Magna day trip pics

[Kayos]

Took the family to Magna for a trip on Saturday, its in a huge converted steelworks in Rotherham, close to the Meadowhall exit of the M1

The place is huge, I struggled to get that across in the pics, but I tried my best. They also do 150ft indoor bungee jumps, to give you an idea
It has one of the largest (former) induction furnaces, sadly they cant fire it up but they do give a demonstration with pyrotechnics and a talkover in a proper Yorkshire accent. They also have one of the huge graphite anodes that you can touch.

Fantastic day out, My kids are 12, 8 and 3 and there was stuff for all of them to do, and I wasn't bored either, being a big place it can be a bit daunting, but once you work it out its all good, it also looks like other stuff is being installed so should only improve
I took a film camera so have 36 shots to develop, however the convenience of digital (and ISO 3200 in the dark) won

Link to the gallery on Flickr for the full and expanding set

https://www.flickr.com/photos/kayospics/sets/72157651986542646/

Few shots to get an idea of whats inside

Fire tornado

Magna-2 by Kayos Photos, on Flickr

The big melt

Magna-12 by Kayos Photos, on Flickr

Neon tube (there is a room of these)

Magna-19 by Kayos Photos, on Flickr


Big rusty nut

Magna-25 by Kayos Photos, on Flickr

Part of the outside

Magna-32 by Kayos Photos, on Flickr

In the carpark

Magna-33 by Kayos Photos, on Flickr

 

[rtbcomp]

I went there a couple of years ago - brilliant day out.

In the '70s I used to work for ICL and we had a couple of mainframes in the building opposite so I was able to see the furnaces in operation whenever I visited.

 

[TechnicAl]

I went in once or twice when it was operational. It was British Steel and before that Steel, Peach and Tozers. Any cars parked close by used to get tiny slivers of rust embedded in their paint.

I actually applied to be a Guide but I was told Im too old.......they set on someone under 21. I thought it would have been good to pass on my experience having seen it (and other melting shops) in action. They had a Government grant that stipulated under 21.

Nowadays I visit once a year for the Rotherham Beer Festival which is really good. This years its late, June I think but its usually March. There was a fire nearby and it all filled with smoke so they had to delay it.

 

[rtbcomp]

We called it "Steelo's"

 

[Kayos]

We called it "Steelo's"

The talk over bloke at the melt said that a few times, didn't see any guides at all

 

[blenkie1]

Looks a good day out. What I find interesting the kids usually don't. Will have to have to book a day there. Not often you see a Sherpa nowadays. My dad used to have one.