THURSDAY. At Astley Green, Bridgewater Canal
The 2008 trip thus far: 305 Locks; 570 Miles; 56 Swing\Lift Bridges. Bus pass journeys 21
The danger of becoming a continuous moorer was looming ever larger. We had not reached the intermediate qualifying stage of ignoring passing boaters. I did not relish the idea of purchasing a generator and a large blue plastic tarpaulin; therefore moving off seemed the best option.
Leaving Castlefields, we had the run down to waters meeting junction under sunny skies, a very pleasant change. The clouds were building, although the sun remained bright until we had passed Worsley. Going over the ship canal at Barton, the early morning mist in the distance was just asking for a picture in watercolour; unfortunately I have no talent in that direction. A photograph will have to suffice as a substitute.
We could tell that we were on water not ‘looked after’ by BW. There was sufficient depth, towpaths were not overgrown and we saw two boats engaged in removing rubbish from the canal; two more were tied up awaiting emptying from earlier trips. They even provide a lighthouse at one location. So much for visions!
Arriving at Astley Green, we moored up in plenty of time for the opening of the Mining museum at 1pm. After lunch, we wandered the few hundred yards along to the entrance.
It was not a particularly old colliery, only opening in 1908, but during its heydays in the 1950s there were two shafts, the deepest being 2467 feet, 14 underground levels and over 2100 employees. But, by 1970 it had become an uneconomical pit, as demand for coal decreased and cheaper foreign imports became available, and it was forced to cease production.
One of the volunteers told us that the museum was forced to suspend all restoration work for 18 months after a visit from a health and safety inspector. (Just a thought – if men are from Mars, women from Venus; then surely Health and Safety inspectors are from Uranus). The problem was the winding house overhead gantry crane. It had no guards on the gearwheels and hands could get mangled therein. The crane was hand operated by a large handle between the crossbeams which needed two hands to wind it. This fact, and the inclined ladder access to the rails and crane were unacceptable.
Guards were eventually fitted to the crane gears. For oiling and maintenance, these must be removed as no holes were allowed. The ladder access is now vertical with safety bands. The ladder and bands extend four feet above the track, with gated access. To open the gate, you have to lean back partly through the bands, then climb down to the track. On reaching the crane frame, another gate opens towards you; requiring you to straddle the track to open it! The volunteer said that he will not climb up to the crane now. The ‘improvements’ have made it harder; and potentially more dangerous than when he climbed up safely all the years that he worked on maintenance.
The winding house has the largest steam winding engine in Europe. It has been restored, and is turned over every two weeks to prevent it seizing. It is a twin tandem compound design, producing 3300 HP, which is the same power as the BR English Electric Class 55 Deltic locos.
The cable drum that it drives is 27 feet in diameter. A plan exists to pipe off the Methane from the nearby landfill site; across to the museum. This could then be burnt to produce steam for the engine. There were two winding houses at the pit, with 16 Lancashire boilers producing the required steam.
A very interesting museum, well worth a visit.
Weather –Overcast with hot sunny intervals, light showers in evening.
