South Crofty Mine Inside 2016.2, this page of internal images was taken inside the South Winder Shed. I required special permission to gain access here, also personal safety equipment and face mask.
Sadly over the years the building had deteriorated due to the weather, along with large quantities of pigeon bodies and waste on the inside.
South Crofty Mine Inside 2016.2.1 – This is my favourite image of the winder on this page, the photo certainly gives an idea of the size of the interior of the winding shed. I took so many pictures that day, but this is the one that really came out well.
Colin Coombes was an Underground Electrician at South Crofty Mine, he carried electrical maintenance on both winders in 1988-1990. He has written a short account for this page.
Maintenance was carried out on the winders on Saturdays. First job was to check the signalling system down the shafts on each working level up to surface, for correct operation. The 3.3kV supply was then isolated to the winder and locked off with special safety locks to ensure it was safe to start work on.
Contacts where required were cleaned on the switchgear. The oil and electrolyte levels checked and topped up if required and connections checked for tightness.
South Crofty Mine Inside 2016.2.2 – The South Winder was used primarily for man riding in New Cooks Kitchen Shaft. Built in 1959 by a company called Fullarton. It was installed here in the 1970’s having been purchased from a closed colliery and converted from steam to electric power.
On completion of the maintenance, supply was restored and winder run through operation of all safety circuits, overspeed for man riding and ore carrying. Other safety trips tested, once all were confirmed to be within required limits the winder was restored to normal operation.
South Crofty Mine Inside 2016.2.3 – Over the years of closure the winder had certainly suffered, a combination of rust, neglect and bird droppings.South Crofty Mine Inside 2016.2.4 – This image certainly shows the size of the braking arms on the huge wheels.South Crofty Mine Inside 2016.2.5 – The great drive motor for the winder.South Crofty Mine Inside 2016.2.6 – Another closer image of the main drive motor.South Crofty Mine Inside 2016.2.7 – A close up image of the braking arms, sadly pigeon waste covers most of the surfaces.South Crofty Mine Inside 2016.2.8 – This image is looking between the two drums.South Crofty Mine Inside 2016.2.9 – This complicated piece of machinery was part of the fine balancing of the huge machine.South Crofty Mine Inside 2016.2.10 – This housing contains one of the bearings for the main drive shaft.South Crofty Mine Inside 2016.2.11 – Part of the complicated drive gear.Cornish Mine Images 2016.2.12 – A side on view of one of the huge drums. These are 16ft in diameter, there was enough 1 1/2” steel rope to drop the 2,400ft shaft with a maximum reach of 3300ft available.Cornish Mine Images 2016.2.13 – The main drive axle between the two drums, in the background is one of the many control panels in the building.Cornish Mine Images 2016.2.14 – Both the drums from the front, still loaded with wire rope.
The next set of images are of the Winder Drivers Cabin. Often associated with the most important job on the mine. Because, without his skill and concentration the miners would never have got underground or return to the surface safely.
Cornish Mine Images 2016.2.15 – The driver’s cabin was still in quite good condition.Cornish Mine Images 2016.2.16 – A second image of the cabin, luckily the pigeon population had not migrated through the open door.Cornish Mine Images 2016.2.17 – These are the steps leading up to the drivers cabin.Cornish Mine Images 2016.2.18 – It was most important not to talk to the driver when he was on duty. Without him the miners could not get out of the mine.
The following set of images were taken in the drivers cabin.
Cornish Mine Images 2016.2.19 – This is the drivers view from his seat. The twin drums can be seen through the window. In the foreground are the huge array of dials and switches.Cornish Mine Images 2016.2.20 – Another image of the two huge dials, these were used to monitor the speed of each of the drums on the winder.Cornish Mine Images 2016.2.21 – Due to the importance of his task the driver would need to concentrate on all the dials and gauges.Cornish Mine Images 2016.2.22 – These dials monitored the Volts, Amps and the speed of the rope.Cornish Mine Images 2016.2.23 – These buttons were in place to control the signal boards in the shaft stations.Cornish Mine Images 2016.2.24 – Various switches and dials on the drivers control board.Cornish Mine Images 2016.2.25 – This is the control panel for the clutch pump motor.Cornish Mine Images 2016.2.26 – Attached to one wall were the operating speeds of the great winder.Cornish Mine Images 2016.2.27 – A blackboard in the drivers cabin. This was used to record ropes changes and shaft inspections.
The rest of the images on this page are of the other remaining features in the Winder House I saw during my visit. Banks of switches, control boxes and electric motors littered the floor.
Cornish Mine Images 2016.2.28 – These are the coils of a huge electric motor, all fenced off for safety.Cornish Mine Images 2016.2.29 – An old warning sign covers the coils of an electric motor.Cornish Mine Images 2016.2.30 – A bank of breakers, these were in place to protect the sensitive equipment in the winder house.Cornish Mine Images 2016.2.31 – When the mine was working these meters would constantly monitor the electricity used.Cornish Mine Images 2016.2.32 – These controls were probably used to monitor the mines pumping.Cornish Mine Images 2016.2.33 – This is the main control panel which was used to monitor the important pump stations in the shaft.
Cornish Mine Images 2016.2.34 – An electric motor rusted and certainly beyond repair.Cornish Mine Images 2016.2.35 – The final image on this gallery is of the lockers for the driver and fitters.
