My Grandpa worked at Ford Rouge on the number 3 boiler. Were you are standing @8:43 is where he worked. On that tragic day in 1999, he was fortunately running late to work when the explosion happened. Thanks for showing it off before they demo it.
I'm just a nobody, one of your 1,5 million subscribers, but I'd still like to say "Thanks!" for sharing your experiences. I really appreciate the calm, careful and respectful way you explore different places. No drama and no staged shots, just handheld cameras. Keep it up, and greetings from northern Sweden!
You're not a "nobody" Andreas. Although we're physically only one of billions, we're spiritually seen as individuals to our Creator. Our Maker sees us as special children, individually. Only man sees us as insignificant numbers. Just know that you're special in the eyes of your Creator, Andreas. Take care, God bless!
My brother worked in the powerhouse for many years. He retired from Ford after 40 years in 2019. He was on medical leave for a few weeks when the fire happened. He knew all the employees that died and says he surely would’ve been one of them and he been there. So tragic.
@@masterman1502 If it's in storage, its not on public view. The Henry Ford has thousands of items stored because they don't have enough public display space. Maybe someday.
Ford should build a small museum warehouse space and staff it for public visits maybe on a donation basis, around Detroit. It seems easily affordable for Ford and could generate PR revenue more than it costs to operate the museum. I mean bigger than their current space.
To add some encouragement on top of what is in the video, I so highly recommend everyone watch the video of the interview with the survivor of the explosion after you watch this explore. Every bit of it is worth watching, and what Mr. Moran experienced is tragic and incredible. But in particular I found one thing to be amazing: the guys stop at #3 boiler and also dip into a "protective area" right afterwards that turns out to be a break room. Upon first watch, I was interested in looking at the booth outside, the control panels, and then looking at the cool old designs on the vending machines in the break room. After watching the interview (and some before-explosion footage of the same area of the plant) you'll have a new appreciation for this portion of the explore. What an incredible thing to stand in those spots so many years after the accident.
Watched that first, because of your comment , now watching this video… this is my hometown…southeast Michigan … I remember when this explosion was on the news I was 29 in 99.
I love these powerplant videos, its what first got me into this channel almost 9 years ago now. Those double decker turbines are insane! Truly a pillar of American Industry
We watched the interview with the survivor when I was taking classes to get my chief engineer license. It’s truly shocking how the place was being run in the lead up to the disaster and it was totally preventable. I took a tour of the rouge last year and it’s still an impressive facility, but you can tell it was so much more when it was operating full tilt.
The big electric reactors were there to act like giant capacitors to regulate and stabilize the power as it's being drawn into the industrial complex. You'll see smaller versions of them on poles next to businesses, usually in twos or threes with similar cooling fins or tubes on them. When big machines engage/disengage, they can pull down or spike the grid and those reactors are there to smooth that out. As usual, amazing video, guys. I love the old turbines and control rooms.
I've never watched your channel before. You guys seem to know how to be safe. I don't care if someone calls it trespassing, you are preserving history. Ford Motor Company could have made this video, but they didn't. No harm. No foul. History preserved. Good video guys.
I work down in River Rouge, MI at a Precasting place that built the Gordie Howe Bridge, Little Ceaser’s Arena's bleachers, and Parking lot structures around. I've watched all of your videos on UA-cam, I'm so excited to see Detroit(River Rouge) on the channel! There's a big industrial boom down there right now.
I have a couple "2 degrees of separation" ties to this awful event. One was a girl I worked with that was 15 when this happened, awaiting to have a very dangerous back surgery, waiting in the hallway of the hospital. She said it was like a movie, people coming in full bore, severely injured people being rushed as fast as the medics could run right passed her. Doctors, nurses and a full hands on deck type of ordeal. It was so severe that there was no time to spare anyone their feelings. The other was a friend's dad that worked with these guys. He had a mural painted in his garage of his family but also with 6 spirits flying free in the sky. In front of this mural was 3, sometimes 4 motorcycles. 2 belonged to two of the guys that lost their lives that day. I'll never forget the day he was telling me about the mural and how he had to keep their spirits alive, they were great guys, his riding buddies. The old man that had the mural has no passed on, though every now and again my friend and I (his neighbor) would be having end of night beers together and he'd start telling stories about those guys.
I live very close to this plant, and a lot of my family worked in this very place. So cool to see it from the inside, thanks for making these videos to preserve history :)
I watched this video late. I watched the survivor video. Incredible. I have been on the public tour of the Ford Rouge Plant and watched F-150s assembled. I love Detroit. One of the greatest locations of this country. And I understand why many would argue that, but you have to understand more than a few things. Thanks for showing us.
Wow a real testament to how well built that place was. All those years of operation. Then it survived a major explosion. Then it had stood there since 1999, so exposed to the elements, amazingly preserved after its tragic fate. Grateful, as always, for the chance to see inside before it was gone forever.
These plants just blow my mind! Who were these men who designed these turbines and then WHO put them all together???? Incredible. You guys are so lucky to see them in person. Not many people know what goes on inside these plants. Thanks guys.
Yes they are monstrous! I Can't imagine the work it took to even build the things, casting all that iron and machining the bearing surfaces.... Then moving and assembling them on site, crazy amount of engineering!
I always LOVE when you guys do plants. My father worked for Lear Sigeler in the the 70’s and 80’s and then the company that purchased them Lucas Aerospace in the 90’s and 2000’s until he passed. He was an electrical engineer that calibrated specialized equipment and I always feel like you are pulling back the veil of his secret work life of 40 years when you explore any type of plant. I got small glimpses when they held family Christmas parties in the plant but remember really wanting to see it all and being so enthralled. Thank you for keeping history alive and showing everyone what these magical places once were. ❤
I am speechless! I found a documentary about the explosion at Ford's Detroit Powerhouse, and the "before" and "after" images seem like a trip back in time.
My Dad, now retired, has worked at the rouge for 47 years as a Millwright, he told about that day several times. We went to work with him years ago when we were younger and we drove by the destroyed section of the powerhouse. Lots of history at the Rouge, thanks so much for covering it.
This is the first Proper People I've watched in a couple years post the splitting with my now ex wife of 12 years. We used to watch these videos together every episode. As a couple that did exploring ourselves. Feels good to be back in the abandoned with Bryan and Michael. Even though its weird to watch it solo.
I was a steam boiler operator for a decade. 600 pound super heated steam is no joke. Every day I wondered if it would be my last. Thankfully, I now have a safer career.
It's funny, I've been kind of a news junkie most of my life and don't remember hearing anything about the explosion back in the day. This is my first time learning about it. Really glad you guys were able to document this place before it's demolished.
Living on the edge of Detroit, I do remember the explosion, but I never did go to the news to learn more about it. I remember hearing about it on local newsradio 950 am.
The molten glass lenses on the gauges and indicator lights was fascinating. I don't see charring around the area, so I bet rather than direct fire, there was a very intense blast of heat -- hot enough to soften glass for a few moments, short enough to not flat-out burn the whole room to a crisp. Wonderful footage in this episode, glad you got to it before it was razed.
Directed N R G Weapons, used in Chernobyl, the PEPCON facility in Nevada, and numerous other places, all the way up to and including today's otherwise impossible wildphyres. All part of the ongoing, long-secret war against American Middle Class to destabilize, destroy and help usher in unwanted NWO.
These guys are literally doing a public service by documenting these historic places before they are gone and forgotten forever. Take nothing but memories, and leave nothing but footprints.
I just watched the interview with Daniel Moran after the explosion, absolutely chilling in many aspects. How cold humans can be to someone after such an event is astonishing and frustrating, I feel Daniel's pain.
My dad worked there was a millwright and was out fishing the day of the explosion, he got home and called in to see if they needed help and they let him come in to help assess the situation.
Henry Ford Museum is a great place. The oldest surviving steam engine is there, from the 1700s. I love just standing there staring at all the innovation. Definitely worth a visit
They could renovate part of that abandoned area and give bus tours to that site, much like the truck assembly. Loved going to the museum when my folks lived nearby from '79 to '90.
one of the most influential people in my life was someone who was deeply involved in urban exploration throughout his life. we met because he wrote a zine called infiltration that i read and loved. he was from toronto but loved a lot of detroit sites so this video reminded me a lot of him. i think he would have loved your channel because he had a similar philosophy to yours in many ways. he wasn't even a photographer (except for a point-and-shoot) but he appreciated spots for many of the same reasons as you. he died of cancer in 2006 but i think he would have really liked your channel. i still often think "dang, i wish i could tell jeff about this." anyway just thinking about him during this video. thanks for that because it's nice to be reminded of him and the stuff we explored together.
After 20 years I had to get a new infiltration tee shirt. Liz said it was the last large she had. In my mind, I think Jeff is sneaking around somewhere and smiling.
EAST GHOST website was modelled in part after the infiltration website, dark passage, urban atrophy and others similar ilk. Also, CONSPIRA site. Very good info!
The turbine hall is simply spectacular! I dont think I've seen anything like it - well done capturing it! Those reactors should be shunt reactors to stabilize the grid this plant served. The pipes on the outside are circulating the oil to dissipate the heat. A very simple design compared to modern shunt reactors.
Thanks, Bryan and Michael, for going to the expense and trouble of making this film. It tells part of the story of America's history and innovation. Anytime lives are lost and people are terribly injured is sad beyond words, but the story must be told to prevent another tragedy. Thanks for the work you two are doing! ❤
As someone who wasn’t alive in the 50s and 60s I’m wondering how did it feel to watch the biggest cities like Detroit in their prime just to crumble in 50 years while also watching the evolution of technology?
I worked at the Ford Rouge Plant in the 70"s building Mustangs. The size of the complex was unbelievable. The power plant was something i look at daily in amazement.
So cool to finally see inside of the structure that is such a huge part of not only Michgans history but the world's history! As a born and raised here Michigander I thank you for taking us on this journey. Being able to finally see inside of a building i've known about my whole life is so surreal
Amen brother, native myself from southeast Michigan ..always wanted to work here or gm or even Chrysler, never got the chance or knew someone to get me in…union job , pension..is be freggin retired right now if I got in after graduating Wyandotte in 88’
After watching this, I watched the interview that's in the description. It is pretty heartbreaking what that guy went through but it doesn't surprise me. I feel for him but I am not surprised by how people reacted and treated him. We do that kind of thing to our heros all the time. We treat the best of us like dirt. I hope he found some kind of closure or peace in his life. He really did a lot of good that day. Go watch the interview. It's good. Awesome video, as always.
Your channel has informed me so incredibly about the significant rise and fall of industrial America. Its truly mind blowing. So many people claim 'facilities like this don't exist anymore' or 'those jobs all went away' and the reality is the exact opposite. All of these kinds of industrial sites still exist now, but in China and other developing countries, where they have no regard for the human life inside the facility as well as the environment without the facility. Just one big reminder of the managerial led destruction of American industry for profit and savings.
Great video guys. I've been retired 3 years now and spent near 40 years in these power houses all across the country. I believe I had been in this power house at one time in the early 1980's
Reactors (and capacitors) are added to electric power circuits when it is necessary to correct for out-of-phase situations (i.e. peak of voltage not aligned with peak of current). Regarding the melted glass and other indications of fire, the discoveries you showed mean different things and are separate from damages by explosion. When a wild fire burns in a building, the hot gases of the fire rise and accumulate in high areas. Partially burned particles rise with it (commonly called soot). The gathering hot gases will rise in temperature and cause the melting dial lens and windows you have observed. The soot sticks to walls as you have showed. But no flames were in these areas. Evidence of combustion would have either been directly below or below but offset depending on what obstacles the hot gases encountered. Hope my comments help.
FYI if anyone is interested…a reactor is generally used to help limit over current draw and help correct for power factor issues that can be caused by things like motors and other large power draws. I have only seen them in substations …. Makes sense they’d need so many in that setting.
It's interesting to see this place, with a mixture of very old infrastructure from the beginning of the industrial revolution, with more modern parts from later in the century mixed in. Those old turbines are massive! Modern ones are a fraction of the size. Another great video guys!
I was there in the assembly plant when it blew up. It was a scary experience for all and a never forget event. I knew the people who died. All good people.
I put scaffold up after the explosion so they could remove asbestos. Underwear under a tyvek .... showered in a clean room and the underwear stayed behind.
Super cool! I lived in Detroit 2007-2011 and had a chance to enter the Central Train Station a few times before it was renovated, but it doesn't compare to the superstructure seen here. Them stairs be creeping when they rust! The vintage hardware is just so historic, its design immediately telling of its age. GE reactors look incredibly aspirational in this era, so industrial with pipes, valves, and a twisting framework is such a treat for the eyes. Massive respect to you both for covering this site. I do recall the original powerplant (that Ford worked in as a young man) still stands right off of Woodward, I believe a McDonalds is just in front of it. I wonder if they do plant tours?
I worked in Detroit for twenty yrs! There's something really special about the old abandoned Ford plants, some have already been torn down and scraped but this one is really special! What Ford did for the world is unbelievably mind blowing!!😮😮😮
An old friend of mine lost his dad in that accident. He was unfortunately one of the 6 to perish in that tragedy. While nothing can replace your father, I will say Ford really stepped up to help those families out.
Gone, but not forgotten. Thanks for documenting this place before it was demolished! As a life-long Michigan resident, I love seeing anybody putting in the effort to preserve the rich history of Detroit. Sad that a lot of people look at Detroit today and they see what it is today. But it wasn't always that way, it used to be the place to live if you wanted a well paying job that didn't require a college degree. When my family came here from Poland 3-4 generations back, sometime before the establishment of the Second Polish Republic. they originally landed in Pennsylvania, but they eventually moved to Detroit because of the great job opportunities during the roaring 20s.
YES! More mid-video history vibes please! Always enjoyed the preface info, but diving into it during the video, is amazing. Places like this, and lots of other ones you've been to, must have so much lore. Apologies in advance if it means a tonne more work!
The x's on those lockers, and also if you notice there are square boxes on some of the doors with x's through them. That is designating that that area has been cleared of dead bodies. If any dead bodies were found there'd be a circle with a number next to it indicating the number of bodies.
I lived in Windsor Ontario, just across the river from Detroit. I had the privilege of getting a tour of the Rouge Power House in '91 because a neighbor had connections there. What an amazing place with endless stories, most of which are probably long forgotten.
You have a good eye for esthetics. The cinematography here is really well done and your reverence for the history is palpable! Thanks so much for this!
Pure industrial art ! When function and beauty was the result of progress ! The type of thing we no longer see ...... everything is square along with our thinking ...... I'm so pleased you guys paid tribute to the the esthetics and beauty ! It's such a shame it wasn't turned into a safe museum for people to aprieciate ! Great job Lads and thankyou from New Zealand ! ♥️😉🙃😎
So many things point to the engineering and construction process, but those steam generators served so many decades and the turbines were balanced long before any computer based methods. That is a testament to the materials and craftmanship of the time.
I remember watching your videos when I was younger always falling asleep to them late at night. I’m from the Detroit area and this is amazing to see thank you for this video!
9/19/73 was the first day I walked over the famous overpass on Miller Rd. to report for work. There were 47,000 people just in the rank and file. The next day an older gentleman told me it was easier to come in Gate 10 as I worked in the Stamping Plant. In 1999 I was on the shop floor when the lights went out. They went out North to South and yes, the floor moved under our feet. I retired 4/1/2020.
You guys do truly amazing work. At this point, you should be considered legitimate historians and given access to these places. I'm glad you guys are out there keeping stuff alive in video.
I never saw a massive piece of industrial engineering and machinery before, so sad what happened to the people who worked there during the explosion. The building with its massive steel beams and that 80 ton crane is just amazing. The architecture of these old steelworks is what impresses me the most. I love this kind of videos where you explain how and what the history of this building/plant was. Hats off to you!
Awesome video as always Bryan and Michael. The Ford PowerPlant is so incredible beautiful wish I could have seen it in person. Thanks for letting us come along with y’all to experience this incredible place.
I keep saying this is your best one yet. Butt this is your best one yet. So glad we got to see this place before its all gone. Mr Ford was a amazing man to come up with all the ideas to build a USA top in the world. Not like now as we are going to the dumpster So sad. Thanks Boys.......
take notes kids this is real exploring no vandalism no theft no tagging purely "taking nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footprints" well done gents
Love seeing the nameplates and ratings for the old electrical stuff, one of the best bits for me in these kinds of videos (maybe not so surprising with me working in electrical engineering haha). Those massive reactors were cool :)
Thank you so much for that tour of the powerhouse....Your time and effort is so much appreciated, caputuring an incredible structure now lost in time, save for the replica in the Henry Ford Museum....I lived in Dearborn when that disaster happened in 1999....Lived 2 miles away 'n felt the blast concussion rattle my home....
It’s so crazy to see this! I couldn’t even tell you how many time I drove by this place heading to work and wondered what it was like inside! Thank you!
I currently work at the steel mill and my dad was working at the steel mill back in 99 when it exploded. Very sad day. Cool to see the ruins of it though!
A reason for the extensive works is that the Rouge was growing and didn’t achieve final size until the late 1940’s. Also, when Henry Ford bought the DT & I in 1923 he attempted to electrify the railroad. When it operated briefly it made a large draw on the capacity of this plant.
I just want to say thank you for capturing this, I work just down the road from this building and every time I drive by it I always wondered what it looked like on the inside!
I did asbestos abatement for 15 years. I've been in that plant several times. I removed asbestos from TONS of the bug steam lines and boilers in that plant. Awful work. They "shut them down" for us to work on the lines, but even off they take weeks to cool down. They were still 300 plus degrees (sometimes way more) when we removed the insulation off them. You'd remove the insulation, and the glove bag would melt off the pipe.
I flipped over to Daniel Moran’s account of the disaster thinking I’d watch a few minutes to get an idea of someone who worked there. I watched all 51 minutes, transfixed. Heroic.
Have you changed cameras or lenses? I get the feeling that the image is brighter and sharper. Although I could be wrong. Always fun with a new video from you.
You guy are crazy! "We just walked in, exchanged a few head nods and climbed to the top to wait for sun rise." I cannot believe you just walked in like that.
Have always been fascinated with this plant. Seeing this exploration and learning that the power plant explosion just before it's retirement was a tragic loss. Especially to the lives and it's very own contribution to America's industrial might. It is a beautiful old place. Thanks for recording it before it was demoed. 😊
Wow, those vending machines at 9:25 show up in Dan Moran's video interview at 23:39 (the RougePowerhouse ExplosionSurvivor channel). Thanks for citing that video as further history.
I'm wondering if maybe the small turbine provided power to the powerhouse itself? Like maybe it could be brought up to speed before the big ones to provide power to all the other support systems first.
That clicked on me and went wow that really makes sense but then I thought well once one of them big turbines is running the rest can run and I'm sure there was never ever less than 2 of them running from the time that place opened up to the time the place closed down. I understand it takes power to make power that part has always been amazing to me because you know all the pumps gauges lights valves just so much going on takes a huge chunk of power in its self to operate to run the turbines.
I worked at the Ford rouge plant in the mustang Assembly building at the time. Fortunately I was on the afternoon shift. This Was a tragic end devastating event. After that we were running semi truck trailer generators just to continue production of vehicle's and parts until the new power station was built. I'll never forget the day that happened. Also it takes some balls to sneak in there as their is security and workers everywhere! Good work
@@whispersoftheafterlife1017Probably. The cold air in there also most likely prevented him from getting burnt, even though hot air would seep in easily.
So many people back then poured their heart and soul into making America what it is today. Now its all left to rot. Its really sad to see. Im from Detroit.
I've been watching this channel since day one and this is by far one of the coolest explorations that you guys have documented awesome. Great work keep it up.
@@jeremiahd2417 nice a piece of history now will never be forgotten. If you haven't watched that documentary on the survivor I would highly recommend watching it
Yeah we also need little plants (like Detroit had back then ) that builds all the car parts instead of getting them from China..maybe there wouldn’t be shortages and so many recalls due to faulty parts…Michigan and the USA is a far cry from what it used to be and it’s sad.
As a current powerhouse employee at a steel mill it’s so cool to see older technology vs what I work with everyday. This video was great to show my daughter to give her a slight look into what I do everyday.
Always fascinating to explore somewhere industrial while identifying the causes of damage. I'm still in awe of those locations with obvious bomb/wartime damage.
My Grandpa worked at Ford Rouge on the number 3 boiler. Were you are standing @8:43 is where he worked. On that tragic day in 1999, he was fortunately running late to work when the explosion happened. Thanks for showing it off before they demo it.
@@JalopyJustin1966 whoa, lucky guy
Sad most Fords are made in Mexico now. Bring the jobs Back to Michigan!
Hi Bryan and Michael, The power plant video was very cool. Thank you for sharing it with all of us. ☮️
Dallas Georgia.
Oh wow I didn't know that thanks for sharing
My Grandpa worked there too back then My grandpa was the crane operator
I'm just a nobody, one of your 1,5 million subscribers, but I'd still like to say "Thanks!" for sharing your experiences. I really appreciate the calm, careful and respectful way you explore different places. No drama and no staged shots, just handheld cameras. Keep it up, and greetings from northern Sweden!
Greetings from Latrobe Pennsylvania.
I'm gonna leave the likes at 69 😂
But heres a like👍
You're not a "nobody" Andreas. Although we're physically only one of billions, we're spiritually seen as individuals to our Creator. Our Maker sees us as special children, individually. Only man sees us as insignificant numbers. Just know that you're special in the eyes of your Creator, Andreas. Take care, God bless!
💯
My brother worked in the powerhouse for many years. He retired from Ford after 40 years in 2019. He was on medical leave for a few weeks when the fire happened. He knew all the employees that died and says he surely would’ve been one of them and he been there. So tragic.
The control room and control boards were saved and are currently in storage at the Henry Ford Museum.
That's great news. Is it open to the public?
Probably
@@masterman1502 If it's in storage, its not on public view. The Henry Ford has thousands of items stored because they don't have enough public display space. Maybe someday.
@@larrysbk They rotate stuff in and out. I'm sure it will eventually be on display, but who knows when that will be or for how long.
Ford should build a small museum warehouse space and staff it for public visits maybe on a donation basis, around Detroit. It seems easily affordable for Ford and could generate PR revenue more than it costs to operate the museum. I mean bigger than their current space.
To add some encouragement on top of what is in the video, I so highly recommend everyone watch the video of the interview with the survivor of the explosion after you watch this explore. Every bit of it is worth watching, and what Mr. Moran experienced is tragic and incredible. But in particular I found one thing to be amazing: the guys stop at #3 boiler and also dip into a "protective area" right afterwards that turns out to be a break room. Upon first watch, I was interested in looking at the booth outside, the control panels, and then looking at the cool old designs on the vending machines in the break room. After watching the interview (and some before-explosion footage of the same area of the plant) you'll have a new appreciation for this portion of the explore. What an incredible thing to stand in those spots so many years after the accident.
Did they take down the survivor interview already? It's not there any where.
Watched that first, because of your comment , now watching this video… this is my hometown…southeast Michigan … I remember when this explosion was on the news I was 29 in 99.
@@toddprater14 do you have a link to the interview?
@@kevinthomas895 dude just punch in ford rouge boiler explosion click on the video that’s like 51 minutes long
@@kevinthomas895 ua-cam.com/video/Zo9rZAfGvvQ/v-deo.htmlsi=Uh7RpXUkH_mLeUP6
I love these powerplant videos, its what first got me into this channel almost 9 years ago now. Those double decker turbines are insane! Truly a pillar of American Industry
@@MrWhips243 I really enjoyed the one in the rocket engine place and also abandoned theme parks.
Having seen a "newer" plant during field service, no amount of video/photos do the size of these plants any justice.
We watched the interview with the survivor when I was taking classes to get my chief engineer license. It’s truly shocking how the place was being run in the lead up to the disaster and it was totally preventable. I took a tour of the rouge last year and it’s still an impressive facility, but you can tell it was so much more when it was operating full tilt.
I know, besides the explosion sounds like an awesome place to work.
The big electric reactors were there to act like giant capacitors to regulate and stabilize the power as it's being drawn into the industrial complex. You'll see smaller versions of them on poles next to businesses, usually in twos or threes with similar cooling fins or tubes on them. When big machines engage/disengage, they can pull down or spike the grid and those reactors are there to smooth that out.
As usual, amazing video, guys. I love the old turbines and control rooms.
Reactors used to limit fault current
I've never watched your channel before. You guys seem to know how to be safe. I don't care if someone calls it trespassing, you are preserving history. Ford Motor Company could have made this video, but they didn't. No harm. No foul. History preserved. Good video guys.
I work down in River Rouge, MI at a Precasting place that built the Gordie Howe Bridge, Little Ceaser’s Arena's bleachers, and Parking lot structures around. I've watched all of your videos on UA-cam, I'm so excited to see Detroit(River Rouge) on the channel! There's a big industrial boom down there right now.
Sad most Fords are made in Mexico now. Bring the jobs Back to Michigan!
I have a couple "2 degrees of separation" ties to this awful event. One was a girl I worked with that was 15 when this happened, awaiting to have a very dangerous back surgery, waiting in the hallway of the hospital. She said it was like a movie, people coming in full bore, severely injured people being rushed as fast as the medics could run right passed her. Doctors, nurses and a full hands on deck type of ordeal. It was so severe that there was no time to spare anyone their feelings. The other was a friend's dad that worked with these guys. He had a mural painted in his garage of his family but also with 6 spirits flying free in the sky. In front of this mural was 3, sometimes 4 motorcycles. 2 belonged to two of the guys that lost their lives that day. I'll never forget the day he was telling me about the mural and how he had to keep their spirits alive, they were great guys, his riding buddies. The old man that had the mural has no passed on, though every now and again my friend and I (his neighbor) would be having end of night beers together and he'd start telling stories about those guys.
i would love to see this mural.
@bucksrcworld8119 it is so charming, especially now that 2 more in the mural have passed.
I live very close to this plant, and a lot of my family worked in this very place. So cool to see it from the inside, thanks for making these videos to preserve history :)
Sad most Fords are made in Mexico now. Bring the jobs Back to Michigan!
I was wondering if theyd ever do the powerhouse! Been watching these two for three years now.
I watched this video late. I watched the survivor video. Incredible. I have been on the public tour of the Ford Rouge Plant and watched F-150s assembled. I love Detroit. One of the greatest locations of this country. And I understand why many would argue that, but you have to understand more than a few things. Thanks for showing us.
Wow a real testament to how well built that place was. All those years of operation. Then it survived a major explosion. Then it had stood there since 1999, so exposed to the elements, amazingly preserved after its tragic fate. Grateful, as always, for the chance to see inside before it was gone forever.
Man the shots of the turbines with the snow warming up are beautiful. Amazing video as always
These plants just blow my mind! Who were these men who designed these turbines and then WHO put them all together???? Incredible. You guys are so lucky to see them in person. Not many people know what goes on inside these plants. Thanks guys.
Yes they are monstrous! I Can't imagine the work it took to even build the things, casting all that iron and machining the bearing surfaces.... Then moving and assembling them on site, crazy amount of engineering!
I always LOVE when you guys do plants. My father worked for Lear Sigeler in the the 70’s and 80’s and then the company that purchased them Lucas Aerospace in the 90’s and 2000’s until he passed. He was an electrical engineer that calibrated specialized equipment and I always feel like you are pulling back the veil of his secret work life of 40 years when you explore any type of plant. I got small glimpses when they held family Christmas parties in the plant but remember really wanting to see it all and being so enthralled. Thank you for keeping history alive and showing everyone what these magical places once were. ❤
Not only do you guys know your machinery, you have a reverence and respect for it too. Good on both of you.
I am speechless! I found a documentary about the explosion at Ford's Detroit Powerhouse, and the "before" and "after" images seem like a trip back in time.
My Dad, now retired, has worked at the rouge for 47 years as a Millwright, he told about that day several times. We went to work with him years ago when we were younger and we drove by the destroyed section of the powerhouse. Lots of history at the Rouge, thanks so much for covering it.
To know you guys are the last people to document the history of this amazing structure..... Thank you for this 🤘👍
Thank you! I was born in Grand Rapids, MI in 71 and I remember when they were on the news for doing upgrades to the big turbines! 😊
This is the first Proper People I've watched in a couple years post the splitting with my now ex wife of 12 years. We used to watch these videos together every episode. As a couple that did exploring ourselves. Feels good to be back in the abandoned with Bryan and Michael. Even though its weird to watch it solo.
I was a steam boiler operator for a decade. 600 pound super heated steam is no joke. Every day I wondered if it would be my last. Thankfully, I now have a safer career.
I have large ride on model locos that run 100psi with super heaters. its never a joke at even this PSI. respect!
It's funny, I've been kind of a news junkie most of my life and don't remember hearing anything about the explosion back in the day. This is my first time learning about it.
Really glad you guys were able to document this place before it's demolished.
I don't recall hearing about it either
It was literally front page news in the Detroit Free Press
Living on the edge of Detroit, I do remember the explosion, but I never did go to the news to learn more about it. I remember hearing about it on local newsradio 950 am.
@@Geoffr524 I am a lifelong resident of the Detroit area I also remember the reports of the powerhouse disaster on WWJ.
@@otm646 But not everybody was reading the Detroit Free Press in 1999. Especially those not in Detroit.
The molten glass lenses on the gauges and indicator lights was fascinating. I don't see charring around the area, so I bet rather than direct fire, there was a very intense blast of heat -- hot enough to soften glass for a few moments, short enough to not flat-out burn the whole room to a crisp. Wonderful footage in this episode, glad you got to it before it was razed.
Since it was an open hallway with gauges it probably had a backdraft effect that caused the gauge faces and glass lights to melt.
@@chairmanofthebored8684 Paint and other materials do though. One needn't capitalize the S after an apostrophe.
Directed N R G Weapons, used in Chernobyl, the PEPCON facility in Nevada, and numerous other places, all the way up to and including today's otherwise impossible wildphyres. All part of the ongoing, long-secret war against American Middle Class to destabilize, destroy and help usher in unwanted NWO.
@@Slane583 Steam -- 12500 psi of steam is over 1000 deg f.
@@jimmyharris9612 I'll take your word for it. Mine was just a guess. Steam is some nasty stuff especially at extreme pressures like that. :)
These guys are literally doing a public service by documenting these historic places before they are gone and forgotten forever.
Take nothing but memories, and leave nothing but footprints.
I just watched the interview with Daniel Moran after the explosion, absolutely chilling in many aspects. How cold humans can be to someone after such an event is astonishing and frustrating, I feel Daniel's pain.
My dad worked there was a millwright and was out fishing the day of the explosion, he got home and called in to see if they needed help and they let him come in to help assess the situation.
Henry Ford Museum is a great place. The oldest surviving steam engine is there, from the 1700s. I love just standing there staring at all the innovation. Definitely worth a visit
If I lived in the area, I'd volunteer there. I could live in that place!
They could renovate part of that abandoned area and give bus tours to that site, much like the truck assembly. Loved going to the museum when my folks lived nearby from '79 to '90.
They happily pay their employees. My friend stopped working there though, he said the visitors were by and large not nice @@Paramount531
Put the Ford Museum on your bucket list! It is fascinating and something for everyone! It is not what I expected!
Too bad it was taken over by Disney who want to run it like a woke movie studio.
one of the most influential people in my life was someone who was deeply involved in urban exploration throughout his life. we met because he wrote a zine called infiltration that i read and loved. he was from toronto but loved a lot of detroit sites so this video reminded me a lot of him. i think he would have loved your channel because he had a similar philosophy to yours in many ways. he wasn't even a photographer (except for a point-and-shoot) but he appreciated spots for many of the same reasons as you. he died of cancer in 2006 but i think he would have really liked your channel. i still often think "dang, i wish i could tell jeff about this." anyway just thinking about him during this video. thanks for that because it's nice to be reminded of him and the stuff we explored together.
rip ninjalicious
After 20 years I had to get a new infiltration tee shirt. Liz said it was the last large she had. In my mind, I think Jeff is sneaking around somewhere and smiling.
EAST GHOST website was modelled in part after the infiltration website, dark passage, urban atrophy and others similar ilk. Also, CONSPIRA site. Very good info!
The turbine hall is simply spectacular! I dont think I've seen anything like it - well done capturing it!
Those reactors should be shunt reactors to stabilize the grid this plant served. The pipes on the outside are circulating the oil to dissipate the heat. A very simple design compared to modern shunt reactors.
Thanks, Bryan and Michael, for going to the expense and trouble of making this film. It tells part of the story of America's history and innovation. Anytime lives are lost and people are terribly injured is sad beyond words, but the story must be told to prevent another tragedy. Thanks for the work you two are doing! ❤
I was born and raised in Dearborn in the 1950’s and 1960’s and saw these and much more in the Ford factory tours. This brings back pleasant memories.
Remember Orville Hubbard?? Heh..Heh
I came from Belleville
As someone who wasn’t alive in the 50s and 60s I’m wondering how did it feel to watch the biggest cities like Detroit in their prime just to crumble in 50 years while also watching the evolution of technology?
@ it feels awful; simply awful.
@@robertdshannon5155 on a positive note you at least got to experience America in its better years
I worked at the Ford Rouge Plant in the 70"s building Mustangs. The size of the complex was unbelievable. The power plant was something i look at daily in amazement.
I was there making Mustang 2's . Iron ore going in one end & new cars coming out the other. I thought it was pretty cool.
So cool to finally see inside of the structure that is such a huge part of not only Michgans history but the world's history! As a born and raised here Michigander I thank you for taking us on this journey. Being able to finally see inside of a building i've known about my whole life is so surreal
Amen brother, native myself from southeast Michigan ..always wanted to work here or gm or even Chrysler, never got the chance or knew someone to get me in…union job , pension..is be freggin retired right now if I got in after graduating Wyandotte in 88’
Sad most Fords are made in Mexico now. Bring the jobs Back to Michigan!
After watching this, I watched the interview that's in the description. It is pretty heartbreaking what that guy went through but it doesn't surprise me. I feel for him but I am not surprised by how people reacted and treated him. We do that kind of thing to our heros all the time. We treat the best of us like dirt. I hope he found some kind of closure or peace in his life. He really did a lot of good that day. Go watch the interview. It's good.
Awesome video, as always.
Your channel has informed me so incredibly about the significant rise and fall of industrial America. Its truly mind blowing. So many people claim 'facilities like this don't exist anymore' or 'those jobs all went away' and the reality is the exact opposite. All of these kinds of industrial sites still exist now, but in China and other developing countries, where they have no regard for the human life inside the facility as well as the environment without the facility. Just one big reminder of the managerial led destruction of American industry for profit and savings.
Key words, managerial led.
Great video guys. I've been retired 3 years now and spent near 40 years in these power houses all across the country. I believe I had been in this power house at one time in the early 1980's
Reactors (and capacitors) are added to electric power circuits when it is necessary to correct for out-of-phase situations (i.e. peak of voltage not aligned with peak of current).
Regarding the melted glass and other indications of fire, the discoveries you showed mean different things and are separate from damages by explosion. When a wild fire burns in a building, the hot gases of the fire rise and accumulate in high areas. Partially burned particles rise with it (commonly called soot). The gathering hot gases will rise in temperature and cause the melting dial lens and windows you have observed. The soot sticks to walls as you have showed. But no flames were in these areas. Evidence of combustion would have either been directly below or below but offset depending on what obstacles the hot gases encountered.
Hope my comments help.
FYI if anyone is interested…a reactor is generally used to help limit over current draw and help correct for power factor issues that can be caused by things like motors and other large power draws. I have only seen them in substations …. Makes sense they’d need so many in that setting.
Hell yeah, another great vid!! I love exploring through you guys! Thank you for fantastic quality and through facts/history!
It's interesting to see this place, with a mixture of very old infrastructure from the beginning of the industrial revolution, with more modern parts from later in the century mixed in. Those old turbines are massive! Modern ones are a fraction of the size. Another great video guys!
Yep. They're overbuilt to last practically forever.
I was there in the assembly plant when it blew up. It was a scary experience for all and a never forget event.
I knew the people who died.
All good people.
I put scaffold up after the explosion so they could remove asbestos. Underwear under a tyvek .... showered in a clean room and the underwear stayed behind.
Super cool! I lived in Detroit 2007-2011 and had a chance to enter the Central Train Station a few times before it was renovated, but it doesn't compare to the superstructure seen here. Them stairs be creeping when they rust! The vintage hardware is just so historic, its design immediately telling of its age. GE reactors look incredibly aspirational in this era, so industrial with pipes, valves, and a twisting framework is such a treat for the eyes. Massive respect to you both for covering this site. I do recall the original powerplant (that Ford worked in as a young man) still stands right off of Woodward, I believe a McDonalds is just in front of it. I wonder if they do plant tours?
I worked in Detroit for twenty yrs! There's something really special about the old abandoned Ford plants, some have already been torn down and scraped but this one is really special! What Ford did for the world is unbelievably mind blowing!!😮😮😮
It’s always a good day when you guys post, always. 😊
I agree! I've been binge watching their old vids and I'm always so happy to see a new one! 😆
@@Fabfourfan72 I have watched every video they have made three times. lol
Thank you for preserving this history on film. Amazing place that will never be seen again.
An old friend of mine lost his dad in that accident. He was unfortunately one of the 6 to perish in that tragedy. While nothing can replace your father, I will say Ford really stepped up to help those families out.
Gone, but not forgotten. Thanks for documenting this place before it was demolished! As a life-long Michigan resident, I love seeing anybody putting in the effort to preserve the rich history of Detroit. Sad that a lot of people look at Detroit today and they see what it is today. But it wasn't always that way, it used to be the place to live if you wanted a well paying job that didn't require a college degree. When my family came here from Poland 3-4 generations back, sometime before the establishment of the Second Polish Republic. they originally landed in Pennsylvania, but they eventually moved to Detroit because of the great job opportunities during the roaring 20s.
YES! More mid-video history vibes please!
Always enjoyed the preface info, but diving into it during the video, is amazing. Places like this, and lots of other ones you've been to, must have so much lore. Apologies in advance if it means a tonne more work!
The x's on those lockers, and also if you notice there are square boxes on some of the doors with x's through them. That is designating that that area has been cleared of dead bodies. If any dead bodies were found there'd be a circle with a number next to it indicating the number of bodies.
Do you know if there is any reason why there is only one line on one of the lockers?
@@felixfider7229 open square means the area needs to be searched; one half of X means search is in progress; complete X means search is completed.
I lived in Windsor Ontario, just across the river from Detroit. I had the privilege of getting a tour of the Rouge Power House in '91 because a neighbor had connections there. What an amazing place with endless stories, most of which are probably long forgotten.
You have a good eye for esthetics. The cinematography here is really well done and your reverence for the history is palpable! Thanks so much for this!
Pure industrial art ! When function and beauty was the result of progress ! The type of thing we no longer see ...... everything is square along with our thinking ...... I'm so pleased you guys paid tribute to the the esthetics and beauty ! It's such a shame it wasn't turned into a safe museum for people to aprieciate ! Great job Lads and thankyou from New Zealand ! ♥️😉🙃😎
So many things point to the engineering and construction process, but those steam generators served so many decades and the turbines were balanced long before any computer based methods. That is a testament to the materials and craftmanship of the time.
I remember watching your videos when I was younger always falling asleep to them late at night. I’m from the Detroit area and this is amazing to see thank you for this video!
9/19/73 was the first day I walked over the famous overpass on Miller Rd. to report for work. There were 47,000 people just in the rank and file. The next day an older gentleman told me it was easier to come in Gate 10 as I worked in the Stamping Plant. In 1999 I was on the shop floor when the lights went out. They went out North to South and yes, the floor moved under our feet.
I retired 4/1/2020.
I very much appreciate this video.
You guys do truly amazing work.
At this point, you should be considered legitimate historians and given access to these places.
I'm glad you guys are out there keeping stuff alive in video.
I never saw a massive piece of industrial engineering and machinery before, so sad what happened to the people who worked there during the explosion. The building with its massive steel beams and that 80 ton crane is just amazing. The architecture of these old steelworks is what impresses me the most. I love this kind of videos where you explain how and what the history of this building/plant was. Hats off to you!
I had just started my apprenticeship at Rouge Steel on the 19th of January, this was a terrible accident and was a surreal way to start a career.
Awesome video as always Bryan and Michael. The Ford PowerPlant is so incredible beautiful wish I could have seen it in person. Thanks for letting us come along with y’all to experience this incredible place.
I keep saying this is your best one yet. Butt this is your best one yet. So glad we got to see this place before its all gone. Mr Ford was a amazing man to come up with all the ideas to build a USA top in the world. Not like now as we are going to the dumpster So sad. Thanks Boys.......
My grandfather worked at the foundry in the 40's.
I worked at the Rouge office building through the 90's, left in '98.
Nice video guys.
I love your videos you guys, the photography, the soothing narration, the atmospheric music. Great work!
take notes kids this is real exploring no vandalism no theft no tagging purely "taking nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footprints" well done gents
Love seeing the nameplates and ratings for the old electrical stuff, one of the best bits for me in these kinds of videos (maybe not so surprising with me working in electrical engineering haha). Those massive reactors were cool :)
Thank you so much for that tour of the powerhouse....Your time and effort is so much appreciated, caputuring an incredible structure now lost in time, save for the replica in the Henry Ford Museum....I lived in Dearborn when that disaster happened in 1999....Lived 2 miles away 'n felt the blast concussion rattle my home....
It’s so crazy to see this! I couldn’t even tell you how many time I drove by this place heading to work and wondered what it was like inside! Thank you!
the amount of backstory-granting detail you have provided with this video made it a worthwhile, and compelling watch. thanks a lot!
I currently work at the steel mill and my dad was working at the steel mill back in 99 when it exploded. Very sad day. Cool to see the ruins of it though!
Life long Michigander and I never got to see the rogue river plant. Thank you for bringing it to me.
I always love watching the ones that haven't been vandalized and graffitied.
Love to see these building blocks of our country. Much respect to those who worked there.
Easily one of my favorite plants, and those generators, what behemoths!
It’s sad that they had to be put out of commission… they really were beauties.
A reason for the extensive works is that the Rouge was growing and didn’t achieve final size until the late 1940’s. Also, when Henry Ford bought the DT & I in 1923 he attempted to electrify the railroad. When it operated briefly it made a large draw on the capacity of this plant.
Fantastic as always, thanks for taking us along - love your explorations! Stay safe!
Outstanding, I had people working in the Rouge Complex that day. I thank God that they were safe. Thanks for a great tour. Great Industrial history.
Awesome video. Love the background knowledge! Happy Birthday Michael! 🥳🎂🎈
I just want to say thank you for capturing this, I work just down the road from this building and every time I drive by it I always wondered what it looked like on the inside!
I did asbestos abatement for 15 years. I've been in that plant several times. I removed asbestos from TONS of the bug steam lines and boilers in that plant. Awful work. They "shut them down" for us to work on the lines, but even off they take weeks to cool down. They were still 300 plus degrees (sometimes way more) when we removed the insulation off them. You'd remove the insulation, and the glove bag would melt off the pipe.
I flipped over to Daniel Moran’s account of the disaster thinking I’d watch a few minutes to get an idea of someone who worked there. I watched all 51 minutes, transfixed. Heroic.
Have you changed cameras or lenses? I get the feeling that the image is brighter and sharper. Although I could be wrong. Always fun with a new video from you.
Incredible work as always. This channel never fails to capture the feeling of a building. The history and passion shared is so good to bask in.
You guy are crazy! "We just walked in, exchanged a few head nods and climbed to the top to wait for sun rise." I cannot believe you just walked in like that.
Have always been fascinated with this plant. Seeing this exploration and learning that the power plant explosion just before it's retirement was a tragic loss. Especially to the lives and it's very own contribution to America's industrial might. It is a beautiful old place. Thanks for recording it before it was demoed. 😊
Wow, those vending machines at 9:25 show up in Dan Moran's video interview at 23:39 (the RougePowerhouse ExplosionSurvivor channel). Thanks for citing that video as further history.
I never say this, but this is a very well put together video. I love your attention to detail and how you articulate what you're seeing. Great work.
I'm wondering if maybe the small turbine provided power to the powerhouse itself? Like maybe it could be brought up to speed before the big ones to provide power to all the other support systems first.
That clicked on me and went wow that really makes sense but then I thought well once one of them big turbines is running the rest can run and I'm sure there was never ever less than 2 of them running from the time that place opened up to the time the place closed down. I understand it takes power to make power that part has always been amazing to me because you know all the pumps gauges lights valves just so much going on takes a huge chunk of power in its self to operate to run the turbines.
I worked at the Ford rouge plant in the mustang Assembly building at the time. Fortunately I was on the afternoon shift. This Was a tragic end devastating event. After that we were running semi truck trailer generators just to continue production of vehicle's and parts until the new power station was built. I'll never forget the day that happened. Also it takes some balls to sneak in there as their is security and workers everywhere! Good work
I can see echoes of Metropolis with a sprinkling of HR Giger. Very cool! Thanks for sharing!
The man-hours put into building this complex are just unimaginable. It should not have been possible to build this thing.
Fun fact: that freezer in the break room saved a mans life.
DID HE HIDE THERE when it exploded?
@@whispersoftheafterlife1017Probably. The cold air in there also most likely prevented him from getting burnt, even though hot air would seep in easily.
That building and everything in it are industrial engineering marvels
All designed on paper and calculations by slide rule.
@benjurqunov That's what makes it even more impressive
So many people back then poured their heart and soul into making America what it is today. Now its all left to rot. Its really sad to see. Im from Detroit.
Sad most Fords are made in Mexico now. Bring the jobs Back to Michigan!
I've been watching this channel since day one and this is by far one of the coolest explorations that you guys have documented awesome. Great work keep it up.
Same here!! And I live here!! I wouldve died running into them here in my hometown 😂.
@@jeremiahd2417 nice a piece of history now will never be forgotten. If you haven't watched that documentary on the survivor I would highly recommend watching it
Detroit needs to become the home of automobile manufacturing again.
Yeah we also need little plants (like Detroit had back then ) that builds all the car parts instead of getting them from China..maybe there wouldn’t be shortages and so many recalls due to faulty parts…Michigan and the USA is a far cry from what it used to be and it’s sad.
Sad most Fords are made in Mexico now. Bring the jobs Back to Michigan!
Trumps tariffs would do this
As a current powerhouse employee at a steel mill it’s so cool to see older technology vs what I work with everyday. This video was great to show my daughter to give her a slight look into what I do everyday.
Always fascinating to explore somewhere industrial while identifying the causes of damage. I'm still in awe of those locations with obvious bomb/wartime damage.
Great to see more footage of Detroit locations.
I can't count how many times I have watched your previous Detroit work.