This curious metal structure was left seemingly abandoned in the bushes at the edge of the path by the engine sheds. It is a part of the internal structure of the steam engine; the carefully engineered frame houses the system of pipes channeling steam that will eventually drive the wheels. It was quite sad to see it left to rot in the undergrowth.
These gears are the remnants of the sluice mechanism for the mill race at Cressbrook Mill in Millers Dale.
I love old machinery and here next to a riverside path I like the reminder of this areas industrial past. The last time I had been here the mill here and at Litton were derelict but now they have been tastefully restored as apartments. I can easily see myself living here, sitting on the balcony and listening to the river flowing past.
Yesterday's mountains of scrap metal were impressive but they don't move without the use of some equally impressive equipment and the pictures above show some of the machinery that has been used to load the scrap onto ships. The crane looks like it has seen better days to be honest and gives off an aura of decay and abandonment. This is enhanced by the black and white treatment.
I particularly like the angle of the second image and the way the arm of the crane feels like it is reaching out towards the edge of the frame. Getting this shot right was quite tricky as I was shooting through the security fence and with the width of the lens it was quite restricted but I think I managed it ok.
I also like the third image of the grab resting on the dockside, on the one hand it seems quite menacing but the fact that it is unattached and abandoned mike it seem slightly redundant. I think the exposure of the sky adds a bit of drama to the shot. Let me know what you think...
