Chatterley Whitfield Colliery - Hesketh Shaft winding engine

Image: © Chris Allen Taken: 5 Feb 1984

This was when the site was open as a museum and before its closure. The site still exists in a poor condition and is open for limited visits at Heritage Open Days. These book up very quickly. This shows the horizontal duplex winding engine that serviced the Hesketh Shaft. It was built by Worsley Mesnes Ironworks of Wigan in 1914. The cylinders are 36" x 72" with drop steam (inlet) valves and Corliss exhaust valves. The reversing is by Gooch link motion. The bi-cylindro-conical drum rises from 14' to 20' diameter. I dread to think what condition this will be in by now. I do hope that it can be saved but have my doubts. It's a huge and deteriorated site. This view is down the outside of the left hand engine and clearly shows the valve gear drive via a wristplate operated by the rod coming from the Gooch link motion in the background. The headgear can just be made out through the end window. The original photograph was very dark when scanned and this has been equalised and had the levels and contrast further adjusted. This has introduced some noise (grain), especially in the darker bits.

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