tarboat's photos

Forges de la Providence was a Belgian steel producing company based in the Hainaut region around Charleroi. Founded as Société Anonyme des laminoirs, forges, fonderies et usines de la Providence the company had three steel production sites at Marchienne-au-Pont in Belgium, and Réhon and Hautmont in France. The company was independent until 1966 when it became part of the Cockerill-Ougrée, briefly being absorbed into Thy-Marcinelle et Monceau before becoming part of Cockerill-Sambre. In the 1980s the French steel plants closed, the Belgian plant continued to operate until 2008, becoming part of the Duferco group as Carsid at the beginnin of the 21st century. Coke and blast furnace production at the CARSID plant ceased in 2008 and did not restart - the plant was closed in 2012.

A very busy terracotta frontage on 27 West Street in Boston, Lincolnshire. I am surprised that the architect didn't manage to introduce even more varied details! :-o

Derelict homes at Holme-next-the-Sea, Norfolk.

I assume this to have been the harbourmaster's office at Brancaster Staithe. It overlooks the fishing quay.

The first snow of winter falls on the shunting operations at Catici washery.

This was probably the best find of a day out in Cumbria. A kiln in superb condition, hidden away in a small plantation. Typical for the area with an oval pot and two draw holes. Even the light was just right!

62-020 shunts at the Catici Washery.

I spotted this narrow street whilst walking in central Glasgow. The Braithwaite water tank on top of the end building is a bonus.

The retort benches at the Poynton gasworks have partially survived even though the works closed along with the local collieries in August 1935. The clay retorts are over six feet long and around 13 inches high. This is looking inside one of the retorts that last produced gas all those years ago. Housing development now threatens the site.

1989 built Hunslet-Barclay " Blue John " drawing wagons under remote control through the loading hoppers at Hope cement works. Sadly this powerful and effective locomotive has since been cast aside due to the cost of retyring the non-standard wheels.

Selfie on the side of the E3-300 Rap-Star counter-flow asphalt drum mixer at the Hillhead Quarry Exhibition!

Sometimes there isn't too much limekiln left when I get there. This one at the edge of the moorland east of Shap in Cumbria has lost its front and now lies at the heart of a small nature conservation area. The owner was pleased to show me around his little bit of heaven in the countryside.

The Prestongrange engine is of the Cornish type and was manufactured by J. E. Mare & Co of Plymouth to the design of engineers Hocking & Loam. This 70 inch engine was brought to the Prestongrange Colliery second hand in 1874 having been used previously on three Cornish Mines, the last being the Great Western Mines from 1869 to 1873. It was bought Harveys of Hayle who sold it on to Prestongrange complete with a new Beam of their own manufacture. The engine pumped the pit until electric pumps took over in 1954. The colliery closed in 1962 and the engine is now preserved as a feature in the Industrial Heritage Museum on the site. Access to the enginehouse is available on request at the visitor centre.

We went to see Richard Thompson perform at Gawsworth Hall last night. Phone camera shot, but it captures a bit of the atmosphere during the first of the four song encore.

The British Steel operated Hardendale Quarry at Shap with its four Maerz PFR (parallel flow regenerative) limekilns.

Cranes 1-4 in the roof and a giant crane beam on the floor at Street Cranes factory in Chapel-en-le-Frith.

USA 6046 arriving at Consall on the Churnet Valley Railway.

Street Cranes at Chapel-en-le-Frith manufacture a range of lifting equipment, particularly overhead cranes for industrial premises. The decided to open their doors at an open day and were surprised when at least 1,500 people attended. This is a twin spool rope drum being moved within the works. By using twin spools the load remains suspended directly over the same spot as it is raised and lowered.