Textile Machine

The batch tag specifies some of the technical properties of the silk worked here.

One of a few rolling workbenches to keep the thousands of pulleys, cogs, and belts working properly.

This movable chute came off its rails.

Cat paw prints on the control panels. Remember to lock-out-tag-out, Power Raccoons, and keep your own keys.

I am not sure what this machine does, but I have a hunch that it husks and cleans the sugar beets as they come into the plant. It is certainly the biggest single piece of equipment in any of the mills.

A wide view of the steam pump room, complete with pistons (taken apart for their brass), flywheels (covered in graffiti and rust) and pressure gauges (smashed apart for fun). I guess what I’m trying to say is, I was not disappointed.

In a strange loft next to the brewhouse are these twin kettles, which seem much older than the main kettles in the brewhouse.

The main shaft’s cable spooled with bird castings belies the fact that lives used to dangle from its steel-wound strength. Arrows on the circles would indicate the mine level the cars were currently at.

Part of the brewing process is sterilizing the kettles, pipes and tanks all product would touch. This was done with a caustic solution. To the left is a healthy pile of asbestos where a heating tank used to stand, insulated in the carcinogenic mineral. The tank got cut apart, the asbestos stayed here.