Ford Rouge Factory Tour

For our final day in the Detroit area, we left early in the morning on the bus to the Ford Factory, on the River Rouge. Today we would see the factory and then... if we had time, we would go back to Greenfield. In the bus, a little video played, and Bill Ford came on, discussing all the cool stuff it had to offer. Theatres, see-it-made stuff, and even a look over Detroit. "The rouge has it all!" he exclaimed proudly. Although I believe he is a nice guy, he's not good on camera. You can tell he's sweaty, nervous, and unprepared. But anyway, who cares?

Arrival:

We came into the factory complex, with it's big buildings, flat roofs, cylinder pipes bellowing out smoke, and FORD everywhere. It whizzed to a stop, and we went into the Rouge.

"Hi, welcome to the Ford Rouge Factory," a man with blond hair back over his head and bright blue eyes. "Me and Johnny are gonna tell you the rules. No cameras, recording devices, or food or drink in any parts of the factory. We don't want you to steal our ideas."

The man who was Johnny talked, "Oh come on Bill, don't scare 'um. Anyway, we have four stations. #1 is the Legacy Theater, where you will learn about the history and legacy of the rouge. #2 is a 4-d presentation, where there isn't just sights and sounds, but touch and smell. #3 is a look over the fabulous factory in an observation deck. #4 is what is every body's favorite, the part where you see actual F-150's being made. Now, please follow us to Station 1."

I looked around in the big, domed, room, seeing in front of me a long line of Ford cars. We went into the Legacy Theatre, and sat down in theatre seats, looking down at the screen. I will now divide the following parts of the blog into Station #1, Station #2, Station #3, and Station #4. Hope you enjoy.

Station #1 (Legacy Theatre): The movie was about how Henry Ford bought the Rouge, his employees, building it, it's struggles, and the unions formed, and the loss of jobs, and the striving of it, and the legacy of it. It was very good.

"Please exit to your left, and make sure you have all of your possessions."

We exited to the left, and then came to the doors for Station #2.

Station #2: We walked in, and unlike the other room, there were spinning chairs spread out instead of theatre chairs stuffed in. There were also seven screens, that you spin around to see all. We sat down, close to the back, and waited. Then, as orchestra and music came on, the lights came off and the presentation began. It started with metal being forged, you hearing the warmth of the fire as you see the man on the three front screens push his stick in, with fiery red things on it. On the four others, you see it, but from a different angle. We turned around a lot, trying to look at everything.

We saw the whole process of making a car, from the doors, to the stereo, to the tires, to putting the bed, and felt and saw and smelled and heard every part. It was an awesome experience. When it was done, I was sad, cause I wanted more. It was just so cool!

We came out, and stayed in the lobby for awhile, but we're directed to an elevator, and when we got in, we punched in OR (observation room; Station #3.) When the elevator doors opened, I saw Station #3.

Station #3: We saw the whole factory in an observation deck, and saw Detroit in the distance , which was separated by the Rouge River. All of these buildings were mostly flat, wide, and white. The sun was very beautiful in the distance, and the city was shining. It was very pretty. We went back on the elevator, and went down to the most coolest of all the stations. Station #4.

Station #4: Getting out of the elevator, then going through a concession stand, and then walking through a long hallway. We then went into a big room with noises of all kinds, from fire to robot sounds. We were on a balcony that went all around the room, looking down, at the moment, cars moving, and stopping, and then moving again. They were just the basic shape, not having doors, windows, or any interior stuff. A man showed us a robot picking up the front window, and then placing it on the car, and then putting a laser to it. There were doors on conveyor belts going around. They showed us putting on the tires, the interior, the stereo, and everything else. They attached the bed of the F-150, they did everything. It was so cool to actually see a car being made... step by step. Although not recorded, I will never forget that part of the day.

Departure:

We went into the gift shop, and left Ford Rouge Factory Tour. I had an unforgettable time. We came back to the parking lot, and then went into Greenfield Village again, which is a whole other story.

Goodbye for now!

Today, Sept. 23, is the first day of Autumn, and boy is their red and yellow trees. It's already that color and it's only the first day,

Andrew.