The Blast Furnace: A Tribute
This map is quite possibly the largest project I’ve ever made. I have put lots of time into this map to make it as detailed and realistic as possible, and spent the last 4 months making it. I wanted to do this map right, as I felt that I needed to represent these mammoths of industry correctly, and truly make this map a tribute to this historic Blast Furnaces that are being, lost every year. Not only this, but I’ve taken inspiration from 4 historic furnaces around the world and tried my best to represent some aspect or another within this map (These furnaces are listed below, as well as their history). I hope everyone enjoys this map.
The Historic Blast Furnaces I’ve Taken insperation From:
Redcar Blast Furnace (Teeside Steel):
After around 150 years of operation, in 1979, the Teeside Steelworks completed construction of their newest furnace, Redcar Blast Furnace. At the time, it was the second-largest furnace in all of Europe. The furnace operated under British Steel Corporation for around 10 years, before the privatization of the British steel industries in 1988. Corus Group eventually assumed control over the site, and it operated for another 20 years before Corus Group mothballed part of the site. Eventually, the site was purchased by SSI for 400 million pounds in 2015, and soon after the site entered liquidation, and shut down for good. The final demolition of the site was completed in October of 2022, ending an era of British steel.
Blast Furnace HFB “Blast Furnace B”:
With most construction of the site in 1962, the steel industry in Belgium once formed one of the largest industrial complexes in the world. Blast furnace HFB located in Leiege Belgium along the river Meuse was one of the largest furnaces in the area. During WW2, the German occupation caused great damage to the factories, and furnaces of the area, however, reconstruction of the site was commenced shortly after the war. The site then operated smoothly until 2008 when an economic recession in Belgium meant the site was no longer profitable, and Blast Furnace HFB was abandoned. As of 2023, the furnace and surrounding site are under demolition.
Weirton Steel Mill:
Founded and constructed as an integrated steel mill in 1909 by Ernest T. Weir. The Weirton steel mill was soon integrated into the National Steel Corporation. The site was chosen for the abundant nearby water supply, and the easy access to shipping hubs, not only this, but the steel mill gave way to the town of Weirton. The site operated its 5 blast furnaces for around 70 years, until 1980 when the company filed for bankruptcy. The site was eventually bought by ArcelorMittal Corporation and sat dormant until 2019 when demolition of the site was completed.
The map contains 4 versions:
Standard, (no snow too) the furnace is currently being re-bricked, but the surrounding industry is operating as normal.
Light, the surrounding buildings are all gone, and as many unnecessary shapes as possible have been removed.
Meusem Mode, take a stroll through the site, with helpful signs located throughout to teach you about some of the components of a blast furnace.
NEW: NO BOARDERS (I told you all that this would not be pretty, but here you go).
IMPORTANT: I RECOMMEND RUNNING THE FULL VERSIONS ON MEDIUM GRAPHICS!
Easter Eggs (Only in the normal, and light versions):
Sandwich
Strv103/S tank (This is quite hard to find)
Cat
Tractor
Treadmill
Credits:
Zapsplat – some sounds used
Teardown – some small assets used
