Abandoned Arcade Workshop Rescue! - The Legacy of Automatic Services

This is the workshop of Automatic Services, an arcade specialist during the golden age of gaming. When the owner sadly passed away his family invited collectors, museums, and enthusiasts to help to sort through the old barn and workshop.
It's damp, mouldy and dangerous, but there are hidden gems to be found in here. Accompanied by my good friend Tony Temple we dove in to see what we could save, and to help the family reclaim the space while ensuring the legacy of Laurence Shepherd lived on in arcades up and down the country.
🏆 You can become an Arcadian and Support the Arcade Archive!
Arcadians create a reliable monthly income that allows me to give my all to this channel and to the museum. If you'd like to support this, and help me make it the very best I can then please visit:
/ arcadearchive
● Visit the Arcade Archive
Book a visit to try out the arcades at retrocollectiv...
● Subscribe
Please take a moment to subscribe to the channel
www.youtube.co...
● Episode Links
Tony Temple: arcadeblogger.com
2nd Channel Arcade Archive Vault
/ @arcadearchivevault
● Join me on social media
Twitter: / arcade_archive
Facebook: / arcadearchive
Insta: / arcadearchive
● Come and chat on The Cave chat server where we have an Arcade Archive room
Discord: / discord
●Browse our Retro Collective shop
shop.retrocoll...

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Thanks for watching Arcadians, please take a moment to subscribe to my channel for future videos Also check out Tony's arcade blog here: arcadeblogger.com Alex

[@SebsPlaceYT]

End of the video bought a tear to my eye, what a great tribute to Mark by letting us all share this barn rescue. I could've watched 3 hours of this. Brilliant.

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Bless you, It bought a tear to my eye editing it 😞

[@D__T_____]

Your respectful approach to the family and a man's life work is a credit to your community Alex, well done to all involved on the day

[@TheArcadeArchive]

What a lovely comment, thank you 🙏

[@thetwistedsock3253]

Very nicely done Alex. All of the salvage team did the rescue very conscientiously. A fitting tribute to Mark and special thanks must go to his family, friends and colleagues. What a lovely video.

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Thank you so much

[@nopenopeandnope7050]

Aww, man. that picture of Mark made me choke up a little. Looks like a really lovely guy, and must have been if his family are as cool as they seem to be. Well done in rescuing this gear. Some of Mark will live on in the things that he worked on being enjoyed by more people rather than go to waste. Good on ya!

[@rasberrycast]

You are doing an amazing job in keeping this tech alive. May Marks life be celebrated in these cabinets providing enjoyment for many for years to come.

[@basedr1ver]

Bless you Alex and team. My father just passed before Christmas and it would have been a great comfort to know that his legacy could have continued through the next generation. Sadly I am the only one who can do so and try my best I shall. This video warmed my heart, knowing that Mark's years of dedication shall continue to shine through the Arcade Archive. Sending love to you all and to Mark's family 💜

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Thanks that’s very kind of you ❤

[@rchilton]

I was holding it together right up until you saying there'd be the company stickers on the back of the machines. What a sensitive and interesting video, I loved all the accents and emotions. Lauren's stories were nice to hear and the thought of all those games living again made me really happy.

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Awww very kind of you and I’m sure the family reading this will really appreciate it Thank you 🙏

[@Rob.Coleman]

I read Tony's blog this morning so it was great seeing his words come to life in this video. My thoughts go out to Mark's family and friends and hope they will find a lot of comfort knowing his legacy will be enjoyed for years to come and his hard work and dedication will be forever remembered.

[@rmrepairs]

Lauren very kindly sold me a few faulty pcbs. That video got me properly choked up at the end and I too will be labelling these boards up.

[@NorthWay_no]

I would love to get a cocktail cabinet sometime - they have an aesthetic that appeals to me and fits well as furniture too. The pinball I'll silently pass on for now...

[@d1btd3265]

They seem like a lovely family. Great video.

[@delsarcade]

Alex, I would have LOVED to be a part of that salvaging! The stories, the mess and the camaraderie of everyone involved. Those are the memories worth experiencing and I'm glad you documented them in this video.

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Thank you Del,I only wish you and your fellow Arcadians stateside could come over at some point, would be amazing to hang out, play games and chat about our hobby.

[@aeiouxs]

Incredible stuff Alex - and to everyone involved in this. Cannot be easy, balancing excitement for what we love, honouring a man and his family so embedded in their passion for arcade gaming. Great idea with the stickers on the backs of surviving/restored machines honouring Mark. RIP Mark and excited to see what blossoms from this, I'm sure he'd be excited to see that.

[@mrt.7146]

teared up just a little bit 😢

[@_DML_]

It's a beautiful thing seeing such historical electronics being restored and getting another chance to entertain people.

[@Teraphim]

Getting to go treasure hunting for your hobby is awesome!

[@ctrlaltrees]

Wondeful stuff Alex, what a great video! So good to see these games going to great homes. 🤗

[@onaretrotip]

Very touching to hear how much this means to the family. Well done.

[@dishmanw]

OMG, I played some of these games in my childhood.

[@dmcmoose]

Wasn't expecting to get totes emosh watching an Arcade Archive vid, but I did. Great bit of story telling.

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Thanks you 🙏

[@solarbirdyz]

Wow, that's... that's a lot. Good luck salvaging! With those monitors in particular, obviously, since nobody's making those anymore.

[@rollerxcore]

Wow. Amazing to see such a place. Glad to see it all go to a good home and where it will be looked after and preserved. 🤟Great job and great tribute to an obviously great guy

[@NivagSwerdna]

Very cool. Sorting that collection must have been totally overwhelming for the family so to have you all step up and sort is just amazing.

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Thank you 🙏

[@raggersragnarsson6255]

What a legacy that their father Mark has left of his amazing work, and for his family, and also now the wider world which is very, very touching. It's so important to save such treasures. It's lovely to hear of the family talking about their father's business and his amazing work. Quite emotional and Mark was clearly an amazing family man. Much love to his family and my sincere condolences to them as well. I will be thinking of them after this video as a Dad an older family man. It's imperative that his collection is saved and the family have definitely connected with the correct people via Alex to save and restore what can be saved. Additionally I love the true Yorkshire accent and it's home grown people. A beautiful part of England. Mark must surely be the Fred Dibnah of arcade machines and a fellow legend in this regard!

[@phils_arcade]

So sad to see, and nice to have the family let you guys in. That's the sort of place I'd love to rummage around in. I'd be picking up all sorts of dead stuff, the sort of things most people put in the skip. If you find any of PCBs, games, chassis, etc... that are gone way beyond repair, I can actually make use of them. Will be starting to document board layouts this year and need as many boards I can get my hands on. Thanks..

[@vdubwise]

A fantastic video. Well done to yourself and the team for salvaging so many things that will be enjoyed by the community again. Suzuka 8 hours brings back happy memories for me! Used to play that all the time in the arcades in Southend back in the 90’s.

[@more.power.]

Well done guys a wonderful find and great to see the family happy with the out come.

[@JayPase]

❤ Thanks kindly for preserving the legacy and history of that arcade collection! Epic work lads 🖖

[@prodelboy2743]

Great vid. The guy must have been a legend in life

[@sr230cc9]

Centaur and Paragon!! Hope you can save those!

[@BenRattigan]

Wow that is fantastic, what an operation and generous of the family. That Virtua Cop cabinet is great.

[@themilkmaiden]

Always love these pick up videos. What a lovely thing to see Marks collection be salvaged/repaired and be enjoyed for years to come

[@user-ho6yq3lq3y]

Wow, what a great video from a sad situation. I would have probably just had to stand in this store in ore of all this great kit just waiting for you guys to bring back alive. Great work.

[@banjoguyollie]

ah that's great. I love the feeling you get from raids . The sense of discovery and rooting around. Nice one.

[@matepoon]

Gem of a video. Excited to see some of those games back in action.

[@retroimportgamer513]

That was brilliant Alex, very sad in many ways given the circumstances but awesome that some can be saved and repaired. It looked such a treasure trove, such a shame the building it was all stored in was in such poor shape👍

[@richardcooper]

Very heart warming and now in that hands of people who will restore and put everything back into working order so they can be enjoyed for years to come. Lots of videos to come too :)

[@BrianRazzano]

Beautiful video. Thank you for your dedication to preserving these wonderful machines and memories ❤

[@Geordie77]

Best video Ive watched on your channel and KZbin full stop. You've raised the bar so high. RIP Mark❤

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Wow thank you 🙏

[@properjob2311]

Great work. RIP Mark. Need to try sort out a Crystal Maze machine for the family now.

[@Ed-eq5kd]

Great Video Alex, what an adventure, thanks for sharing the experience without us needing dust masks. Lovely story too, a win win for everyone, well done to all of you helping the family out.

[@robsretrostuff]

Can’t believe I have lived 2 miles away from this barn for the last 30 years, wish I’d known toy were up North, would have leant a hand 😁 superb video

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Thanks mate

[@nerdygeezer78]

Such a great thing that this guys memory will live on through everyone that cleared that place. Great vid Alex as always

[@codecraft2004]

Great video. Its nice to see Marks passion will live on.

[@Pixelhorizon]

Great job Alex and the rest of the crew :) This one was a bit emotional, it made me think what will happen to my retro stuff when I´m gone. This stuff is important and It isn´t just games, it´s much more than that and I appreciate you guys for honoring it. Mark would be happy to know that his stuff is being taken care of :)

[@LegoYodaX]

What a great video.... well done on getting so many of the items out and back running. Marks memory lives on in those games and Especially the custom cabs... Top.

[@Dwarfboysim]

An amazing effort by all to save the family’s memories and Mark’s Legacy

[@jumpingeneral]

Hearts of gold guys. Great work Saving the past ..I’m sure the family appreciates everything . Be blessed ✌️

[@magicknight8412]

This was such a nice touching story, what an amazing aladdins cave of treasure ! Really was a modern archaeological dig !! Lovely tribute to the guy.

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Thank you 🙏

[@tommylee4350]

I loved that t2 game

[@MetzGaming]

What a fantastic video, thanks for sharing this with us Alex. A fantastic story about Mark, and how gracious his lovely family were to let you guys salvage those treasures. Must have been a lot of fun but also very stressful. Really appreciate being able to take a look at this with you, and delighted some of these will end up at the Archive. - Matt.

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Thank you Matt, very kind words 🙏

[@P5ychoFox]

This was a joy to watch.

[@AndyHugRetro]

Fascinating video Alex, well done to all involved

[@MonChop]

So sad, but also amazing that a lot of it will be saved for future generations to enjoy. Id love to help out with any restoration bits if any help is needed. Im currently doing a very sad MC cocktail cabinet myself.

[@TheArcadeArchive]

That’s very kind of you we always need volunteers

[@MrChristiangraham]

RIP Mark.

[@MrButtonpresser]

Modern day Howard Carters exploring King Tutankhamen's tomb.

[@dantootill]

Lovely to see the salvage done with such great sensitivity and care, as was the presentation of the video. My heart goes out to Lauren and the family. Well done Alex and team, and thank you for sharing this exciting and emotionally charged journey.

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Thank you so much! I’m sure the family reading this will really appreciate your kind words

[@SwainyAtRetroAsylum]

A great video and very touching, well done mate 👍

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Thanks Dean 👍

[@willd6215]

Fair play that was a lovingly made video

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Thank you

[@stevol11]

Excellent content, love all the videos, would love to visit on a Friday night 💯💯👌👍

[@ewstargamer]

What a great video Alex, I bet you guys couldn't believe what you had found Shame that mark wasn't around to have a chat with you guys about it all Really enjoyed this one 👍

[@moobutt]

This is great to see

[@crunchyfrog555]

Zaccaria's Quasar. God I hope you got that one - I know it inside out. I had one once and it had a bug in the early versions. Each loop of the game is about half a dozen waves. First wave being zeppeling type things, and you move left to right. Then it moves to movement like Asteroids where other airships float all over. The penultimate screen is where you have a swirling portal type thing that floats across the top of the screen and you have to shoot it and stay in its beam to be pulled up to meet it to complete the level. This is where the issue is. Every loop of the game, that beam gets thinner. After about 4 or 5 times round it's meant to meet maximum "thinness" and stay at that but the bug manifests by simply the screen going all white and you can't see anything. I can't recall whether it's a board or ROM that fixes it. Checking MAME ROM dumps hasn't helped for me as there's something wrong with the settings that make getting through the screen mentioned difficult so I can't actually check these to see if the dumps have the fix or not. I hope if you do get it it's a later revision.

[@GASHPAN]

Well done to you and the salvage team, Alex! I hope there’s plenty that was salvaged and the collection continues to be enjoyed by many. It’s a real shame that ceiling didn’t hold up!

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Thank you mate! Im sure the family reading your comments will really appreciate your kind words

[@CASFAN]

Wow, this place is literally just round the corner from my Mum & Dads and I never even knew it was there. Amazing video and it’s fantastic that Mark’s collection will live on. My thoughts go to all of his family.

[@16bitbrit]

Incredible video. Lovely touch at the end, and so good to hear from the family and friends. Brilliant stuff.

[@worldsend69]

I'm speechless, to say that's a treasure trove does not do the haul justice, it's like the arcade haul at the end of the rainbow. I can already hear 50 more arcades screaming for our attention with synthesized goodness and flashing come hither lights!

[@davidsouthall6090]

Amazing work, and a wonderful tribute. So happy many of these treasures will get the chance at a second life. Nearly cried at the Defender and Star Wars melting in front of our eyes let alone the touching ending. All the best to Mark's Family, fine work chaps.

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Thank you very much

[@electricadventures]

A wonderful tribute to Mark, and a huge group effort to go through all of the items and clean up the space for the family. A treasure of even just spare parts, let alone the cabinets that could be saved. I don't know how you managed to do all of that in two days, even with the number of people there - huge task! Of course, we all mourn when a Star Wars (or a Defender) cabinet doesn't survive, but hopefully, some of the parts will help other units survive into the future. Will be looking forward to the various discoveries amongst the machines and PCBs. My local friend has a T2 cabinet, I am not into light gun games, but that one is quite well done and fun to play.

[@JMurdochNZ]

A great treasure trove but a real shame it got so damaged. Mark has the look of a good man. Well done everyone.

[@BlackOmegaUK]

The starwars and defender machines would have been next to each other just like that in so many arcades. Such a shame to see them rotted away, but I'm sure the community will make good use of all the stuff you managed to salvage. Good work and another great video, thanks.

[@vudusid8717]

I olny live up the road from here. If i would have know they were skipping arcade cabinets i would have take a few off their hands, along with a donation.

[@weAreNotAloneHere]

You where wrong, he was with you and right by your side. Amazing story and lovely people, Thankyou for sharing

[@mrroobarb]

What an amazing tribute to Mark - Lauren you should be so proud... much love x

[@davess61]

What an absolutely fantastic video. Like others I was moved to tears at the end. Felt almost like burying deep into the past, to a time when we all fell in love with those games. Sincere condolences to Mark's family.

[@RetroRecollections]

Wonderful of you to go and document this and help out this grieving family. Such a touching video. Great to see those boards and cabinets go on to be used and loved and not just skipped.

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Thank you

[@retro_reflections]

Outstanding work by everyone involved under the circumstances - thanks very much for sharing this for us, Alex, and may Mark's incredible legacy be treasured by the arcade community for many years to come.

[@ArcadeAzrall]

Amazing video mate. What an incredible story and journey. Hopefully we can keep Mark's legacy going for many years! Can I come to the next raid? 🤣

[@cptnkrenon]

Fantastic that you guys were able to help out Mark's family. Will be great to see these loved games put back into action.

[@MrFixiit]

beautiful tribute alex, im glad you are going to resuce a lot of those arcades and even showcase one of his own cabinets well done fella.

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Thank you mate

[@johnnyretro1975]

wow Alex this was an amazing video love seeing these videos you do RIP mark i didn't know him but he sounded like a great man and his life will carry on through all his games you saved so the community wide can enjoy thankyou to his family who could of easily threw it all away but to contact Alex was an amazing thing to do well done everyone id be up there every day if i lived close was only saying other week to you Alex about be great to get a star was in there then you pull that out great work to you all there certainly a place in RETRO heaven for you all

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Thank you so much Johnny much appreciated mate

[@Veniceredmask01]

Beautiful video x god bless

[@FlashbackTNT]

What an amazing video, Alex. You've made a great and fitting tribute to the family involved. As mentioned, what a tremendous piece of social history. Thanks for sharing.

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Thank you very much!

[@arcadecraig6441]

Awesome video, and well put together, that guy sounds a legend. gutting that roof leaked and ruined some classics :(

[@richardbaker974]

Great story and great video Alex

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Thank you

[@adamhinde9538]

Fantastic video Alex, I can’t wait to see further on what happens. Much respect to the family.

[@HappyCodingZX]

Great work Alex, this was like watching archaeologist Howard Carter going into an ancient pyramid. If it's all you can rescue, pInball back glasses and playfields can look great mounted on the wall whilst waiting to become a donor.

[@tonyg5597]

Great vid...thanks for sharing

[@Retro_Russ_]

Amazing. Simply amazing. Thank you so much Alex and everyone involved for taking the time to go a long way to get dirty and tired digging out arcade treasures from the past- to try and preserve them for us to still enjoy today. Incredible video. Superb editing Alex, with great footage getting right in the muck and bullets as the treasures were unearthed. Well done everyone!

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Thank you Russ that’s very kind of you to say so. It wasn’t an easy video to make but Mark definitely deserves a legacy for all the work he has done entertaining us kids for years with his wonderful machines.

[@xeroniris]

What an amazing collection. Its so good that these machines will be restored and enjoyed. Is there any chance Point Blank will end up at Arcade Archive? It's my absolute favourite arcade game.

[@kenknight5983]

Hope you do a video on that Star Wars colour vector display (even if you don't get it working), potentially very educational. Hope you can get Suzuka 8 Hours working, I've always wondered how these work mechanically. My dream is to see a video on Radmobile- seeing how the machine tilts when you drive up a slope. A pretty rare machine

[@jeremyc7786]

Well done Alex, a fitting tribute to showcase Mark's work and collection, and to help bring some of them back to life. Would love to see a restoration video at some stage if you're planning it. I'm with you on Suzuka 8 hours too, what a fantastic game it was!

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Thanks Jeremy for your kind words.

[@DaveGeebiv]

Well done to all involved. What a legacy to keep alive through difficult circumstances.

[@DavidWhitley]

just subscribed to you, what a fantastic rescue, done with such kindness and compassion well done.

[@griffo83X]

wow amazing to think there are still collections like that around untouched , obviously the guy had a real passion for video games making his own cabs even before jamma , shame some of the cabs were to far gone like the star wars , great vid though really enjoyed watching :) and great to think some of this stuff will get to live again

[@davidretrogamesplayedbadly3533]

What an amazing collection, must've been really hard for the family to let it go but hopefully they take solice in the fact that it will be restored, treasured and shared with others. Was gutting to see starwars. If I had known you was up hear I would've offered to help with the lifting.

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Thanks Dave much appreciated mate

[@skyway73]

A really touching video, I'm not ashamed to say I got a little choked up there. Well done mate and everyone involved 👏👏

[@Evercade_Effect]

You and your crew have done a wonderful thing for the retro community and that family. Thanks for sharing the experience with us. I look forward to seeing some of these cabs restored.

[@andrewpercival1427]

I actually think there should be alot more funding to help restore pieces of social history like this amazing collection, to a generation of people items like these are far more relevant than say something like the British museum(although amazing in its own right) keeping these machines out of landfill and in use is very important , keep up the great work guys.