Description Interior view of compressor house from South West, Cardowan Colliery
Interior of Compressor House, Cardowan Colliery, Lanarkshire Cardowan Colliery was opened in 1930 by Nimmo and Dunlop. In its heyday in 1959, its 1970 workers produced 1,550 tons of coal per day from its two shafts. It was closed in 1983 after a serious fire caused excessive levels of methane in the pit. The Compressor House contains equipment to produced compressed air. This powers the cutting equipment and other machinery used above and below the surface. Piped steam and compressed air are often used to power coal-mining machinery because it is safer to create power away from coal dust and possible pockets of gas than to risk setting off an explosion with a spark or flame from an engine or motor.
Main office block, Cardowan Colliery, Lanarkshire Cardowan Colliery was opened in 1930 by Nimmo and Dunlop. In its heyday in 1959, its 1970 workers produced 1,550 tons of coal per day from its two shafts. It was closed in 1983 after a serious fire caused excessive levels of methane in the pit. This is the colliery’s Main Office Block. The office space on the ground floor was extended to the back with portacabins. The Surveyor’s department was on the top floor.
Description View of Andrew Barclay saddle tank steam railway locomotive, NCB no. 23, AB 2260/1949, at Cardowan Colliery. Now (2010) in the care of the Ayrshire Railway Preservation Group.
Date 1983
NCB number 23 steam railway locomotive, Cardowan Colliery, Lanarkshire Cardowan Colliery was opened in 1930 by Nimmo and Dunlop. In its heyday in 1959, its 1970 workers produced 1,550 tons of coal per day from its two shafts. It was closed in 1983 after a serious fire caused excessive levels of methane in the pit. This is one of the steam railway locomotives used to shunt railway wagons around the colliery. Piped steam and compressed air are often used to power coal-mining machinery because it is safer to create power away from coal dust and possible pockets of gas than to risk setting off an explosion with a spark or flame from an engine or motor.