Salt mine experience...Land Rovers Stashed

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ER1C

Well-Known Member
Posts
4,820
Location
Cheshire
Had the fortune to bag a tour of a salt mine yesterday... Amazing experience. Lots of old Land Rovers under there as well.... 170 miles of road and abandoned original Discoveries and various other models. Turns out they are that covered in salt once they go down there they NEVER come up so just get moved to a section for ever.

They don't rot as its so dry down there but if they bring them up they are so caked in salt in all areas they don't last long. I did think if there was any way you could wash it off or blow it out but it would be fully in the chassis.

300 metres below the surface of the earth.....<gulp>
 
Yeahh have some pics... will get them on.. Alas none of the actual LR's as they didn't stop but some of me in a big f'ing digger.....
 
They don't rot as its so dry down there but if they bring them up they are so caked in salt in all areas they don't last long. I did think if there was any way you could wash it off or blow it out but it would be fully in the chassis..

Pity as there must be some way of accomplishing refurbishment surely, if some enterprising soul put his mind to it ?
More likely the mine owners want to avoid any legal obligations involved with selling the vehicles by just treating them as expendable.

nb. if even a LR doesn't rot in that environment why are they replaced periodically with new ones?
Surely a rot-free working Landy would be capable of doing the job for decades, no MOT to pass, simple mechanics & a total lack of complex
electronics.
 
Pity as there must be some way of accomplishing refurbishment surely, if some enterprising soul put his mind to it ?
More likely the mine owners want to avoid any legal obligations involved with selling the vehicles by just treating them as expendable.

nb. if even a LR doesn't rot in that environment why are they replaced periodically with new ones?
Surely a rot-free working Landy would be capable of doing the job for decades, no MOT to pass, simple mechanics & a total lack of complex
electronics.
They have some older ones, but when its VERY bumpy down there the wear and tear takes its toll... I assume you don't want to risk an old vehicle when you are several miles from the shaft. We were taken around in a minibus/van with 65k on the clock and it was really taking its toll on it.
 
I'll bet the engines wear out in short order.. salt will get through the air filters, mix with moisture from combustion and have a field day with everything it touches
 
Pity as there must be some way of accomplishing refurbishment surely, if some enterprising soul put his mind to it ?
More likely the mine owners want to avoid any legal obligations involved with selling the vehicles by just treating them as expendable.

nb. if even a LR doesn't rot in that environment why are they replaced periodically with new ones?
Surely a rot-free working Landy would be capable of doing the job for decades, no MOT to pass, simple mechanics & a total lack of complex
electronics.


You obviously do not realise how good pro drivers are:D
 
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