I am researching the Victorian mineral railways and mines which supplied the World famous cast ironworks which powered the Industrial Revolution.

I am researching the Victorian mineral railways and mines which supplied the World famous cast ironworks which powered the Industrial Revolution.

Hi,

the OS Old Maps website has various vintages of maps from 1854 to the present in scales 1:2500, 1:10560 and 1:10,000 (modern). In a few cases, larger scale town maps are also available.

http://www.old-maps.co.uk/maps.html 

A part of the area (as far west as Charles Pit)is covered in the Leeds Tithe Map Digital Resource.

http://tithemaps.leeds.gov.uk/ 

Cheers and happy hunting

Thank you for your help. With regards to Charles Pit. In my work I came across a comprehensive 1966 Report on the Bowling Company. It makes very interesting reading to anyone who knows the area. I have made it available on a web site I am setting up. www.ironworks.talktalk.net. its in the East Bierley section. best viewed with Internet Explorer
I would appreciate any comments
Cheers Brian

This post is to show the value of Adit. I have recollections of Coal Mining in the 1940's when I would be about 6-7. The area around Lepton Huddersfield was a backswood . The mining primitive I never really sorted out the full picture but within 2 days of joining it all been made clear

what a fantastic recollection for me it took me back some 68 years. My Father was the lorry driver for these pits It does not seem possible today,but this was a playground for me The Victoria Colliery was still working and I was allowed to roam about. I saw all the operations. The Woodsome Colliery at this time was closed but the shaft and headgear were still open. The number of stones I threw down the shaft. I used to walk the incline to the dayhole which they used at that time. Dad used to collect the explosives and I remember clearly carrying the detonators in the cab. The miners knew me and one day they picked up a stick of explosive and threw it into some burning embers to frighten me. So much for healthy and safety.
your map has finally put it all into context. I only signed up for Adit 2 days ago.
Thanks Brian

Great stuff Brian, the website is looking good. That 1966 report makes fascinating reading, especially since we've been out walking that way a few times. I can definately feel a few more photo-walks coming on!

Are you local to the area?

With me being a Boilermaker of the " old " school, I do fully appreciate the high quality wrought-iron boilerplate that was produced in prodigious quantities in the 19th century by the Bowling Iron Works.

Good luck with your research.

Happy Steamings!

Alan.
www.sledgehammerengineeringpress.co.uk

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Thanks for message. I am local to the area. East Bierley is a great area to see remains of the old inclines
Ironworks

We had a walk amongst the spoil heaps the other day while there was still snow on the ground; made it very easy to read the features left on the landscape.

Depressing also, as the spoil heaps appear to be well established on the 1850 OS maps. That means that all those millions of tons were probably dragged out of the ground by children.