MG Rover - Longbridge - B'ham - 18/02/2007 - 25/02/2007 & 29/04/2007 (The Factory)

[Derelict-UK]

***PIC HEAVY, OVER 100 IMAGES***

I will try & break the images up as much as possible.

Right, first off, this is everything, somewhere to re-upload all the images that no longer appear on 28days due to the amount of sites they have been posted on around the world.
Two of my Longbridge threads are still the most viewed threads on the whole of 28days, both with over 110,000 views!

The following includes The Main Factory & The Flight Shed Design & Testing facility.

In further threads, I will show the tunnels (the Runway tunnels & The Flight Shed/Shadow Factory Tunnels), the Bodyworks Bunker, The Eastworks Control Bunker (not the Shadow Factory, Exclusive images to myself & The Engineer).
Since originally visiting, me and The Engineer (28days member) have done a lot of research into the site, much of which helped to uncover the control bunker on Eastworks, never seen before.

Since I have posted videos on youtube, many old employees, including ex line managers and supervisors have been in touch and I have even more information on the site.

It has been great receiving all the kind words from employers who were happy that some kind of photo record of the site was done before 3/4's of it was demolished.
I have now re-uploaded all my images onto Flickr which should be better than the free account I had on Imageshack.

I have not changed my watermarks, so you will see that as the dates pass by, my watermarks will change, this was due to the fact images were being posted on forums all over the world without us knowing, later Oxygen Thief put ref-backs on my reports and there are loads.

The images may be different sizes as I found some later in the year and they were edited to different dimensions.


When I first entered the site, I really wasn't prepared for the sheer size of the plant.


18/02/2007


1.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5222/5602842273_a1aa90fb59_o.jpg

2.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5183/5603427610_be108dcd5b_o.jpg

3.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5223/5603428074_d535d4ff63_o.jpg

4.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5143/5602844495_ef55dd2440_o.jpg

5.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4110/5602842933_58b3e14716_o.jpg

6. This Silver MG TF was the main reason my images went global, it was a concept car no-one had seen before!
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5269/5602843167_5a8f6e228d_o.jpg

7.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5103/5602843423_73bde45cbf_o.jpg

8.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5105/5602844105_b0d7955b91_o.jpg

9.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5306/5603427388_9be3d7fd3e_o.jpg

10.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4095/5602844671_815cd48ec2_o.jpg

11.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5066/5603429410_0ca2ac636e_o.jpg

12.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4097/5602845923_8c631c2499_o.jpg

13. Yes this was complete, yes the keys were in the car, I turned the key but chickened out at starting the engine!!
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5147/5603428958_7f01fdbb90_o.jpg

14.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5266/5603429154_f7d6a564da_o.jpg

15.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5144/5605348769_7fc02aa792_o.jpg

16.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5264/5602844873_38d6ed1e2d_o.jpg

17.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5263/5602846419_8ec26d00a9_o.jpg

18.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5110/5605931240_631eea76e7_o.jpg

19.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5102/5602846681_9b4c822dbe_o.jpg

20.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5110/5603431192_ba9bf054f7_o.jpg

21.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4109/5603430716_b580eecf2a_o.jpg

22.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5061/5605349517_792334b147_o.jpg

23.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5141/5603431794_3bdbfd9e2e_o.jpg

24.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5267/5605348569_21fb6e5564_o.jpg


Continued in next post...

[Derelict-UK]

25. Some areas I thought I could here workers/security so sometimes I would not use my torch.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5109/5602842719_144b501cb7_o.jpg

26.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5027/5603433220_e293708800_o.jpg

27.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5025/5603433712_7a2e6da6a1_o.jpg

28.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5022/5602849783_11c5560fb3_o.jpg

29.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5070/5603432592_7cefeb483a_o.jpg

30.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4104/5603432764_6ec72583ee_o.jpg

31.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5305/5602848543_563f166b2f_o.jpg

32. I think this was a mock-up TF line for the Chinese...
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5147/5605349285_19208e2d60_o.jpg

33. I didn't venture further than this as I heard noises and didn't want to be seen...
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4096/5605349139_893cb7dea4_o.jpg

34. These cars were used for catalogues, their roofs cut off so the camera could access better angles.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5030/5602851703_8861b2fe60_o.jpg

35.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5108/5603435686_bcd0c034f3_o.jpg

36.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5270/5602850647_ee5cdf2ab8_o.jpg

37. Old style hand washers!
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5103/5602851269_96fc13f64b_o.jpg

38.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5184/5602847111_6d6a1a2851_o.jpg

The above image was used by the Adelaide Sunday Mail (With Permission, Got £50)...

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5302/5605389517_f593a5d256_o.jpg

39.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5069/5603434512_d513f04512_o.jpg

40.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5189/5602851881_c2319524c9_o.jpg

41.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5189/5602851493_88ce594df0_o.jpg

42. These shells had purchase orders to be sent to Coventry...
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5305/5602850339_8990818f5b_o.jpg

43.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5225/5602852541_e276bcf749_o.jpg

44.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4100/5602852711_40313d5bdb_o.jpg

45.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5027/5602853143_07707163a9_o.jpg

46.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5221/5602852923_a5a6ed1c08_o.jpg

47.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4096/5602846147_994a2420e5_o.jpg


Continued in next post...

[Derelict-UK]

25/02/2007



48.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5148/5602859695_e3fa6cbac1_o.jpg

49.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5021/5602860109_dec8854557_o.jpg

50.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5105/5602861201_746ecb41f8_o.jpg

51.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5270/5602861393_1e8d3475f2_o.jpg

52.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5028/5603445164_c7f68e6c67_o.jpg

53. You can just see the remains of Eastworks at the top left, this was just a shell, in the process of demolition...
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5150/5603445014_a1038aeb6c_o.jpg

54. At the point of the chimney onwards, this has now been totally demolished...
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5069/5602860845_34da05474f_o.jpg

55.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5142/5603444538_e485def43b_o.jpg

56.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5022/5602863399_17115d6708_o.jpg

57.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4102/5603447090_46e2409cc0_o.jpg

58.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5262/5605347675_9793c6efc1_o.jpg

59.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5184/5603447394_a94ea15d76_o.jpg

60.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4097/5603445732_ddb61c31fb_o.jpg

61.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5186/5602862515_e90d94dfd4_o.jpg

62. I had that backpack for nearly 10 years! I miss that backpack!!
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5106/5602862073_9a6f0bb918_o.jpg

63.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4108/5602862741_113cd2ec92_o.jpg

64.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5310/5603446484_07a719130b_o.jpg

65.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5184/5602863147_5a413bd27a_o.jpg

66.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5061/5603447950_b025981cfd_o.jpg

67.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5024/5603448118_a666449567_o.jpg

68.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5025/5603448294_54e0b4b077_o.jpg

69.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5269/5602865409_2f23b41084_o.jpg


Continued in next post...

[Derelict-UK]

70.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5105/5605929690_9411201b45_o.jpg

71.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5223/5605928710_59c3c44987_o.jpg

72.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5262/5603448928_cdfc576cc5_o.jpg

73. One of the entrances to 'The Runway Tunnels' in the backgorund...
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5145/5602865843_ce1f2162d9_o.jpg

74.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4099/5605931362_d174fffd94_o.jpg

75.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5029/5605928924_6f8dbb1065_o.jpg

76.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5263/5603449918_63aa2dbf1d_o.jpg

77.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5310/5603450238_d249ec925a_o.jpg

75.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5070/5602869835_87a3646ec9_o.jpg

76.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4109/5603451316_06776a56a8_o.jpg

77.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5262/5602868233_38e7170ed4_o.jpg

78.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4107/5603451980_9c44fb6dea_o.jpg

79.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4113/5605347849_b5398b7106_o.jpg

80.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4106/5602868857_c4fc62bdf0_o.jpg

81.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5025/5602869257_521e079b66_o.jpg

82.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5107/5602869049_226de28cb5_o.jpg

83. Hewwwwooooo
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5065/5603454624_af06a41c95_o.jpg

84.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5303/5602871089_df158e7eb4_o.jpg

The Flight Shed...

85.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5068/5603454888_f3d58920d8_o.jpg

86.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4100/5603453502_a16cbd72bc_o.jpg

87.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5069/5603453686_9297c218dc_o.jpg

88.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5027/5602870529_993e7b7835_o.jpg

89.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5270/5605930264_d3cd7b1479_o.jpg

90.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5262/5605930988_123b76eda8_o.jpg

91.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4099/5602872779_d5322eeb28_o.jpg


Continued in next post...

[Derelict-UK]

29/04/2007


I returned to see what had changed and the Chinese had moved the shells to the ground floor in preparation for scrapping.


92.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4109/5602884201_e3c68910b3_o.jpg

93.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5023/5602884667_a50912839a_o.jpg

94.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5110/5603470776_fc159b4e27_o.jpg

95.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5144/5602885809_f971d3651a_o.jpg

96.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5190/5603466634_8fc1211a18_o.jpg

97.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5261/5602883919_0d8c2f21ec_o.jpg

98.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5148/5603470308_387041b358_o.jpg

99.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5310/5602881777_865317ff1e_o.jpg

100!
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4113/5603466822_571f68b8a0_o.jpg

101. Emptied holding areas, unlike my previous visit when they were full...
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5142/5603465366_8c34272ca0_o.jpg

102.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5064/5602886679_d5860746d2_o.jpg

103.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5268/5603469862_d7440994bc_o.jpg

104.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4110/5602882525_401fc2e931_o.jpg

105.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5103/5602884487_2a0652c55b_o.jpg

106.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4113/5602884887_f2f59057cf_o.jpg

107.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5227/5603468590_a296b5154a_o.jpg

108.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5310/5602883777_ca2c3a876d_o.jpg

109. I still use that lens today!
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5024/5603466070_1613b2df28_o.jpg


The End of The Factory Section.


D-UK

[Kevsy21]

Brilliant,i would have loved to have seen this place.

[Nicola]

Crikey that's some work there fella! Double :thumb

[The Littlest Jellyfish]

:ohmy

:clap

Awesome and amazing. Hats off to you.

[scrappy]

great report, wish i had gone down to see it myself but this is the next best thing! :)

[Derelict-UK]

Thanks everyone, it took ages to put it all up lol, I was scared my computer might crash or something so I was saving a copy every 5 minutes in word!

[krisLITFO]

Awesome post dude, great to see a whole collection of pictures on this place. Used to drive past it loads, or what was left anyway, and have wanted too see inside for ages!
The shaddow factory is at the top of my list of what i want to see in brum, got busted hunting around for it last year though lol, although the coppers where really friendly!

Excellent stuff dude, looking forward to seeing some more :thumb :thumb :thumb

[Derelict-UK]

The security are quite good now, info from a guy at Cofton Security says that there is one CCTV camera scanning East Works, usually pointing at the entrance to the tunnels with strict guidelines to call the police if they see anyone.

This is due to many thefts over the years for scrap.

They even caught a load of Polish guys SLEEPING in the tunnels nicking scrap!!

There are still a few uncovered places we are looking at that no-one else has been to yet, but one is on the main site and the other involves a bit of earth moving!!

[the kwan]

Fabulous...thankyou for the report.

[krisLITFO]

The security are quite good now, info from a guy at Cofton Security says that there is one CCTV camera scanning East Works, usually pointing at the entrance to the tunnels with strict guidelines to call the police if they see anyone.

This is due to many thefts over the years for scrap.

They even caught a load of Polish guys SLEEPING in the tunnels nicking scrap!!

There are still a few uncovered places we are looking at that no-one else has been to yet, but one is on the main site and the other involves a bit of earth moving!!

Ah that could explain the coppers then although we where quite noisy getting into the site and it was right opposite some houses so dont know if that maybe what it was as we where looking around for ages trying to find a way in and the one tunnel we found was a dead end! Dont even now if it was the east works we where looking in either lol!

[lost]

Arrrrrgggghhhh! I wish I'd made the effort to see it. It would have been the exploration of ever for me.

11/10

[Canonite]

This is an epic report. Top stuff. I am an old dealership employee and have a bit of a love affair with Rover/MG despite their problems. Interesting stuff in this report, some little gems too.
@pic 78....did you ring Beefy Venables?

[Rebel]

Yep, sure is an epic explore. I remember seeing someones pictures in auto express from here. It will be a great little archive of times gone by in the future. So much for saving jobs at longbridge!

[Derelict-UK]

@pic 78....did you ring Beefy Venables?

Never had the guts lol, I'm sure several people did though, bet he changed his number quickly though!

[Clough]

AMAZING.COM best explore ever lol!

[Bunkerkid]

That is an amazing explore, awesome stuff! :thumb

[**MudLark**]

Just
Stunning.

Awesome work back then, still awesome now.... thanks for sharing again!

:)

[Tristanjay]

I remember seeing this when it was first posted, my jaw dropped. Top quality pics as per fella.