Red Top Mountain Iron Pour

On Saturday, 06/23/07, I took the two older girls out to Red Top Mountain State Park (Georgia) for a nightime Iron Pour.

Red Top Mountain is named for the soil's rich red color caused by high iron-ore content, Red Top Mountain was once an important mining area for iron.

Before the Civil War, many iron furnaces operated in this area. Iron Ore mining continued well into the 20th century.

A few years ago, an Iron furnace was constructed here for demonstrations. Iron pours are conducted several times a year. The night pours are the most spectacular.

(remember to click on the pics for more detailed views)


The furnace with buckets of Coke fuel and scrap iron waiting for the sun to set before firing up.

Some of the crowd.

Louisa and Julia (at left) were bored at first. They were not sure if they wanted to make a scratch block to be cast in iron. They decided not to this time. I suspect they will next time.

The Bluegrass concert was well attended.

Red Top Mountain Iron Pour

Charging the furnace with coke fuel.

This is video of charging the furnace.

Coworkers Chris and Chris with families.

Red Top Mountain Iron Pour

Video of the charging of the furnace. They start passing a piece of coke fuel around the crowd.

Julia looking at the piece of coke fuel.

Spectacular views of the furnace while it is charging.

Red Top Mountain Iron Pour

Video of the first Iron tap of the evening. Taken from the back of the furnace. Better views from the side and front below.



Video of the Second tap of the evening, this time from the side of the furnace.


Video of pulling the slag off the second tap.

Pouring iron into the scratch block molds.

The red hot ladle waits for the third tap. (click the picture to see it better!)

Red Top Mountain Iron Pour

Video of the Third Iron tap of the evening, this time from the front of the furnace.

Video of Removing the slag from the third tap.

Short but spectacular video of the furnace belching flames.

Walking the ladle of Iron into the pouring shed.

2 videos of pouring the Iron into the scratch blocks.

...

Filling the scratch block molds.

Julia - Bookstand!

I got up this morning at 5:30 and saw a light in Juweesa's room.
Unusual for someone to be up at this time of day! I opened the door to find Louisa using a sleeping Julia as a Book Stand.