SK5547 : Bestwood Colliery - Controller Gear
taken 13 years ago, near to Bestwood Village, Nottinghamshire, England
Bestwood colliery windhouse and headstock are all that remains of a large complex sited here for a little under 100 years. The colliery closed due to poor geology (and poor quality coal) in 1971. However the shafts by then were used for men and animals as a drift has been added for coal.
The pit was sunk in 1872 and the winding engine commissioned in 1876. The Barnsley seam was the first opened at a depth of 377M, later this extended (both up and down) to the a maximum depth of 555M for the 2nd piper seam. The winder house is home to a spectacular sole surviving twin cylinder vertical winding built by R. J. & E. Coupe, Worsley Mesnes Ironworks, Wigan in 1876. The site has recently been restored to a very high standard and the engine runs via an electric motor. Entry is free and visitors are taken up via a glass lift. Well worth a visit.
Please note I was under supervision when some of these images were taken, some are non public positions.