Exploring an Abandoned Coal Mine - Carts and Tracks Everywhere!
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- Опубліковано 6 лют 2025
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In this episode, we're exploring the abandoned surface works of a French coal mine. Inside, we find mine cart tracks crisscrossing in every direction and a host of other enormous pieces of machinery.
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I love that you guys don't just do the urbex part but also do your research and give a small history lesson on each place you explore. Urbex isn't just the urban exploration, not to me at least, it's the history, that in a time and place someone would've called this their job, worked here for 40 years, had many memories, and now you get to explore it like it's a time capsule.
Yes.
I just started volunteering at a museum and one of the things I want to do is go urbexing around this area and collected the stuff that will simply rot away over time and put them in our museum
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Each time you guys come with a renewed video intro it takes me back to 2019 when I started bingewatching your vids and followed for further explorations. Nobody on youtube covers this kind of content as good as you guys.
That's about when I started watching them when I lived in Philadelphia.
Same here. Everytime I see new video I get excited. No one on here is as good as you guys.
How do you know that no one is as good as them on UA-cam?
Yeah same here. 2019 I legit would watch 1 video a night for the longest time, til I finally caught up.
Thats why theyre called the proper, dude...
What I like about your videos is they are not just about content, there’s a genuine love of the architecture, engineering and history.
This is Maxine Is this wallet still active? (clean party soccer advance audit clean evil finish tonight involve whip action).
It’s always so humbling to see giant Facilities/Factories like these. The amount of people to run such a place is astounding. Love how you film and edit these places.
Yep, a lot of hard work. People nowadays use a computer and let it do the job.
First of all, I love trains, so this, mine is such a beauty in terms of the complexity of it systems, including rail.
More importantly, is it saddens me as someone that works in trades, knowing that there were experts that work this mine and work this facility that understood what every pipe and conveyor and rail did, and what its function overall was relative to the mine. They were probably so elite from working at this facility for decades, only to see it shut down, and their expertise be obsolete. It’s really a crazy and kind of sad concept. Thank you for preserving this mine it’s derelict state through this documentary style tour. I would absolutely love to see footage of this thing when it was operational it must’ve been amazing!
Thank you guys for your work as always
The minecart room and the mineshaft area are just incredible!
I'm gay daddy
I'm gay daddy
Yea, I loved the minecraft part too.
@@elmerino61 I'm gay too
Bruh my half dyslexic ass would NOT let me read that without "Minecraft"
The coal produced by this mine was lignite, or "soft brown coal". It wasn't used in steel production, like anthracite? Rather it was used for power generation. However, it has a very high sulfur content, along with other volatiles that, when mixed with water, become much more corrosive than just water alone. So the plant is essentially being dissolved. That, and having a thick layer of spoiled lignite coating everything, holding the water to the metal, certainly isn't helping.
Germany still uses Lignite in Nordrhein-Westfalen. It's bizarre seeing the surface coal mines Garzweiler, Inden, and theres a 3rd I forgot the name of.
@@christopherneufeldt4035 Hambach?
@@TGAF91 Yup! I was thinking it was named after the town its partially consumed, Niederzierer the night i wrote the comment, thanks!
I was wondering how everything was rusting out so bad
@@rogerkinghorn4819was probably run down before they stopped using it. The less money the higher ups put back into the plant the more money in their pockets. At least that's how it is at the cement plant I work at. They only fix things when they're completely broken.
The passenger rail cars were probably used to transport miners, they appear to have no smoking painted on the outside to prevent coal dust ignition. Coal mining companies do build housing for their employees, so in theory workers wouldn't need a car at all for their shifts. In America we aren't accustomed to mass transit but it really can be efficient and convenient.
It actually looks like a smoking and non smoking section. You see fumeurs one the left and non-fumeurs on the right. Unless the lettering has just degraded but you'll also see the two sections separated from each other.
Imagine being one of the people on that tour.
You're half-listening to the guide, probably wishing the sun was a little less deadly, and then you see movement? In an upper window.
Assuming its a worker or someone maintaining the tour facility, you keept it out of mind.
And then you find this footage, see yourself in that moment, listening to the guide from the perspective of that window.
absolute BEHEMOTH of a facility, and to think of the time period this was built. the skill and thought that this required is crazy
They were far more capable than we are.
The cable spools are designed so that the cable can’t overlap. Imagine the winch on an off road jeep or truck and how the cable there can get pinched and even jammed. As often as the mine needed to lift and lower the trolleys for coal and men the cable would wear out prematurely. Just thought you’d like to know (well I didn’t browse the comments to see if someone already made this observation.) Great video guys thanks! Always, Andy
The tapered shape of the spool is so that the shorter diameter provides more torque as needed when the cars are deep down with the weight of all the hanging steel cable to lift. When the cars are closer to the surface, with shorter/lighter cable to lift, a larger diameter can be used and it allows faster operation.
Super pumped to watch it, nothing compares to a Proper People video, legends at work!
These guys and the dude from Europe that looks like GSP from the UFC, are the best.
Totally agree! The cinema photography, low tone speech, and the background music keep you so intrigued.
Imagine the noise from all the equipment and then add the sound of the coal moving...deafening. Plus all the fine coal dust (if they did not use water or oil spray to control the dust). There is a beauty about the machinery, building and landscape. Thank you for making these videos. Look forward to the next one.
With the sulfur content in the coal, spraying it might not be wise.
Just the infrastructure form the outside is so nice! Can't wait to watch the entire video! :D
There's something about the crunchy footsteps as you're walking around that scratches my brain so nicely. I also want to thank you guys, I stumbled upon your video's by accident a few years ago, and have been hooked ever since. There's something so calming about your explorations and I love the little history lessons you give while doing them as I have such a huge fascination about these things, I have learned so much. I love the calm tones compared to others who just go to these places and cause chaos which then ruins it for guys like yourselves who don't want to touch or mess with anything other than just to look around at the amazing architectures and structures from history, that have become forgotten about over the years, and almost taken back by nature. I'm so fascinated by everything you guys explore, especially places like these ones. So thank you guys for these videos.💓
After 6 or so years of watching your films, I think these are your best work. Not only because I'm most interested in industrial ruins but also because you boys have the eye for the details and interest in how it used to work.
I'm lovin' it!
Hey Proper People guys... they're in the process of tearing down the Art Deco Power Plant you visited near Miamisburg Ohio and did a video on. It's about halfway gone as of today.
😔
A century on, Émile Zola's Germinal is still worth reading to get an idea of working conditions in the coal mines of northern France. The book is available in several languages. You can watch the film if you don't like reading, although the book is much richer in details than the film.
Can you imagine the noise in those places? They didn't issue ear protection in those days!
Every video gets me, but there's something about the old industrial time period that's just so cool. Great find!
This might be my favorite video you guys have done. The tracks with the mine cars and the size of everything is overwhelming. Thanks so much for doing what you do.
I love the serenity and tranquility of these guys explorations, I've not been able to find another channel that can mimic this, that's what keeps me coming back.
I've visited that museum in 2022, its an wonderful museum with an really good story about the mining industry in there area. I tried to explore the shaft and washing plant but they beefed up the security, there are motion sensors placed at every entrance as far as I could see and security camera's.
I hope that one day, they will renovate the rest of the complex and make it part of the museum. The head frame could become an awesome viewing point.
It's incredible that humans used to build stuff like that. Breathtaking.
Yep and now humans build stuff that doesn’t last five years or so
@@movieedge7370one word
EMD
We still build, “stuff like that”. I work at a copper and gold mine in Arizona and I can assure you that we build things that are just as impressive…in fact more impressive than this.
Used to? Do you live under a rock? Now we build even more impressive things. Just because you haven’t seen them or don’t know about them doesn’t mean they aren’t happening.😉
😉We do…You haven’t seen them.
A cornucopia of legendary shots here guys. Such complex and fascinating machinery and processes seem to obtain true appreciation only after they've been dealt a life sentence of complete neglect and decay, rediscovered in very favorable lighting.
There is something beautiful in these post apocalyptic like abandoned industrial places. ❤
Amazing! You get better all the time. This may be in the top 10, if not top 5. I remember driving on the Autobahn from Germany into Lorraine in the late 80s, early 90s to visit the nearby Maginot Line, and seeing the exit signs for Stiring-Wendel, Forbach, Merlebach. The Maginot Line was just a few miles away. This is awesome industrial art.
Thanks guys
There's something cool at the end with the shot of the factory and in the background wind turbines. Old and new energy production in one shot.
Great vid as usual
You are misinformed. Energy from coal has charged your phone and computer, it built your car and your entire life…and there is not enough wind energy or solar to replace the energy and products that come from carbon. Nuclear can provide electric power, but it doesn’t make plastic. You and others need to do some more research before you arrive at the conclusion that coal, oil and natural gas are out of date.
Something haunting about seeing this. So many years ago the quitting time whistle blew the last time and everything was left like the next shift would take over but never did
I miss you guys, I don’t see many vids from you anymore, I know you got lives so I understand but I feel like you guys are the best urban exploration channel, you are very thorough in your research and your explorations
27:07 You're correct. The second shaft would have been set up with a skip that would come up fully loaded and dumped down the chute. Many modern mines are set up this way, takes much less time and moves more material with one big bin that automatically dumps rather than unloading a bunch of rail cars, especially with those rotaries, surprised they didn't just have camel humps to dump the cars.
Another mind-blowing location, absolutely incredible footage
oh my god they still have the same intro after years. I completely forgot about this channel, I used to watch them all the time when I was a kid. I heard a song recently that reminded me of the intro then the random memory of this channel came back lol, I'm gonna get back into watching these guys.
I saw all the visions of the factory alive. What absolutely stunning natural decay! Thank you for all you do to be able to share this with us. ❤
i love how you do such amazing content but are so underrated!! its like how you explore locations , your channel is waiting to be found by people!
Thanks!
Wow thank you for the generous donation!
The three types of coal are lignite (as already mentioned), bituminous (most common for heating and power generation), and the anthracite (hard coal) which is lower in sulfur but also lower in BTU's. The anthracite is used mostly for coke production for steel mills.
Awesome video as always Michael and Bryan. I always enjoy watching y’all’s videos especially ones like this one. Exploring industrial factories and power plants and I enjoy listening to y’all’s history lessons on the history of the place and the surrounding areas.
I love the conical sections of the winding drum, so the car automatically slows as it approaches the end of travel. It also gives finer position control.
Your guys content always keeps me coming back for more
New Proper stuff. Nice 👍
This video reminds me of the other coal mine you guys did. ❤ your videos guys.
Was hoping for underground not a building but still very cool to see how they did it all
We have some underground coal and iron mine explorations filmed that will be coming in the future!
Nice.
Awesome video! Wonder how well a 360 camera would work in a place like that?
Just your daily reminder. Abandoned mines are dangerous in ways you couldn't possibly imagine.
I'm happy to sit I'm safety whilst the proper people do their thing.
I work in a mine. I was just thinking the same thing. These kids have no idea of the hidden danger in that quiet place.
@@TimPfalzgraf-te9zlthey know, they’re just braver than most
let people take risks
I'm just boggled by their ever present lack of ppe in places like this.
They're gonna explore, best we can do is equip them with gear and knowhow.
Speaking of which, might've been interesting to take a Geiger counter in there, what with all the coal dust and all.
@terrytwo yea but like even a N95 mask will help filtering some of that junk. My lungs are messed up from the military and I can't get that back. I just hope others can protect themselves.
An outstanding documentary video. Your calmness and professionalism whilst enjoying what you're doing is world class.
37:28 potential cool album cover
When i first saw the sticker I thought it was bigfoot lmfao
0:13?
37:16 ... 😅
I took a screenshot it thinking exactly the same thing😅
Incredible sound design as always.
the lighting in this was just phenomenal. All the shots with sunlight pouring in were so beautiful. Also loved the shot at the end with the wind turbines in the background.
Interesting history. The Lotharian De Wendel concern was huge. Amongst others also the mine Friedrich Heinrich in Germany and the Dutch Oranje-Nassau mine belonged to this conglomerate.
This has to be by far my favorite explore! Thanks gentleman. You guys nailed everything in this post. My favorites had been the power stations but this episode shows all the mechanicals as well. Kudos to your source for finding this hidden gem.
Keep up the great work!
My Grandfather was a hoist operator way back in the day. A lot of the equipment here is similar but he worked with older generation ('20s-'30s) machinery.
Have been watching your videos since the lock downs, and eagerly await each new one! Have learened so much about so many things, and you seem to be improving all of your skills with each one.
You pay homage to these abandone structures like no others, giving us glimpse into thier past, and although many locations are now long gone, we will forever have these as a remider of the truley beautiful Arctecture that once was. Thank you for all of these, and Please, stay safe. you are both as treasured as the buildings you explore....
Jeez this place looked sketchy as hell to traverse. Glad you guys didn't get yourselves hurt!
Gorgeous work guys. Love how the red buttons on the control panels somehow still look newish, imagining you could push it and stuff would turn on again.
Wow, the scale of this place is amazing, 50's and it shows.... also the rust shows as well...
thanks for showing..
6:47 that motor he’s walking by we use at our wood plant till this day 😅
Keep the videos coming guys, I have been a fan for many years.
It's a good day when a new TPP video comes up!
Coal is corrosive to metal 23:56
Interesting! Never knew that!
Also important to remember these places are almost always being continually sprayed in water - coal dust is highly explosive - to keep the dust down and keep things from becoming an inferno the inside of colliery workings are often continuously under the spray of those sprinklers. All that water rusts everything very fast.
I do enjoy your videos guys... best urbex content on the internet, in my opinion.
I think back to this facility's hey day... how many families it supported, how many people lost their lives in accidents, long term exposure etc. It is both fascinating that these elaborate facilities were built back then, and... sad that it's usefulness has timed out. Thanks for taking us along guys.
at 37:39 this the best shot i must say with the light and the nice view of the cabal and how the bird fly's in and lands in the best area.
😂 I had to go back and confirm, 38:02 and yes, it actually has a hand winder! 😅 You would need an army to wind that thing! That place is massive! Too bad you couldn't get into the actual mine and find artifacts from a hundred years ago! Not safe though so, no because, I want to keep watching your videos! Thank you for showing us around! I been a subscriber for quite a while now, keep it up! 😊 From Oklahoma!
Amazing video as always guys. That place is massive. The track system for the coal cars was really cool to see. The planning when they build this place must have been extensive. Great find.
Appreciate the bar letting us know how far through the sponsorship add we are!
I've been a fan and subscriber for a few years now. I really appreciate the videos.
Stay safe.
The crunch under foot though 🤙🏻
Another great video and a fascinating place. FYI, Toledo Scale, actually Mettler Toledo, is still very much in business and making scales for all sorts of purposes.
Bought out by the Chinese? Hence your both right
@@keithbalke6352 Actually no. It's a publicly traded company (NYSE), headquartered in Greifensee, Switzerland and Columbus, Ohio.
19:00 fantastic view, love it
every time you guys take to long to upload I think you managed to get yourself lost
Proper people are back 🎉🎉🎉 Thank you a lot for sharing. You are the coolest dudes.
I stumbled just right into your chanel and WOW! No more words needed. Thx for sharing 👍
I don't live too far from there (Alsace).
But I wouldn't dare set foot there.
Thank you for this very well filmed and presented visit!
**
J'habite pas trop loin de là (Alsace).
Mais je n'oserai pas y mettre les pieds.
Merci pour cette visite très bien filmée et présentée !
C'est la mine de Wendel à petite Rosselle près de Forbach en Moselle j'ai reconnu les lieux
@@fredericcornilleau9359 Dans les années 70, j'étais facteur au Hohwald (67).
Il y avait des colonies de vacances pour les enfants de Forbach (Sidelor, Sacilor, Wendel).
I’ve been watching you guys for a long time , I really love your channel . Thanks for putting out the best content in the urban exploration community .
Great vid as always, you were the first explorers I ever watched and still the best.
It’s a good day when proper people post ❤
Next exploration: Abandoned Toledo scale factory. 😂
This place has that amazing 'Steam Punk' vibe to it. Especially that pressure gauge stand near the end of the show. An apocalyptic feel to it.
Love y'all's new lead-in sequence! Meant to comment about it on the last vid, but forgot. 😊🤦♀
Thank you for showing us these incredible places!! Absolutely fascinating to see this in my opinion. 💪🫶
Boys that was a good one. The hoist engines are so cool to see. A moment stopped in time . Way cool.
The winch drum system for the Quincy Copper Mine in Michigan was steam driven and could achieve almost 30 MPH when bringing the ore and personnel carts to the various levels. Amazing engineering for the turn of the last century. I think the which system was made by Nordstrom.
Wow what a place! My uncle Henry worked in a coal mine way back in the day! He worked in mine in the 1930’s! Very awesome video bro! 🤘❤️👍
Excellent! Great work, fantastic cinematography and sound as always :).
Thank you for putting the ads in the beginning of the video instead somewhere in the middle
Agreed
where is this
How about no ads
@@caveman4598they put a lot of effort into these videos, I think they deserve to make some money off of it
The little progress bar letting us know how far into the add we are is great too
The whole way through this vid I had iggy pop mass production playin' in the back of my mind . 😎
I remember doing volunteer work in Wheelwright Kentucky. Kinda like Gary Indiana (i'm a Hoosier) the big industry company pulled out and suddenly everyone lost their livelyhoods and the economy died. Theres coal mines with the old machinery just kinda there in the background.
The town has some pretty cool history. Apparently it used to be a major town and was the first in Kentucky to have a Olympic swimming pool before the mines shut down. Other stories like that one the locals are very proud about.
Its very sad though, seeing the generational poverty. Due to the low income in that area theres no income taxes on houses that stay in the family, so many families stay there because of little alternatives
Yeah a new Proper People Episode! It is always a Plesure! Many thaks for all! I really love you Guys!
Here's hoping the renewed interest in the site helps fund that museum! This is some cool stuff, and I'd love to see it renovated before it rots away for good.
One heck of a factory , what a operation that must have been. Would have loved to see it in operation back in the day ! The clock on the wall, frozen in time !!
almost 40 minutes, wonderful! Thank you for a longer video!
What an incredible place to explore!
I can rarely watch your videos to the end but please take that as a compliment. The atmosphere you create, the framing of the shots, the music and of course the subject matter create such a dystopian vibe for me that taps into a bleakness within that im not comfortable with.
Thanks guys for an awsome tour, great job
@17:14 I think that is called "Repelling". They do it out of Helicopters. 🤣😂🥰
Thanks for the content I've been waiting for a new video I appreciate everything you all do and safe travels to all of you
I love old mines like this!!
Coal mines are a personal favourite.
Thanks to another tour around a stunning lost place! Well, it is quite clear that the Coal Industry in the Lorain Basin had to face the same fate as other sites in Europe, e.g. in Belgium (Wallonie) or the Ruhr region in Germany. Today, all that made up classical heavy industry has faded away.
According to Wikipedia (German edition), water entering the shafts is increasingly becoming an environmental issue, because of highly contaminated water entering the ground water system. Seemingly, no pumps were installed to keep the abandoned shafts dry.
When I lived in Belgium during the 1980s, I remember a Coke plant along the Canal du Centre near Mons, Belgium of being still active, run by a company called Carkoke. It stank like Hell!
Awesome production, guys. You never disappoint !!!!! Thanks for sharing, stay safe, best wishes from Oklahoma.
You have good sound in the video. I listen at home on my PC via the Ifi Uno sound card. 👍