Coal Cutter
Well-known member
Well its been a long time since I did a reoport on here, so long I hardly know any memebers on here now! Did a trip to Groverake recently, that wonderful lead mine in Weardale, County Durham which was later mined for fluorspar by Blanchland Fluor Mines Ltd during the second world war and then by British Steel.
We explored the Rake level, an old level which was re-driven by British Steel to reach the upper levels of spar.
There is a fall about 15 feet in from the entrance whcih is just about squeezable if you aint a big lad. Then follows waist deep water for about 10 minutes walking before hitting the dry bits. Lots of great modern artefacts are to be seen including a lvely gantry where a hauler was situated for pulling tubs up the drift. There is also a 120 ft ladder down to lower workings but we didnt have the rope gear this day and withoput a lifeline and SRT kit it would have been stupid to try it.
Anyway, heres a few snaps. Its worth a trip as most folk know the surface features such as the wonderful headgear but the Rake level is pretty much ignored for some unknown reason. Cheers!
Classic old 1970s flask!!
Passing Loop for loco's:
Gantry for hauler pulling tubs up drift:
Looking towards gantry:
Hauler signals:
Loco crossing point
Good old "flexiduct" ventilation bagging:
Cheers for looking
We explored the Rake level, an old level which was re-driven by British Steel to reach the upper levels of spar.
There is a fall about 15 feet in from the entrance whcih is just about squeezable if you aint a big lad. Then follows waist deep water for about 10 minutes walking before hitting the dry bits. Lots of great modern artefacts are to be seen including a lvely gantry where a hauler was situated for pulling tubs up the drift. There is also a 120 ft ladder down to lower workings but we didnt have the rope gear this day and withoput a lifeline and SRT kit it would have been stupid to try it.
Anyway, heres a few snaps. Its worth a trip as most folk know the surface features such as the wonderful headgear but the Rake level is pretty much ignored for some unknown reason. Cheers!
Classic old 1970s flask!!
Passing Loop for loco's:
Gantry for hauler pulling tubs up drift:
Looking towards gantry:
Hauler signals:
Loco crossing point
Good old "flexiduct" ventilation bagging:
Cheers for looking