very enjoyable video. Thanks!

[@philippabaker1078]

What a lovely video. I really enjoyed that and so well videoed. Well done Team Zero.

[@MartinZero]

Thanks love x

[@rogerwilkinson2192]

You little dog is cute. 😊

[@darrenhudson5503]

Best channel imo...another cracking vid...well.done.guys

[@dieselmanmike]

I worked on crawler cranes around 25 years ago and found this very enjoyable. So great to see it untouched lost in time by itself on the moor. Great stuff.👍

[@johnathanrowley2707]

What amazing crane lasted all this time and looks still great nick ,it's a shame it's not put in a museum from the elliments

[@josephranker5716]

I found this one particularly lovely, thanks

[@nigelmattravers5913]

Another great video Martin, but going to a Thwaites pub and drinking Guinness, sacrilege!

[@michaelryan6884]

Fascinating subject! Thanks for sharing it!

[@rudyardkipling5175]

Living on another continent now but I grew up near there and seeing that bleak countryside is so nostalgic for me. The place names, the pubs… Millstone grit was used for paving stones very often besides millstones (amazing coincidence they gave it that name).

[@ManchesterMudlarks]

great video martin, the crane is lovely and nice to see it , but one hell of a trek to get there,

[@Simon_Nonymous]

Lovely video, and I know that area quite well but never spotted the quarry and tramway! It is visible on Google maps and I think you can spot the line of the tramway all the way down to the reservoir.