Winstanley pit, winding engine

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Date:Not Recorded

Description:Steam winders were invented in the 19th century, and were eventually replaced by electric winders in the 20th century around the time of nationalisation. The winding engines are the biggest power-consuming units at a colliery and share with the fan engine the responsibility for the lives of everyone underground. Apart from the safety aspect, the pit’s capacity to draw coal and earn money is dependent on them.

These Winstanley pit winding engines had 22 inch cylinders, a 4ft. stroke, a 10ft. parallel winding drum and side valves. Before installation at the Winstanley pit in the Whitfield colliery, they were provided with new steel cranks, crankshaft, and a new drum and controller. Installed in 1913, these engines were powerful enough to do the work required of them. They remained in service until they were replaced by an electric winding engine in September 1964.


Timeline

The timeline shows resources around this location over a number of years.

1870s
Wooden headgear at Chatterley Whitfield colliery
Wooden headgear at Chatterley Whitfield colliery

Before steel headgear, wooden headgear was normally used. This photograph clearly ...

1890s
Whitfield Colliery employees
Whitfield Colliery employees

Whitfield employees of 1897 muster in the colliery yard in front of the Hard Mine ...

1930s
Whitfield colliery surface ambulance team
Whitfield colliery surface ambulance team

From the 1880's ambulance teams were formed at many collieries to administer first ...

1960s
Diesel locomotive, Whitfield colliery
Diesel locomotive, Whitfield colliery

Most collieries owned their own locomotives for transporting the coal and men around ...

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Mining & Quarrying

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