Corby Steelworks ARP Shelter/Bunker 21/08/09

[REEF]

Had to spend a few days around this way for work so thought i'd take a look at this place.

Built in the 1940's as a ARP Shelter (WW2). The main tunnel was built big enough for an ambulance to drive down with a turn table at the end for it to turn around.
Later it became a civil defence headquarters and remained in use up to 1968.
After that it became part of the steel works research and development facilities.

Theres a number of rooms down there. Still loads of stuff left although fire has caused some damage.

Hummm
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o96/reefps/ss2-1.jpg

Is this what I think it is...
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o96/reefps/ss3-1.jpg

Looking down the main tunnel towards the turntable
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o96/reefps/ss4-1.jpg

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o96/reefps/ss6.jpg

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o96/reefps/ss5.jpg

Fire damage Grrr
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o96/reefps/ss7.jpg

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o96/reefps/ss8.jpg

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o96/reefps/ss9.jpg

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o96/reefps/ss10.jpg

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o96/reefps/ss11.jpg

In one of the rooms
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o96/reefps/ss12.jpg

Any ideas???
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o96/reefps/ss13.jpg

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o96/reefps/ss14.jpg

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o96/reefps/ss15.jpg

Thanks for looking

[turkey]

nice one mate.

[Oxygen Thief]

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o96/reefps/ss13.jpg

You asked for ideas. I know what it could be mistaken for... but I'm not sure it actually is.

[parkus.]

The main tunnel was built big enough for an Ambilance to drive down with a turn table at the end for it to turn around.

Impressive.. and I don't mean your spelling :rolleyes:

Shame about the fire damage.

[tommo]

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o96/reefps/ss13.jpg

You asked for ideas. I know what it could be mistaken for... but I'm not sure it actually is.

as funny as it sounds i have seen similar in pics of nuclear bomb storage bunkers, they where lead lined holes in the ground just like that :crazy ........... but i cant imagine they would need to store stuff like this down there, but then it would make sense why the radiation sign is there lol :thumb


http://www.century20war.co.uk/top09.jpg

[Tankman]

Its a Radioactive Core, which contained spent fuel rods:eek:

Pic No.2 is a 1950/60's Contamination Meter! I think along with the sign, it says it all:eek:

Pic No.6 looks like an old X-Ray machine?

Could you PM me the location of this Shelter:thumb

[Oxygen Thief]

tommo, tankman, that's exactly what I was thinking.

Question is... why is it there?

[REEF]

Thats what I thought it was, what the hell is it doing in there??

Sorry about the spelling :o

[linerider]

There is a reference to it on Subbrit, but they don't specifically say it's for spent fuel rods:

"In later years the radio room has been adapted with the building of a protected enclosure on the floor for the storage of short cylinders. Its exact purpose is unknown."

[edit]

There's a photo of it here http://www.subbrit.org.uk/sb-sites/sites/c/corby_stewarts_and_lloyds_steelworks/index8.shtml

"Storage unit installed by British Steel after the civil defence centre closed"

[GoatHarraser]

correct me or delet this post if this sounds stupid but dont x-rays use radioactive material ? and i dont know if an x-ray is out of place there but were they posably testing metals for Consistency ? not shure if any of this is remotely true but its an idea

[spungletrumpet]

Could it be for storing industrial radioactive sources? The kind of thing they use for non-destructive testing..

[REEF]

Ahh, that make sense. thanks for that.

http://www.epa.gov/rpdweb00/source-reduction-management/sources.html

[urban x]

went down to this before as its right near where i live but had been shut up tighter than a nuns crutch... interesting to see its been opened would like to know how lol.... there are some above ground buildings near it too. looks like im off there in the next few days.. anyone interested in seeing it give me a shout more than happy to show you it.

[Raddog]

I think that core store will undoubtedly be for NDT radioactive sources, but it's really interesting to see one in situ, with the holder.

[tommo]

correct me or delet this post if this sounds stupid but dont x-rays use radioactive material ? and i dont know if an x-ray is out of place there but were they posably testing metals for Consistency ? not shure if any of this is remotely true but its an idea

Yeah that's what I was thinking, storage for rods for the x ray machine they would if used to to check the quality of the metal and welding seams

I guess the x ray machines back then could of used stuff like that lol

[spungletrumpet]

I guess the x ray machines back then could of used stuff like that lol


Some still do.

[Bunkertastic]

Check out the interlocking bricks around the radioactive source store

[Pinky]

pics of the entrance???? I wanna see how someone got through the blockade they put up after my last trip down there because however they did it its pretty impressive to see someone back in there

[muttonshutter]

If radioactive material had been kept in there i would have thought that it would have been sealed up better than what it looks like it was.

[Artypie]

I expect all radioactive material has long since been removed and disposed of in accordance with the regs. There has been a fire down there and the place would have been incredibly contaminated if there had been anything left, and filled with concrete no doubt.

[madandyuk]

pics of the entrance???? I wanna see how someone got through the blockade they put up after my last trip down there because however they did it its pretty impressive to see someone back in there

a recent visit to the site whilst ... (edited - access info - OT )

[fortknox0]

went down to this before as its right near where i live but had been shut up tighter than a nuns crutch... interesting to see its been opened would like to know how lol.... there are some above ground buildings near it too. looks like im off there in the next few days.. anyone interested in seeing it give me a shout more than happy to show you it.

can ya PM me where bouts it is n if it isnt to far i might be up for coming along for a browsey, looks quite interesting :).

[madandyuk]

as i am new member i aint allowed to pm people but heres an email address thats expendable if you know what i mean

a_watson10@hotmail.com

[madandyuk]

a recent visit to the site whilst ... (edited - access info - OT )

edited because of access info?
theres a post on here that says exactly where it is?

[fortknox0]

saying where it is is ok, but saying bout how or where you got in isnt. If people post how they get in, then entrances get sealed.

[madandyuk]

yeah i see your point mate will be caucious next time

drop me an email and i will show you where it is if you in the area

[syadams]

Going back to the radioactivity thing. Like someone said before. If this place was radioactive surely it would have been sealed at both ends in stead of just one. We got into it as have many people, it wasn't exactly difficult. Plus wouldn't they have had newer signs warning people about the dangers as apposed to an old fold out sign that looks like its been moved from the central area to the entrance.

[Hawkmoon1704]

I work with an old boy of 67yrs whos dad actually worked in this place. It has just this week been slightly cleared by a gardener and so is easy to find. The entrance has been sealed with 50x50 ms tube in a horizontal vertical criss cross pattern. Ive been inside and its very dark. Loads of junk in there. The far entrance was sealed when the dual carriageway had some work done many years ago and as the place was no longer in use it was just easier that way.

[ambriel]

The thing set into the floor was used to store radioactive sources used to check the pipes made at the site didn't have any cracks in them. Not especially hot but enough to detect. Unlikely to have left anything higher than background radiation levels.