Beth Steel Demolition Expands to Historic Artifacts?

robertjohndavis · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 8:10 am **Posts:** 2499

There is confusing information out of Bethlehem, PA today. It seems the Brandenburg crews have expanded the steel mill scrapping operations to areas I had thought were safe.

I can't say for sure what is going on, but it is evident to those driving along 3rd Street that the crews are chewing into some narrow gauge rail equipment and what appear to the lay eye to be giant ladles. It was my understanding these items were not to be scrapped.

If the reports are true, this is a potential disaster. Who holds the leash on the demolition crews? Where is it they are going to stop? Right now, I am worried for all the historic items left.

Can anyone out there confirm what is going on?

Rob

Robin Warren · **Joined:** Sun Aug 22, 2004 1:36 pm **Posts:** 139

I got exactly zip from the United Steelworkers Union website. Searched under "Bethlehem scrapping mill" and such words/phrases. Maybe some one would get results.

USW
http://www.uswa.org/usw/program/content/index.php

Frank Hicks · **Posted:** Fri Dec 21, 2007 12:18 am

Have the wide-gauge dump cars that ran along the trestle been scrapped? I passed through Bethlehem last month and the eastern section of the high line that they had formerly been stored on was obliterated, and it wasn't obvious whether they had been moved to the west end of the trestle or whether they were gone entirely.

robertjohndavis · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 8:10 am **Posts:** 2499

Frank,

Most of the electrics survive shoved down on the west end of the highline. However, with the latest developments, I am concerned where this is headed.

Rob

cjvrr · **Posted:** Fri Dec 21, 2007 10:20 am

http://www.nmih.org/

The National Museum of Industrial History has been the group working to save portions of and equipment from the steel mill. I would suggest contacting them at the above website to get your answers.

I had heard the electrics were shoved down toward the blast furnaces prior to scrapping of the highline.

While on a tour of the facility in 2006 there was one narrow gauge lokie that was stuck on the second floor of the building containing the electric furnace, as well as a pit with many different molds (would look like ladles) for pouring different shape ingots. If memory serves me correctly the lokie was to be saved but everthing else in and including the building were to be scrapped.

robertjohndavis · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 8:10 am **Posts:** 2499

Indeed, some of these items were in the electric furnace building. What was reported as ladles could very well be the molds that were in there on the first floor.

What I am hearing is that unlike previous demolitions which came with warning to the preservationists, this came quickly and without notice.

The fate of the pieces in that building was not sealed when last I visited and it is my understanding that was the case until this week. Apparently the cars with the locomotive in question were cut up yesterday. No word on the loco yet today.

During previous elements of demolition, warning was given, historic items were moved (like the electric larries) to safe storage and then work proceeded. I know this, as my buddies were involved in a volunteer effort on removal for storage. The worry stems from why this was different this time.

Even though the NMIH is the main player in preservation, the BethWorks project has also selected items for preservation. The concerned raised is over what limits Brandenburg is working under.

Right now, I would love to hear some more eyewitness accounts of what is going on along 3rd Street as I cannot get out there this week.

Rob