Does anyone know of, or have available, background sounds for a basic oxygen furnace area of a steel mill? [?]
unless you are going to interior sounds most of the sounds in a steel mill are the sound of motors and fans on the outside. The only sound unique to a BOF happens about every twenty to thirty minutes when the blow is started and high pitched descening whistle is heard for 3-4 seconds as the oxygen starts to flow. Rarely is that heard outside however.
I think it is Green Frog that offers a steel mill sound CD. I have not heard it, but Dean Freytag says it sounds incredible and he should know
The steel mill in Sterling Illinois used to make a continuous loud buzzing sound – the electric power I assume, and now and then a more tremendous roar for part of the process. I have captured some of it on tape – I was not there to tape a steel mill, mind you, but up until 1980 this steel mill was ENTIRELY served by steam locomotives – former Grand Trunk USRA 0-8-0s. The day I was there I think four 0-8-0s were in steam, blowing their whistles for crossings and changes of direction, chuffing to move heavy cuts of cars. It’s all closed now, alas.
Dave Nelson
If I knew what was going to happen, I would have run a tape recorder while I was at college. I was just blocks away from Bethlehem Steel and the plant was still in operation, at least my first two years at school. The most distinctive sound I heard though was the hammers in the mill.
–Randy
Randy - I think you and I went the same school - (Lehigh).
What I am remembering from the early '80’s was the pounding of the heavy forge’s hammer and the periodic whistle followed by a roar from the 4 BOF’s. I am going to model the junction in Bethlehem that was a couple of miles from the BOF’s, and am looking for that background noise.
I will check out Green Frog. I didn’t notice a steel mill sound in the online Walther’s catalog. I will also check at the local hobby shop to see if anyone taped the sound and maybe I can transfer it to digital.
Thanks everyone for the help.
Jim
Yup - what years were you there? I graduated in 88, BSEE.
–Randy
BSME - '83
I remember hearing roaring sound during football games, I assume that was the gases leaving the BOF once the oxygen lance was inserted. (correct term???)
It was noticable from about 1/2 mile away.
Jim
Not sure, I’m not real up on steelmaking. There is a guy at the LHS who is though.
Are you still in the area? I live just west of Allentown these days. Once a year I make the trip to the big train show in Timonium MD, and thee is a modular group (HO) that exhibits there, across several modules they have built up the ENTIRE Walther’s steel mill complex. Very impressive! They have light and smoke effects where appropriate. Don’t think they had sound, but in the show environment it would have to either be WAY too loud, or else inaudible unless you leaned right into the display. The rest of their modular setup is no slouch, either. I paced off the perimeter, but I forget exactly how big it was - far too big to fit in my basement, that’s for sure.
–Randy
He might be in the club at the hobby shop on Linden in Bethlehem. I don’t belong at this point.
I sent you an email via the link on your website - yes, I am still local.
Per the other responses - I agree, interior sounds aren’t what I am looking for. Just what I heard while I was near the plant.
Green Frog has the steel mill sounds CD in stock. #56016, listed at $14.95.